Beginning a Praying Life

by Paul E. Miller

Beginning a Praying Life is a booklet based on the bestselling book A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller. This handy, pocket-sized primer is an easy way to inspire someone who is new to prayer, or to reignite passion in someone who is stuck in attempts to develop a consistent prayer life.

The booklet opens with a simple, relatable, and incredible story about answered prayer. It identifies six cures for cynicism in prayer, and each one becomes a bit more challenging: (1) Be warm but wary, (2) learn to hope again, (3) develop a childlike spirit, (4) cultivate a thankful spirit, (5) practice repentance, and (6) develop an eye for Jesus. Personal stories are woven throughout, and often the author showcases his own lack of faith to prove his point. Beginning a Praying Life makes for a practical handout to begin a lifelong change of heart about why and how to pray.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Prayer, Religion, Christian Non Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2019

Reviews

[Maggie Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. Easy to fly through, encouraging, helpful.

[Jory Bayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short version of A Praying Life (takes only an hour or so to read) that is immensely relatable and revealing for modern day Christians. It put to words a lot of little things I’ve felt regarding prayer, disappointment, and cynicism. Super encouraging read that grows my desire to pray. Great read for a coffee shop or park or beach/mountain day!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. It refreshing and light hearted. I’m going to look for other books by this author.

[Anna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read books that convict me to pray more and list reasons why … for which there is a time and place season and I appreciate very much. This book, however, has been such an encouragement to me. He doesn’t make it complicated and gets to the heart behind a praying life. How does one make prayer so natural that it becomes the default position to bring all things to God in prayer.
In our culture we are so self reliant and seek God mainly for issues that are bigger than ourselves or uncertain. We routinely thank God for our food and ask him for our daily bread “even when we know it’s already in the pantry.” These things are still provisions of God and are still in his control. The seemingly little things matter too and ought to be prayed for rather than simply expected. Same goes for the large and lofty things like cultural divide and the sins of our nation. These things are not beyond the control of God, making prayer the most effective tool an individual can have to make change.

I’ve enjoyed this book thoroughly and will read it again in the future.

[Makayla Ressler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend.

[Brad McKeehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spectacular book on prayer with practical tips as well as beautiful and deep truths about one of the most important aspects of the daily Christian walk.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this little booklet. Then read the full book, "A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller. I actually read the book first, then this booklet.

I reviewed this book as a devotional on Saturday morning for a group of ladies in our women's ministry of the church. We have a time that we gather together on the first Saturday of each month. They ask for volunteers to lead a devotional and I was very happy to give the information about praying to these ladies. All of us need to pray diligently each day.

This booklet is very straight forward and easy to read. It will encourage you and help you in your Christian walk.

[Grace Dusek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great, practical journey for developing your prayer life!

[McKenna Gore]

“we can’t pray effectively until we get in touch with our inner brat”

[Jason Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect. Paul E Miller really has made me feel more welcome towards praying. I'm a relatively new person to praying. This book has helped.

[Doug Winder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short excerpt of his book, A Praying Life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. (I am reading A Praying Life next. And look forward to reviewing the items in this booklet.) It caused me to stop many times and reflect, to see the reality in me, to help me understand what my views truly are and what they should be. It is a short read but a powerful one.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really solid book on prayer. There are lots of personal stories and anecdotes, but the heart of the book is a wonderful call and encouragement to pray. I don’t agree with everything Miller says about prayer or about listening to God, but I sense a man who is serious about the Lord, knowing the Lord, and talking with the Lord. His prayer card suggestions are helpful, too.

[Jake Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s really not a bad read- just sort of redundant and I got the point. Was a gift from a friend and enjoyed reading it but it became sort of redundant. But it’s good to see how Jesus wants to hear from us AND doesn’t care that we may fumble over our words, struggle to say the right thing etc.

[dldemski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to get you thinking differently about how prayer affects you, your relationship with God through prayer and some simple ideas to focus your prayer life.

[Dylan Dodson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to read a book on prayer as it’s been an area of stagnation for me lately.

This was an encouraging and helpful read.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the personal stories mixed in with scripture to give a real life perspective of how our lives should incorporate prayer. So many Actionable tips provided also.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooooo good, so encouraging!

[Colton Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me so much with my faith with God because I didn’t understand prayer at first, now I have long prayer sessions.

[Thomas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One that I ought to read every few years. Top 5 of all time

[Lydia Curtsinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE book. Has changed my life since I started reading it. Beyond grateful for this book.

[Emma Thornton]

Read for GC this summer! Liked some parts more than others, but overall it was a good book to learn from and discuss.

[Charlotte Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book so interesting and helpful. Some things I took with a grain of salt, but will definitely come back to this book again for the wisdom it contains.

[Zach Coryell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on how to pray and how prayer is involved in every single part of our lives

[Alaina Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful, inspiring and beautiful to read. It teaches you the importance of praying daily, how to pray, why we pray and the power of prayer. Highly recommend!