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Gangster Prayer: Relentlessly Pursuing God with Passion and Great Expectation
Change your life and become an inspiring, passionate praying warrior who proclaims God's Word with this refreshingly honest guide to strengthening your faith.If you want positive results from prayer, you first need to pray! But so many people who say they believe in the power of prayer actually pray very little . . . or not at all. It's time to get serious about prayer. Autumn Miles says that we must stop being prayer wimps and instead be transformed into "prayer gangsters"--people who are passionate about their faith and loyalty to God.Autumn believes that God wants to give us so much more than what we've been settling for. It's time our prayer life, which has been mediocre at best, becomes something that highly expectant.Gangster Prayer won't teach you how to pray. Instead, it will help reveal the heart behind a believing prayer and put the focus back on who we are praying to instead of on what we are praying for. With a changed perspective and objective, we can finally see the results from prayer we've been longing for--not just answers but a changed life.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2019
29 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 13, 2021
This book was gifted to me by a friend, and honestly the title had me very hesitant to open it. I think this title is problematic in multiple ways as the author tries to adapt the term gangster to her story. It’s a weak connection and just causes more issues than help as she skims over and doesn’t address the multifaceted issue and hardship of gang life and reason people join gangs when creating what I can only assume comes from seeking an eye catching theme. I wish she’d gone a different route - however, that addressed, there were a some things I found interesting.
I specifically found the sections on repentant and persistent prayer to be very helpful in evaluating my prayer life. It definitely gave me some tools and encouragement to change how I pray in a humble and determined way. There’s some nuance here that I feel she is missing such as addressing that not all of our desires are what we need or what God wants for us to be closest to him. It felt like she was encouraging you to always pray for what you desire and expect God to fulfill it, and I think that’s missing a huge part of first praying for our desire to align with his.
I specifically found the sections on repentant and persistent prayer to be very helpful in evaluating my prayer life. It definitely gave me some tools and encouragement to change how I pray in a humble and determined way. There’s some nuance here that I feel she is missing such as addressing that not all of our desires are what we need or what God wants for us to be closest to him. It felt like she was encouraging you to always pray for what you desire and expect God to fulfill it, and I think that’s missing a huge part of first praying for our desire to align with his.
August 17, 2019
If you are a Christian and feel your prayer life is stale or weak or none existent, read this book. Miles will light a fire under you, infusing passion for prayer into your very being.
The title might seem odd but is comes from the dedication a gangster has to evil. Miles wants to see that same kind of dedication in Christians toward prayer. I like her definition of gangster prayer: “intentional, tenacious, relentless communication with God that focuses on His might as the source for the answers we seek and on the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us access to 'that power.'” (Loc 109/2348)
I have read a ton of books on prayer but this one inspired me like no others have. Rather than an emphasis on technique, Miles writes of prayer as our means of communication with God. If we neglect it, the Holy Spirit may be present in us but we lose His “presence” in us. (243/2348) His power and influence in us will be reduced.
Her encouragement in prayer is great. Her chapter on persistence was awesome. I like her explanation of why, even though we assume God is willing to answer our prayers, He does not answer the way we expected. “Your character is more important than your request.” (1848/2348)
Miles advocates aggressive prayer. None of this “if it be Your will” attitude. We are to pray in faith, believing God will act. That was hard for this Christian with a high view of God's sovereignty. I also had a little trouble distinguishing between Miles' encouragement to be specific in our requests (not pray something general like “bless Martha today”), yet later saying we are not to be so specific (such as praying for a future husband with particular characteristics).
Nonetheless, a very good book on prayer. You'll not find specific techniques but you will certainly be set on fire to communicate with God more.
Food for thought: “The results of prayer are up to God, but abiding by the principles of prayer are up to us.” (101/2348)
I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The title might seem odd but is comes from the dedication a gangster has to evil. Miles wants to see that same kind of dedication in Christians toward prayer. I like her definition of gangster prayer: “intentional, tenacious, relentless communication with God that focuses on His might as the source for the answers we seek and on the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us access to 'that power.'” (Loc 109/2348)
I have read a ton of books on prayer but this one inspired me like no others have. Rather than an emphasis on technique, Miles writes of prayer as our means of communication with God. If we neglect it, the Holy Spirit may be present in us but we lose His “presence” in us. (243/2348) His power and influence in us will be reduced.
Her encouragement in prayer is great. Her chapter on persistence was awesome. I like her explanation of why, even though we assume God is willing to answer our prayers, He does not answer the way we expected. “Your character is more important than your request.” (1848/2348)
Miles advocates aggressive prayer. None of this “if it be Your will” attitude. We are to pray in faith, believing God will act. That was hard for this Christian with a high view of God's sovereignty. I also had a little trouble distinguishing between Miles' encouragement to be specific in our requests (not pray something general like “bless Martha today”), yet later saying we are not to be so specific (such as praying for a future husband with particular characteristics).
Nonetheless, a very good book on prayer. You'll not find specific techniques but you will certainly be set on fire to communicate with God more.
Food for thought: “The results of prayer are up to God, but abiding by the principles of prayer are up to us.” (101/2348)
I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 23, 2019
Gangster Prayer: Relentlessly Pursuing God with Passion and Great Expectation by Autumn Miles is a unique and inspiring book on prayer that will not just make you rethink everything you thought you knew about prayer, but stirs an immediate desire to kindle a passion for prayer.
The author’s personality and presence comes alive on the pages as she graciously calls you to reexamine your prayer life and deconstruct the various myths that hamper our prayer lives.
This book walks you through an arsenal of weapons to make your prayers sincere and powerful. Yet, what makes Autumn Miles’ approach to prayer “really gangster” is that she totally disarms the reader by drawing them into her personal battles and victories in such a relatable way. Step-by-step she threads the lessons of prayer through decades of struggling to fulfill a lifelong dream of adopting children and sharing a love deep inside her to change this world for the better.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was surprised about how many times it nearly brought me to tears or had me affirming the many truths aloud. I highly recommend this book and I pray that you find your experience reading it as enriching as I did.
I received this book free from the publisher through their book review bloggers program and I was not required to write a positive review.
The author’s personality and presence comes alive on the pages as she graciously calls you to reexamine your prayer life and deconstruct the various myths that hamper our prayer lives.
This book walks you through an arsenal of weapons to make your prayers sincere and powerful. Yet, what makes Autumn Miles’ approach to prayer “really gangster” is that she totally disarms the reader by drawing them into her personal battles and victories in such a relatable way. Step-by-step she threads the lessons of prayer through decades of struggling to fulfill a lifelong dream of adopting children and sharing a love deep inside her to change this world for the better.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was surprised about how many times it nearly brought me to tears or had me affirming the many truths aloud. I highly recommend this book and I pray that you find your experience reading it as enriching as I did.
I received this book free from the publisher through their book review bloggers program and I was not required to write a positive review.
July 16, 2019
Even though some of the examples in the book is geared towards females, men can take something away from this title about prayer. The writer decided on the book when she felt compelled by God to look at her prayer life, stating that gangster criminals are more passionate about crime than she was in her prayer life. She walks through different categories of prayers, along with giving Biblical examples (as well as in her own personal life) to add.
The book is easy to read- it can be used as a devotional by reading one chapter a day, or multiple in a sitting. I have never heard of this author before, but enjoyed her bluntness at times, but yet heartfilled style of writing.
An in depth review can be found on my page at: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
The book is easy to read- it can be used as a devotional by reading one chapter a day, or multiple in a sitting. I have never heard of this author before, but enjoyed her bluntness at times, but yet heartfilled style of writing.
An in depth review can be found on my page at: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
September 8, 2024
It’s not bad. But it’s not amazing.
I don’t like when authors add in too many descriptive sentences/paragraphs just to make the book longer. That’s a pet peeve of mine and this book has a lot of unnecessary details that could have been left out.
I don’t relate to any of the stories she tells in this book and found them to be boring or most likely exaggerated.
Also, having recently discovered Lysa TerKeurst and loving her books, this book isn’t even in the same league.
I don’t like when authors add in too many descriptive sentences/paragraphs just to make the book longer. That’s a pet peeve of mine and this book has a lot of unnecessary details that could have been left out.
I don’t relate to any of the stories she tells in this book and found them to be boring or most likely exaggerated.
Also, having recently discovered Lysa TerKeurst and loving her books, this book isn’t even in the same league.
November 27, 2019
**I received a free advance copy of this book from Netgalleyin exchange for my honest opinion.
As a person who struggles with prayer, this is a fantastic book. I am a person who very often prays for little things and doesn't get excited about receiving an answer. This book has helped me realize that there's more to prayer than "Grant is safety," or " Bless this meeting, " or "Move amongst us."
As a person who struggles with prayer, this is a fantastic book. I am a person who very often prays for little things and doesn't get excited about receiving an answer. This book has helped me realize that there's more to prayer than "Grant is safety," or " Bless this meeting, " or "Move amongst us."
August 5, 2024
What an essential tool for growing our prayer life, scriptures quotes stories that encourage us to have a gangster prayer life to be passionate about prayer to speak and ask Jesus boldly as his word teaches ask and you shall receive knock and the door will be open as we read in Matthew God‘s promises still stand And they all start from a faithful believing strong prayer life!!
January 11, 2025
I received this in a book swap from my prayer book and I really enjoyed it. This probably would have been a 4 star except I found the second half mostly repetitive. But even so I highlighted a lot, and came to some realizations about the whys of my own prayer life, and can see myself picking this one up often to skim through during times of valleys or unanswered prayers.
October 28, 2019
Life changing
November 30, 2019
A must read!!
Once again, Autumn Miles delivers an amazing life changing book! Gangster Prayer is that eye opener that we all need for our prayer life.
Once again, Autumn Miles delivers an amazing life changing book! Gangster Prayer is that eye opener that we all need for our prayer life.
December 28, 2019
Great book for people struggling with their prayer lives
March 7, 2020
Hands down one of the most incredible books I’ve ever read!
June 28, 2021
Will change your prayer life!
This book will change your prayer life for the better! I have always felt like I wasn't a good enough Christian to pray in these ways!
This book will change your prayer life for the better! I have always felt like I wasn't a good enough Christian to pray in these ways!
October 2, 2021
Soooo good!! Empowering and Biblically educational! So thankful she shared her story!!
November 13, 2023
Absolutely wonderful.
It's a bookshelf book (meaning I will read it again and again)!!
It's a bookshelf book (meaning I will read it again and again)!!
October 20, 2025
If you ask most Christians, they’ll probably confess their prayer life isn’t exactly what they know it should be.
Autumn Miles wrote Gangster Prayer: Relentlessly Pursuing God with Passion and Great Expectation (galley received as part of early review program) to encourage such Christians to become more dedicated and passionate in their prayer lives.
The author spoke much regarding her situation, the kinds of things for which she prayed, and how God proved faithful in many different ways. Most of the book focuses on the kinds of attitudes which should be reflected in prayer: repentant, working, persistent, specific, submissive, wrestling, expectant, grateful, etc.
There is a lot of good encouragement here in terms of one’s prayer life…but maybe the “gangster” concept was not the best direction.
Autumn Miles wrote Gangster Prayer: Relentlessly Pursuing God with Passion and Great Expectation (galley received as part of early review program) to encourage such Christians to become more dedicated and passionate in their prayer lives.
The author spoke much regarding her situation, the kinds of things for which she prayed, and how God proved faithful in many different ways. Most of the book focuses on the kinds of attitudes which should be reflected in prayer: repentant, working, persistent, specific, submissive, wrestling, expectant, grateful, etc.
There is a lot of good encouragement here in terms of one’s prayer life…but maybe the “gangster” concept was not the best direction.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews