Chair Time

by Dan Southerland

We have over-complicated prayer! In its purest form, it is talking with and listening to God. Most of us have the talking part down. The listening part – not so much!Chairtime is the story of learning to listen to God. It is a simple story of a simple man learning a life changing truth. God wants to speak to us! He will if we get in the chair!

Genres: Christian, Faith

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2013

Reviews

[Susan]

Listening for God’s voice

I didn’t think I could learn a new technique for prayer time. But this short book has given me food for thought I time to renew my thoughts on prayer time.

[Christopher Chandler]

The idea of this book is simple and worthwhile, but I just don't think there is enough here for a book. The idea of the book is pretty close to centering prayer without using the language of centering prayer. Maybe that's to avoid scaring people off, but the idea is the same. I can appreciate the idea of this book, but I felt like it was really stretched into a book when it could have really been several average sized blog post.

[Kevin Ross]

If you have found that your spiritual life has been more about doing for God and not being with God, this is a great little read to reconnect you to what matters. THE RELATIONSHIP! Listening to God is actually more important than talking to God. I encourage you to try it.

[Alex Klager]

I have read this book twice now, and it has helped me learn to listen to God in a consistent way. This quick read will allow you to practice listening to God so you can truly understand what He is telling you so that you can follow His direction and seek Him more! A life changer!

[Charlotte Yutzy]

My pastor had referenced this book several times a few months ago from the pulpit, and although it took me awhile to purchase this book and far longer to actually read it and now begin to implement the practice of listening prayer and “Chair Time,” into my daily life, I believe the concepts in this book are truly life-changing in our relationships with God. Spending consistent time sitting in and enjoying the presence of God, listening to His voice, and then being obedient to what He is saying is a powerful recipe for His Spirit to transform our very lives. Even today in my Chair Time with Christ, I felt His nearness and tenderness toward me in a way that I know I would have not experienced had I not made space for Him to speak in such a tangible way. Grateful for the book and the principles within it and excited to continue to grow in my own awareness of God’s presence and hearing and heeding His voice in the coming weeks and years ahead. Highly recommend to anyone serious about their faith and wanting to grow their intimacy and relationship with Christ. He wants to speak to us…will we give Him the opportunity and just listen?

[Mike]

It's a good book on listening to God in prayer not just talking to God.

Someone in a discussion on Centering Prayer for people not familiar with centering prayer (like me) suggested this book and said it will change your praying and your life. My faith has suffered the slings and arrows of a church that seems to have left the red letter words of the Bible behind in it's sell out to politics (of all kinds). I longed to get back to a life of grace, love, mystery and faith. Chair time is about praying that is mostly listening after setting ourselves up to hear from God in the silence. I've just read the book and can't wait to try it. Meditation has been very helpful for me in a health and mental health way. I want to use some of that silence to listen for/to God, the universe, the higher power - whatever your beliefs, faith tradition, or program call it. I don't need to name it given the grain of sand I am in all of it but I want to be open to guidance. I believe this will be very helpful.

[Jana Porter]

God has more !

Yes, we don’t take time to listen to God, who is our creator and obviously knows what is best for us. This book is short and very practical. Implementing it should change your life from hectic to focused on listening to God not just during “Chair time” but all day long.

[Bill Smith]

Short and to the point

Great little book by a great Pastor. I attend Westside Family Church, and I was there for Dan’s last 3 years. I have heard him talk about chair time many times, and this book is a great “how to” of this tool to listening to God. Thank you Dan for sharing

[Rachel]

Prayer changing!!

Why is spending time with our heavenly Father so tricky? This book makes what should be so simple sound and feel so achievable. I am motivated and inspired. Thank you

[Lisa Haynes]

Good Practice

Simplistic in its approach but a challenge to executive for those who don’t have a set schedule. I’m looking forward to trying it even though everyday could be a different chair at a different time.

[Merari Reyes]

For the follower of Christ

This book was so timely for me. I must admit I also do all the talking during my prayer time. I thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of the message of ‘Chair Time’. I am ready, in fact, I need to do the same. Thank you for this powerful admonishment.

[Rafik Farouk]

God has more.

Prayer is not a new thing. We all pray for different reasons. What is really great about this book is praying by listening. I can’t want to see how and what I will hear when i let God speak vs. me speaking.

[Mary]

Short and effective

Books with instructions on prayer tend to be wordy and full of glorious examples of how to pray. This one is more about a simple method, with encouragement to keep at the method.

[Madison McCall]

True understanding of Wow/How/Now

This was such an inspiring book of how to listen and sit still with God and learning to take time everyday with him to truly listen to what he is speaking to you, and practicing what he is speaking to you.

[Annd0208]

Great read!

Very concise, easy to read, and to the point. I am loving my chair time now! Thanks for this blessing!

[Jacquelyn Waechter]

Quick read for life changing habit.

Cant wait to get started! Very well written and easy to read.l book. You dont have to be a scholar to understand.

[Mom]

Loved this book!

Thoughtful, inspiring. It was an easy read, yet filled with content. I’m working to apply it to my day to day.

[Rose Eskridge]

Awesome info

I am so grateful & excited to learn chair time. This is totally life changing. What I learn & share with my loved ones will change families for generations.

[Leaha Crawford]

Learning Something New

Praying for many years, never thought to listen. Just sit still and listen. Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to hearing God speak to me.

[Carl Hanson]

Short thought provoking

[Jamie]

Helpful

Simple, to the point, with illustrative examples and even a helpful outline to use as a supplementary resource when practicing “chair time.”

[Britain]

Profound and refocusing. However, between the font and over-repetition, they turned a 35 book into 52 pages which is unnecessary. Again, the content and message are on point.

[J Harris]

The premise in this book seems obvious - spend some alone time with God. It was on the reading list for "Disciples Made". It was a short read.

[Chris Haley]

Just what I was looking for

As a long time Christian I was feeling in a rut. This book is what I was looking for to renew my prayer life with God.

[Clay Corvin]

Excellent

[Gary Stuart]

Great, easy read

The principle of listening to God is one that I have started to practice and this book adds practical advice on how to do that. Hearing God speak is amazing…

[Heidi Gianni]

must read!

I loved this book. It is practical and realistic. Everyone who wants to hear from God should read this book!!!

[Julie Breedlove]

Very quick read. Super helpful when thinking about how to listen to God more v. doing all of the talking.

[Caleb Romero]

time with God literally redefined! a quick must read for every believer!

Short to the point and completely biblical. I can’t think of a more effective way of delivering this message. Love it!!!

[Joshua B Gritton]

worth the read

Great perspective on prayer time and a humbling way to improve your relationship with Christ. Quick read and easy for anyone to understand and implement.