The Game with Minutes

by Frank C. Laubach

2012 Reprint of 1956 American Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Frank Charles Laubach was an Evangelical Christian missionary and mystic known as "The Apostle to the Illiterates." One of his most widely influential devotional works was a pamphlet entitled "The Game with Minutes." In it, Laubach urged Christians to attempt keeping God in mind for at least one second of every minute of the day. In this way Christians can attempt the attitude of constant prayer spoken of in the Epistle to the Colossians. The pamphlet extolled the virtues of a life lived with unceasing focus on God. Laubach's insight came from his experiments in prayer detailed in a collection of his letters published under the title, "Letters by a Modern Mystic."

Genres: Christian, Discipleship, Religion, Spirituality, Devotional, Prayer

32 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

Frank Charles Laubach (September 2, 1884 – June 11, 1970), from Benton, PA was a Congregational Christian missionary educated at Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University, and a mystic known as "The Apostle to the Illiterates." In 1915 (see Laubach, Thirty Years With the Silent Billion), while working among Muslims at a remote location in the Philippines, he developed the "Each One Teach One" literacy program. It has been used to teach about 60 million people to read in their own language. He was deeply concerned about poverty, injustice and illiteracy, and considered them barriers to peace in the world.

In 1955, he founded Laubach Literacy, which helped introduce about 150,000 Americans to reading each year and had grown to embrace 34 developing countries. An estimated 2.7 million people worldwide were learning to read through Laubach-affiliated programs. In 2002, this group merged with Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. to form ProLiteracy Worldwide.

During the latter years of his life, Laubach traveled all over the world speaking on the topics of literacy and world peace. He was author of a number of devotional writings and works on literacy.

One of his most widely influential devotional works was a pamphlet entitled "The Game with Minutes." In it, Laubach urged Christians to attempt keeping God in mind for at least one second of every minute of the day. In this way Christians can attempt the attitude of constant prayer spoken of in the Epistle to the Colossians. The pamphlet extolled the virtues of a life lived with unceasing focus on God. Laubach's insight came from his experiments in prayer detailed in a collection of his letters published under the title, Letters by a Modern Mystic.

Laubach is the only American missionary to be honored on a US postage stamp, a 30¢ Great Americans series stamp in 1984.

Laubach had a deep interest in the Philippines. He wrote a biography of the Filipino national hero, Jose Rizal: Man and Martyr, published in Manila in 1936. He also translated the hero's valedictory poem, "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell.)

His emphasis on the use of Easy English for literacy led directly to the development by WEC International in 1962 of an evangelistic paper using his basic vocabulary called SOON, which now prints 3 million copies a year.

Reviews

[Matthew Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

For several years, I’d been searching for a copy of Frank Laubach’s Letters by a Modern Mystic and The Game with Minutes. They were excepts of letters from a missionary who worked to stay present to God in his thoughts throughout each minute of the day. Sadly, they’ve been more or less out of print for quite a while, and used copies were rather costly. There’s something rather ironic about that, given that Laubach was the “Apostle to the Illiterates”… Recently, however, a friend had discovered that they had been republished, and I quickly ordered one. In many ways, it is quite similar to Brother Lawrence’s classic, Practicing the Presence of God, but Laubach is a bit more candid about his difficulties, a weakness to Lawrence's writings, and quite a bit more forceful and insistent in his presentation. Some people might find the task of playing “the game with minutes” in the long run a bit more difficult than he did, but who can argue with the idea behind it? It’s a good read and an encouragement to see someone else wrestling with the task but finding some progress at the same time.

[Mark Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

As before Laubach is a giant in the field of Adult literacy. His methods are still in wide use today. Many people groups in the world are indebted to him for having a written language. But he was also a Christian mystic. This book covers the same basic ground as "Practicing the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence and this is acknowledged with some additional insights and methods given. The lives of both these men testify to the strength of this practice. Laubach would even argue that our lives are in the shape they are because we don't practice this discipline.

[Ethan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful work on a life spent in devotion to the Lord. Laubach gives many practical ways on how to live your life and walk through your day in the presence of God. Very simple ideology that every Christ follower should read and seek out. Great book on spending every minute with God and explains the rich outflows of that. Read this!!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and challenging

[Joshua Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I became familiar with Frank Laubach through the Seedsower version of "Practicing His Presence", which combined a modern revision of Brother Lawrence's classic work with selected writings from Laubach. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed Laubach more than Lawrence, which made me eager to read the rest of his writings. So I suppose my expectations were what led to my disappointment with this book. Turns out "Practicing His Presence" included all the best excerpts from "The Game with Minutes," and what remained was not much to write home about. This book contains some practical tips on how to cultivate the awareness of God's presence, but it lacks in both content and depth. It was also much shorter than I anticipated--only a short booklet at 29 pages. Alas. "Letters by a Modern Mystic" is next on my list; hopefully it will deliver where "The Game with Minutes" fell short.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a review of the first three books of 2018:

http://carolhomeschool2.blogspot.com/...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great reminder, great instruction, great book! These 32 pages have already changed my thinking! I fell asleep last night just talking to God. I used to find guilt in that, but has anyone just fallen asleep taking to their spouse? It’s all the same. Prayer doesn’t have to be the only way to communicate with God. Spending time with him as a friend is way more rewarding! It’s very difficult in the beginning to always be consciously thinking about God or any one thing for that matter. That’s where this “game” comes into play (practice). I feel Like this is a book I just need to carry around and read and re-read til its every minutes habit! I may just do that! It’s made me rethink many things and I pray that it will permanently change my habits!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really more of a booklet. And if read the wrong way, I think can feel like something ELSE you MUST do to be a good Christian, more striving and willpower.

Instead, read with the understanding of the breadth of God's love for us, it is a really beautiful practice to your day and life with Father God. I especially loved the very specific details on how to think of God every minute of the day. (The suggestions to students were spot on.)

My favorite line, "Jesus, think your thoughts in my mind."

[Travis Ledford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good in practice, relevant to any spirit filled believer with lost zeal, spend time with Jesus, He’s with you, easy short read. Not a theological masterpiece, but I don’t see any harm in it. This isn’t a works based game, it’s a Game that draws you deeper and more intimate with God, so you always win.

[Lisa Murley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a great accompaniment to Brother Lawrence's Practice the Presence of God. The author gives practical ways to be aware of the presence of God throughout our days. The one thing I do not care for too much, is the title. Actually, it's the word "Game." It isn't a "game" to me, however, I do understand why Laubach chose the name and some of it is explained in the book.

[Monica Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asked and Annswered

I wondered how one could consciously do anything once per minute and Frank has given plenty of suggestions that helped me figure out my own way to play this "game." If you've read his section in Practicing His Presence, some of this will be familiar, but there's enough extra to make it worth owning and sharing with other seekers.

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of his writings are amazing. It encourages me and blows my mind to hear someone who is completely surrendered to pursuing righteousness and following Christ constantly. I lack the best words, but I would give a kidney to have him as a friend. He's that encouraging and inspiring.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very quick read (1 hour max) - but dovetails nicely with school. a modern take on "practicing the presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. Excellent way to grow in awareness of being in the presence of God 24/7.

[Minega · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's simple, too simple? NO

I think of God throughout the day more than not but there were gems in this book! I feel blessed by it and think every Christian and non-Christian should read it

[Brittany]

Recommended in Benner desiring gods will

[Pete Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read that describes a practical and creative way to pray without ceasing! 1 Thess 5:17

[Chris Frakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and interesting insights from Laubach. Reads very catholic as to be expected but nonetheless good practices to form habits.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminder to keep God front and center throughout the day.

[Russell Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential to true living. Read and share, and go on this journey together

[Christy Keeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been a pamphlet.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was much shorter than I was hoping for. It is a very pragmatic approach to maintaining an awareness of God's presence throughout the day. It is not surprising that with Laubach's significant contributions to education, this book has a very didactic feel. It would be a great follow-up to Brother Lawrence's Practicing the Presence..., as a how-to.

[Shane Mincer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book on a weekly basis. I practice this game of minutes daily and has helped me disciple my thought life in a way that has been very fruitful with my minute by minute walk with God and ministry to others.

[Melinda Griffith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could be helpful to people in various seasons and stages of life as a way to practice Philippians 4:8.

[Tandava Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, concise manual for keeping your mind on God throughout the day.