A journey through the concept of prayer, including how to think about prayer and how to engage in it.
Book Review from
Book Review
PRAYER 101: Learning to Talk with God
by Don M. Aycock
Chalice Press, 978-0-827229-87-9, PB, 104 pages
For those who know Rev. Don Aycock, the intimate tenderness of this book's wording will not come as a surprise. Aycock is a pastor, author of 20 books, and popular speaker at men's retreats and writers' conferences. He is not flamboyant, loud-spoken, nor brash. When he talks, his message comes from the heart. So, too, is it when he writes, as evidenced in this eight-chapter book on aspects of prayer. Aycock's message is that we serve a God who desires communication with us through deeds, meditation, and, above all, prayer. However, most of us are not knowledgeable about God's lessons on prayer.
Aycock takes the reader through all the basic elements of prayer; hence the name of his book, as though we are going through a college freshman course on the subject. He explains that we are invited by God to pray and that Jesus taught us a beginner's prayer in presenting what is commonly referred to as "The Lord's Prayer." He also discusses what our approach to prayer should be by going into great detail about the Pharisee who was proud and the tax collector who was humble. My personal favorite section is chapter four, in which Aycock analyzes Luke 18:1-14. Here, Jesus tells the story of a nagging widow who harassed a judge so many times, he finally granted her wish just to get her off his back. Aycock points out that God cannot be worn down, but he can be pleased by those who are so confident in his ability to answer their prayers, they will not stop praying even when it seems as though God is not hearing them.
This book ends each chapter with a list of personal challenges called, "It's Your Turn Now," in which Aycock explains how to put the lessons of that chapter into immediate operation. Additionally, each chapter has a section called, "Questions for Further Reflection," that can be used to initiate group discussion for a Sunday school class or small group Bible study. This little book is pragmatic, thorough, uncomplicated, and biblically solid. Anyone wanting to start an active prayer life or revitalize one gone dormant would benefit from reading the advice found herein.
Professional Reviews
The Aboite Independent,
Book Review
PRAYER 101: Learning to Talk with God
by Don M. Aycock
Chalice Press, 978-0-827229-87-9, PB, 104 pages
For those who know Rev. Don Aycock, the intimate tenderness of this book's wording will not come as a surprise. Aycock is a pastor, author of 20 books, and popular speaker at men's retreats and writers' conferences. He is not flamboyant, loud-spoken, nor brash. When he talks, his message comes from the heart. So, too, is it when he writes, as evidenced in this eight-chapter book on aspects of prayer. Aycock's message is that we serve a God who desires communication with us through deeds, meditation, and, above all, prayer. However, most of us are not knowledgeable about God's lessons on prayer.
Aycock takes the reader through all the basic elements of prayer; hence the name of his book, as though we are going through a college freshman course on the subject. He explains that we are invited by God to pray and that Jesus taught us a beginner's prayer in presenting what is commonly referred to as "The Lord's Prayer." He also discusses what our approach to prayer should be by going into great detail about the Pharisee who was proud and the tax collector who was humble. My personal favorite section is chapter four, in which Aycock analyzes Luke 18:1-14. Here, Jesus tells the story of a nagging widow who harassed a judge so many times, he finally granted her wish just to get her off his back. Aycock points out that God cannot be worn down, but he can be pleased by those who are so confident in his ability to answer their prayers, they will not stop praying even when it seems as though God is not hearing them.
This book ends each chapter with a list of personal challenges called, "It's Your Turn Now," in which Aycock explains how to put the lessons of that chapter into immediate operation. Additionally, each chapter has a section called, "Questions for Further Reflection," that can be used to initiate group discussion for a Sunday school class or small group Bible study. This little book is pragmatic, thorough, uncomplicated, and biblically solid. Anyone wanting to start an active prayer life or revitalize one gone dormant would benefit from reading the advice found herein. Dr. Dennis Hensley
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