The Art of Prayer: A Simple Guide to Conversation with God

by Timothy K. Jones

“I often shrink from books about prayer, because they usually produce in me feelings of inadequacy. I was delighted to find Tim Jones to be a sympathetic, not intimidating, guide. He writes with humility, clarity, and practicality–exactly the qualities I want in a book on prayer.”
–Philip Yancey

Revised and Expanded Edition with Study Guide Included


“Timothy Jones…guides us into a life of prayer not by cramming us with knowledge and technique, but by quietly returning us to simplicity of soul and the presence of God.”
–Eugene Peterson



Something within us wants to grow closer to the God who loves to relate to us. But we often hesitate. Even though we have a desire to pray, questions nag

Can I pray when I feel distant from God?
Is it okay to ask God for help in “little” things?
What do I do when I don’t know what to say?
What sense can I make of seemingly unanswered prayer?
How do I keep growing closer to God?

In The Art of Prayer, Timothy Jones honestly shares his own struggles with prayer and invites you to be honest–and hopeful–as well. Offering biblically wise, warmly instructive explorations of our questions, Jones considers how you can become fluent in the world’s simplest talking with God.

Includes a full-length inductive Bible study guide on prayer, ideal for small groups or individual readers.

“…wisely human, spiritually practical, and wonderfully interesting.”
– the late Lewis Smedes, author of My God and I

“…luminous prose and…lucid insights.”
– Publishers Weekly

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 1997

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly mediocre book about prayer. Outlines several main types of prayer, and for me the best takeaway was a reintroduction to the concept of personal relationship with God. I've never been an atheist, but for years I was restlessly somewhat satisfied with a conceptualization of God as an impersonal force, the energy behind the natural world but maybe not someone you talk to. But I really missed the entity I used to talk to as a kid and teen, and having that just be a force of nature was not really enough for me. So, a welcome home of sorts. Back to praying to a personal God, and it feels good. Your mileage may and almost certainly will vary, some of my best friends are atheists, insert other disclaimers here.

Fast read, easy read. Some simple stuff to mull over, mostly to put into practice. The author is by turns encouraging & an annoying wanker. It was also interesting reading a Christian prayer book as someone who does not believe in the divinity of Christ, but there was enough Unitarian-God talk (God as one being, not as a Trinity) to relate to, except for a little bit at the end. Omit most of the "through Christ, our Lord"s, and it's fine.

An interesting compare & contrast to the Kate Braestrup books I read this year: I found both books to be inspiring, but this one helped me better develop a personal prayer practice. The Braestrup ones were far superior writing, and the author had a much warmer, wittier voice, with an outstanding talent for storytelling that Jones just does not possess. And yet, this one made me talk *to* God more, not just think *about* God. The UU book kept me kind of focused on the human world, skirting around God or defining God as Love, and in this one, God is most certainly classic Coke, guy-in-the-sky God. I can appreciate aspects of both, and try to integrate them in my spiritual practice & theology.

[Charity Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very philosophical. I felt that others whom I've heard pray have a better prayer life and see God as a friend more than a formula than the author. I didnt finish the book. I tried 3 chapters. I got rid of the book. I feel like he was making it too deep and complicated.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author talks about all aspects of prayer.

Great writing and interesting.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book multiple times and I get something different from it every time. Highly recommend.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful bits of guidance here, but overall it didn’t speak much to me or my life.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I was so impressed by the Spiritual Formation Bible, now called The Meeting God Bible from Upper Room Books. I found this to be a wonderful approach to praying. Very well grounded and not at all intimidating. Very readable. Well laid out, each section a different kind of prayer. Nice section of study questions at the back would make this a good book for a book group.

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite book on Prayer;
Jones writes in a comfortable style, has historical quotes and writes insightfully of prayer in an attractive, thoughtful way.

Two thumbs up.

From another review:

Something within us wants to grow closer to the God who loves to relate to us. But we often hesitate. Even though we have a desire to pray, questions nag us:

Can I pray when I feel distant from God?
Is it okay to ask God for help in “little” things?
What do I do when I don’t know what to say?
What sense can I make of seemingly unanswered prayer?
How do I keep growing closer to God?

In The Art of Prayer, Timothy Jones honestly shares his own struggles with prayer and invites you to be honest–and hopeful–as well. Offering biblically wise, warmly instructive explorations of our questions, Jones considers how you can become fluent in the world’s simplest language: talking with God.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones is an elegant, thoughtful writer. His approach to prayer is slightly different than I expected and certainly less a 'nuts-and-bolts' coverage of the subject but it has spurred me to new and deeper consideration of my prayer practices. I would not recommend as an entry point for those interested in developing their faith in prayer but the book certainly has much to add to anyone's growing relationship with God.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never finished reading it

[Jt]

book on prayer