Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Sermons on Prayer

by Alexander Whyte

The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original London : Hodder and Stoughton; Publication 1922; Religion / Prayer; Religion / Christian Life / General; Religion / Devotional; Religion / Sermons / Christian;

Genres: Prayer, Theology, Christianity, Spirituality

Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

About the author

Alexander Whyte was a Scottish theologian, minister and Principal of New College, Edinburgh. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland in 1898.

Whyte studied divinity at the University of Aberdeen and then at New College, Edinburgh, graduating in 1866. He entered the ministry of the Free Church of Scotland and after serving as colleague in Free St. John's, Glasgow (1866 - 1870), moved to Edinburgh as colleague and successor to Rev. Dr. Robert Candlish at Free St. George's. In 1909 he succeeded Dr. Marcus Dods as Principal, and Professor of New Testament Literature, at New College, Edinburgh.

Reviews

[Robert Thacker]

This book opened my eyes to what prayer can be. Alexander Whyte's sermons were written from a place of deep interest and excitement, which makes this an enjoyable read. One cannot read this book and remain unaffected by his importunate calling to pray with all of one's intellect, desire, imagination, and heart. He carries that rich, Victorian vocabulary that initially makes his prose slow going, but eventually can be appreciated without distraction.

I'm treasuring a few takeaways. My favorite was from the sermon on imagination in prayer. Whyte ascribes a dignity to the imagination unlike any other preacher I've heard. He asserts that through imagination dwelling on Scripture and on the qualities of God, we grow closer to God. If we are to love God with all our hearts and minds, then it follows that our imaginations can be trained to grow in the same direction, towards the light, as well.

Another theme I appreciated was how often Whyte called out the urgency of prayer. This is such a needed reminder in the Age of Distraction. If prayer is being with and talking to our Father, then it's the most important habit we could ever have. Yet the temptation is to just squeeze it into the cracks. I LOVE Whyte's valuation of prayer, his desperation to be with God. It's admirable just how deeply he was drawn to prayer.

[Christine]

I love this book. The insights from this 19th century Scottish pastor are wonderful. I find myself returning to them regularly

[Lynda Newman]

Very though provoking

[Daniel Harding]

Simple. Straightforward. The individual sermons are a constant reminder of the actual 'practice' of prayer as opposed to a more academic view.

[Jeff Malin]

These sermons are a gift to hungry souls seeking and searching after God. I have no doubt that readers will be prompted and provoked to pray with the reading of each sermon.

[Jasonlylescampbell]

Eugene Peterson said he read one of Whyte's sermons every Sunday morning for 30 years while he was a pastor. I started doing that with this book about 4 weeks ago. It is a powerful practice and I have been challenged by his sermons.

[Kent]

I've read several books on prayer. My two favorites are A Praying Life (Paul E. Miller) and this one by Scottish preacher Alexander Whyte (1836-1921). A masterful collection of 23 sermons. I rarely read one of these sermons without being enlightened, encouraged, and motivated.

[Stephanie]

This is my second time reading this book. It is so understandable and yet so deep. It always drives me to know the Lord more through prayer.

[Tim]

A spiritual classic on prayer. Whyte has a unique style, which I enjoy. In this book he illuminates many relatively unfamiliar angles on prayer.

[Lynda Newman]

Awesome, I really like this author. I intend to reread this soon.