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Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God's Power and Provision
This 13week study goes back to the biblical basics of prayer, cleaning out myths about prayer to rev up a powerful, ongoing connection to God that can invigorate every aspect of a Christians life.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 4, 2020
My women's Bible study leader chose this book for us to read as a group. I later asked her why, and she said because it said things that other books on prayer didn't say. Which is true, though I don't necessarily mean that in a good way. Some chapters were very good, but others left our group confused and questioning what she meant. Most of her illustrations were not clear or were too complex and scientific for some of our group. My main objection to this book is that it makes prayer seem too difficult. We started out by praying before every session, but we quickly stopped praying altogether. Shouldn't a book on prayer inspire people to pray more? I also didn't like how she would take quotes out of context and try to use them to support her views. We caught her at this several times in the book.
Personally, I think her view of prayer is flipped. I believe that God is sovereign and His will will be done. I believe that prayer is for our benefit and to get us aligned with His will. This author states again and again that God's will cannot be done on earth unless it's prayed for by us. That we must be so in tune with His will (like a prophet) that we will know what to pray so that it will come true. That we must pray long and hard (like giving birth) until God's will is done on earth. I don't agree with this, so I did not enjoy this book.
Personally, I think her view of prayer is flipped. I believe that God is sovereign and His will will be done. I believe that prayer is for our benefit and to get us aligned with His will. This author states again and again that God's will cannot be done on earth unless it's prayed for by us. That we must be so in tune with His will (like a prophet) that we will know what to pray so that it will come true. That we must pray long and hard (like giving birth) until God's will is done on earth. I don't agree with this, so I did not enjoy this book.
September 18, 2017
an awesome journey
I recommend this book to each and every one of you who longs to know God better. This was the first Bible study that I took part in. For me it was truly eye opening. I've been saved for many years, but still on a lower level of undersanding. I was that person who felt I had to get the prayers just right, say exactly the right thing, never forget to pray, or else. This book has opened my eyes to greater truths. 1. I learned that God is okay if my words aren't perfect. 2. Praying is a constant thing. And 3. God is the one who pushes me to pray and this means he is already working on the problem. Please read this book and enrich your life!
I recommend this book to each and every one of you who longs to know God better. This was the first Bible study that I took part in. For me it was truly eye opening. I've been saved for many years, but still on a lower level of undersanding. I was that person who felt I had to get the prayers just right, say exactly the right thing, never forget to pray, or else. This book has opened my eyes to greater truths. 1. I learned that God is okay if my words aren't perfect. 2. Praying is a constant thing. And 3. God is the one who pushes me to pray and this means he is already working on the problem. Please read this book and enrich your life!
June 14, 2022
This is the best book on prayer, that I've read. I will confess, even after reading this book, I still don't understand all the mysteries of prayer, but I understand a lot more. This book tackles hard questions such as 'can we really change God's mind with prayer?', 'why does prayer seem not to work', 'how to pray', 'what is the purpose of prayer', etc. It gives concrete steps on how to develope a praying life and is heartily, biblically, referenced.
July 11, 2019
An excellent study with a bare bones approach. The clarity of biblical aspects was appreciated. Minimal fluff, thought provoking analogies.
There is a PURPOSE of prayer, and it is a PROCESS. To gain the PROMISE you must PRACTICE prayer....four distinctive sections to guide your prayer life approach.
There is a PURPOSE of prayer, and it is a PROCESS. To gain the PROMISE you must PRACTICE prayer....four distinctive sections to guide your prayer life approach.
February 25, 2021
Transform my prayer life
I am thankful and blessed that I committed the thirteen weeks required to read through this book. It became part of my morning devotions. My prayer has matured and I pray differently.
I am thankful and blessed that I committed the thirteen weeks required to read through this book. It became part of my morning devotions. My prayer has matured and I pray differently.
May 21, 2017
Wonderful
My soul feasted on this. I've learned a new way to pray. I have developed an even greater prayer life.
My soul feasted on this. I've learned a new way to pray. I have developed an even greater prayer life.
January 15, 2021
Didn't realize just how much I appreciated this book until I reflected back on my year and it was obvious that this book had a great impression on me!
March 11, 2023
My favorite book & author ever. It turned my faith on its head in the best way possible.
May 26, 2016
4.5/5 stars.
I just finished this Bible study at my church, and I loved it. If you have ever asked yourself what is the use of praying if God is sovereign, this study is a must-read. I have always struggled with really feeling that prayer was important - I knew biblically that it was, but intellectually I just couldn't make sense of it. This Bible study reconciled the conflict in my brain, and I look at prayer in an entirely different way now. You probably could get a lot out of doing the Bible study alone, but I thought that her language got a little confusing at times and could be interpreted in a non-biblical way, so make sure you are reading closely and comparing to Scripture to make sure you aren't misunderstanding her - but watching the videos of this study really cleared up any issues that could have been confusing, so if you can, watch the videos along with this study. I'll be going through this one again.
I just finished this Bible study at my church, and I loved it. If you have ever asked yourself what is the use of praying if God is sovereign, this study is a must-read. I have always struggled with really feeling that prayer was important - I knew biblically that it was, but intellectually I just couldn't make sense of it. This Bible study reconciled the conflict in my brain, and I look at prayer in an entirely different way now. You probably could get a lot out of doing the Bible study alone, but I thought that her language got a little confusing at times and could be interpreted in a non-biblical way, so make sure you are reading closely and comparing to Scripture to make sure you aren't misunderstanding her - but watching the videos of this study really cleared up any issues that could have been confusing, so if you can, watch the videos along with this study. I'll be going through this one again.
March 31, 2016
Thought provoking study on prayer - Jennifer Kennedy Dean is one of my favorite Christian authors. She has a way of using examples that make absolute sense to me. When an author can make something difficult become clear - then I definitely appreciate the offering! Her "Power in the Name of Jesus" is still one of my all-time favorite books.
I still may not fully understand all the nuances and God-sized mysteries behind prayer, answered prayers, and my part in the process - but Ms. Dean certainly clarified the process more than I've experienced in the past.
I still may not fully understand all the nuances and God-sized mysteries behind prayer, answered prayers, and my part in the process - but Ms. Dean certainly clarified the process more than I've experienced in the past.
August 12, 2015
I went through this book as part of a Bible study, and I found it refreshingly insightful. Her explanations of prayer help make sense of it and give purpose to prayer. Explaining prayer in light of a lifestyle and our place in God's working, tying into the themes of suffering and God's will and sovereignty. and not shying away from the questions of prayers answered and unanswered.
April 3, 2009
Opened my eyes to some wonderful truths about prayer
January 21, 2010
Man, the intro in this book is already pulling me in deeper! I can't wait to read this along with our Friday night sync-up! It's gonna be awesome!!
December 27, 2010
it was good, not as thought provoking as some other studies i have done, but i really liked reading about her interpretation of prayer
July 10, 2015
Outstanding book and study.
March 21, 2016
This book changed my life.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews