Understanding Prayer: Biblical Foundations and Practical Guidance for Seeking God

by Sam Storms

A comprehensive, theological guide to the practice and power of prayer.

In Understanding Prayer, author, pastor, and scholar Sam Storms unpacks the meaning and power of prayer by looking closely at actual prayers recorded in Scripture. Underscoring the importance of a personal relationship with God, he invites readers to embark on a transformative journey toward a fresh understanding of what it means to seek God.

With scholarly wisdom and pastoral application,

Highlights the spiritual power of prayer and its potential to induce profound changes in the lives of believers.Looks at how prayer bestows peace and imparts spiritual wisdom.Examines what the Bible says about prayer.Addresses confounding questions and dispels prevailing misconceptions about prayer with biblical and theological analysis.Explores the often-ignored importance of the communion of saints and the divine role of angels in prayer.Understanding Prayer is an indispensable resource, offering both a comprehensive analysis and a practical guide for those seeking to enhance their prayer practice. It offers a journey into the heart of prayer, transforming it from a mere ritual to a deeply personal spiritual experience.

352 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

(Some early works written as C. Samuel Storms)

Sam has spent 39 years in ministry as a pastor, professor and author. He was visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College from 2000-2004, and is currently Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. He has authored 22 books and founded Enjoying God Ministries. He's a graduate of The University of Oklahoma (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M) and The University of Texas (Ph.D.). He and his wife Ann have been married for 40 years and are the parents of two grown daughters and have four grandchildren. On a more personal level, Sam loves baseball, books, movies, and anything to do with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Reviews

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author shares information on creating a better prayer life. Some of the more interesting topics included an analysis of the Lord's Prayer, the importance of persistent prayer, and an explanation on Jesus' inability to sin indicating that only He can know how strong a temptation actually can be. However, at times the author appeared to make praying difficult by getting bogged down in too many details when one just wants to cry "Abba".

[Mark Youngkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to see a substantial book on prayer, delving into scriptural insights to help pray-ers, and this didn't disappoint. Well-written and well-organized, this book will make an excellent text for a class I teach in spiritual formation. This was the first book written by Sam Storms that I have read, and I suspect it won't be the last.