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A Journey to Victorious Praying: Finding Discipline and Delight in Your Prayer Life
Why do so many people struggle with the discipline and delight of prayer? Dr. Bill Thrasher believes we suffer from fear and a lack of understanding about the nature of prayer. In A Journey to Victorious Praying , he teaches readers that prayer is simply coming before Christ with an attitude of helplessness, opening up our needy lives to Him. Filled with practical insight, this book will give readers renewed enthusiasm for embarking on this essential journey.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
51 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Bill Thrasher
15 books6 followersalso published under the name William L. Thrasher Jr.
Bill Thrasher has served on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute since 1980 and on the graduate school faculty since 1990, where he oversees the Master's Program in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship.
He is a frequent speaker in churches and retreats across the county. He has written numerous articles and several books on Christian Living. His books include, "Living the Life God has Planned: How to Know God's Will", "A Journey to Victorious Praying: Finding Discipline and Delight in your Prayer Life," and "Believing God for His Best: How to Marry Contentment and Singleness", published by Moody Press. Two other books he has written are, "The Attributes of God in Pauline Theology" and "Principles of Christian Living from Romans 5-8."
Bill and his wife, Penny, live in the Chicagoland area and have three sons.
Bill Thrasher has served on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute since 1980 and on the graduate school faculty since 1990, where he oversees the Master's Program in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship.
He is a frequent speaker in churches and retreats across the county. He has written numerous articles and several books on Christian Living. His books include, "Living the Life God has Planned: How to Know God's Will", "A Journey to Victorious Praying: Finding Discipline and Delight in your Prayer Life," and "Believing God for His Best: How to Marry Contentment and Singleness", published by Moody Press. Two other books he has written are, "The Attributes of God in Pauline Theology" and "Principles of Christian Living from Romans 5-8."
Bill and his wife, Penny, live in the Chicagoland area and have three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 3, 2025
Good introductory book on different aspects of prayer.
May 8, 2017
Understanding how God works prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.
Probably the best book on prayer that I have read lately. Prayer books many times become about doing and instead of the purpose of what prayer is and the work of prayer. Prayer creates in us a work of God that reveals to us who he is and his will. Many times, we make it about what we want and it can all be good things but the most important thing, the one thing that matters is Christ.
The text answers with clarity and purpose Why Pray? We all go thru seasons of lack of prayer, praying our will instead of God's will. There was a quote that put prayer in perspective. It was dealing with the Holy Spirit but I see it going further. As you open up your life to the Spirit's control, you do not get more of the Spirit, but He gets more of you. ...We can assume that others have a monopoly on the things of God but it is the things of God that has monopoly on the individual.
The text is done in 9 sections. They are as follows:
Help of your Weakness
The Help of the Holy Spirit
The Help of Companionship
The Help of Scripture
The Discipline of Prayer
The Importance of Prayer
The Help of Fasting
The Waiting of Prayer
The Power of Praise
The "help" part is the tools of your prayer life and other parts are the results. Maybe you need a heart adjustment to your prayer life, this is the book to help you see more clearly the trappings we get ourselves into. Maybe you don't see the results you want to, this text with good solid teaching shares with you that results are not the issue but your heart. This is not just a book on prayer but what keeps us from prayer. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Probably the best book on prayer that I have read lately. Prayer books many times become about doing and instead of the purpose of what prayer is and the work of prayer. Prayer creates in us a work of God that reveals to us who he is and his will. Many times, we make it about what we want and it can all be good things but the most important thing, the one thing that matters is Christ.
The text answers with clarity and purpose Why Pray? We all go thru seasons of lack of prayer, praying our will instead of God's will. There was a quote that put prayer in perspective. It was dealing with the Holy Spirit but I see it going further. As you open up your life to the Spirit's control, you do not get more of the Spirit, but He gets more of you. ...We can assume that others have a monopoly on the things of God but it is the things of God that has monopoly on the individual.
The text is done in 9 sections. They are as follows:
Help of your Weakness
The Help of the Holy Spirit
The Help of Companionship
The Help of Scripture
The Discipline of Prayer
The Importance of Prayer
The Help of Fasting
The Waiting of Prayer
The Power of Praise
The "help" part is the tools of your prayer life and other parts are the results. Maybe you need a heart adjustment to your prayer life, this is the book to help you see more clearly the trappings we get ourselves into. Maybe you don't see the results you want to, this text with good solid teaching shares with you that results are not the issue but your heart. This is not just a book on prayer but what keeps us from prayer. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
December 6, 2019
This book talked about various aspects of praying. Each chapter was about 4-8 pages long, and there were 30 chapters. This book would work well as a daily devotional as each chapter leaves you with something to think about throughout the day. The author talked about things like praying Scripture, gaining strength through prayer, the benefits of fasting and how to do it, and transforming your anxiety into peace. The author was easy to understand, his points were biblically-based, and his tone was encouraging. Each chapter left me wanting to pray rather than feeling that prayer was too difficult to get right. He also told stories about praying people in the past and present to help illustrate a point or encourage the reader. At the end of the book, there were journal writing prompts, some verse references for prayers from the Bible on various topics, and ideas to stimulate prayer. Overall, I'd highly recommend this encouraging and useful book.
"What is prayer? O. Hallesby, one of Norway's leading Christian teachers, said that prayer is an attitude of our hearts towards God. It is an attitude of helplessness. This attitude of helplessness is not meant to drive you to anxiety but rather to drive you to God. In other words, prayer is helplessness plus faith. We may stumble over this until we realize that faith is simply coming to Christ with our helplessness. When we petition God in prayer, we come to Christ and tell him what we and those for whom we pray are lacking. It is opening up our needy lives to him." From page 25.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
"What is prayer? O. Hallesby, one of Norway's leading Christian teachers, said that prayer is an attitude of our hearts towards God. It is an attitude of helplessness. This attitude of helplessness is not meant to drive you to anxiety but rather to drive you to God. In other words, prayer is helplessness plus faith. We may stumble over this until we realize that faith is simply coming to Christ with our helplessness. When we petition God in prayer, we come to Christ and tell him what we and those for whom we pray are lacking. It is opening up our needy lives to him." From page 25.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
January 20, 2025
Amazingly practical, Bill Thrasher‘s book offers simple, uncomplicated, strongly biblical, activities to enable anyone to step up their prayer life. For example, on page 229 Bill suggests dividing your prayer life into different emphases for each day of the week. Monday is for missionaries, Wednesday for Kristian workers, Thursday for tasks that you’re involved in, Saturday for fellow Saints and believers, Sunday for people who need to know the grace of God that could save them from their sins and then on Tuesday he focused exclusively on Thanksgiving and praise.Using God’s blessings listed in Ephesians one, Romans, five and six and eight, this has been a powerful way for him to worship the Lord through prayer. I found this book refreshing, hopeful, and useful.
April 28, 2016
This book was required reading in one of my classes and I hate to say it is not that great. I would not have chosen to read it, but tried to get the most out of it. Unfortunately, not much in here that I agree with, it's overly anecdotal, subjective, and seeped in sentimentalism.
March 11, 2020
I thought this book was a helpful and simple read on prayer! It’s packed with practical steps to growing and stretching your prayer life! It’s written in a way that is so helpful, compelling, encouraging, and points us to scripture! Definitely recommend this book!
August 15, 2018
I'm biased, but this is the most insightful and practical book on prayer I have ever read.
October 3, 2017
A Journey To Victorious Praying: Finding Discipline And Delight In Your Prayer Life by Bill Thrasher was first published in 2003, with a preface added for this 2017 edition. Bill Thrasher has divided this journey into nine sections, designed as a sort of roadmap to help us move from praying strictly out of weakness and fear into prayer as a supreme means of joyful worship.
Whether your prayer life is simply in need of a rejuvenation and revival or if it is more of a sense of dreary obligation rather than delightful praise, this book is for you. Here, you will find both Biblical and modern stories that will help you overcome whatever barriers you find keeping you from pursuing a life attuned to God's plans through the communion of prayer. In a well structured ordering, Bill skillfully approaches topics such as fears and unworthiness, strength to believe in God, praying Scripture, fasting, waiting in peace instead of anxiety, and how to cultivate a lifestyle of worship.
Spread out over the course of thirty chapters, this book could easily be read as a 30-day devotional study to help bring you more into alignment with God's purpose for your life. The back of the book also contains a "Personal Journal" section with questions and focus thoughts for each chapter, Selected Prayers from Scripture, and Ideas to Stimulate Prayer - which are especially useful in a church or more formal group setting.
You should have your Bible handy while reading this book, because it's full of little scripture references to look up if you want to fully appreciate the point being made. It's also worth noting that this book utilizes a very direct and intellectual approach without any "filler" or "fluff" to bog a reader down or detract from the overall point being made. If you're looking for a rather simply "self-help" book with just a few pointer to make you feel better about your prayer life, this isn't it. However, if you're sincerely ready to make a priority of achieving a more meaningful and deliberate life of prayer, then this is the book to read. 4/5 stars.
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Whether your prayer life is simply in need of a rejuvenation and revival or if it is more of a sense of dreary obligation rather than delightful praise, this book is for you. Here, you will find both Biblical and modern stories that will help you overcome whatever barriers you find keeping you from pursuing a life attuned to God's plans through the communion of prayer. In a well structured ordering, Bill skillfully approaches topics such as fears and unworthiness, strength to believe in God, praying Scripture, fasting, waiting in peace instead of anxiety, and how to cultivate a lifestyle of worship.
Spread out over the course of thirty chapters, this book could easily be read as a 30-day devotional study to help bring you more into alignment with God's purpose for your life. The back of the book also contains a "Personal Journal" section with questions and focus thoughts for each chapter, Selected Prayers from Scripture, and Ideas to Stimulate Prayer - which are especially useful in a church or more formal group setting.
You should have your Bible handy while reading this book, because it's full of little scripture references to look up if you want to fully appreciate the point being made. It's also worth noting that this book utilizes a very direct and intellectual approach without any "filler" or "fluff" to bog a reader down or detract from the overall point being made. If you're looking for a rather simply "self-help" book with just a few pointer to make you feel better about your prayer life, this isn't it. However, if you're sincerely ready to make a priority of achieving a more meaningful and deliberate life of prayer, then this is the book to read. 4/5 stars.
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
July 29, 2017
While prayer is something we are all familiar with, I believe if we are honest with ourselves it is also something we often struggle with. A new book from Moody Publishers addresses this topic directly with a book by Bill Thrasher, entitled “A Journey to Victorious Praying: Finding Discipline and Delight in Your Prayer Life”. This book is for you “If you’ve ever felt too busy, confused, or unmotivated to pray”.
This little book makes an excellent month-long daily devotional because the content is divided into short chapters that are packed with advice, stories, insights, questions for thought and journaling, key Scripture verses, and more. Written in an engaging, easy-to-understand voice, this book dives into topics including: Turning Temptations into Victorious Prayer, Being Guided in Prayer, Learning to Pray Scripture, Fasting, Discovering God’s Purposes While Waiting, Worship, and much more.
Not every chapter is likely to connect with every reader, but for the most part “A Journey to Victorious Praying” is a book that I’m certain will strengthen many prayer lives. Clearly it was written from the heart of an author who has sought God’s wisdom on every page, and the result is a book that is definitely worth reading, and then referring back to time and time again.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This little book makes an excellent month-long daily devotional because the content is divided into short chapters that are packed with advice, stories, insights, questions for thought and journaling, key Scripture verses, and more. Written in an engaging, easy-to-understand voice, this book dives into topics including: Turning Temptations into Victorious Prayer, Being Guided in Prayer, Learning to Pray Scripture, Fasting, Discovering God’s Purposes While Waiting, Worship, and much more.
Not every chapter is likely to connect with every reader, but for the most part “A Journey to Victorious Praying” is a book that I’m certain will strengthen many prayer lives. Clearly it was written from the heart of an author who has sought God’s wisdom on every page, and the result is a book that is definitely worth reading, and then referring back to time and time again.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 26, 2017
A Journey to Victorious Praying
Finding Discipline and Delight in Your Prayer Life
by Bill D. Thrasher
Moody Publishers
You Are Auto-Approved
Christian
Pub Date 01 May 2003
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Victorios Praying through the publisher and netgalley:
God is attracted to weakness, he loves humble people. People who are willing to turn to him in a time of need, those who are willing to admit they always need him.
There are times we will feel unworthy, but Christ wants us to know that we have worth.
D.L Moody once reminded us that it's more important that we teach a man to pray than to teach him to preach, because a man cannot preach if they don't know how to pray.
If we love someone it is important that we pray for them, but more than that we are to pray for our enemies too.
Praying in the Spirit is important as well.
We should not be afraid to request prayer from our fellow Christians. Pray even when (especially when) life is busier than usual.
I give A Journey to Victorious Praying five out of five stars.
Happy Reading
July 25, 2017
I was intrigued about this book from the very title, like many Christians I struggle with my prayer life and I loved how this book not only talks about finding discipline but also finding delight in ones prayer life as that is what I long for.
Although this book isn't very long it is a very insightful and packed with Biblical principles and really tackles many of the misconceptions that there are about praying and really strives to point out just how very important prayer really is. I know too often when there is a situation I think that prayer is about the only thing I can do but this book stresses how prayer is so vitally important and how much we truly underestimate it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Although this book isn't very long it is a very insightful and packed with Biblical principles and really tackles many of the misconceptions that there are about praying and really strives to point out just how very important prayer really is. I know too often when there is a situation I think that prayer is about the only thing I can do but this book stresses how prayer is so vitally important and how much we truly underestimate it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 17, 2017
The tagline of the book says, Finding Discipline and Delight in Your Prayer Life. When I read that, I was immediately convinced to read it, because that’s exactly what I was trying to pursue. And let me tell you, the book did not disappoint me. It is filled with illustrations, practical tips, personal stories and quotations from legendary prayer warriors. Each driving home the one goal of finding discipline and delight in your prayer life. Read rest of the review here.. http://www.walkinginword.com/2017/07/...
January 17, 2018
Our church small group read this book over several months. I enjoy going through books slowly and getting to discuss them. It was a really good overview and analysis of a healthy prayer life. I don't think there was anything spectacular or 'new' but an encouragement to practice the things we know. A couple of times he veered close to making prayer the main thing instead of a tool in making Jesus the main thing but that could just be improper wording because it was about having a more intimate relationship with Christ.
March 13, 2020
Wow! Thought provoking, challenging and applicable. I think I just might re-read this immediately to make sure I got it all. With no fluff and all meat this book is packed with truth.
March 15, 2020
A thorough and insightful guide to a genuine and more productive prayer life. Leaves the reader with much to contemplate.
April 5, 2020
Loved this book....will read again...great insight and advice!
October 17, 2021
A great helpful encouragement to pray and explanation of the how and why for prayer. Possibly the best book on prayer I have read.
February 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It contains short, easy to read chapters but is both rich in theology and practicality.
September 13, 2023
Solid book on prayer
March 28, 2025
This is a practical and helpful book!
April 28, 2025
I have a few niggles, but on the whole a very useful book for the theology and practicalities of prayer.
August 4, 2017
I have come to hold certain expectation of books by Moody Publishers: They consistently cling to Scripture, walk systematically through a topic without scrimping on the foundational truths, and are scattered with practical challenges. A Journey to Victorious Praying: Finding Discipline and Delight in Your Prayer Life lives up to those expectations.
With elegant simplicity Bill Thrasher walks through a number of issues central to the topic of prayer. He lays a solid biblical foundation, while sensitively addressing some more challenging topics like issues that hinder our prayers, or why God doesn’t answer prayer. I am particularly appreciative of his understanding of the role of weakness in prayer.
The book consists of 30 short chapters—which could easily be used as a 1-month, a-chapter-a-day devotional tool. The chapters are split into nine sections:
Section One: The Help of Your Weakness
Section Two: The Help of the Holy Spirit
Section Three: The Help of Companionship
Section Four: The Help of Scripture
Section Five: The Discipline of Prayer
Section Six: The Importance of Prayer
Section Seven: The Help of Fasting
Section Eight: The Waiting of Prayer
Section Nine: The Power of Praise
This book would be a great starting point for exploring the topic of prayer.
Below are three of my favourite quotes:
“When concentrated times of Bible study and Bible teaching such as seminary education are not done in a spirit of prayer, it can be very dangerous spiritually. One can get so used to talking about God that he neglects the habit of talking to God” (p92).
“Most of our lives are overextended, and we fail to grasp that if our service does not flow from an abiding relationship with Christ, it is the fruit of our flesh and not the Spirit” (p114).
“Many of us continue to make the mistake of trying to compensate for our lack of communion with God with increased social and spiritual activity” (131)
“It is God’s Word that explains to us how to be open, dependent, and responsive to God’s Spirit. Although there is a subjective side of the Christian life, without God’s Word one loses an objective standard. God’s Word is the fuel that keeps the fire of prayer and worship burning in the soul of the person yielded to the Lord” (p226).
With elegant simplicity Bill Thrasher walks through a number of issues central to the topic of prayer. He lays a solid biblical foundation, while sensitively addressing some more challenging topics like issues that hinder our prayers, or why God doesn’t answer prayer. I am particularly appreciative of his understanding of the role of weakness in prayer.
The book consists of 30 short chapters—which could easily be used as a 1-month, a-chapter-a-day devotional tool. The chapters are split into nine sections:
Section One: The Help of Your Weakness
Section Two: The Help of the Holy Spirit
Section Three: The Help of Companionship
Section Four: The Help of Scripture
Section Five: The Discipline of Prayer
Section Six: The Importance of Prayer
Section Seven: The Help of Fasting
Section Eight: The Waiting of Prayer
Section Nine: The Power of Praise
This book would be a great starting point for exploring the topic of prayer.
Below are three of my favourite quotes:
“When concentrated times of Bible study and Bible teaching such as seminary education are not done in a spirit of prayer, it can be very dangerous spiritually. One can get so used to talking about God that he neglects the habit of talking to God” (p92).
“Most of our lives are overextended, and we fail to grasp that if our service does not flow from an abiding relationship with Christ, it is the fruit of our flesh and not the Spirit” (p114).
“Many of us continue to make the mistake of trying to compensate for our lack of communion with God with increased social and spiritual activity” (131)
“It is God’s Word that explains to us how to be open, dependent, and responsive to God’s Spirit. Although there is a subjective side of the Christian life, without God’s Word one loses an objective standard. God’s Word is the fuel that keeps the fire of prayer and worship burning in the soul of the person yielded to the Lord” (p226).
January 19, 2009
I knew I needed help with my prayer life, so when Bill Thrasher came to speak at my college, I decided to start with his book. Well, maybe not start. I'd read other books on prayer, one good one being "Power Through Prayer" but I needed not just incentive, but practical help as well. This book is very practical. Each chapter is short and easy to understand with a study question or two provided in the back for application. There are a few chapters that seem a little stiff, but having heard this author speak, I know that he is a humble, godly man with a genuine prayer life. He's qualified to teach on the subject. The appendix contains a concise list of Scripture prayers and references about prayer -- things that were referenced in the book but are good starting places for further study.
April 9, 2016
We are reading this book for my church small group and it's really been very helpful in my prayer life. The chapters are short and to the point, with personal stories from the author's life. I like this book a lot so far! More to come when I've finished it.
Ok so it's July and we finally finished this book. We took a break from it to do a church-wide study so that's why it took so long. It was a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about prayer or just wants to take their prayer life to a different level. The author's sharing of personal life stories really helps the reader see what he's talking about and get to know more about God's character. And anything that brings me closer to God is a good thing!
Ok so it's July and we finally finished this book. We took a break from it to do a church-wide study so that's why it took so long. It was a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about prayer or just wants to take their prayer life to a different level. The author's sharing of personal life stories really helps the reader see what he's talking about and get to know more about God's character. And anything that brings me closer to God is a good thing!
September 22, 2012
The chapters on waiting on prayer and perseverance in prayer were especially helpful and insightful. Also, just the simple suggestion of dividing your prayer life into different emphases for each day of the week is beneficial so as not to get overwhelmed.
March 11, 2016
The sections are short to be read one/day for a month. Great ideas, suggestions, examples, divisions for what your prayers can really be.
August 18, 2016
I really got a lot out of this book. It pushed me to think of things in a new way and gave me some practical steps to implement.
April 14, 2017
I've read a number of books on prayer and the fascinating thing I find is they all come from different perspectives and as a result provide fresh insights. Thrasher's book reflects his own prayer journey as he walks through various aspects of enhancing one's relationship with the Lord.
The book comprises 30 chapters which I read as a daily devotional of sorts. They grouped into 9 sections, some helping define what prayer is and its importance in our relationship with the Lord, other elements that enhance prayerfulness (e.g., Scripture, fasting, etc) and reflecting on how Jesus prayed.
This is full of excellent supporting Scripture, examples of other great prayers (e.g., George Mueller) and each chapter opens with a relevant quote to the topic being considered.
The only point I would make about perhaps enhancing the book is including prayers in it. I think one of the ways Jesus and Paul show us to pray is to use their prayers as our own. Therefore, using this example I've found it tremendously beneficial praying the prayers of others.
I know I'll be going back to this book very soon and working through it once again.
The book comprises 30 chapters which I read as a daily devotional of sorts. They grouped into 9 sections, some helping define what prayer is and its importance in our relationship with the Lord, other elements that enhance prayerfulness (e.g., Scripture, fasting, etc) and reflecting on how Jesus prayed.
This is full of excellent supporting Scripture, examples of other great prayers (e.g., George Mueller) and each chapter opens with a relevant quote to the topic being considered.
The only point I would make about perhaps enhancing the book is including prayers in it. I think one of the ways Jesus and Paul show us to pray is to use their prayers as our own. Therefore, using this example I've found it tremendously beneficial praying the prayers of others.
I know I'll be going back to this book very soon and working through it once again.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews