Do You Pray? a Question for Everybody

by J.C. Ryle, Mary Davis (Editor)

JC Ryle was a faithful evangelical Christian and prolific writer as well as Bishop of Liverpool; his larger works such as Holiness and Practical Religion have never been out of print since they were written in the later nineteenth century. But Ryle also wrote shorter works that are of great value. In this new series these have been lightly updated and produced for the twenty-first century church. The needs that Ryle identified and that led him to write have not changed! Do You Pray? challenges all Christians in a day when prayer meetings are in decline and personal serious prayer is increasingly rare. Ryle's approach is simple and straight- forward and easily understood by both young and old.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

72 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Tom Sussex · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful you can read it in one sitting. Definitely worth re-reading, as prayer can often take a backseat in the Christian life and after reading this book you will want it sat on the front row.

[Jonty Haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone once told me 'if you want to embarrass a Christian, ask them about their prayer life.' But J C Ryle manages to ask me about my prayer life in a way that doesn't beat me up but gets alongside me and encourages me. This is a wonderful little book full of help to those who don't pray, those who do pray, and those who want to pray more. It is a short, easy read which will reap many rewards - so don't postpone reading it!

May I be a man of prayer!

[Simbo McJimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

v good book. Ryle says what needs to be said straight up
it's so good im going to read it again

[bex 🌱]

really encouraging quick read!

(also no star rating for this one, i may stop giving christian books star ratings as it’s always hard for me to decide, but we shall see)

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayer is an important part of the Christian life, but do you pray? In this short book, Ryle asks this question, and explains why it is important that the answer is “yes.”

Ryle gives warning to those who do not pray, encouragement to those who don’t know where to begin, and advice to those who already pray.

I found this last section, for those who do pray, to be particularly helpful. I personally have struggled with keeping a solid, consistent prayer life. Ryle’s advice is encouraging in some instances, and convicting on others.

I would recommend this little book to anyone interested in reading about prayer.

[Sophie Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book on the reality of your prayer life or a slap in the face for your non existent one. Helpful tips at the end on how to improve your prayer life and make it a foundational element of your faith.
“It is because of his mercy that we have been called by his Holy Spirit, and not left to suffer the consequences of our own actions. It is because of his mercy that we are alive and have opportunities to glorify God.”

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do You Pray?, while a short book, really packs a punch. I thought the author did a great job of convicting the reader without being condemning. I liked the biblical examples of prayer throughout and found myself writing down several quotes. This is a great book for everyone to read. I recommend it!

[Cameron McCartney · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can really sense the persuasive urgency with which this book is written. Ryle really holds tightly to the title question throughout his chapters, detailing his reasons for asking what is to him an all-important question. Ryle points out the uniqueness of prayer amongst the Christian disciplines, and how measuring prayer life in isolation may give a good indication of one’s salvation. This is a harsher tone of Ryle than what I am used to, though I found many of his insights thought provoking, challenging and biblically charged. The first chapter in itself probably gives any reader an overview of why Ryle is so moved to ask this question of all Christians.

“It is absolutely necessary to salvation that a person should pray.”

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but excellent exhortation to pray. Edifying from the first page to last. A few impactful quotes from the book:

“Reader, do you wish to find out whether you are a true Christian? Then rest assured that my question is one of the very first importance, – DO YOU PRAY?

“The habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian. The converted people always pray”

“I have read the lives of many eminent Christians who have been on earth since the Bible days. Some of them, I see, were rich and some poor. Some were learned and some unlearned. Some of them were Episcopalians, some Presbyterians, some Baptists, some Independents, some Wesleyans. Some were Calvinists, and some Arminians. Some have loved to use a liturgy, and some to use none. But one thing, I see, they all had in common. They have all been men of prayer”

“But this I do say, – that not praying is a clear proof that a man is not yet a true Christian. He cannot really feel his sins. He cannot love God. He cannot feel himself a debtor to Christ. He cannot long after holiness. He cannot desire heaven. He has yet to be born again. He has yet to be made a new creature. He may boast confidently of election, grace, faith, hope, and knowledge, and deceive ignorant people. But you may rest assured it is all vain talk, if he does not pray”.

“Words said without heart are as utterly useless to our souls as the drum-beating of the poor heathen before their idols. Where there is no heart, there may be lip-work and tongue-work, but there is nothing that God listens to, – there is no prayer”

[Margaret Rogers]

This is a great little book.
Easy to understand and his heart is clearly genuine in his writing and full of Scripture. Convicting but also greatly encouraging and helpful.
Would highly recommend reading and considering seriously your own answer and the implications of the title question which he presses so strongly: Do you pray? I know I need to sit with this question much myself, and am thankful for the provoking thoughts from this book.

[Jonathan Downing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief, useful encouragement to pray, aimed at the nominal Anglicans of the latter-half of the 19th century. So good to be challenged in this area. The book is short enough that each chapter can be read in turn as a two minute starter to your quiet times. Pick yourself up a copy :D

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and powerful book on prayer. Have not read a ton of Ryle yet but this book was accessible and clear. Good for long-time believers and new believers. A good call to pray. And if prayer is your thing there is a whole section on how to improve your prayer. Very well done

[James Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryles ability to encourage and convict brothers to be faithful in their pursuit of holiness with such brevity is unmatched. In less than 100 pages Ryle gives simple truths about prayer that are helpful for all believers.

[Alice Boden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a short and easy read. It highlights much of what we already know to be true about prayer but often need reminded about. Definitely a worthwhile read.

[Samuel Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the book was a short one, my thoughts will be few.

This short book was a convicting one as I was forced to ask myself in nearly every chapter if I truly prayed. I was confronted with the reality that my prayers lacked vital components as it was required from God's Word. As I had to admit that I often gave to God hasty words from a distracted mind and often came before Him brazenly without regard to who He was, I knew that I could not continue to pray the way that I had been.

Therefore, I resolve to pray, keeping in mind who I am speaking to and what I am saying.

[Josiah Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very challenging and encouraging read, especially with regard to engaging my heart in prayer, praying as if I expect prayers to be answered, and not being content with ceasing to pray until I see a prayer answered.

[Jaycee Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This for sure is a one sitting read because it is short but it was a push to action and helpful reminders of prayer! It kind of felt like he was just talking to a group of friends, it was a good read aha

[Cierra Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need some conviction to start praying more, this is the book for you! Each page was like a gut punch in the best way

[David Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

The noted evangelical Anglican bishop (1816-1900) here examines the important (he would maintain, crucial) role of prayer in a believer's life. He writes about a number of the benefits of prayer and the dangers of neglecting it. He concludes with special words for those who do not pray, for those who do not know how to begin a life of prayer, and to those who desire a deeper prayer life. -- The book is clear and easily understood -- I have not compared the original text to this 'lightly edited and updated' version, but it is well done. This is a book to which I will often return...

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful little book that packs a punch!! Ryle speaks so humbly and gently about the importance of prayer, and the NEED for prayer in a Christians life. He speaks with clarity and such loving encouragement to all people about prayer and its effect on our lives, and effect if it's NOT in our lives. All in all so so encouraging, and I wish I had a copy myself to reread on a regular basis!

[Nicholas Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryle’s book is short and impactful with a newfound focus on how prayer is the mark of a true follower and that a lack of prayer is sign of spiritual sickness or apostasy. It may be controversial, but Ryle explains it with such simplicity that it warrants serious reflection.

[Zach Nakhla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting, because I suck at praying.

He does say that if you don’t pray regularly, you’re not saved which I don’t think I agree with. But is it unwise/dangerous to neglect prayer? Absolutely.

Summary: it’s clearly super duper important to pray, and none of us prays as much as we ought.

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best and most practical book I've ever read on prayer.
must read, christians!

[Brooks Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slapped me in the face, spiritually. I need to pray.

[Austin Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, excellent read with thoughtful and challenging truths to fuel your prayer life.

[Jamie Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little read. Very challenging but suitable for anyone of any interest/ faith. Important remarks to those who are Christians also. 5 stars!

[PBartist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this started out a bit slow as I read further it was really good! Would recommend.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loving exhortation to pray; a convicting call to prayer. Using scripture to teach the reader and using exhortation to call the reader to action, JC Ryle calls out our negligence, our generality, and our lack of attentiveness in prayer. He provide specific instruction that is tangible and helpful in reforming our prayer lives.

Application of the principles he's laid out in this book can only be done by a person indwelt by the Spirit, and even so, we must die to self and strive to obey. He gives us the clear teaching from Scripture on the importance of prayer; on its absolute necessity fur a saved person.

As believers we are called to delight in the Lord; by heeding the biblical wisdom in this book, we are enabled to do just that! I want you to reread this book regularly; to help these principles become habit.

[Maree Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

loves a little freebie from impact bible conference

"We must pray on earth, or we shall never praise in heaven. Or let me put it this way, we must go through the school of prayer or we shall never be fit for the holiday of praise. Let me tell you, the prayerless person will be without God, without Christ, without grace, without hope and without heaven. It is to be on the road to hell."

"Jesus can satisfy those who trust him and call on him, he can make them truly happy, whatever their circumstances are. He can give peace of heart to the prisoner, contentment to the poor, comfort to those in the middle of the saddest bereavement, peace and joy even in the face of death. There is such fullness in Christ if we will put our trust in him, a fullness that will be poured out on everyone who will ask for it in prayer."

[Ben Omer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I desire to pray more. That should be the goal of a book about prayer

#1 takeaway: prayer is the most neglected spiritual discipline, but is the truest sign of a believer in Jesus