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Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You
Astounding stories of answered prayer from the frontiers of contemporary faith.
You were created to walk and talk with the living God. Prayer is the most natural, powerful, and universal expression of Christian faith. Why then is it sometimes so difficult?
Continuing the adventures described in his best-selling memoir, Red Moon Rising, Pete Greig reveals the struggles, miracles, and hard-won insights gleaned from fifteen years of 24-7 prayer, mission, and justice.
Dirty Glory will ignite fresh passion in your soul, inspiring you to pray and equipping you to convey God’s glory in a dirty world.
You were created to walk and talk with the living God. Prayer is the most natural, powerful, and universal expression of Christian faith. Why then is it sometimes so difficult?
Continuing the adventures described in his best-selling memoir, Red Moon Rising, Pete Greig reveals the struggles, miracles, and hard-won insights gleaned from fifteen years of 24-7 prayer, mission, and justice.
Dirty Glory will ignite fresh passion in your soul, inspiring you to pray and equipping you to convey God’s glory in a dirty world.
ebook
Published April 11, 2017
268 people are currently reading
1413 people want to read
About the author
Pete Greig
25 books391 followersPete Greig is the bewildered founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement which has spread into more than half the nations on earth.
He is also the Senior Pastor of Emmaus Rd, Guildford, Ambassador for the NGO Tearfund, and an Associate Tutor at St Mellitus Theological College, London.
His latest book, ‘How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People’ is a companion volume to The Prayer Course (www.prayercourse.org), which has been downloaded more than a million times. His previous title, ‘Dirty Glory’, was UK Christian Book of the year in 2017.
He preaches and teaches around the world and co-hosts two British festivals: Wildfires and the Big Church Day Out which attracts 30,000 people each year.
Pete’s passions include T.S. Eliot, Portsmouth F.C. and ‘Little Mo’, a 1964 Morris Minor convertible which he has lovingly restored by hand.
He is also the Senior Pastor of Emmaus Rd, Guildford, Ambassador for the NGO Tearfund, and an Associate Tutor at St Mellitus Theological College, London.
His latest book, ‘How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People’ is a companion volume to The Prayer Course (www.prayercourse.org), which has been downloaded more than a million times. His previous title, ‘Dirty Glory’, was UK Christian Book of the year in 2017.
He preaches and teaches around the world and co-hosts two British festivals: Wildfires and the Big Church Day Out which attracts 30,000 people each year.
Pete’s passions include T.S. Eliot, Portsmouth F.C. and ‘Little Mo’, a 1964 Morris Minor convertible which he has lovingly restored by hand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
October 17, 2019
The author has a real gift for ushering the reader into God's Presence and for cautioning him or her against the things and thought patterns which distract us from that ultimate privilege. He said his aim was less to teach us how to pray than to remind us why we do to the extent that we want him to finish the book so we can get on with it. Mission accomplished.
March 27, 2019
I really don't know what to make of this. I enjoyed this book's precursor (Red Moon Rising), and there was much about this book I found enjoyable, stimulating and challenging. Pete Greig is an engaging writer, and he can tell the story of the 24-7 Prayer Movement in an accessible way which makes the invitation to prayer, justice and mission a clear one. The on the ground stories are at times remarkable; and his family's own circumstances make it clear he's as familiar with suffering as he is with glory; the short section where he reflects on the cost of chronic illness to his own marriage and family is one I found great personal resonance in. It's a tale too little told in charismatic-evangelical circles; the wearing, relentless nature of chronic illness (I think there are many books to be written on this - though of course it's rightly not the central focus of this book). However there were two aspects that gave me pause here. One was that most of the women he referred to in the book he describes in terms of their physical beauty; other characteristics are (sometimes) mentioned too. But in 2019 we really shouldn't have to be putting up with a high-profile Christian speaker and writer consistently describing a woman's physical beauty. To me it didn't seem sinister particularly - just unnecessary. Secondly, at one stage of the book he describes a ministry I know pretty well and talks about people as good friends who I also know - indeed who have lived me for a while. He talks about their work in a poor community; he is right to describe that work as significant and deep. But it's described in terms of the one man coming from far to respond to call ... and strongly implied that when he arrived, he bought God with him. It gives no understanding of the hard, long work done in preparation before he arrived; it mentions little of the reality of God at work in and through locals. God doesn't get 'taken' anywhere; it's our job to find out where he's already at work and join in. Seeing this gap in this one account makes me regard the other stories in a different light; what else is missed out? Prayer was happening in the community before the man I know arrived, before they'd heard of 24-7; might that also be the case in other communities he mentions but doesn't tell the full story of? I don't mean to suggest he's not being honest; it simply somewhat saddens me that in the eagerness to tell an inspiring and engaging story, an impression is given that the people involved 'bring God with them', rather than find God already at work there. I don't know what the author's theology is in this regard; it may well not be his intention. But knowing what I do, I was left with questions and concerns - as well as inspiration and hope.
October 16, 2019
this book is wild, in the best way. idk if i agreed with everything but it made me want to pray more and thus! 5 stars
June 28, 2018
This book leap-frogged several (dozen) others on my 'TBR' list to win a coveted trip in my suitcase last week, and I'm so glad it did. It's SO GOOD! It is packed full of both incredibly inspiring and faith-building stories of God at work, and really strong theological teaching on prayer and its connection to mission and justice. I'm inspired to start asking God for some big things, while simultaneously a little nervous about where those prayers might lead. As Pete says, though, it's always more dangerous to say no to God than to say yes, no matter how crazy his ideas!
It is easily the best book I've read so far this year. Go out and buy it - now!
It is easily the best book I've read so far this year. Go out and buy it - now!
June 1, 2023
This book wrecked me and I truly was not expecting it at all. Pete tells stories in such a way that just draws you in and makes you want to do whatever you can to be apart of God’s kingdom work. This book shifted a lot of my paradigms/theology on prayer, yet also presented prayer as something so incredibly simple. Just a few of my favorite quotes ⬇️⬇️
“Saying no to the Holy Spirit is far more dangerous than the alternative. By saying no to God’s leadership in your life, you will miss out on the actual reason for which you were born. You will quietly live a second-rate life, sometimes sending the missed opportunities, feeling like an unfulfilled actor waiting to perform, without know why. He knows you perfectly and only ever wants the best for you.”
“Jesus Christ sends us out with a sense of urgency to a dying world, to speak his words and shine his light in the weirdest and darkest places. The very environments that some Christians avoid for fear of corruption seem to be the very places that he most wants us to be. Jesus engaged with sinners very deliberately because his mission Al method was ‘transformation by acceptance’. When we accept people as they are and where they are, they can then be changed into something new.”
“But Jesus refused to play it safe. In Christ we find the name above every name, the single key to eternal salvation, recklessly risking his reputation for the sake of love. He clearly didn’t care about the opinions of the religious establishment, wasn’t afraid of being corrupted by sinful company, didn’t feel the need to protect his precious brand. Again and again, Jesus planted his glory in the dirt.”
Long story short I’m obsessed with this book and you should read it.
“Saying no to the Holy Spirit is far more dangerous than the alternative. By saying no to God’s leadership in your life, you will miss out on the actual reason for which you were born. You will quietly live a second-rate life, sometimes sending the missed opportunities, feeling like an unfulfilled actor waiting to perform, without know why. He knows you perfectly and only ever wants the best for you.”
“Jesus Christ sends us out with a sense of urgency to a dying world, to speak his words and shine his light in the weirdest and darkest places. The very environments that some Christians avoid for fear of corruption seem to be the very places that he most wants us to be. Jesus engaged with sinners very deliberately because his mission Al method was ‘transformation by acceptance’. When we accept people as they are and where they are, they can then be changed into something new.”
“But Jesus refused to play it safe. In Christ we find the name above every name, the single key to eternal salvation, recklessly risking his reputation for the sake of love. He clearly didn’t care about the opinions of the religious establishment, wasn’t afraid of being corrupted by sinful company, didn’t feel the need to protect his precious brand. Again and again, Jesus planted his glory in the dirt.”
Long story short I’m obsessed with this book and you should read it.
January 22, 2017
This book is an anomaly. For anyone like me, who is wanting to follow Jesus, the book is absolutely amazing. But, for anyone reading the book as part of an English class, I expect the book would be considered rather awful. The different viewpoints are entirely related to the difference between the content and the actual writing. The writing is rather poor, and reads like an extended blog. Thankfully, the living nature of this writing makes the book easy to read and captivating, so if you are interested in the topic no harm is done. But it is the content that is significant in the book, which is entirely about people who have chosen to live radically for Jesus; typically going against the wisdom of the world. It is exciting to read about what God is doing in the most unlikely places, and how He is answering prayers of His servants. I found the book to be inspiring, but intellectually as well as practically.
April 14, 2024
Powerful. Dangerous. Important. The incredible stories Pete has to tell from 15 years of saying yes to God’s voice are enough to spark a greater yearning for God in anyone’s heart. This is an excellent sequel to his first book Red Moon Rising covering the genesis of the global 24/7 prayer movement. Highly recommend both books if you’d like to be inspired to a life more than mediocre, mundane, American Christianity.
January 26, 2017
Often outrageous and deliberately provocative, yet supremely inspiring and challenging. What a great vision of prayer and, above all, Jesus. It stirs the heart with possibilities and a longing to know God better, as well as see his love poured out into our world.
February 7, 2021
Such an encouraging book about the power of prayer in the face of adversity. I experienced so many emotions whilst reading this and I love the way that Pete Greig is incredibly real and honest about his experiences.
May 19, 2020
ultimately this book grabs you and says ‘yo, why aren’t you praying more, praying is awesome!’ and i appreciated that
September 5, 2020
Inspiring!
October 4, 2023
When reading non fiction books with a spiritual bent it is important to read it in the context of what genre it should be in. Though theological, if you read this book to develop a comprehensive theology of prayer or mission, you will be left wanting and your theology will be incomplete. If you read it as a book on prayer, you will be left unsatisfied. If you read as a book on practically loving those on the margins of the church and even society at large, you will find it one of the most helpful books on missiology that you will ever read. This book challenged my theology, prayer life and how I spend my time.
November 3, 2016
I snagged this book on impulse, having heard about the 24-7 Prayer Movement and was curious to know more about it and how they view prayer. I opened the cover expecting to have my prayer life challenged and changed, to be touched by the stories Greig tells and to be transformed to be more active and intentional in my own prayers. This book fulfilled every expectation.
I never felt like I was really missing out on not having read the first book in the series, which I understand chronicled the beginning of the 24-7 Prayer Movement. This book follows its own arc, following the stories of 14 different people in various places and at various times who have some sort of connection to the 24-7 Prayer Movement. Much of the content in this book is not so much on how to pray, or even why you should pray, but rather they are chronicling what happened in each of these stories when the person said YES to what direction God was leading them. And ultimately, that is what this book is going to do, to show you what can happen when you give God control of the decisions in your life. They aren’t blindly made, impulsive decisions. But ultimately, in spite of wrestling with the guiding of God, these people went all-in.
There are four overarching themes found in this book, all mentioned and introduced in the introduction and it is easy to see their heartbeat throughout each and every chapter and story within the pages. These are:
1.Incarnation – A celebration of the “Word made flesh” through stories of God’s glory happening in places that are ordinary, yet unlikely, and being done by ordinary people.
2.The presence paradigm – A way of viewing the message of the Bible through the lens of God’s desire for friendship, family, and partnership and how it shapes major aspects of our lives and faith.
3.The house of prayer – Explores what it means to be a “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7), which is emphasized over and over, not only about being a house of prayer but the importance of praying globally.
4.The life of prayer – Stories and experiences designed to both equip and inspire the reader in prayer.
These four areas were explored thoroughly and done in a great way that can reach and inspire readers who may struggle through a more doctrinally, theologically dense book. This is the book for ordinary Christians who want to become more intentional with their prayer life and, perhaps, find reassurance that there are prayers which get answered even if those answers come later than we’d like. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone seeking a readable book on prayer, anyone who wants to expand their prayers beyond their own community’s borders, and for anyone with a heart for missions.
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.
I never felt like I was really missing out on not having read the first book in the series, which I understand chronicled the beginning of the 24-7 Prayer Movement. This book follows its own arc, following the stories of 14 different people in various places and at various times who have some sort of connection to the 24-7 Prayer Movement. Much of the content in this book is not so much on how to pray, or even why you should pray, but rather they are chronicling what happened in each of these stories when the person said YES to what direction God was leading them. And ultimately, that is what this book is going to do, to show you what can happen when you give God control of the decisions in your life. They aren’t blindly made, impulsive decisions. But ultimately, in spite of wrestling with the guiding of God, these people went all-in.
There are four overarching themes found in this book, all mentioned and introduced in the introduction and it is easy to see their heartbeat throughout each and every chapter and story within the pages. These are:
1.Incarnation – A celebration of the “Word made flesh” through stories of God’s glory happening in places that are ordinary, yet unlikely, and being done by ordinary people.
2.The presence paradigm – A way of viewing the message of the Bible through the lens of God’s desire for friendship, family, and partnership and how it shapes major aspects of our lives and faith.
3.The house of prayer – Explores what it means to be a “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7), which is emphasized over and over, not only about being a house of prayer but the importance of praying globally.
4.The life of prayer – Stories and experiences designed to both equip and inspire the reader in prayer.
These four areas were explored thoroughly and done in a great way that can reach and inspire readers who may struggle through a more doctrinally, theologically dense book. This is the book for ordinary Christians who want to become more intentional with their prayer life and, perhaps, find reassurance that there are prayers which get answered even if those answers come later than we’d like. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone seeking a readable book on prayer, anyone who wants to expand their prayers beyond their own community’s borders, and for anyone with a heart for missions.
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2018
An amazing book on many levels. First an inspirational story of Pete and how God used an ordinary person to raise a movement to prayer. Second it is the story of that prayer movement how it grew and the supernatural encounters that are not weird. Third it is a story of those other ordinary people how God used them and what He accomplished through them.
If this doesn't move you to prayer then probably nothing will. It is not formulaic it is not a how to prayer guide, it is a series of prayer stories. If you think of it as a pebble thrown in a pond, as your prayer, and the ripples the affects of that prayer. If you have a lot of people praying eventually those ripples will cross and eventually merge. This is what this book is. An encouragement that even if we feel we're alone praying, we are not alone and it does make a difference. No special prayer language is needed, just a heartfelt conversation with God.
If this doesn't move you to prayer then probably nothing will. It is not formulaic it is not a how to prayer guide, it is a series of prayer stories. If you think of it as a pebble thrown in a pond, as your prayer, and the ripples the affects of that prayer. If you have a lot of people praying eventually those ripples will cross and eventually merge. This is what this book is. An encouragement that even if we feel we're alone praying, we are not alone and it does make a difference. No special prayer language is needed, just a heartfelt conversation with God.
April 21, 2017
This is an inspiring and uplifting book, which I am reading in small bites. Not because it isn't easily digestible - it is. I'm reading small segments during my morning prayer and meditation. The problem is, I want to devour it all in one sitting, but I also want to make it last as long as possible.
I recommend this book.
Oops. I finished this ages ago but never got round to completing my review. Still, what I already wrote says it all really. An excellent book.
I recommend this book.
Oops. I finished this ages ago but never got round to completing my review. Still, what I already wrote says it all really. An excellent book.
April 6, 2017
It was recommended Lent reading by the church I attend, and I loved it. Reminds you of some of the stories from Red Moon Rising so it can stand alone, but it is wonderful to see how the 24/7 movement is growing and changing lives around the world. Inspiring, and definitely a reference for my next sermon.
February 4, 2017
This book demonstrates the power of prayer in a way that is accessible to every person. God is so majestic and holy and yet he often chooses the weak and dirty to make his glory known. As soon as I finished, I wanted to read it again.
September 22, 2017
A fantastic, well written, inspiring book on praying, on prayer and the history and future hopes of 24/7 prayer. I laughed, I cried and I was encouraged and equipped to push in and push on, to see His Kingdom come.
November 3, 2016
Amazing...Pete and Sammy inspire and call us all to a radical following of Jesus!
February 5, 2017
some great stories - encouraging us all to pray more and to respond with action
May 5, 2018
Sometimes a tad triumphalist but definitely broadened my perspective on prayer.
November 30, 2018
One of the most challenging inspirational books I’ve ever read. Without exaggeration. Loved it.
December 28, 2019
Lucid, brilliant, Pete writes like a champ and every other page is really useful anecdote whilst the other pages are lavish with wisdom.
January 24, 2020
❤️dojemná kniha, inspirující k modlitbám a ke službě.
September 20, 2023
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW
February 18, 2024
Pete Greig has such a gift for inspiring the everyday Christian to pray and adventure with Jesus. I loved the incredible stories of how God is moving through 24-7 Prayer, told in a very humble and down-to-earth way. Unfortunately, Pete's descriptions and portrayal of women in this book made me deeply uncomfortable. Women are described very physically - Kelly who pioneers in Boys Town is a "petite brunette" with "big brown eyes". Pete Portal's wife Sarah is a "beautiful Capetonian with blue eyes and brightly colours feathers in her raven hair". I'd much rather hear about Sarah's faith and passion for the lost that captured her husband's attention. Pete Greig is naturally a very descriptive writer, but the male characters in this book are described with much more dignity and respect. Women - like so often in Christian culture - are diminished to being the "hot wife".
Also, most of the stories in this book are about men. Women are named and always described as "pioneering" with their husbands, but we only ever hear about what the man is doing. The only thing we hear about Sarah in Manenberg is how she "made their new township home beautiful". I'd love to hear her story too! If a couple is truly called to serve somewhere together, why simply tack the wife's name onto a chapter that's all about her husband and how HIS background has perfectly equipped him to serve in that context (e.g. Brian and Tracy Heasley in Ibiza, Jon and Mindy Petersen in Amsterdam). Please let's stop making wives just an extension of their husbands' ministry.
I don't think this is anything more than careless language and a generational gap, but from a book published in 2018 I expected better.
Also, most of the stories in this book are about men. Women are named and always described as "pioneering" with their husbands, but we only ever hear about what the man is doing. The only thing we hear about Sarah in Manenberg is how she "made their new township home beautiful". I'd love to hear her story too! If a couple is truly called to serve somewhere together, why simply tack the wife's name onto a chapter that's all about her husband and how HIS background has perfectly equipped him to serve in that context (e.g. Brian and Tracy Heasley in Ibiza, Jon and Mindy Petersen in Amsterdam). Please let's stop making wives just an extension of their husbands' ministry.
I don't think this is anything more than careless language and a generational gap, but from a book published in 2018 I expected better.
August 1, 2022
Deep truths about prayer woven through an easily accessible and compelling personal testimony of what happens when we throw off the shackles of respectable faith and get our hands dirty. Each chapter seems more challenging than the last and the questions at the end of the book are excellent for individual or group study and could more helpfully have come at the end of each chapter to assist the reader to grip this radical call to prayer.
June 2, 2024
Such an encouraging book for just the right time in my life! God really does guide His people and build his Church as we seek Him in prayer. It can be hard to see in the day-to-day, but when I step back and chronicle His work over the past 5, 10, 15 years, my heart feels a thrill of excitement over the possibilities in the next 15 years. I'm thankful for those who write the stories to remind us.
September 12, 2017
Excited new possibilities for prayer and the move of God. Gives the feel that something is happening out there... but then where is it for the rest of us?
March 15, 2020
Vedlo mě to k častější a upřímnější modlitbě! Za to jsem vděčný. A taky k osvěženému poznání, že velké věci často začínají a jsou drženy modlitbou.
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