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The Power of Prayer by R. A. Torrey
A classic handbook on tapping the unlimited power of God through prayer.No other book so clearly outlines the positives of prayer, the prerequisites to prayer, the purpose of prayer, or the power of prayer.
Paperback
First published February 23, 1987
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About the author
Reuben A. Torrey
540 books86 followersReuben Archer Torrey studied at Yale and in Germany before taking up a pastorate in the United States. As a gifted intellectual, administrator, and Bible teacher, he went on to pastor Moody Church in Chicago and became D.L. Moody's closest associate. In his later years, he traveled the world as an evangelist speaking to millions in Australia, New Zealand, India, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Japan, China, Hawaii, Germany, the United States, and Canada. Torrey edited the last two volumes of the monumental "The Fundamentals" and was instrumental in the founding of both Moody Bible Institute and BIOLA University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 6, 2022
Overall, I gave this book a 4. You can call it an older version of Prayer: Asking and Receiving by John R. Rice. It is a comprehensive study on prayer, looking through passages to help believers how to pray in a way that pleases God. Torrey was a scholar and great Bible teacher in his day, and you can see that as you read the book. Very insightful.
He believed believers can pray for revival. The last chapter really encouraged me. Writing as if in 2022, he looks through verses to explain what revival is, what it does, and why we should pray for it.
Having said that, he does come across as too strict when it comes to standards. Though he was writing in the early 20th century, you feel as if he imposes his standards on believers in 2022, not giving any room for a Christian liberty.
Do let that discourage you from reading it. It was a free read for me, and it was a great supplement to my Bible reading.
He believed believers can pray for revival. The last chapter really encouraged me. Writing as if in 2022, he looks through verses to explain what revival is, what it does, and why we should pray for it.
Having said that, he does come across as too strict when it comes to standards. Though he was writing in the early 20th century, you feel as if he imposes his standards on believers in 2022, not giving any room for a Christian liberty.
Do let that discourage you from reading it. It was a free read for me, and it was a great supplement to my Bible reading.
February 8, 2021
This is a great book on the power of prayer. He teaches us in this book how to pray with conviction. When we pray we should accept the answer to be there soon. He teaches us how to pray individually as well as collectively.
June 28, 2020
I’ve been trying not to inflate my ratings of books. 3 stars is a book I liked, 4 stars I would recommend to most, 5 stars is a book that changed my life.
Honestly I think this book on prayer is one I will come back to again and again as I grow in the discipline and joy and intimacy and travail of prayer. The more I felt called to intercession & prayer, the more I found myself falling into the trap of seeing prayer as a “duty”/“habit”/“burden” - but I pray that the timeless biblical truths presented in this book will transform my prayer life into the powerful & effective partnering with God that it is meant to be.
I think this book was put together by putting together a series of his sermons, so parts will be (very) repetitive - this is more noticeable in text than in speech. At times, it was really hard for me to read because of this. If that is also true for you, I recommend listening to it as an audiobook, which mimics listening to a series of sermons.
Honestly I think this book on prayer is one I will come back to again and again as I grow in the discipline and joy and intimacy and travail of prayer. The more I felt called to intercession & prayer, the more I found myself falling into the trap of seeing prayer as a “duty”/“habit”/“burden” - but I pray that the timeless biblical truths presented in this book will transform my prayer life into the powerful & effective partnering with God that it is meant to be.
I think this book was put together by putting together a series of his sermons, so parts will be (very) repetitive - this is more noticeable in text than in speech. At times, it was really hard for me to read because of this. If that is also true for you, I recommend listening to it as an audiobook, which mimics listening to a series of sermons.
September 7, 2025
A classic book on prayer first published in 1924. This is a collection of sermons and discourses on the topic, so there is a bit of repetition and overlap, and some illustrations are outdated, but overall very solid theologically, biblically grounded, and quite the wake up call for how far we've slipped as a society away from God's desires.
February 11, 2017
This is my second time reading this booklet.
If you need to have a prayer-life like that describe in the book of Acts then I recommend this book.
This is my second time reading this.
If you need to have a prayer-life like that describe in the book of Acts then I recommend this book.
This is my second time reading this.
August 16, 2021
Rating: 4,5
I'm always on a hunt for good devotionals and Godly advice and I've read quite a few of them since last year's lockdown and this one didn't disappoint either. I'm so humble for the fact that this was put together from the work that was done in the '90s and it still applies to today's world, culture, and faith journey for each one who reads this, whether they are a believer or not. I strongly advise you to give it a chance and not back off or be afraid of the topics that you face here. I thought I knew how to pray and how and when God answers my prayers, but I was wrong and while reading it, I had to dig deeper into my soul. In the midst of it, I learned a great lesson; to never assume I know something well or great enough because there's always room for more wisdom, truth, and understanding. This was truly magical and I'd recommend it.
I'm always on a hunt for good devotionals and Godly advice and I've read quite a few of them since last year's lockdown and this one didn't disappoint either. I'm so humble for the fact that this was put together from the work that was done in the '90s and it still applies to today's world, culture, and faith journey for each one who reads this, whether they are a believer or not. I strongly advise you to give it a chance and not back off or be afraid of the topics that you face here. I thought I knew how to pray and how and when God answers my prayers, but I was wrong and while reading it, I had to dig deeper into my soul. In the midst of it, I learned a great lesson; to never assume I know something well or great enough because there's always room for more wisdom, truth, and understanding. This was truly magical and I'd recommend it.
July 4, 2022
Everyone should read this book, Torrey gave me a new perspective and conviction on how I should be praying and why!
April 24, 2017
This book has a lot of good theological view points on prayer. It is very straightforward in expressing the need for praying people. Below is one paragraph that perfectly sums up the topic of this book and how straightforward it is.
'"Why is it," many a minister is asking, "that I see so little fruit from my ministry? Why are there so few conversions? Why does my church grow so slowly? Why are the members of my church so little helped by my ministry, and built up so little in Christian knowledge and life?" And again God replies: "Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not."'
'"Why is it," many a minister is asking, "that I see so little fruit from my ministry? Why are there so few conversions? Why does my church grow so slowly? Why are the members of my church so little helped by my ministry, and built up so little in Christian knowledge and life?" And again God replies: "Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not."'
October 4, 2012
As a whole, this book was theologically solid. Every now and then, it seemed to border on prosperity Gospel, though. Also, because it is a collection of sermons which would have been heard, not read, some of the chapters (and even paragraphs) can become very repetitive. It read surprisingly quickly. I do believe I grew in my Christian faith as a result of reading this book.
November 14, 2012
Amazing book on prayer. Very helpful.
April 17, 2013
This was the first book that I read on prayer. Since then I have read many, but this one is by far the best. Keep this one in your library and read it over and over again.
October 7, 2014
Invigorated and expounded on my understanding and desire to pray in power
September 12, 2016
Good book
This was a good book with powerful scriptural truths for the practicing Christian. I would recommend this book for a deeper understanding of prayer.
This was a good book with powerful scriptural truths for the practicing Christian. I would recommend this book for a deeper understanding of prayer.
February 7, 2019
I have been reading this book for several weeks but failed to post it on Goodreads until today. It has much to offer anyone interested in deepening their prayer life or needing a push to begin praying more regularly and effectively. It covers all aspects of prayer including, who can pray, how to pray, what prayer can do for all nations, praying in the name of Jesus, the prayer of faith, praying through and in the Holy Spirit, hindrances to prayer and, prevailing prayer and real revival.
Even though it was written in the 1920s, it is not outdated or out of touch. I found it to be very much on point. It is good sometimes to read books written in a different generation to snap us out of our current mindset and enable us to see things from another perspective.
Torrey's message is much needed today amid the division, lack of reason and logic, and the self-centeredness of our current society. While this book was written in the 1920s, its message is still relevant and powerful for today. As Torrey says, " The great need of our day is prayer, more prayer, and better prayer." The chapter on prevailing prayer and real revival is my favorite in which he says, "It is not necessary that the whole church get to praying to begin with. Great revivals always begin first in the hearts of a few men and women whom God arouses by His Holy Spirit to believe in Him as a living God, as a God who answers prayer, and upon whose heart He lays a burden from which no rest can be found except in importunate crying unto God. Oh may He, by His Spirit, lay such a burden upon our hearts today."
I believe this book will inspire others to pray for God to burden them by His Holy Spirit to intercede on behalf our nation & world today.
Even though it was written in the 1920s, it is not outdated or out of touch. I found it to be very much on point. It is good sometimes to read books written in a different generation to snap us out of our current mindset and enable us to see things from another perspective.
Torrey's message is much needed today amid the division, lack of reason and logic, and the self-centeredness of our current society. While this book was written in the 1920s, its message is still relevant and powerful for today. As Torrey says, " The great need of our day is prayer, more prayer, and better prayer." The chapter on prevailing prayer and real revival is my favorite in which he says, "It is not necessary that the whole church get to praying to begin with. Great revivals always begin first in the hearts of a few men and women whom God arouses by His Holy Spirit to believe in Him as a living God, as a God who answers prayer, and upon whose heart He lays a burden from which no rest can be found except in importunate crying unto God. Oh may He, by His Spirit, lay such a burden upon our hearts today."
I believe this book will inspire others to pray for God to burden them by His Holy Spirit to intercede on behalf our nation & world today.
July 7, 2023
I found this book trying. Mr. Torrey was a hard taskmaster about praying absolutely perfect prayers, if one wants answers. Most people would utterly give up and expect nearly no answers to prayer after reading this.
Example #1:
The wife who pleads before God's throne for her unsaved husband to be converted, because she cannot bear for him to experience eternal suffering in hell, is said to be praying selfishly, so that she may not receive her answer. Why? Because her whole motive in praying should be that God would be glorified through the husband's conversion. (I think God would be glorified by each and every person's conversion, but Mr. Torrey makes it all hinge on the wife's sole motive being God's glory and nothing else.)
Example #2:
Page after page asserts that people will not get answers to prayer if they are not obeying God on every point they are aware of in His Word. Have any of us attained such perfection in our own ability? What about the righteousness of Christ being our claim, rather than our own perfection? Are we not continually growing into being conformed to the image of Christ? Of course, we should not be willfully sinning, but that did not seem to be what was presented here.
The last third of the book was mostly an angry rant against the Church. Mr Torrey did not seem to know how to differentiate between church goers who do not know the Lord in the first place and those who do. There was the same lack of differentiation between apostate pastors who deny the core beliefs of the Church and true pastors.
There were some excellent exhortations along the way, such as praying for our pastors that they would be set ablaze for Jesus, rather than criticizing them for how they fall short. Praying for revival and the salvation of souls was mentioned often, as was setting aside more time for prayer and the Scriptures.
I realize that in the time Mr. Torrey lived, the Church was quite a mixture of grace and works, with grace being mostly understood for entrance into salvation, while works and willpower were the dominating mindset for ongoing Christian living. We find this often among books by mighty prayer warriors of that era. They did not seem to understand continued grace for holy living, which flows forth from being led by the Spirit, rather than from our zealous endeavors to keep the Law.
In summary, meeting umpteen conditions for answered prayer and his insistence that we can expect no answers if we do not completely meet those conditions was off-putting and discouraging for me.
Example #1:
The wife who pleads before God's throne for her unsaved husband to be converted, because she cannot bear for him to experience eternal suffering in hell, is said to be praying selfishly, so that she may not receive her answer. Why? Because her whole motive in praying should be that God would be glorified through the husband's conversion. (I think God would be glorified by each and every person's conversion, but Mr. Torrey makes it all hinge on the wife's sole motive being God's glory and nothing else.)
Example #2:
Page after page asserts that people will not get answers to prayer if they are not obeying God on every point they are aware of in His Word. Have any of us attained such perfection in our own ability? What about the righteousness of Christ being our claim, rather than our own perfection? Are we not continually growing into being conformed to the image of Christ? Of course, we should not be willfully sinning, but that did not seem to be what was presented here.
The last third of the book was mostly an angry rant against the Church. Mr Torrey did not seem to know how to differentiate between church goers who do not know the Lord in the first place and those who do. There was the same lack of differentiation between apostate pastors who deny the core beliefs of the Church and true pastors.
There were some excellent exhortations along the way, such as praying for our pastors that they would be set ablaze for Jesus, rather than criticizing them for how they fall short. Praying for revival and the salvation of souls was mentioned often, as was setting aside more time for prayer and the Scriptures.
I realize that in the time Mr. Torrey lived, the Church was quite a mixture of grace and works, with grace being mostly understood for entrance into salvation, while works and willpower were the dominating mindset for ongoing Christian living. We find this often among books by mighty prayer warriors of that era. They did not seem to understand continued grace for holy living, which flows forth from being led by the Spirit, rather than from our zealous endeavors to keep the Law.
In summary, meeting umpteen conditions for answered prayer and his insistence that we can expect no answers if we do not completely meet those conditions was off-putting and discouraging for me.
July 8, 2018
I had never before read any works of Torrey, the man so important to the founding of Biola, the school I attend. He presents cogent arguments concerning prayer in this book, yet the most powerful aspect of the book is not the argumentation as much as the stories he shares of God at work in response to persistent and serious prayer. I question some of Torrey's conclusions, as they verge on legalism, yet his book had a positive influence on me. This morning before attending church meetings, I prayed with a brother in Christ over the college ministry, of which I am a part.
I should also mention that a section of the book I found especially helpful concerned hinderance to prayer. It was enlightening as well as encouraging to me that I should love my wife liberally if I am to expect God my Father to answer my requests liberally. Even more so, praying the will of God is key.
I recommend this book to those interested in learning more about the power of prayer, yet at the same time the reader must beware of the author's tendency toward legalism.
I should also mention that a section of the book I found especially helpful concerned hinderance to prayer. It was enlightening as well as encouraging to me that I should love my wife liberally if I am to expect God my Father to answer my requests liberally. Even more so, praying the will of God is key.
I recommend this book to those interested in learning more about the power of prayer, yet at the same time the reader must beware of the author's tendency toward legalism.
January 16, 2021
This is helpful for mature Christians with a good grasp on prayer already. It certainly instills a desire to pray more earnestly, and with humble attitude. And he has many places of brilliance that are helpful.
There are places where Torrey, however, far from lifting a frail Christian to delight in prayer would cripple and crush them in how he speaks. For instance, early on he says boldly that the fault of a wayward child lies at the parents' door for a lack of prayer.
Although he clearly does not believe this, he does give the impression that if we only sort ourselves out first than our prayers will always be answered - to my mind, this seems very much against the nature of grace and the gospel.
There are places where Torrey, however, far from lifting a frail Christian to delight in prayer would cripple and crush them in how he speaks. For instance, early on he says boldly that the fault of a wayward child lies at the parents' door for a lack of prayer.
Although he clearly does not believe this, he does give the impression that if we only sort ourselves out first than our prayers will always be answered - to my mind, this seems very much against the nature of grace and the gospel.
November 15, 2023
This book is a collection of messages delivered 100 years ago to Torrey's students. I love these types of books as Torrey speaks of 'today' being the 1920's. It's very interesting to see what the leadership was struggling with at that time. New philosophies regarding God's Word, schools like the University of Chicago whom Torrey routinely criticized for their liberal theology. Not much has changed.
Torrey is awesome here calling us back to a faith that is genuine and strong. I highly recommend this book.
Torrey is awesome here calling us back to a faith that is genuine and strong. I highly recommend this book.
June 4, 2025
This is one of the top two books on prayer I have ever read [and I have read a few]. This is the second time I have read a version of this book this year and it is just as fresh this time as the first time. I may read it yet again. I read this volume slowly. A little bit each day along with other books to absorb it better. This edition has the added benefit of several of Torrey's messages after the actual book on prayer and they are all excellent, but then, I have never read a bad Torrey message, book, quote ... anything. Highly recommended.
November 5, 2020
Powerful and Wondeful Book on PRAYER
This is a powerful and wonderful book on prayer. It's a book every child of God that desire a fresh move of God in our nations and societies must read. It is also a book for everyone in the Kingdom of God who thirst and hunger for personal revival in their life, family and the Body of Christ.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and confirms some of the experiences and encounters have had in God.
This is a powerful and wonderful book on prayer. It's a book every child of God that desire a fresh move of God in our nations and societies must read. It is also a book for everyone in the Kingdom of God who thirst and hunger for personal revival in their life, family and the Body of Christ.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and confirms some of the experiences and encounters have had in God.
October 25, 2020
You could read this book for free on google play books.
this book is a great and balanced one about prayer. maybe this book also written to answer the new age movement in that age, for not to claimed any promise in the scripture. this book not a step by step how we should pray, more to the concept of what we ask in our prayer.
this book is a great and balanced one about prayer. maybe this book also written to answer the new age movement in that age, for not to claimed any promise in the scripture. this book not a step by step how we should pray, more to the concept of what we ask in our prayer.
August 30, 2021
A must-read for Christians
This is the most practical and concise book about prayer that I've ever seen. I just finished it and look forward to reviewing my notes and highlights, of which there are MANY. Throughout the book the author offers many examples for his points, as well as much meat in the points themselves. I look forward to a re-read.
This is the most practical and concise book about prayer that I've ever seen. I just finished it and look forward to reviewing my notes and highlights, of which there are MANY. Throughout the book the author offers many examples for his points, as well as much meat in the points themselves. I look forward to a re-read.
September 12, 2021
Very inspirational!
R. A. Torrey’s Challenge to prayer and consistent Christian living is a standard in the mini books crying out for revival. His standards are about as high as anyone in our history and his advice, while probably not liked by many in Christian circles today, is very accurate according to God‘s Word.
R. A. Torrey’s Challenge to prayer and consistent Christian living is a standard in the mini books crying out for revival. His standards are about as high as anyone in our history and his advice, while probably not liked by many in Christian circles today, is very accurate according to God‘s Word.
October 22, 2021
The Greatest Need in the Church Today
The Bible tells us that "if my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14. This is what America needs today.
The Bible tells us that "if my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14. This is what America needs today.
February 6, 2024
Powerful
A faith-filled, power packed read that inspires you to get on your knees & pray like never before. Not in a religious way, but more like a revolutionary way. There is something like reading books that have been written decades ago, it’s carries so much substance & transformation
A faith-filled, power packed read that inspires you to get on your knees & pray like never before. Not in a religious way, but more like a revolutionary way. There is something like reading books that have been written decades ago, it’s carries so much substance & transformation
July 24, 2024
A good guide to improve your Prayer Life
R.A. Torrey is straight to the point and delivers a strong message of the need, the purpose and the necessity of prayer. Whether in ministry or a simple believer the need for powerful prayer is vital to the Christian walk. The author pointedly gives guidance and reason for powerful prayer.
R.A. Torrey is straight to the point and delivers a strong message of the need, the purpose and the necessity of prayer. Whether in ministry or a simple believer the need for powerful prayer is vital to the Christian walk. The author pointedly gives guidance and reason for powerful prayer.
December 26, 2025
I loved the passion and energy for prayer that Mr. Torrey presents in this book. There are some things that I didn't quite agree with, but they were minimal. This book is filled not only with encouragements to pray but also with much Scripture and information about prayer. I highly enjoyed this. There are not many pages without some yellow highlighting!
October 25, 2020
Several good ideas to consider!
While some of the suggestions in the book could nowadays be considered controversial or downright wrong, there are still many good thoughts and an interesting discussion of prayer and the church.
While some of the suggestions in the book could nowadays be considered controversial or downright wrong, there are still many good thoughts and an interesting discussion of prayer and the church.
January 8, 2022
Es un buen libro que exhorta a orar y nos ayuda explicando las porciones de la Biblia que nos guían a hacerlo. Hay partes doctrinales que no estoy de acuerdo y el final del libro es un poco “raro” pero en general es un buen recurso.
January 25, 2022
Chapter 9, “hindrances to prayer” is an eye-opener to the question of why we don’t see our prayers answered more often. Overall, in spite of being largely a collection of addresses from the author from about 100 years ago, it is still very much relevant in 2022.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews