Forgotten Power: A Simple Theology for a Praying Church

by David Butts

“Much power has been ignored by the Church because of its failure in the area of prayer.”—David Butts, from the Introduction.

Forgotten Power is a simple theology book on prayer in the church.

No one argues against prayer, but few churches utilize prayer as a power source. Yet in the Scriptures and in the early church, prayer was the primary method used to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. So why don’t we use it much? Forgotten Power clearly challenges the main reason that churches do not pray—people do not understand the “whys” of prayer.

Forgotten Power is a must read for pastors, elders, church board members—anyone who leads in a church. It is time that leaders understood the importance of prayer and what can happen if it is put into practice in their church. Use it as a discussion starter in your church.

Genres: Prayer, Theology

80 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[David Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief, but very helpful resource for a weekly prayer meeting I help lead at our Church. Most every Christian (myself definitely included) realizes they have room to improve in their prayer life, both personal and corporate. This book is a good, basic overview of Biblical teaching and theology on prayer, and it also gives focus to the "doing", not just the "thinking". Full of truths one can read in an evening and practice for a lifetime!

[Michael Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy yet powerful read that should compel any Christian or church towards intercession like never before. The ministry of prayer is the means in which God acts in His world, yet we still somehow neglect this blessing.

“Many church members spend their years in church, simply sitting and listening. Prayer is a real threat to that tradition. It requires doing something. And in all honesty, we recognize that when we begin to seriously pray, our years of simply sitting are at an end. Prayer will move us to act.”

“The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history” - Andrew Murray

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrender to the Lord’s call to become a people of prayer that He can use to accomplish His purposes on this planet! God chose to give mankind a role to play in accomplishing His purposes as a means of helping us grow to maturity. Prayer is the way God has chosen to accomplish His will on earth. When we understand that, suddenly prayer moves from something that can seem selfish and self-serving, to an amazing opportunity to be a participant in the work of God in our world. Failing to pray is failing to trust in the Lord and in His strength.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short and easy to read book is a passionate but scripturally-based call for the church to return to being a House of Prayer as Jesus named it when He lived amongst us. It is a practical guide full of encouragement for individuals and churches to start praying. Full of great quotes from a variety of sources and individuals (e.g., Andrew Murray, Spurgeon and EM Bounds) one cannot not read this and not start praying.

Nine short chapters long with some additional reference tools included in the appendix I'd recommend this book for all individuals who are active or desire to be active in their church's prayer ministry.

[Christopher Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and insightful book regarding the power that can be found/experienced as you pray. Not a power that the prayer manipulates, but one that is “plugged” into, one that changes the prayer and never changes God.

The content is explained well and concisely. David Butts offers some powerful quotes from preachers of old who centered their lives on prayer. This is a book that presents a wonderful challenge for God’s people to seek God’s wisdom and power for ANYTHING we do or face in this life.

[Isaac T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brother and sister in Christ,

This book will challenge you and encourage you to wrest back the power that was never really taken from you but you forgot you had - I forgot I had. Prayer equals power because it is directly connected to the power of the Ancient of Days. This simple book has challenged me beyond simple inspiration; it has stirred in me a dedication to be be connected to the mission, mind, and heart of my Savior me Creator.

[Colston Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book, especially in the place where i am interceding in peoples lives and praying over others and being on the prayer team at church. This is truly teaching me how to pray over others and what it means to let God intercede in your life so you can intercede in the lives of others and how to put power to prayer. This was very well done

[Benjamin Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many, we simply accept prayer as part of the Christian life, but we lack a real desire to grow in our prayer life. This book demonstrates a biblical and theological reason why churches as a whole need to be on their knees. Pastor need to recommend this book.

[Wendy Mallard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Read

Highly recommend this book. It really encouraged me to make prayer my first response and not my last. And fully understand God's intentions for prayer and the power behind it. The Lord has already shifted so much in my own heart and prayer life. Loved it!!!!

[Drake Whaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very good at explaining what prayer does for the Believer. I found difficulties in his explanation of Gods response to prayer. But a good book on how prayer draws the believers into deeper communion, humility, and maturity.

[Amanda Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book on the theology of prayer. It's amazing how central prayer was to Jesus' ministry; I had never thought about that before. Quick read and would be great for a Bible Study group to go through the questions at the end of each chapter.

[Ethan Senne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short read but the most convicting book I’ve ever read… Read this if you want to be challenged.

“Praying people who walk in intimacy with God will change whatever culture in which they find themselves.”

[Samuel Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, worth reading

I read this with others from my church and it was challenging and convicting. A very accessible book on prayer.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Butts has an easy to read style - direct and thought provoking. Highly recommend as we relearn the power of prayer in the church today

[Kandice Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be reading this again! Took no time at all yet was rich in a call to lead a praying life and for the church to live out its true call as Gods house, a house of prayer. Highly recommend!

[Gerald Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book reminding us to be people of prayer, and God's Church(es) to be houses of prayer!
A must read for Pastors and laity alike.

[Alec Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about corporate prayer (mainly, but also a little about individual prayer) was amazing. “History testifies to the power of prayer as the prelude to spiritual awakening and missions advance.”

John Knox prayed, “Give me Scotland or I die!”

“All great soul-winners (evangelists) have been men of much and mighty prayer… And all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by preserving, prevailing knee-work in the closet.”

Some theological differences in regards to prayer, but that’s alright.

[Anoron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A theology of Corporate Prayer

It's a great book for a theology of corporate (church based prayer). It is not particularly technical so it is great for average church-goers without formal training. It doesn't cover personal prayer as well as I had hope it would, but there are plenty of other books that do.