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Pray about Everything: Cultivating God-Dependency
Believers need to learn how to pray about everything, but so many unanswered questions hinder our progress.
In this book, a seasoned pastor and counselor answers these questions--and many more--by effectively instructing us with biblical principles, examples, and commands. By doing so, he encourages us to develop a life of prayer. Pastors, elders, and small group leaders will also find this book an indispensable help to cultivating an atmosphere of God-dependency in their local church.
Pray About Everything delivers an urgent call for believers to commit themselves to regular and systematic heartfelt prayer as an essential spiritual discipline for the Christian life.
Includes six appendices with how-to guidelines for specific areas of prayer
Who should read this book?
In this book, a seasoned pastor and counselor answers these questions--and many more--by effectively instructing us with biblical principles, examples, and commands. By doing so, he encourages us to develop a life of prayer. Pastors, elders, and small group leaders will also find this book an indispensable help to cultivating an atmosphere of God-dependency in their local church.
Pray About Everything delivers an urgent call for believers to commit themselves to regular and systematic heartfelt prayer as an essential spiritual discipline for the Christian life.
Includes six appendices with how-to guidelines for specific areas of prayer
Who should read this book?
118 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2017
20 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Paul Tautges
69 books58 followersPaul Tautges has been in gospel ministry for over 30 years and serves as one of the pastors of Cornerstone Community Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He has written or edited over 60 books, including A Small Book for the Hurting Heart, Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace, Counseling One Another, and When Disability Hits Home. Paul has been married to Karen since 1986 and, together, they enjoy their ten children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and a growing tribe of grandchildren. He also serves as editor for the popular LifeLine mini-book series from Shepherd Press, and blogs regularly at www.counselingoneanother.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 1, 2017
"If a man walks with God for 100 years, he remains a pupil in the school of prayer" (pg. 39).
In Pray About Everything, Paul Tautges shares with his readers seven brief meditations that are faithful, Biblical expositions of various passages of Scripture. Originally shared with his church as they began prayer meetings, these messages can be read relatively quickly. Although topics are not treated exhaustively and may leave the reader with some unanswered questions, they are thought-provoking and would serve as a good starting points and/or discussion starters.
Mr. Tautges rightly recognizes that the God of the Bible isn't a cosmic candy dispenser. Nor is he a giant genie who jettisoned his magic lamp. For the one, true, living God to answer our prayers, we must come to Him on His terms. We would do well to ask, "What are these terms?" and "What makes prayer effective?" These are just some of the questions that Paul Tautges addresses in his book, Pray About Everything.
While there are already a number of published books on prayer, Pray About Everything sets itself apart by placing a more significant emphasis on the importance of congregational prayer than other books on the subject, many of which, while very good, tend to focus on the private, personal discipline of prayer. Although this book is intended for the average Christian reader, numerous appendices are provided for those who lead prayer nights, small group studies, etc. Pray About Everything is a Gospel-centered, biblical book that will aid the reader in praying according to God's will as revealed in Scripture. These are the kinds of prayers that God promises to answer.
*Many thanks to Cross Focused Reviews and Shepherd Press for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
In Pray About Everything, Paul Tautges shares with his readers seven brief meditations that are faithful, Biblical expositions of various passages of Scripture. Originally shared with his church as they began prayer meetings, these messages can be read relatively quickly. Although topics are not treated exhaustively and may leave the reader with some unanswered questions, they are thought-provoking and would serve as a good starting points and/or discussion starters.
Mr. Tautges rightly recognizes that the God of the Bible isn't a cosmic candy dispenser. Nor is he a giant genie who jettisoned his magic lamp. For the one, true, living God to answer our prayers, we must come to Him on His terms. We would do well to ask, "What are these terms?" and "What makes prayer effective?" These are just some of the questions that Paul Tautges addresses in his book, Pray About Everything.
While there are already a number of published books on prayer, Pray About Everything sets itself apart by placing a more significant emphasis on the importance of congregational prayer than other books on the subject, many of which, while very good, tend to focus on the private, personal discipline of prayer. Although this book is intended for the average Christian reader, numerous appendices are provided for those who lead prayer nights, small group studies, etc. Pray About Everything is a Gospel-centered, biblical book that will aid the reader in praying according to God's will as revealed in Scripture. These are the kinds of prayers that God promises to answer.
*Many thanks to Cross Focused Reviews and Shepherd Press for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
October 17, 2024
In “Pray About Everything,” author Paul Tautges assembles a prayer toolkit for pastors who want to challenge and equip their congregations to pray more. Tautges calls pastors everywhere to reinstitute staples of church prayer-life that have, in his words, “fallen on hard times.” Namely, pastoral prayer as a key element in Sunday worship, and Wednesday-evening prayer meetings as a weekly occurance.
To this end, “Pray About Everything” opens with 2 introductory chapters reigniting a vision for pastors (and all believers, really) to invest in corporate churchwide prayer.
Following that, the bulk of the book is 7 meditations for use in a church prayer meeting context. It’s not 100% clear, but I think these chapters are intended to be read aloud to kick off the Wednesday prayer meeting.
“Pray About Everything” is a slim, but useful volume. My one wish is that the book would really lean into the title more. The reminder that we can indeed pray about everything is a concept that Tautges barely touches. “Pray All the Time” or “A Call for Churches to Pray More” are really more fitting titles for the material here.
~Jen
To this end, “Pray About Everything” opens with 2 introductory chapters reigniting a vision for pastors (and all believers, really) to invest in corporate churchwide prayer.
Following that, the bulk of the book is 7 meditations for use in a church prayer meeting context. It’s not 100% clear, but I think these chapters are intended to be read aloud to kick off the Wednesday prayer meeting.
“Pray About Everything” is a slim, but useful volume. My one wish is that the book would really lean into the title more. The reminder that we can indeed pray about everything is a concept that Tautges barely touches. “Pray All the Time” or “A Call for Churches to Pray More” are really more fitting titles for the material here.
~Jen
September 1, 2024
This is a wonderful book on prayer that I will revisit in the future. May God give us grace to not just read about prayer but to truly pray - about everything, individually and corporately!
June 29, 2017
One of the experiences which is common to many Christians is that we have certain periods of sustained spiritual growth which are different and distinct from our normal experience. If you were to ask me to think about the times in life in which I experienced the most significant periods of sustained spiritual growth, I would look back to times in which I was involved with small groups of believers meeting together to study the Word, fellowship, and pray. This is not unique to me and neither is it unique to our modern historical context. The church in Acts 2 was said to be devoted to the study of the Word (the apostles' teaching), fellowship & breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2.42). Of these "marks" of the church, none is as much neglected today as is prayer - - both private and corporate. That is why I was excited to read Paul Tautges' new release of Pray About Everything (A reprint of his 2010 book Teach Them to Pray). In this book, Tautges not only provides ample biblical support for the command to pray, but does so using key passages as the outline for each chapter and the book as a whole. This makes it somewhat unique among the books on prayer. Pray About Everything is a faithful exposition of key scriptures written in a highly accessible and yet theologically proficient manner.
Pray About Everything is written in two parts. In Part 1, Tautges takes the time to define foundational concepts such as what it means to pray as a corporate body (using Acts 1.12-14 as an outline) and how it is that we are to pray (via 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18). Tautges defines prayer here as "an expression of God-dependency" - a definition which brilliantly unites all of the passages that the Bible uses to speak on prayer. This sets the stage for the remainder of the book (Part 2) which is filled with "brief meditations" which instruct the reader in the theology of prayer. Here Tautges covers such topics as what it means to pray in Jesus' name (John 14.13-14), how to pray for unbelievers (John 16.8-11), and how the Holy Spirit prays us (Romans 8.26-27). In total, Part 2 covers seven passages of scripture which will aid the reader in understanding what scripture has to say about prayer. The book ends with seven appendices which I found to be the most enjoyable appendices I have ever read. Here Tautges gives us (as he calls it) "practical helps for cultivating God-dependency" and I couldn't think of a more appropriate description.
I can't recommend this book enough. The Body of Christ today is malnourished and suffering from a lack of prayer in it's spiritual diet. Pray About Everything is a gift to the Church and I am hoping.. I am praying that it will be picked up and read by a significant majority of the Church and through it, we might bring glory and honor to our Lord as we grow in grace and sanctification.
This review originally appeared at www.teleiaphilia.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Shepherd Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Pray About Everything is written in two parts. In Part 1, Tautges takes the time to define foundational concepts such as what it means to pray as a corporate body (using Acts 1.12-14 as an outline) and how it is that we are to pray (via 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18). Tautges defines prayer here as "an expression of God-dependency" - a definition which brilliantly unites all of the passages that the Bible uses to speak on prayer. This sets the stage for the remainder of the book (Part 2) which is filled with "brief meditations" which instruct the reader in the theology of prayer. Here Tautges covers such topics as what it means to pray in Jesus' name (John 14.13-14), how to pray for unbelievers (John 16.8-11), and how the Holy Spirit prays us (Romans 8.26-27). In total, Part 2 covers seven passages of scripture which will aid the reader in understanding what scripture has to say about prayer. The book ends with seven appendices which I found to be the most enjoyable appendices I have ever read. Here Tautges gives us (as he calls it) "practical helps for cultivating God-dependency" and I couldn't think of a more appropriate description.
I can't recommend this book enough. The Body of Christ today is malnourished and suffering from a lack of prayer in it's spiritual diet. Pray About Everything is a gift to the Church and I am hoping.. I am praying that it will be picked up and read by a significant majority of the Church and through it, we might bring glory and honor to our Lord as we grow in grace and sanctification.
This review originally appeared at www.teleiaphilia.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Shepherd Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 1, 2017
Does your church have a thriving prayer meeting? Does prayer take a prominent place in the worship of your church? Do you have leaders who model prayer and call your local church to pray often? Though prayer was modeled and taught as an essential need for the Church, it has fallen on hard times. We are too tech saavy. We have too many productivity tools. We are too efficient. However, as J.C. Ryle has famously stated: “Prayer is to faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and not breathe is past my comprehension, and how a person can believe and not pray is past my comprehension too.” Paul Tautges’ short book Pray About Everything: Cultivating God-Dependency is a strong reminder that churches must get back to utilizing their most vital source of communion with God and power for ministry.
This book is written to church leaders, and the first section (two chapters) of the book calls for pastors to bring their churches back to whole-church prayer. He shows how the early church relied heavily on prayer and that “we cannot survive without prayer.” He calls pastors to teach their congregations how to be God-dependent leaders of God-dependent churches . In the second chapter, he reminds pastors why and how we ought to pray constantly. Since Tautges book is rooted in scripture, you can be assured that the authority of this section is not from the author of this book but rather the Author of the Holy Scriptures — The Lord.
The second section and the appendices are immensely practical. Part two provides pastors with seven brief meditations to use for leading prayer meetings. These are short and practical meditations which are useful to open a prayer meeting with sound teaching. He discusses topics such as: praying in Jesus’ name, praying for government leaders, praying with forgiving hearts, etc. The appendices lay out “practical helps for cultivating God-dependency”. They are the best part of the book for me because Tautges gives numerous examples of how to lead a God-dependent church. As a church leader, I want to use these appendices to build a culture of prayer in my local church.
I read Pray About Everything twice. As I read it the first time, I was reminded and convicted about the lack of prayer in my life and the corporate life of my local church. I was left feeling moved by the powerful message and the potential that prayer could have on our church and community. The second time I read it, I was edified by the meditations themselves and equipped to apply the teachings and methods found in this book to my local congregation. Just yesterday I spoke to my pastor about leading a prayer gathering at my local church. I now feel encouraged and adequately prepared to lead such a gathering. I have at least seven weeks of meditations to get me started.
I am thankful for Tautges and this excellent book. I recommend it for the prayer section of every pastor’s library.
I received a free copy of this book from the published in exchange for an honest review.
This book is written to church leaders, and the first section (two chapters) of the book calls for pastors to bring their churches back to whole-church prayer. He shows how the early church relied heavily on prayer and that “we cannot survive without prayer.” He calls pastors to teach their congregations how to be God-dependent leaders of God-dependent churches . In the second chapter, he reminds pastors why and how we ought to pray constantly. Since Tautges book is rooted in scripture, you can be assured that the authority of this section is not from the author of this book but rather the Author of the Holy Scriptures — The Lord.
The second section and the appendices are immensely practical. Part two provides pastors with seven brief meditations to use for leading prayer meetings. These are short and practical meditations which are useful to open a prayer meeting with sound teaching. He discusses topics such as: praying in Jesus’ name, praying for government leaders, praying with forgiving hearts, etc. The appendices lay out “practical helps for cultivating God-dependency”. They are the best part of the book for me because Tautges gives numerous examples of how to lead a God-dependent church. As a church leader, I want to use these appendices to build a culture of prayer in my local church.
I read Pray About Everything twice. As I read it the first time, I was reminded and convicted about the lack of prayer in my life and the corporate life of my local church. I was left feeling moved by the powerful message and the potential that prayer could have on our church and community. The second time I read it, I was edified by the meditations themselves and equipped to apply the teachings and methods found in this book to my local congregation. Just yesterday I spoke to my pastor about leading a prayer gathering at my local church. I now feel encouraged and adequately prepared to lead such a gathering. I have at least seven weeks of meditations to get me started.
I am thankful for Tautges and this excellent book. I recommend it for the prayer section of every pastor’s library.
I received a free copy of this book from the published in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2017
The discipline of prayer is often one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines of our time. I often find in my own life I have so much to pray about and yet, I pray so little. As a pastor, this is concerning to me, but what becomes more concerning, is when I realize that the seeds planted in the pulpit are reaped in the pew. Paul Tautges seeks to reverse this trend by setting forth this short work that encourages individuals, specifically pastors, to cultivate a profound sense of God-dependency within their lives and within their congregations.
In “Pray About Everything”, Paul Tautges presents a firm theological foundation for prayer that is both readable and enjoyable. This book is written in two parts with a practical set of appendices that help to wrap everything up. In Part 1, Tautges seeks to define and ground the command to pray within the biblical and historical tradition. Tautges shows that the early church understood prayer to be a lifestyle of God-dependency. He also examines how Paul’s commands to the church at Thessalonica reveals a powerful level of dependence on God in every aspect of life. In Part 2, Tautges presents seven brief meditations for prayer meetings. These meditations are instructional and devotional. They include instructions on what it means to pray in Jesus’ name, praying for unbelievers, praying for government leaders, and various other practical beliefs about prayer.
In these two parts, Tautges presents a wealth of biblical knowledge on prayer that is perfect for beginners and those more advanced in the discipline of prayer. Tautges brings together the profound and the simple in an extremely helpful and attainable manner. In every chapter, Tautges shows his heart for churches to let go of self-dependency and grasp the life-giving God-dependency found in the gospel. As a pastor, I would recommend this book to anyone struggling to cultivate a consistent and meaningful prayer life, and I intend on using it with my own congregation.
Original review found at justryan5.wordpress.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Shepherd Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In “Pray About Everything”, Paul Tautges presents a firm theological foundation for prayer that is both readable and enjoyable. This book is written in two parts with a practical set of appendices that help to wrap everything up. In Part 1, Tautges seeks to define and ground the command to pray within the biblical and historical tradition. Tautges shows that the early church understood prayer to be a lifestyle of God-dependency. He also examines how Paul’s commands to the church at Thessalonica reveals a powerful level of dependence on God in every aspect of life. In Part 2, Tautges presents seven brief meditations for prayer meetings. These meditations are instructional and devotional. They include instructions on what it means to pray in Jesus’ name, praying for unbelievers, praying for government leaders, and various other practical beliefs about prayer.
In these two parts, Tautges presents a wealth of biblical knowledge on prayer that is perfect for beginners and those more advanced in the discipline of prayer. Tautges brings together the profound and the simple in an extremely helpful and attainable manner. In every chapter, Tautges shows his heart for churches to let go of self-dependency and grasp the life-giving God-dependency found in the gospel. As a pastor, I would recommend this book to anyone struggling to cultivate a consistent and meaningful prayer life, and I intend on using it with my own congregation.
Original review found at justryan5.wordpress.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Shepherd Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 4, 2017
This short and convicting book points us to thankfulness and reasons for prayer--as well as reasons for suffering. There are reasons listed for hindered prayer. Details are given on some Scriptural word meanings, and sometimes a quote from classic theologians. But perhaps the most lastingly helpful are the appendices, where outlines for prayer meetings and Bible studies are given, including songs and Scriptures. If these are applied, they could effect the way a church runs, how fellowship grows, and how hearts are changed.
Here are a few quotes from the book that I like:
'Just as the expansion and contraction of our lungs in necessary for the continuance of our physical life, so regular fellowship with God in prayer is essential to our spiritual well-being. Without prayer our spiritual lives will shrivel up and return to an infantile state.'
'As long as the eyes of our faith are fixed upon our troubles we will not find joy. Until our minds consciously move the Lord from our peripheral vision into the narrow corridor of our focus, joy will elude us.'
'When we find ourselves praying for something that we want, perhaps more than anything we've ever wanted before, can we honestly pray, 'Lord, do what will bring you the most glory"?'
'If we regularly ponder the depth of our own sinfulness, like the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears, and consider the greater depth of God's forgiveness, we will grow in our love for him. It is when we forget God's benefits that our hearts become proud. If we are not careful, we who have been forgiven much can act like those who think they have been forgiven little and, consequently, become slow to forgive others who sin against us.'
Here are a few quotes from the book that I like:
'Just as the expansion and contraction of our lungs in necessary for the continuance of our physical life, so regular fellowship with God in prayer is essential to our spiritual well-being. Without prayer our spiritual lives will shrivel up and return to an infantile state.'
'As long as the eyes of our faith are fixed upon our troubles we will not find joy. Until our minds consciously move the Lord from our peripheral vision into the narrow corridor of our focus, joy will elude us.'
'When we find ourselves praying for something that we want, perhaps more than anything we've ever wanted before, can we honestly pray, 'Lord, do what will bring you the most glory"?'
'If we regularly ponder the depth of our own sinfulness, like the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears, and consider the greater depth of God's forgiveness, we will grow in our love for him. It is when we forget God's benefits that our hearts become proud. If we are not careful, we who have been forgiven much can act like those who think they have been forgiven little and, consequently, become slow to forgive others who sin against us.'
January 15, 2024
My goal this year is to write a review for every book I read. It is an encouragement to ponder my most recent read, giving space for reflection and processing. To me, a review serves as a small gesture to slow down and savor a book before moving to the next. All this to say, you might see a lot of reviews from me…feel free to keep scrolling :)
3.5- Short, simple, and practical. The ideas of prayer and dependency have been coming up a lot recently in my life. This book also emphasized the importance of prayer and gave clear reasons why prayer matters and how we can cultivate a deeper prayer life. I like how it not only called the individual to prayer, but the entire church and body of Christ to be people who never cease to pray.
3.5- Short, simple, and practical. The ideas of prayer and dependency have been coming up a lot recently in my life. This book also emphasized the importance of prayer and gave clear reasons why prayer matters and how we can cultivate a deeper prayer life. I like how it not only called the individual to prayer, but the entire church and body of Christ to be people who never cease to pray.
December 13, 2019
There is no place in our life where prayer does not belong
The purpose of prayer is to cultivate a relationship and dependency on God. In this book the author describes what this looks like in all aspects of our lives.
There is no place in our lives where prayer does not belong. There is no thing or situation that does not warrant prayer.
This book helps you reflect on your activities, relationships and lifestyle to see where you can improve the application and effectiveness of your prayer life.
You are dependent on God, prayer helps you realise this fully.
The purpose of prayer is to cultivate a relationship and dependency on God. In this book the author describes what this looks like in all aspects of our lives.
There is no place in our lives where prayer does not belong. There is no thing or situation that does not warrant prayer.
This book helps you reflect on your activities, relationships and lifestyle to see where you can improve the application and effectiveness of your prayer life.
You are dependent on God, prayer helps you realise this fully.
June 14, 2025
An incredibly practical and easy-to-read resource for anyone desiring to grow in prayer. Tautges works through specific passages of Scripture and points to how each instructs the prayer life of a Christian both personally and corporately. I cannot think of another book this accessible that focuses so intentionally on the importance of corporate prayer. This book would be a great resource for elders wanting to help their congregations grow in prayer together or for a discipling/small group setting.
February 19, 2022
Didn’t realize it when I bought it, but this book was primarily written for, and geared toward, pastors as they instruct their congregations to pray corporately. I found a lot of good in it for my personal use, too. But man!!! I do miss the traditional Wednesday evening prayer service I knew in years past!
December 13, 2025
So rich and powerful. This book was a punch to the guy in all the best ways. I’m wanting to establish a deeper and better prayer life and this was a fantastic starter for me. Can’t wait to buy copies for everyone in my life. So many modern books are full of fluff and stories about “Pat and John” etc. this was richness and straight to the heart much like the puritans!
August 14, 2018
Excellent reminder of PRAYER and it's importance in our personal lives as well as the corporate church. I was convicted at several points throughout the book and am sure that I will reread this book again in the future.
December 22, 2017
Wonderful book on prayer.
Including: Corporate prayer, private prayer, Christ our Mediator - who prays, the Holy Spirit - the intercessor ...
Including: Corporate prayer, private prayer, Christ our Mediator - who prays, the Holy Spirit - the intercessor ...
March 28, 2024
4 1/2 stars. This book was solid. Gave me some good insights. Nothing I had not seen before but at the same time a good reminder and a good collection of short chapters to help teach on prayer.
August 17, 2017
Good resource, especially thinking through corporate prayer. Complete review at: https://entrustedbygod.org/2017/07/02...
August 3, 2017
I loved this book, as a minister I can tell you e very Pastor should have a copy of this close . This book will help keep stimulated in what your called everyday to do for the kingdom.
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