Prayer 101

by Warren W. Wiersbe

The disciples once asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” Like us, they had questions about why and how God calls us to pray. In Prayer 101, Dr. Warren Wiersbe addresses our deepest questions about prayer and gives us practical tools for incorporating prayer into our lives. He explores God’s will, how our relationships with God and others affect our prayers, and what it means to pray for our enemies. Throughout this deeply spiritual book, Dr. Wiersbe points us away from legalism and toward joy as we practice the daily rhythm of conversation with God.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Ebooks, Spirituality

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2005

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible book that challenges some of our notions about prayer. Warren Wiersbe writes from a pastor's heart and teacher's heart at the same time. The chapters are short and easy to read, but the content is anything but simple or easy. Great read that can transform prayer meetings in churches anywhere and everywhere as well as personal prayer lives.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good primer on prayer. It covers areas we all know need some work. Yet, it brings up some things that don't always come to mind. I would describe it as foundational, yet at times profound. Mr. Wiersbe delves into the basics of prayer and also shows us the rabbit trails that distract us in order to help us avoid them. It's good for us to be reminded of the importance of prayer in our Christian lives. It's not just an option, but a necessity. Check out my website at http://www.mymomentoftruth.org/

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to go through by yourself or with a group. Wiersbe hits the nail on the head when it comes to prayer. It also can be used with people at different levels of prayer as you are discipling others. Great for Bible study, or Sunday school as well.

[Carol Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a small group study at my church. It's "101" but it is helpful and has some really good points.

[Phil Sessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great group study. I especially enjoyed the different levels of prayer in the school of prayer.

[Tom Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well-written book and very encouraging. The quotes from various decades are excellent and well-used. Wiersbe writes very well.

[Flo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sehr gut. Das School-of-Prayer-Theme ist etwas kitschig, aber es bringt gut auf den Punkt, dass wir im Gebet wachsen können. Wiersbe hat eine gesunde, Gott-zentrierte Theologie des Gebets. Das macht Freude. (Accelerate-Version gelesen)

Einige Highlights:

Über Gottes Souveränität und Gebet:
“The same God who ordains the end also ordains the means to the end, and prayer is an important part of that means. When God wants to accomplish something, He raises up a man or a woman, or perhaps a group of believers, to pray about that very matter, and through their prayers He accomplishes His work.” (p. 16)

Über Jesu' Gebete:
“There were no situations that [Jesus] didn’t understand and that He couldn’t handle, and there were no needs that He couldn’t meet, and yet He had to pray!... Jesus not only taught about prayer, but was, Himself, a man of prayer. If the perfect Son of God had to pray as He lived and ministered on earth, where does that leave us? We must pray!” (p. 73)

Über die Natur des Gebets:
“Prayer isn’t bothering God, bargaining with God, borrowing from God, or burdening God. True prayer is blessing the Father because we love Him, trust Him, and know that He will meet our needs, so we come and ask.” (p. 84) “When God is our greatest joy, then prayer becomes more of a loving relationship than a commercial transaction.” (p. 135)

Über die Priorität des Gebets:
“The Enemy’s main tactic is to get us so busy that the time gets away from us and we have no time to pray... If we are too busy to pray, we are too busy, and we must learn to say no to the many lesser demands of life.” (p. 140)

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I pondered this book, the more I loved it. I was not planning to give it 5 stars but what I got in the afterglow was what pushed the 4 to a 5 star. Everyone needs this book in their library. I would call it a prayer primer. It's not that I didn't know what was in there but as I read, it reminded me of when I first fell in love with talking to God in prayer. It reminded me of my early days with God. I found myself being reawakened if you will. I found new conviction and a new hunger to communicate with God on another level. It was the simplicity of the language. It was the stories and quotes like, "he done prayed my hot dog cold" and, "God ain't deaf...He ain't nervous either." Wiersbe talks about balance as well. It was the Word as well as voices like A.W. Tozer, J.I. Packer and others. It was the author being willing to stretch beyond what he knew and what he was familiar with. I'll read this book again and again as I grow in my knowledge of God and prayer.

[Nezzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed when I needed it. 4.5 stars! This book really gets you thinking of your prayer life and whether you’re praying fervently and effectually to the glory of God. Wiersbe stresses the importance of giving God glory when we pray, of having a right relationship with God, of approaching the throne of grace with reverence and of thinking not only of our selfish desires when we pray. This book highlighted areas in my own prayer life that I need to work on and has encouraged me to go deeper in my daily devotional time with the Lord. I’m extremely happy I picked this up. If you’ve been feeling low in your prayer life or if you’ve been feeling empty or like your life is lacking something, I encourage you to give this a read. It serves as a wonderful starting point for getting back on (or getting on) the path to victory.

[Skip Tribby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth Your Time to Read

I had been going through a dry spell in my prayer life. When I came across this book I was going to pass on it. But I couldn't. I downloaded it and began to read it. I didn't read it in one, two or even three sittings. Not that it was hard to grasp but I didn't want to rush through it. I read it like a short devotional. The short chapters I read in one sitting. The longer chapters I broke then down then after each reading I'd contemplate what I had just read.
I like the way Dr. Wiersbe wrote this. It was informative as he made me look at prayer in a different light than what it had become in my life. Being a short read I with keep coming back to it

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bible Study on Prayer

I liked this book because I learned things I, being a professed Christian as far back as I can remember, did not know. This book made me happy and gave me great insights. I would not recommend this book to new Christians or people who don't have a strong hold on their beliefs. Too many new concepts. It's like going to college, if you don't have a stronghold on the basics, this will be too advanced..

[Mike Crews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Wiersbe

I cannot remember ever reading a book by Warren Wiersbe that I was not informed and inspired, challenged and comforted, edifies and encouraged. This book is no exception. Wiersbe teaches us the basics of how to pray with humor and wisdom. This book is not just for beginners, but for saints of all ages who want to become better pray-res.

[Beverly Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are struggling with prayer or you are a new Christian wanting to know more about prayer, this is the book for you! Wiersbe is such a great teacher of the Bible and it is the Scriptures on prayer that he uses to teach about prayer. Mainly he teaches from Paul's prison letters about prayer with a concentration on the apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. I'll treasure this book.

[Aaron Metzcar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. This was very practical. If you want some insights into how to grow in your prayer life this books is a great way to begin. The discussion questions would be very helpful if conducting a smal group or if you were to read this book with a friend. I was able to pull mutiple quotes and insights that I will be able to share with others as I teach.

[Martin Wickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wiersbe has always been an author I've enjoyed, primarily his commentaries. This was the first topical book I've read by him and it was as good as I expected.

His book on prayer deals with the spiritual truths of prayer, but also offers some helpful and practical suggestions to strengthen your prayer life.

It would be helpful for a young believer, but also refreshing for a mature Christian.

[Walt Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

As I read through wiersbe’s book, I thought how simple and how profound it all is. As I got deeper, I realized how profoundly simple... and challenging it is. Am I up to it?

[Ken Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

School of Prayer

Like most anything, effective prayer can be learned. Here is the instruction manual you need. Well organized and complete, while being easy to read, understand and practice.

[Hadassa Batinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Very inspiring and motivating

is was more what I was expecting. Very clear to understand and methodological. I have been reading his books for some time now and I am not disappointed.

[Denny Antrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Dr. Wiersbe is a great writer and teacher, and he explains things in a way that is easy to understand. If you have or are struggling with prayer and how to do it or do it better then this book will help you. I know it helped me.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

School of prayer

I read all of the author's commentary on the Bible, and found that the writer's style was rather practical. This school of prayer book also practical, mainly to answer the common perception on what is, how, and why pray.

[Darlene Sabatino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I needed !

I have been looking for a guide to my prayer life. Something was missing. This all encompassing study was what I needed.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this could be particularly helpful to someone who has spent time within a church/Christian environment, but who hasn’t already learned about prayer.

[Mary Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insights

I enjoyed the book, there were parts I wish were more in depth but I do feel like I got some good perspective

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

It filled my needs.

[Karen Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A must read for any believer looking to strengthen their prayer life. He answers coming questions we’re all ask ourselves but won’t ask. A great study!

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and practical advice on Prayer

[Barbara Beebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into communion with God.

[Cynthia L Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author and usually am blessed by his books. This book was more like a manual on prayer. I felt after reading it that it was not the book I wanted to improve my prayer life.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much packed into this little book! Encouraging, provoking, and sometimes convicting, the author seeks to energize and empower our prayer life.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent practical advice and things to ponder on one’s spiritual journey. I highly recommend it.