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Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer
In Taking Hold of God , you will enter the treasury of the church of Jesus Christ and discover some of its most valuable gems on the subject of Christian prayer. The writings of the Reformers and Puritans shine with the glory of God in Christ, offering us much wisdom and insight today that can make our own prayer lives more informed, more extensive, more fervent, and more effectual. Six contemporary scholars explore the writings and prayer lives of several Reformers and Puritans among them Martin Luther, John Calvin, William Perkins, Matthew Henry, and Jonathan Edwards guiding us to growth in prayer and a more grateful communion with God. Table of
1. Martin Luther on Prayer and Reformation - Brian G. Najapfour
2. John Calvin on Prayer as Communion with God - Joel R. Beeke
3. John A Theologian of Prayer - Brian G. Najapfour
4. William Perkins on the Lord's Prayer - J. Stephen Yuille
5. Anthony Burgess on Christ's Prayer for Us - Joel R. Beeke
6. John Bunyan on Praying with the Holy Spirit - Michael A.G. Haykin
7. The Puritans on the Help of the Holy Spirit in Prayer - Johnny C. Serafini
8. Matthew Henry on a Practical Method of Daily Prayer - Joel R. Beeke
9. Thomas Boston on Praying to Our Father - Joel R. Beeke
10. Jonathan Edwards on Prayer and the Triune God - Peter Beck
11. Puritan Prayers for World Missions - Joel R. Beeke
12. Prayerful Praying Today - Joel R. Beeke
1. Martin Luther on Prayer and Reformation - Brian G. Najapfour
2. John Calvin on Prayer as Communion with God - Joel R. Beeke
3. John A Theologian of Prayer - Brian G. Najapfour
4. William Perkins on the Lord's Prayer - J. Stephen Yuille
5. Anthony Burgess on Christ's Prayer for Us - Joel R. Beeke
6. John Bunyan on Praying with the Holy Spirit - Michael A.G. Haykin
7. The Puritans on the Help of the Holy Spirit in Prayer - Johnny C. Serafini
8. Matthew Henry on a Practical Method of Daily Prayer - Joel R. Beeke
9. Thomas Boston on Praying to Our Father - Joel R. Beeke
10. Jonathan Edwards on Prayer and the Triune God - Peter Beck
11. Puritan Prayers for World Missions - Joel R. Beeke
12. Prayerful Praying Today - Joel R. Beeke
267 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
138 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Joel R. Beeke
445 books344 followersDr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 13, 2023
2023: Great.
2014: This book probably became my favorite one on prayer.
2014: This book probably became my favorite one on prayer.
June 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It provides church history, the writings of the puritans, aids to your prayer life, and plenty of scripture. If you want to grow in your understanding of prayer, this is a great place to start.
February 22, 2022
In my neverending quest to become better at prayer who else should I turn to but to the Reformers, the Puritans, and Joel Beeke? A book that is well researched and structured with only a few hiccups. Taking many resources and boiling them down to this one topic had to be an endeavor and shows why there are so many co-authors here. With an encouraging and good gut-punching ending this was a good overview on prayer.
Covering Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, William Perkins, Anthony Burgess, John Bunyan, Matthew Henry, Thomas Boston, Jonathan Edwards, and then a spattering of other Reformers and Puritans each author takes his theologian and structures the writing on a particular topic.
Where Luthor, Calvin, and Knox get to introduce prayer and hit it from many angles, others get a different approach. Perkins has the Lord's Prayer, Burgess and Bunyan have the prayers of the Son & the Spirit. Henry has the form on how to pray. Boston on the personalness of prayer. Edwards has prayer to a Triune God. The last two chapters cover how many theologians prayed for evangelism and a general call to seek out prayer.
The book starts off really strong with the first three theologians getting a lot of territory on the subject. Perkins' Lord's Prayer portion feels a little removed as it doesn't quite get into the practical perspective for the reader but there is a great read just on his thoughts and personal application can be had with the material if one were to do so on their own. Honestly, the weakest inclusion here is Edwards. While Edwards didn't write specifically on prayer, it's not as if he didn't talk about it. However, his inclusion here feels like they needed to include something by the Master Edwards. Not that it isn't informative but it could have been left out. The last chapter really stands out as someone who appreciates a book on an application of theology to punch me in the gut and challenge me through ridicule, threat, and benefits this had a good "ow!" factor that I appreciated. The book is well-cited as well so further reading can be done and is a good introduction to who the big Reformed/Puritan names are.
It didn't answer all my questions I wanted answered but it did a really good job of doing exactly what you want this book to do - drive you to pray, pray more, or get serious about prayer. Final Grade - A-
Covering Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, William Perkins, Anthony Burgess, John Bunyan, Matthew Henry, Thomas Boston, Jonathan Edwards, and then a spattering of other Reformers and Puritans each author takes his theologian and structures the writing on a particular topic.
Where Luthor, Calvin, and Knox get to introduce prayer and hit it from many angles, others get a different approach. Perkins has the Lord's Prayer, Burgess and Bunyan have the prayers of the Son & the Spirit. Henry has the form on how to pray. Boston on the personalness of prayer. Edwards has prayer to a Triune God. The last two chapters cover how many theologians prayed for evangelism and a general call to seek out prayer.
The book starts off really strong with the first three theologians getting a lot of territory on the subject. Perkins' Lord's Prayer portion feels a little removed as it doesn't quite get into the practical perspective for the reader but there is a great read just on his thoughts and personal application can be had with the material if one were to do so on their own. Honestly, the weakest inclusion here is Edwards. While Edwards didn't write specifically on prayer, it's not as if he didn't talk about it. However, his inclusion here feels like they needed to include something by the Master Edwards. Not that it isn't informative but it could have been left out. The last chapter really stands out as someone who appreciates a book on an application of theology to punch me in the gut and challenge me through ridicule, threat, and benefits this had a good "ow!" factor that I appreciated. The book is well-cited as well so further reading can be done and is a good introduction to who the big Reformed/Puritan names are.
It didn't answer all my questions I wanted answered but it did a really good job of doing exactly what you want this book to do - drive you to pray, pray more, or get serious about prayer. Final Grade - A-
January 4, 2022
Excellent. The last chapter by Dr Joel Beeke is worth reading and re-reading.
October 22, 2018
Good stuff.
January 14, 2024
If you are struggling in your prayer life, read this book! It is rich with encouragement and conviction as well as some practical steps. Luther says “the command to pray is the hardest work of all..a labor above all labors, since he who prays must wage a mighty warfare against doubt and murmuring excited by the faintheartedness and unworthiness we feel within us.”
One of the most impactful takeaways for me was the chapter on Christ’s mediatory prayer for us in John 17. Anthony Burgess says, “this prayer of Christ’s sanctifieth all our prayers. They become accepted of God through him…he prayed that our prayers might be received. Though I am unworthy, yet Christ is worthy to be heard.”
Another huge takeaway was the necessity of the Spirit in prayer. We cannot know how to pray or what to pray for without the Spirit’s work within us. Growing in one’s prayer life is not as much about trying harder as it is about repentance and then reliance on the Spirit.
There’s so much more I could say about this book, but I’ll leave it at that!
One of the most impactful takeaways for me was the chapter on Christ’s mediatory prayer for us in John 17. Anthony Burgess says, “this prayer of Christ’s sanctifieth all our prayers. They become accepted of God through him…he prayed that our prayers might be received. Though I am unworthy, yet Christ is worthy to be heard.”
Another huge takeaway was the necessity of the Spirit in prayer. We cannot know how to pray or what to pray for without the Spirit’s work within us. Growing in one’s prayer life is not as much about trying harder as it is about repentance and then reliance on the Spirit.
There’s so much more I could say about this book, but I’ll leave it at that!
September 3, 2025
At its best, this book can be enlightening, challenging, and encouraging. At its worst, it feels like a glorified reference book where some guys tell me what some guys think some guys think the Bible says. Is it wrong of me to want to cut out at least one layer of middle men?
Martin Luther is the only author discussed who isn't exactly a Calvinist. The book explains a lot about Reformed theology, but largely assumes that even if you're ignorant about Calvinism that you do at least agree with it. Trouble is, I can't say the picture of Calvinism given, particularly in the first half, is all that attractive.
But even as someone who often disagreed with the theology, I admit this book had some great practical wisdom. I have found it very helpful in places. I don't regret reading it, but it was very difficult to get through at times.
Martin Luther is the only author discussed who isn't exactly a Calvinist. The book explains a lot about Reformed theology, but largely assumes that even if you're ignorant about Calvinism that you do at least agree with it. Trouble is, I can't say the picture of Calvinism given, particularly in the first half, is all that attractive.
But even as someone who often disagreed with the theology, I admit this book had some great practical wisdom. I have found it very helpful in places. I don't regret reading it, but it was very difficult to get through at times.
October 22, 2020
I took quite a long time to finish this book, but it was (mostly) intentional. Each chapter is so rich with encouragement towards prayer from various Puritans that I didn't want to rush it. Sometimes I would only read a section at a time, because the immediate effect was to drive me to my Father in prayer in order to practice what I was learning. Each chapter was so packed full of information and material for contemplation that I knew immediately I can count on needing to read it again. In fact, I will probably want to read this book several times in my life before I could possibly claim to have absorbed all that it has to offer. I am so grateful for the care and encouragement published here; my praying relationship with God will forever benefit from Taking Hold of God.
August 5, 2022
Prayer is work, but a labor of love. Read this book if you want to see this work improve in your personal piety.
September 26, 2012
This book was absolutely amazing!!!! I know people will write really gushy reviews about books, saying over and over again that "THIS BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE!" But before you cease reading my review, I ask for only a moment longer of your time.
While I hope that I do not come across sentimental or "gushy", I would be less than honest if I did not state that "Taking Hold of God" shaped and transformed my personal prayer life. This small, 240 page book is just phenomenal in its exploration and teaching on prayer.
In it you will find chapters like:
"Martin Luther on Prayer and Reformation"
"The Puritans on the Help of the Holy Spirit in Prayer"
"Matthew Henry on a Practical Method of Daily Prayer"
"Jonathan Edwards on Prayer to the Triune God"
All 12 chapters are full of just rich thoughts and excerpts from our Puritan and Reformed spiritual forefathers.
I highly recommend that each and every Christian secure a copy of this book for his own personal use.
While I hope that I do not come across sentimental or "gushy", I would be less than honest if I did not state that "Taking Hold of God" shaped and transformed my personal prayer life. This small, 240 page book is just phenomenal in its exploration and teaching on prayer.
In it you will find chapters like:
"Martin Luther on Prayer and Reformation"
"The Puritans on the Help of the Holy Spirit in Prayer"
"Matthew Henry on a Practical Method of Daily Prayer"
"Jonathan Edwards on Prayer to the Triune God"
All 12 chapters are full of just rich thoughts and excerpts from our Puritan and Reformed spiritual forefathers.
I highly recommend that each and every Christian secure a copy of this book for his own personal use.
June 3, 2015
I read this book as part of a Pastor's reading group of @ 12. We read it over the last 9 months. It is a good, but not exceptional, work on prayer, focusing on reformed and puritan prayer. The work is broad in scope, discussing 9 different men, as well as puritans in general. This was helpful to gain a good perspective on the views on prayer by men such as Luther, Calvin, Owen and Edwards. The work is well footnoted and has an excellent bibliography - very helpful if one desires to pursue individuals and their ideas.
The big lack in in writing was balance across the various authors.
On the whole this is a helpful work. It rightly calls us to "prayerful praying" (chapter 12).
The big lack in in writing was balance across the various authors.
On the whole this is a helpful work. It rightly calls us to "prayerful praying" (chapter 12).
December 29, 2017
I admit that I am a big fan of Puritan writings. Therefore, immediately when I laid eyes on the title: Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer I was intrigued. The editors, Joel R. Beeke and Brian G. Najapfour, put together a valuable treasure of knowledge and wisdom through this collection of essays. Their intention was that through the uniting of such material the influence of these men (who were so profoundly steeped in experiential biblical truth) would lead us to utilize the same biblical truths and take hold of God ourselves through Christian prayer.
The structure of the book flows in a somewhat chronological manner. It starts with Martin Luther, flows to John Calvin, and then it weaves through different essential figures and doctrines till it ends on Jonathan Edwards. The editors point out that these Reformers/Puritans were so steeped in the Bible that much of what they taught was profound meditations and applications of scripture. So even though each article concentrates on highlighting what the Reformer/Puritan taught on prayer, it is nearly impossible to do so without also simultaneously quoting or referencing to scripture.
One of the most significant impacts I had from reading this book was all of the original sources it led me to. The essays seemed to open a world of resources to pull and learn from, and to form an incredible bibliography of works on prayer. Some of my favorite sources that it led me to were Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray,” Matthew Henry’s “Method for Prayer,” and William Gurnall’s “The Christian in Complete Armour.” The book especially challenged me by the amount of thought these men put into their prayers. Their prayers we not merely quick and pointless conversations. They reflected deeply on the reality of prayer as one coming before the holy and Triune God.
In regards to this book’s impact on my life, this may sound like a simple and obvious thing I should have already been doing as I prayed, but one of the greatest helps in my personal prayer life that I am taking and implementing is the use of the Lord’s Prayer in Mt. 6. This impact came from the chapter on Martin Luther. Martin Luther was such a proponent of utilizing the Lord’s Prayer as an outline for the “model prayer,” and a portion of Luther’s explanation on this deserves to be quoted at length,
"Thus, “there is no nobler prayer to be found on earth [than the daily Lord’s Prayer], for it has the excellent testimony that God loves to hear it.” It was one of his encouragements in prayer. He knew that if he prayed it, God would be pleased because God Himself gives it: “We should be encouraged and drawn to pray [it] because, in addition to this commandment and promise, God takes the initiative and puts into our mouths the very words we need, and we shall never doubt that our prayer pleases him and will assuredly be heard. So this prayer is far superior to all others that we might ourselves devise.”"
I could go on about the different nuggets and essential truths the chapters uncover in the treasury of the Reformers/Puritans writings on prayer, but I will leave you to find the rest.
The other helpful thing to note is that Joel Beeke does an excellent job at the end of the book in summarizing and working out sound applications and reflections from the essays bringing it all together quite succinctly. After reading these other chapters, it is beneficial because one can feel overwhelmed and inadequate at trying to implement some of the things brought up. He summarizes the three main principles for “taking hold of God” as
1. Plead God’s promises in prayer
2. Look toward the glorious Trinity in prayer,
3. Believe that God answers prayer
These three principles do well at encapsulating the central themes one picks up from the rest of these chapters.
In biblical content: 4/5
They do an overall excellent job of tracking down scripture references when it was either directly quoted or closely resembled a teaching found in the scriptures by the Reformer/Puritan.
In writing style: 3.5/5
As is the case with most books written by multiple authors, you have a collection of different writing styles here, and so this leads to a less uniform read.
In accomplishing the goal of the book: 5/5
I believe they did an excellent job in bringing together a treasure trove of resources on prayer and enabled to the best of their ability the reader to implement it.
Therefore overall rating of 4.25/5
1. Beeke, Joel; Najapfour, Brian. Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer (Kindle Locations 495-500). Reformation Heritage Books. Kindle Edition.
The structure of the book flows in a somewhat chronological manner. It starts with Martin Luther, flows to John Calvin, and then it weaves through different essential figures and doctrines till it ends on Jonathan Edwards. The editors point out that these Reformers/Puritans were so steeped in the Bible that much of what they taught was profound meditations and applications of scripture. So even though each article concentrates on highlighting what the Reformer/Puritan taught on prayer, it is nearly impossible to do so without also simultaneously quoting or referencing to scripture.
One of the most significant impacts I had from reading this book was all of the original sources it led me to. The essays seemed to open a world of resources to pull and learn from, and to form an incredible bibliography of works on prayer. Some of my favorite sources that it led me to were Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray,” Matthew Henry’s “Method for Prayer,” and William Gurnall’s “The Christian in Complete Armour.” The book especially challenged me by the amount of thought these men put into their prayers. Their prayers we not merely quick and pointless conversations. They reflected deeply on the reality of prayer as one coming before the holy and Triune God.
In regards to this book’s impact on my life, this may sound like a simple and obvious thing I should have already been doing as I prayed, but one of the greatest helps in my personal prayer life that I am taking and implementing is the use of the Lord’s Prayer in Mt. 6. This impact came from the chapter on Martin Luther. Martin Luther was such a proponent of utilizing the Lord’s Prayer as an outline for the “model prayer,” and a portion of Luther’s explanation on this deserves to be quoted at length,
"Thus, “there is no nobler prayer to be found on earth [than the daily Lord’s Prayer], for it has the excellent testimony that God loves to hear it.” It was one of his encouragements in prayer. He knew that if he prayed it, God would be pleased because God Himself gives it: “We should be encouraged and drawn to pray [it] because, in addition to this commandment and promise, God takes the initiative and puts into our mouths the very words we need, and we shall never doubt that our prayer pleases him and will assuredly be heard. So this prayer is far superior to all others that we might ourselves devise.”"
I could go on about the different nuggets and essential truths the chapters uncover in the treasury of the Reformers/Puritans writings on prayer, but I will leave you to find the rest.
The other helpful thing to note is that Joel Beeke does an excellent job at the end of the book in summarizing and working out sound applications and reflections from the essays bringing it all together quite succinctly. After reading these other chapters, it is beneficial because one can feel overwhelmed and inadequate at trying to implement some of the things brought up. He summarizes the three main principles for “taking hold of God” as
1. Plead God’s promises in prayer
2. Look toward the glorious Trinity in prayer,
3. Believe that God answers prayer
These three principles do well at encapsulating the central themes one picks up from the rest of these chapters.
In biblical content: 4/5
They do an overall excellent job of tracking down scripture references when it was either directly quoted or closely resembled a teaching found in the scriptures by the Reformer/Puritan.
In writing style: 3.5/5
As is the case with most books written by multiple authors, you have a collection of different writing styles here, and so this leads to a less uniform read.
In accomplishing the goal of the book: 5/5
I believe they did an excellent job in bringing together a treasure trove of resources on prayer and enabled to the best of their ability the reader to implement it.
Therefore overall rating of 4.25/5
1. Beeke, Joel; Najapfour, Brian. Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer (Kindle Locations 495-500). Reformation Heritage Books. Kindle Edition.
December 29, 2020
What can we learn from past saints in regards to prayer? In Taking Hold of God, Reformation Heritage Books shares reformed and puritan perspectives on prayer.
Edited by Joel R. Beeke and Brian G. Najapfour, this book presents 12 chapters that examine the writings and prayer lives of several significant Reformers and Puritans. Amongst others, Najapfour takes on Luther and Knox; Beeke takes on Calvin, Henry, and Boston. It is an impressive collection and worth considering to guide and grow your own personal prayer life.
Practical, Trinitarian Prayer
Several points stood out to me in regards to both the Reformers and Puritans. First, prayer was practical. Prayer was not simply a topic for theological discussion. These giants of the faith were on their knees night and day. Second, prayer had a distinct Trinitarian dimension. Luther specifically found prayer to be to God the Father, in the Name of God the Son, and with the help of God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity was a reality to the Reformers, and each Person was present to the Puritans.
Understanding prayer also means thinking about the problems we encounter when making pleas to God. Knox explains how we gain greater faith and gratitude when God delays the answer to our prayers. Unbelief and hypocrisy are two reasons why God might deny our prayers.
Sincerity and Humility
Nevertheless, God still wants us to pray. In fact, God commands us to pray. So when we feel unworthy to approach him, Knox reminds us that we must remember the precepts and promises of God as an encouragement and motivator to come before his throne.
In other chapters, we learn that sincerity is a prerequisite of true prayer. Also, prayer has the ability to humble our hearts before God. Prayer is a practice of the reality of God’s presence. Beeke examines Anthony Burgess and Christ’s prayer for us in John 17. Jesus prays as a priest, intercessor, and mediator – and he is specifically praying for the elect. It is an example to follow as we engage the glory of God.
Spiritual Focus and Power
Of particular importance to me is how Thomas Boston claims that adoption is the foundation of prayer. We come to our Heavenly Father with petitions for comfort. Our Father is pleased to see us. It’s adoption that grants us all the privileges, protection, and provision in prayer.
The book ends with a look at prayer and missions, as well as practical considerations for your prayer life. It is challenging, yet encouraging. I am eager to begin the new year with a renewed focus on prayer. Not because of formality or piety, but for spiritual focus and power. This book has been and will be a great help.
I received a media copy of Taking Hold of God and this is my honest review.
Edited by Joel R. Beeke and Brian G. Najapfour, this book presents 12 chapters that examine the writings and prayer lives of several significant Reformers and Puritans. Amongst others, Najapfour takes on Luther and Knox; Beeke takes on Calvin, Henry, and Boston. It is an impressive collection and worth considering to guide and grow your own personal prayer life.
Practical, Trinitarian Prayer
Several points stood out to me in regards to both the Reformers and Puritans. First, prayer was practical. Prayer was not simply a topic for theological discussion. These giants of the faith were on their knees night and day. Second, prayer had a distinct Trinitarian dimension. Luther specifically found prayer to be to God the Father, in the Name of God the Son, and with the help of God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity was a reality to the Reformers, and each Person was present to the Puritans.
Understanding prayer also means thinking about the problems we encounter when making pleas to God. Knox explains how we gain greater faith and gratitude when God delays the answer to our prayers. Unbelief and hypocrisy are two reasons why God might deny our prayers.
Sincerity and Humility
Nevertheless, God still wants us to pray. In fact, God commands us to pray. So when we feel unworthy to approach him, Knox reminds us that we must remember the precepts and promises of God as an encouragement and motivator to come before his throne.
In other chapters, we learn that sincerity is a prerequisite of true prayer. Also, prayer has the ability to humble our hearts before God. Prayer is a practice of the reality of God’s presence. Beeke examines Anthony Burgess and Christ’s prayer for us in John 17. Jesus prays as a priest, intercessor, and mediator – and he is specifically praying for the elect. It is an example to follow as we engage the glory of God.
Spiritual Focus and Power
Of particular importance to me is how Thomas Boston claims that adoption is the foundation of prayer. We come to our Heavenly Father with petitions for comfort. Our Father is pleased to see us. It’s adoption that grants us all the privileges, protection, and provision in prayer.
The book ends with a look at prayer and missions, as well as practical considerations for your prayer life. It is challenging, yet encouraging. I am eager to begin the new year with a renewed focus on prayer. Not because of formality or piety, but for spiritual focus and power. This book has been and will be a great help.
I received a media copy of Taking Hold of God and this is my honest review.
September 10, 2023
This book is both a 5 star and 1 star book.
What makes it a 5? I love the references to historical brothers and their teaching. The sections on Luther and Calvin were my favorite. I loved a lot of Beeke’s analysis in the last chapter too. There were some helpful summaries and analysis too. I think the motives are great for this book even with some glaring failures.
Now the 1 star. When the Bible talks prayer, it doesn’t talk prayer by trying to guilt people into praying. There are time in this book where the motivational tactic seems to be one of manipulation by creating a compare yourself to the men mentioned. Beeke even mentions in the last chapter that it’s easier to guilt people, yet there are times where chosen quotes and the editors compare and contrast the giants of faith with the reader. A guilt tactic, if they had time, why can’t you have time?
Scriptures tactic to teach prayer is to help you understand the Gospel and character of Christ.
Again, worth the read? Yes. Some issues with the guilt tactics? Yes.
What makes it a 5? I love the references to historical brothers and their teaching. The sections on Luther and Calvin were my favorite. I loved a lot of Beeke’s analysis in the last chapter too. There were some helpful summaries and analysis too. I think the motives are great for this book even with some glaring failures.
Now the 1 star. When the Bible talks prayer, it doesn’t talk prayer by trying to guilt people into praying. There are time in this book where the motivational tactic seems to be one of manipulation by creating a compare yourself to the men mentioned. Beeke even mentions in the last chapter that it’s easier to guilt people, yet there are times where chosen quotes and the editors compare and contrast the giants of faith with the reader. A guilt tactic, if they had time, why can’t you have time?
Scriptures tactic to teach prayer is to help you understand the Gospel and character of Christ.
Again, worth the read? Yes. Some issues with the guilt tactics? Yes.
March 27, 2023
This book is not what I thought it was. I mean it is but it’s so much more. I bought it thinking that it would be a lot of reformation and Puritan quotes on prayer. Illustrations and things of that nature but in typical Beeke fashion… it is not a shallow well. There is the typical biography parts of the book, so nothing really big there, but there is a diving in of the Holy Spirit‘s role in prayer. I especially appreciated the chapter on the high priest, the prayer, as well as the diving in of the Lords prayer. Doctrinally speaking, I took a lot away from the chapter on adoption. And has prayer is an evidence of faith.
September 13, 2022
Important book for any serious reformed and orthodox Christian.
I found chapter 7 (The Puritans on The Help of the Holy Spirit in Prayer) interesting, but much of what was covered in that chapter was also covered in each chapter on the individual Puritan pastors and theologians. There seemed to be some redundancy, especially as to quotes from Thomas Boston.
I felt, as it relates to my own weak and sub-par prayer life, that the chapter on Matthew Henry had the most impact. I immediately ordered Henry's book on praying through Scripture: "A Method for Prayer: Freedom in the Face of God"
I found chapter 7 (The Puritans on The Help of the Holy Spirit in Prayer) interesting, but much of what was covered in that chapter was also covered in each chapter on the individual Puritan pastors and theologians. There seemed to be some redundancy, especially as to quotes from Thomas Boston.
I felt, as it relates to my own weak and sub-par prayer life, that the chapter on Matthew Henry had the most impact. I immediately ordered Henry's book on praying through Scripture: "A Method for Prayer: Freedom in the Face of God"
June 19, 2023
A readable book but hard to read. Why do I say that?
The authors write clearly and winsomely, pointing to the importance of prayer. They also cite extensively on how the Puritans viewed prayer and modeled its importance.
It is hard to read too, as we are so far off from seeing prayer as an integral part of the Christian life. Our prayers are so weak, so worldly, and do not hallow God’s name nor treat God with reverence and awe.
The last chapter contains helpful tips by Joel Beeke to pray better. With God’s help, I shall endeavour!
The authors write clearly and winsomely, pointing to the importance of prayer. They also cite extensively on how the Puritans viewed prayer and modeled its importance.
It is hard to read too, as we are so far off from seeing prayer as an integral part of the Christian life. Our prayers are so weak, so worldly, and do not hallow God’s name nor treat God with reverence and awe.
The last chapter contains helpful tips by Joel Beeke to pray better. With God’s help, I shall endeavour!
July 29, 2024
Undoubtedly the most comprehensive, informative, and genuinely helpful book on prayer I've ever read. Most books on prayer have left me discouraged and ashamed that I don't measure up or find enough joy in prayer. This one has inspired me to persevere and let God do with my feelings what He will. I'm actually looking forward to what God will do to grow me in this discipline. Better late than never!
November 20, 2017
This was a fantastic and wonderful take on the prayer life and teachings of the Puritans. Those men and women knew how to press into God, how to lay claim to His promises, and how to fight to stir their affections to the glory of God. If only I could pray half as fervently as some of these guys, I would be well pleased.
September 25, 2017
Outstanding Book on Prayer
This book is a treasure. The chapters on m Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and Matthew Henry were wonderful to read. The last chapter was also good. I can't recommend this book enough.
This book is a treasure. The chapters on m Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and Matthew Henry were wonderful to read. The last chapter was also good. I can't recommend this book enough.
December 2, 2019
Interesting, though generally non-critical, compilation of teachings on prayer from various reformers and puritans. It could have used some critical analysis of the teachings rather than simply compiling them.
October 12, 2020
Very solid book with much food for thought. Lower rating just because I didn’t really enjoy the process of reading it - a bit academic and dry. Maybe it will speak more to me when I grow in the habits of prayer.
October 15, 2023
If you want to get serious about bolstering up your prayer life you have found the right book. My prayers have been incredibly spirit filled, enjoyable, and deeply moving after gleaning from the wisdom of these faithful men.
August 5, 2025
One of the many great golden nuggets from this book:
“Edwards argued that those who do not pray live life as if there were no God at all. They are not believers. They are atheists.”
As Christians we must pray as we confess we believe.
“Edwards argued that those who do not pray live life as if there were no God at all. They are not believers. They are atheists.”
As Christians we must pray as we confess we believe.
September 27, 2025
The whole book is a great reminder of the importance and power of prayer. It is full of wisdom and guidance from both reformers and puritans concerning how to deepen your prayers and make them more meaningful.
December 10, 2017
Excellent
A great encouragement to prayer. Both the challenge from saints past as well as the practical means for developing greater prayer passion and effectiveness.
A great encouragement to prayer. Both the challenge from saints past as well as the practical means for developing greater prayer passion and effectiveness.
June 11, 2018
This for me is the final word as far as books on prayer go.
January 12, 2019
Wonderful book!
May 13, 2019
I cannot recommend this volume highly enough. Deeply theological and rich in practical application. If you desire to press further in your prayer life, then make this your next read.
July 24, 2020
Thorough. Practical.
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