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The Possibility of Prayer: Finding Stillness with God in a Restless World
The world clamors for efficiency and productivity. But the life of prayer is neither efficient nor productive. Instead, as we learn in the psalms, prayer calls us to wait, to watch, to listen, to taste, and to see. These things are not productive by any modern measure--but they are transformative. As a pastor in Manhattan, John Starke knows the bustle and busyness of our society. But he also knows that prayer is not just for spiritual giants. Prayer, he writes, is for each of us--not because we are full of spiritual wisdom and maturity, but because we are empty. Here is an invitation to discover, via the church's ancient rhythms and with Starke's clear, practical guidance, the possibility of prayer. Here is a book about prayer that is really a book about the whole Christian life.
200 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2020
95 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
About the author
John Starke
34 books19 followersI grew up in the Midwest but have lived in Arizona, South Carolina, Kentucky, and now live in New York City with my wife Jena and our four children. I pastor Apostles Church Uptown in Manhattan.
I've written for Christianity Today, Books & Culture, Comment Magazine, and others. I have written "The Possibility of Prayer: Finding Stillness with God in a Restless World" (IVP), co-edited "One God in Three Persons: Unity of Essence, Distinction of Persons, Implications for Life" (Crossway), and have contributed chapters to "Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor" (TGC) and "Faithful Endurance: The Joy of Shepherding People for a Lifetime" (Crossway).
I've written for Christianity Today, Books & Culture, Comment Magazine, and others. I have written "The Possibility of Prayer: Finding Stillness with God in a Restless World" (IVP), co-edited "One God in Three Persons: Unity of Essence, Distinction of Persons, Implications for Life" (Crossway), and have contributed chapters to "Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor" (TGC) and "Faithful Endurance: The Joy of Shepherding People for a Lifetime" (Crossway).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 8, 2020
Great encouragement to a deeper, more honest, and more vibrant prayer life. Starke's tone is one of encouragement throughout, which comes as a balm to the discouraged or frustrated in this area. He carefully shows us how the Scriptures (particularly the Psalms) can teach us so much about our own prayer life. It was dedicated to Eugene Peterson...and I have to believe he would have been grateful for its being written.
July 23, 2020
Rarely do I read books multiple times in a row, but I did with this one. It’s beautifully written, honest, and motivated me to prioritize my mornings with Jesus all the more. I purchased this book for our staff, close friends, and neighbors; it’s that good.
May 29, 2020
This was an enjoyable book on prayer. Starke doesn't come off as condescending and he doesn't guilt anyone one about their prayer life. But, he does offer wisdom on how to cultivate a prayer life in the midst of a modern, always-connected, hurried society. "Outgrowing the Reactionary Heart" and "Fasting and Feasting" were my favorite chapter.
This is more of a big-picture look at prayer. With the pragmatic "how-to" sprinkled in.
I'd highly recommend it.
This is more of a big-picture look at prayer. With the pragmatic "how-to" sprinkled in.
I'd highly recommend it.
May 12, 2025
Really wonderful. Maybe my favorite Christian nonfiction I've read?? I definitely recommend this one and might need to buy my own copy to keep around. Great wisdom and well written, easy to read. I could even see revisiting specific chapters depending on what's on my mind. (My favorite was Feasting & Fasting.)
May 22, 2020
Will likely become my go-to recommendation for the practice of prayer.
February 26, 2020
Great book that covers more than prayer. This is the book we have been waiting for in the war against hurry genre. Starke is clear, pastoral, and inviting in this guide. You will be encouraged into prayer and trusting Christ.
July 16, 2020
If we’re honest, prayer seems out of reach, a discipline for the spiritual elite. It seems as though it has always felt this way for humans—the Israelites begged Moses to speak to God on their behalf, Christians exchanged their access to God himself for invocations to saints. But perhaps the challenge of prayer has never been so acute. Our fast-paced, information-soaked world shields us from meaningful time with God, and mocks the seeming non-productivity of a prayerful life.
John Starke (who I’m blessed to be friends with) wrote The Possibility of Prayer as an invitation to swim against the cultural current and encounter God in prayer. Starke reminds us that, “The Bible challenges our utilitarianism. The prayers in the Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting, and seeing, meditating and resting. It's remarkable how inefficient these actions are. They aren't accomplishing anything. There isn't a product on the other side of these prayerful actions. Yet over the years they bring steadfastness, joy, life, fruitfulness, depth of gratitude, satisfaction, wonder, an enlarged heart, feasting, and dancing.”
The Bible also challenges our perception that prayer is only for the spiritual elite. The possibility of prayer begins with a God who took on flesh and who cares so deeply for us that he knows our tossing at night as well as the hairs on our head (I love Starke’s reflections on both of these). Our Triune God invites us into relationship with him, not hesitantly, but enthusiastically.
Starke rightly points to our heart as the main hindrance to prayer. Prayer is a challenge because it requires for us to slow down and listen. It cannot become commodified. “Communion is a transformative habit, but personal transformation cannot be the ultimate goal or it will never be transformative. God must never be a mere enhancement to our self-improvement plan or a ticket to a better life. He is life itself. He must be the goal, the end, the prize.” Starke points to Augustine’s theology of desire as crucial in reshaping the affections of our heart toward God himself. When our hearts are re-oriented around the significance of God, we live the life of freedom God intends for us. “We long to be praised and adored, and we’re willing to sacrifice so much to be loved. But the psalmist is pressing into the reality that if all the world loved us, it would still be just a breath compared to the weightiness of the love and affirmation of God. If we don’t take time for solitude, humans will seem weighty, and God will seem inconsequential and light. But God is not, and the freest and happiest people in the world know it.”
Prayer can be painful, because as we encounter God we meet him in all of our weaknesses, sin, and vulnerabilities. “Prayer must include some healthy exploration of our emotional life. This is not navel-gazing but holding still enough to see ourselves clearly. For many of us this means we do not escape to our phones, our email, or our social media feeds when emotions prove overwhelming. We hold on and look in. It’s not easy.”
Starke encourages us to cultivate practices and rhythms which will grow our prayer life: communion, meditation, solitude, fasting and feasting, sabbath, and corporate worship. Starke deploys the Psalms as a framework for understanding what true prayer looks like. “The psalmist is not engaging in passive exercises. This is not the gentle emotional work of relaxing and trying to empty your mind. It's fighting. These are intentional habits: I will appeal; I will remember; I will ponder; I will meditate. Christian meditation is fighting, grasping for joy, It's intentionally and regularly remembering and pondering the history of God's power for his people. If you coast, you lose.”
I commend Starke’s The Possibility of Prayer to you. You will be convicted and comforted through Starke’s thoughtful shepherding. Starke draws widely from a broad pool of authors who serve as co-guides in this journey. The best thing I can say to commend Starke’s book to you is that it made me long to pray more. I think it will have the same impact on you.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
John Starke (who I’m blessed to be friends with) wrote The Possibility of Prayer as an invitation to swim against the cultural current and encounter God in prayer. Starke reminds us that, “The Bible challenges our utilitarianism. The prayers in the Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting, and seeing, meditating and resting. It's remarkable how inefficient these actions are. They aren't accomplishing anything. There isn't a product on the other side of these prayerful actions. Yet over the years they bring steadfastness, joy, life, fruitfulness, depth of gratitude, satisfaction, wonder, an enlarged heart, feasting, and dancing.”
The Bible also challenges our perception that prayer is only for the spiritual elite. The possibility of prayer begins with a God who took on flesh and who cares so deeply for us that he knows our tossing at night as well as the hairs on our head (I love Starke’s reflections on both of these). Our Triune God invites us into relationship with him, not hesitantly, but enthusiastically.
Starke rightly points to our heart as the main hindrance to prayer. Prayer is a challenge because it requires for us to slow down and listen. It cannot become commodified. “Communion is a transformative habit, but personal transformation cannot be the ultimate goal or it will never be transformative. God must never be a mere enhancement to our self-improvement plan or a ticket to a better life. He is life itself. He must be the goal, the end, the prize.” Starke points to Augustine’s theology of desire as crucial in reshaping the affections of our heart toward God himself. When our hearts are re-oriented around the significance of God, we live the life of freedom God intends for us. “We long to be praised and adored, and we’re willing to sacrifice so much to be loved. But the psalmist is pressing into the reality that if all the world loved us, it would still be just a breath compared to the weightiness of the love and affirmation of God. If we don’t take time for solitude, humans will seem weighty, and God will seem inconsequential and light. But God is not, and the freest and happiest people in the world know it.”
Prayer can be painful, because as we encounter God we meet him in all of our weaknesses, sin, and vulnerabilities. “Prayer must include some healthy exploration of our emotional life. This is not navel-gazing but holding still enough to see ourselves clearly. For many of us this means we do not escape to our phones, our email, or our social media feeds when emotions prove overwhelming. We hold on and look in. It’s not easy.”
Starke encourages us to cultivate practices and rhythms which will grow our prayer life: communion, meditation, solitude, fasting and feasting, sabbath, and corporate worship. Starke deploys the Psalms as a framework for understanding what true prayer looks like. “The psalmist is not engaging in passive exercises. This is not the gentle emotional work of relaxing and trying to empty your mind. It's fighting. These are intentional habits: I will appeal; I will remember; I will ponder; I will meditate. Christian meditation is fighting, grasping for joy, It's intentionally and regularly remembering and pondering the history of God's power for his people. If you coast, you lose.”
I commend Starke’s The Possibility of Prayer to you. You will be convicted and comforted through Starke’s thoughtful shepherding. Starke draws widely from a broad pool of authors who serve as co-guides in this journey. The best thing I can say to commend Starke’s book to you is that it made me long to pray more. I think it will have the same impact on you.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
June 1, 2020
I judge books on prayer by two criteria: are they grounded in Christian truth and do they make you want to pray. Beyond that it is nice to have a book that is not totally based in the author's experience or filled with triumphant anecdotes. At the same time if there is no personal narrative the book is likely to be either too theoretical or grounded in the experience of a bygone culture. John Starke weaves his way through all these pit falls to give us a book that is solidly Christian, from a broadly reformed tradition and yet personal. He does this by sharing his own journey as a pastor in NYC and has sub-titled his book "Finding stillness with God in a restless world." We are supposed to assume that if you have a church in Manhattan you will get no help from the larger culture in finding either stillness or peace. It is a safe assumption. And, while Starke does make personal references to living as a young husband, father and pastor in the City That Never Sleeps he never devolves into self-aggrandizement or false humility. He skirts both those lines pretty well. Regarding prayer and spiritual practices, the book is solid and easy to read. This is a book and not a series of sermons or blog posts woven together. It is grounded in a long tradition of persona spirituality articulated by people like Eugene Peterson and Richard Foster. In that sense there is almost nothing "new" in this book but it is helpful and it does make you want to pray.
May 25, 2021
The Possibility of Prayer is undoubtedly one of my favorite books I've ever read.
As I was reading, I kept thinking to myself, "this book is so much wider in scope than simply "just prayer." Then it occurred to me, I was wrong -- this book is not wider in scope than "just prayer," prayer is much broader in scope, more encompassing than I gave it credit.
If prayer is how we come to God, to be with him, then life in Christ is a life of prayer. Prayer is the expression of life in Christ, and its limits are far beyond 10 minutes sat in silence.
This book was a blessing to read and one I hope to return to year after year.
Please read this.
As I was reading, I kept thinking to myself, "this book is so much wider in scope than simply "just prayer." Then it occurred to me, I was wrong -- this book is not wider in scope than "just prayer," prayer is much broader in scope, more encompassing than I gave it credit.
If prayer is how we come to God, to be with him, then life in Christ is a life of prayer. Prayer is the expression of life in Christ, and its limits are far beyond 10 minutes sat in silence.
This book was a blessing to read and one I hope to return to year after year.
Please read this.
September 5, 2020
A remarkably gentle and guilt-free encouragement to prayer. Rather than focusing on the "should" or even the "why" of prayer, this book focuses on the "how". We all know we should have a regular habit of prayer; what many of us don't know is how to make that a reality. And most books on prayer hold up an end result--anecdotes and examples meant to inspire, but generally serving only to discourage, of pillars of the Christian faith who prayed for hours a day. This book starts at the beginning. It's not a sternly wagging finger scolding us for our lack of Christian discipline; it's a gently offered hand to help us onto the path.
February 28, 2020
In the first couple of chapters, the author of this work on prayer tried to be too familiar with the reader. However, the book improved after the shaky start. I expected the book to focus more on the "stillness" aspect than it did. While a couple of chapters did so, the theme did not seem to run throughout the book. The cover art work drew me to the book. While it is not the best book on the subject, readers will find a few takeaways to assist in their Christian growth.
June 23, 2020
I've read a number of books on prayer but to be honest this is the first one that made me actually want to pray. Starke's writing is soulful and beautiful. Favorite chapters were the ones on Outgrowing the Reactionary Heart (4), Fasting and Feasting (10), and Sabbath Resting (11).
March 27, 2020
Among so many wonderful, gospel based books on prayer, John Starke’s book should be near the top. It was transformative for me. Starke uses the Psalms to give the why and how of prayer. His use of literature and research is broad and well-done, growing my to-read pile by a few more books!
The first section gives a vision for prayer and some general models for growing one’s time with God. He is not formulaic, rather demonstrating some guides for moving into prayer through scripture, meditation, etc. He never even touches on how exactly to pray for things, others, etc., but just establishes a posture and mindset for prayer that is attainable and fulfilling. His perspective is for the modern person, who is easily distracted by social media, busy-ness and the like. Having a life of prayer is truly counter-cultural, and truly takes a lifetime of faithfulness.
The second half of the book is focused on specific spiritual disciplines, like meditation, fasting and communion. He frames much of his message in the Psalms, like a mini-sermon in each chapter. I was enriched and encouraged by each message.
The first section gives a vision for prayer and some general models for growing one’s time with God. He is not formulaic, rather demonstrating some guides for moving into prayer through scripture, meditation, etc. He never even touches on how exactly to pray for things, others, etc., but just establishes a posture and mindset for prayer that is attainable and fulfilling. His perspective is for the modern person, who is easily distracted by social media, busy-ness and the like. Having a life of prayer is truly counter-cultural, and truly takes a lifetime of faithfulness.
The second half of the book is focused on specific spiritual disciplines, like meditation, fasting and communion. He frames much of his message in the Psalms, like a mini-sermon in each chapter. I was enriched and encouraged by each message.
March 30, 2020
Summary: We both long for a rich prayer life yet think it impossible for all but the spiritual elite; this work points to the possibility and practices that invite us into that life.
Many of us approach this matter of prayer deeply torn. We long for a rich relationship with God, and yet our fast-paced, disruptive lives, makes such prayer seem the preserve of a spiritual elite. We long for transformation, yet struggle with prayer seeming to be a non-productive practice in our "show me the money" world.
John Starke names the issue for us:
The Bible challenges our utilitarianism. The prayers in the Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting, and seeing, meditating and resting. It's remarkable how inefficient these actions are. They aren't accomplishing anything. There isn't a product on the other side of these prayerful actions. Yet over the years they bring steadfastness, joy, life, fruitfulness, depth of gratitude, satisfaction, wonder, an enlarged heart, feasting, and dancing. (p. 7).
Starke contends that the possibility of prayer rests in a God who became incarnate in his son and who cares so deeply for us that he knows our tossing at night as well as the hairs on our head. While we pray in our nooks and crannies, we also pray in the heavenly places with Christ, entering into relationship with a God who is gloriously "heavy" [the meaning of glory], holy, joyful, beautiful, relational, and available. He suggests as we read scripture considering how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit might be speaking to us, inviting us into deeper communion with the triune God.
He addresses one of our greatest barriers, which is a reactionary heart and way of life, a habit of the heart where we ignore living out of an inner life and are shaped by our responses to circumstances that only the slow, quiet work of prayer may shape. Prayer can be painful because it calls upon us to expose our vulnerabilities, and our sins to God. Learning to pray means learning to wait, to dwell or abide with God amid the ordinary, the mundane, when nothing special seems to be happening between us and God.
Starke then considers the practices that take us into this "possible" life of prayer. He focuses on the practices of communion, meditation, solitude, fasting and feasting, sabbath, and corporate worship. I particularly appreciated the chapter on fasting and feasting, particularly Starke's recognition that we more often associate spirituality with the fasting side of this rather than a rhythm of both. I also found this striking insight from Psalm 77:10-12 on the distinctive character of Christian meditation:
The psalmist is not engaging in passive exercises. This is not the gentle emotional work of relaxing and trying to empty your mind. It's fighting. These are intentional habits: I will appeal; I will remember; I will ponder; I will meditate. Christian meditation is fighting, grasping for joy, It's intentionally and regularly remembering and pondering the history of God's power for his people. If you coast, you lose. (p. 111).
Starke offers spiritual wisdom borne of his own spiritual journey and pastoral ministry among busy New Yorkers. He encourages us that engaging with God is possible for ordinary saints if we begin to pursue the slow, quiet ways of prayer, and persist in a relationship that, over time, can bring great joy and transformation.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Many of us approach this matter of prayer deeply torn. We long for a rich relationship with God, and yet our fast-paced, disruptive lives, makes such prayer seem the preserve of a spiritual elite. We long for transformation, yet struggle with prayer seeming to be a non-productive practice in our "show me the money" world.
John Starke names the issue for us:
The Bible challenges our utilitarianism. The prayers in the Psalms use words of waiting, watching, listening, tasting, and seeing, meditating and resting. It's remarkable how inefficient these actions are. They aren't accomplishing anything. There isn't a product on the other side of these prayerful actions. Yet over the years they bring steadfastness, joy, life, fruitfulness, depth of gratitude, satisfaction, wonder, an enlarged heart, feasting, and dancing. (p. 7).
Starke contends that the possibility of prayer rests in a God who became incarnate in his son and who cares so deeply for us that he knows our tossing at night as well as the hairs on our head. While we pray in our nooks and crannies, we also pray in the heavenly places with Christ, entering into relationship with a God who is gloriously "heavy" [the meaning of glory], holy, joyful, beautiful, relational, and available. He suggests as we read scripture considering how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit might be speaking to us, inviting us into deeper communion with the triune God.
He addresses one of our greatest barriers, which is a reactionary heart and way of life, a habit of the heart where we ignore living out of an inner life and are shaped by our responses to circumstances that only the slow, quiet work of prayer may shape. Prayer can be painful because it calls upon us to expose our vulnerabilities, and our sins to God. Learning to pray means learning to wait, to dwell or abide with God amid the ordinary, the mundane, when nothing special seems to be happening between us and God.
Starke then considers the practices that take us into this "possible" life of prayer. He focuses on the practices of communion, meditation, solitude, fasting and feasting, sabbath, and corporate worship. I particularly appreciated the chapter on fasting and feasting, particularly Starke's recognition that we more often associate spirituality with the fasting side of this rather than a rhythm of both. I also found this striking insight from Psalm 77:10-12 on the distinctive character of Christian meditation:
The psalmist is not engaging in passive exercises. This is not the gentle emotional work of relaxing and trying to empty your mind. It's fighting. These are intentional habits: I will appeal; I will remember; I will ponder; I will meditate. Christian meditation is fighting, grasping for joy, It's intentionally and regularly remembering and pondering the history of God's power for his people. If you coast, you lose. (p. 111).
Starke offers spiritual wisdom borne of his own spiritual journey and pastoral ministry among busy New Yorkers. He encourages us that engaging with God is possible for ordinary saints if we begin to pursue the slow, quiet ways of prayer, and persist in a relationship that, over time, can bring great joy and transformation.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
November 8, 2020
This is probably the most helpful book I've read on the topic of prayer. Starke writes with honesty and wisdom and is very practical - how to develop a deep relationship with God that refuses to be influenced by the pressure of the world. How to hear the still small voice despite external noise. Starke challenges the glorification of busyness and encourages the reader to instead focus in on what's important, to seek stillness, and to accept that we have nothing to prove.
The second half of the book has a chapter each on a load of spiritual disciplines; communion, meditation, solitude, rest etc and is full of practical advice on how to grow in these areas. There's nothing really new here, but it's so nicely written and makes for a very worthwhile read.
The second half of the book has a chapter each on a load of spiritual disciplines; communion, meditation, solitude, rest etc and is full of practical advice on how to grow in these areas. There's nothing really new here, but it's so nicely written and makes for a very worthwhile read.
July 8, 2020
I loved this book! It's very easy to read and Starke presents the topic of prayer from a humble and helpful tone. He talks about big vision but then also helps with some practical ideas to grow in the life of prayer. Even though this is a book on prayer, I would say there are a number of additional themes that run through the book. The second half is largely about spiritual disciplines, all of which Starke approaches from the lens of prayer. I particularly enjoyed the chapter of fasting and feasting. Hopefully, it would be impactful for you as well!
September 27, 2022
This might be my favorite book on prayer I have ever read. It was such a surprising gem that landed in my lap. Starke uses language for God and prayer that’s make the Christian life deeply compelling.
“Prayer is either the greatest insanity or the most wonderful news. Prayer is calling on God for his attention. We ask him to turn away from the exploding stars and supernovas and give attention to our trouble. We ask him to show us mercy. Why would we think this is a good idea?
Prayer is not possible because we have somehow made ourselves worthy of God’s attention, but because God has made himself known to us.”
“Prayer is either the greatest insanity or the most wonderful news. Prayer is calling on God for his attention. We ask him to turn away from the exploding stars and supernovas and give attention to our trouble. We ask him to show us mercy. Why would we think this is a good idea?
Prayer is not possible because we have somehow made ourselves worthy of God’s attention, but because God has made himself known to us.”
March 8, 2021
This is one of the best books on prayer I’ve ever read. I usually avoid them because they either come off as unattainable, or so theological that they are unhelpful. When reading this I felt like John was sitting down next to me trying to help me pray. It is a deeply pastoral and practical book.
March 20, 2020
A gentle guide who leads us into the rich pasture of communion with God.
May 29, 2021
This book is incredible. Very encouraged and challenged by this read! I highly recommend it.
February 4, 2023
One of my favorite books on the topic now. So helpful for me, particularly in the arena of addressing the addiction to hurry and achievement and their negative impacts on prayer.
October 26, 2020
Short and filled with insight. Not as good as Keller’s book in my opinion, but they are not trying to do the same thing.
July 19, 2020
A number of useful perspectives that is worth a read. Not ground breaking but beneficial never the less.
May 26, 2020
Helpful! Writes well, and encourages with practical helps on cultivating a deeper prayer life.
November 21, 2020
People who recommend the book on the inside cover mention "pastoral", "Biblical wisdom", "pastor's heart", "helpful", "practical" as they describe this book on prayer.
I agree with them.
Memorable quotes:
"The witness of Christian history is that the ambitious need quiet hearts." p8
"...the Crab Nebula is expanding at the rate of 70 million miles a day, and it's been doing that for millennia." p12
"Prayer is the greatest insanity or the most wonderful news." p14
The possibility of communicating with the Creator behind all such bigness exists only because of the Incarnation. (p15)
"The mystery of faith is that God is at the same time beyond us, with us, and in us." p18
"Here is the beginning place of prayer: neediness, ready for blessedness." p21
"The determining factor in our lives (of prayer) is not our past, present, and future. but Christ's past, present, and future. That is what it means to mature in Christ: to learn and hear the voice of Christ more than any other." p46
"A Christian who wants to grow out of a reactionary life and into an enriched soul and spirit must learn to pray the psalms... they teach us how to experience the world as it comes to us through prayer" p54,55
"Prayer is the regular practice of lowering ourselves to better views of His work." p60
In the chapter on "Pain and Prayer", 'Prayer is the intentional act of vulnerability to God's claim on our lives." p65
"We read and contemplate God's Word, placing our hearts and imaginations in the words and stories. We do this in His presence, asking that He will help us see and notice what he has for us." p65
"In Christ, the Lord provides new robes of righteousness, garments that invite us to approach God as if we were as beautiful, heroic, and faithful as Jesus." p68
"Prayer is the regular experience of being fully known and fully loved." p69
"...but humiliation is just humiliating. It takes away the 'self-worth' we have stored up. It strips us. It's painful." p72
"Coming quickly to Christ in repentance is a sign of humility, of putting all our trust in the blood of Christ, knowing that we have no worthiness in ourselves." p73
"Waiting is boring--- but it's where depth takes root." p80
"... maturity, depth, and stability in prayer come through mundane, choosing-to-be-present moments with Christ, not a life that resists them." p83
"Dwelling has to do with home and Abiding has to do with relationship." p86
Regarding meditation when reading the Bible he suggests asking:
What am I adoring, confessing, thankful for, asking God for (supplication) = ACTS p118
He also has noteworthy ideas on solitude, fasting, sabbath rest and corporate worship.
"The world clamors for efficiency and productivity. But the life of prayer is neither efficient nor productive. Instead, as we learn in the psalms, prayer calls us to wait, to watch, to listen, to taste, and to see. These things are not productive by any modern measure--but they are transformative. As a pastor in Manhattan, John Starke knows the bustle and busyness of our society. But he also knows that prayer is not just for spiritual giants. Prayer, he writes, is for each of us--not because we are full of spiritual wisdom and maturity, but because we are empty. Here is an invitation to discover, via the church's ancient rhythms and with Starke's clear, practical guidance, the possibility of prayer. Here is a book about prayer that is really a book about the whole Christian life." - from the internet blurb.
I agree with them.
Memorable quotes:
"The witness of Christian history is that the ambitious need quiet hearts." p8
"...the Crab Nebula is expanding at the rate of 70 million miles a day, and it's been doing that for millennia." p12
"Prayer is the greatest insanity or the most wonderful news." p14
The possibility of communicating with the Creator behind all such bigness exists only because of the Incarnation. (p15)
"The mystery of faith is that God is at the same time beyond us, with us, and in us." p18
"Here is the beginning place of prayer: neediness, ready for blessedness." p21
"The determining factor in our lives (of prayer) is not our past, present, and future. but Christ's past, present, and future. That is what it means to mature in Christ: to learn and hear the voice of Christ more than any other." p46
"A Christian who wants to grow out of a reactionary life and into an enriched soul and spirit must learn to pray the psalms... they teach us how to experience the world as it comes to us through prayer" p54,55
"Prayer is the regular practice of lowering ourselves to better views of His work." p60
In the chapter on "Pain and Prayer", 'Prayer is the intentional act of vulnerability to God's claim on our lives." p65
"We read and contemplate God's Word, placing our hearts and imaginations in the words and stories. We do this in His presence, asking that He will help us see and notice what he has for us." p65
"In Christ, the Lord provides new robes of righteousness, garments that invite us to approach God as if we were as beautiful, heroic, and faithful as Jesus." p68
"Prayer is the regular experience of being fully known and fully loved." p69
"...but humiliation is just humiliating. It takes away the 'self-worth' we have stored up. It strips us. It's painful." p72
"Coming quickly to Christ in repentance is a sign of humility, of putting all our trust in the blood of Christ, knowing that we have no worthiness in ourselves." p73
"Waiting is boring--- but it's where depth takes root." p80
"... maturity, depth, and stability in prayer come through mundane, choosing-to-be-present moments with Christ, not a life that resists them." p83
"Dwelling has to do with home and Abiding has to do with relationship." p86
Regarding meditation when reading the Bible he suggests asking:
What am I adoring, confessing, thankful for, asking God for (supplication) = ACTS p118
He also has noteworthy ideas on solitude, fasting, sabbath rest and corporate worship.
"The world clamors for efficiency and productivity. But the life of prayer is neither efficient nor productive. Instead, as we learn in the psalms, prayer calls us to wait, to watch, to listen, to taste, and to see. These things are not productive by any modern measure--but they are transformative. As a pastor in Manhattan, John Starke knows the bustle and busyness of our society. But he also knows that prayer is not just for spiritual giants. Prayer, he writes, is for each of us--not because we are full of spiritual wisdom and maturity, but because we are empty. Here is an invitation to discover, via the church's ancient rhythms and with Starke's clear, practical guidance, the possibility of prayer. Here is a book about prayer that is really a book about the whole Christian life." - from the internet blurb.
April 17, 2020
So many great insights that I hope to keep reflecting on! Some of them being:
“Prayer must include some healthy exploration of our emotional life. This is not navel-gazing but holding still enough to see ourselves clearly. For many of us this means we do not escape to our phones, our email, or our social media feeds when emotions prove overwhelming. We hold on and look in. It’s not easy.”
“Communion is a transformative habit, but personal transformation cannot be the ultimate goal or it will never be transformative. God must never be a mere enhancement to our self-improvement plan or a ticket to a better life. He is life itself. He must be the goal, the end, the prize.”
“No one becomes consumeristic by reading a pamphlet on consumerism and being convinced of its arguments. Instead, we allow habits of spending to shape what we love.”
“But for Christians throughout history, solitude has been important for understanding questions such as Why am I the way I am? How am I doing? Where is God working in my life and in the world around me? Solitude is gathering ourselves in the presence of God for the purpose of seeing ourselves and our lives from God’s perspective. It’s the normal rhythm of quietly listening to the voice of God so that when circumstances are not quiet, our hearts are not disquieted.”
“We long to be praised and adored, and we’re willing to sacrifice so much to be loved. But the psalmist is pressing into the reality that if all the world loved us, it would still be just a breath compared to the weightiness of the love and affirmation of God. If we don’t take time for solitude, humans will seem weighty, and God will seem inconsequential and light. But God is not, and the freest and happiest people in the world know it.”
“If God rested even though he wasn’t tired and asks his image bearers to rest as he rested, do you think maybe there’s a deeper reason for rest than just exhaustion?”
“The circumstances of the Israelites’ lives shaped how they related to God rather than their relationship with God shaping the way they encountered the circumstances of their life. Worship teaches us how to do the latter. The Israelites has certain expectations of God, a picture of what life ought to be like with him. And since he did not fit into their imaginations, they did not trust him. They were testing him-but they were testing him according to their own standards, not his.”
“‘Your life has no reflective content; it’s all instinct.’ That sentence from 1971 could just as easily be said of many of us today. We’ve had to ‘convert everything into action too rapidly,’ and now we feel tossed by every changing circumstance in our lives. We’ve formed reactionary hearts rather than hearts at rest, driven by something deeper and more eternal than the moment by moment changes in our lives. It’s hard to love others deeply with reactionary hearts. It’s difficult to experience gratitude when we live merely off instinct and impulse.”
“Prayer must include some healthy exploration of our emotional life. This is not navel-gazing but holding still enough to see ourselves clearly. For many of us this means we do not escape to our phones, our email, or our social media feeds when emotions prove overwhelming. We hold on and look in. It’s not easy.”
“Communion is a transformative habit, but personal transformation cannot be the ultimate goal or it will never be transformative. God must never be a mere enhancement to our self-improvement plan or a ticket to a better life. He is life itself. He must be the goal, the end, the prize.”
“No one becomes consumeristic by reading a pamphlet on consumerism and being convinced of its arguments. Instead, we allow habits of spending to shape what we love.”
“But for Christians throughout history, solitude has been important for understanding questions such as Why am I the way I am? How am I doing? Where is God working in my life and in the world around me? Solitude is gathering ourselves in the presence of God for the purpose of seeing ourselves and our lives from God’s perspective. It’s the normal rhythm of quietly listening to the voice of God so that when circumstances are not quiet, our hearts are not disquieted.”
“We long to be praised and adored, and we’re willing to sacrifice so much to be loved. But the psalmist is pressing into the reality that if all the world loved us, it would still be just a breath compared to the weightiness of the love and affirmation of God. If we don’t take time for solitude, humans will seem weighty, and God will seem inconsequential and light. But God is not, and the freest and happiest people in the world know it.”
“If God rested even though he wasn’t tired and asks his image bearers to rest as he rested, do you think maybe there’s a deeper reason for rest than just exhaustion?”
“The circumstances of the Israelites’ lives shaped how they related to God rather than their relationship with God shaping the way they encountered the circumstances of their life. Worship teaches us how to do the latter. The Israelites has certain expectations of God, a picture of what life ought to be like with him. And since he did not fit into their imaginations, they did not trust him. They were testing him-but they were testing him according to their own standards, not his.”
“‘Your life has no reflective content; it’s all instinct.’ That sentence from 1971 could just as easily be said of many of us today. We’ve had to ‘convert everything into action too rapidly,’ and now we feel tossed by every changing circumstance in our lives. We’ve formed reactionary hearts rather than hearts at rest, driven by something deeper and more eternal than the moment by moment changes in our lives. It’s hard to love others deeply with reactionary hearts. It’s difficult to experience gratitude when we live merely off instinct and impulse.”
April 27, 2022
I have read many books on prayer. Tim Keller. J.I. Packer. E.M. Bounds. With each book, I’m hoping to learn a bit more, get inspired a bit more, maybe even guilt tripped a bit more, to have a more consistent and vibrant prayer life.
One feature of this book is he doesn’t tell us about the prayer life of Martin Luther, or John Calvin, or Susanna Wesley. Not that I don’t like to learn or enjoy learning from the past. But sometimes it takes a bit of effort to see how knights, castles and horses fits into my world.
In those books I love reading the past, in Starke I love reading the present.
For example, Starke writes:
Without that intentional recognition of his [God’s] presence, prayer can seem distant and impersonal. Without the conscious welcome of his company (since he has welcomed ours), communion can often feel about as intimate as email.
Communion can often feel about as intimate as email. I get that. I get that praying like shooting off an email is a bad thing. I don’t want that kind of communion. So in that sense, Starke’s book feels like it’s written for me.
I struggle to have a vibrant prayer life.
I love to read and get introduced to new books and authors.
I have read enough books on prayer that I don’t miss an exposition on the Lord’s Prayer or the prayer life of past saints.
I am fairly techie and busy. I want to find stillness with God in a restless world.
I can’t say at the moment that this book has transformed my prayer life to be more consistent. I don’t think all the books I read has been a waste, I think they all play an important role in pushing me forward. Progress is slow. But an inch forward is still an inch. I would like to see what happens at the end of the year, when I do a long-term review to see which books made the deepest impact on me over the year.
If I could make one criticism, the book doesn’t have enough doxology. With the material he is dealing with, like for example the places of prayer, you have the burning bush, the throne room of God, the eternal communion of the Trinity, as he goes through them, he could have just gone into praise. How marvelous are you O Lord. Just bursting with awe at the reality he is describing.
For a book on prayers, he doesn’t end the chapters with prayer, nor does he pray much. I mean written prayer. I don’t know John Starke. I’ve never heard his sermons, read any of his articles and this book is his very first book. Is he shy to share prayers? Or is it because spot where he could have interjected with doxology, he doesn’t put his own words but instead the Psalmist’s.
Full 3,000 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...
One feature of this book is he doesn’t tell us about the prayer life of Martin Luther, or John Calvin, or Susanna Wesley. Not that I don’t like to learn or enjoy learning from the past. But sometimes it takes a bit of effort to see how knights, castles and horses fits into my world.
In those books I love reading the past, in Starke I love reading the present.
For example, Starke writes:
Without that intentional recognition of his [God’s] presence, prayer can seem distant and impersonal. Without the conscious welcome of his company (since he has welcomed ours), communion can often feel about as intimate as email.
Communion can often feel about as intimate as email. I get that. I get that praying like shooting off an email is a bad thing. I don’t want that kind of communion. So in that sense, Starke’s book feels like it’s written for me.
I struggle to have a vibrant prayer life.
I love to read and get introduced to new books and authors.
I have read enough books on prayer that I don’t miss an exposition on the Lord’s Prayer or the prayer life of past saints.
I am fairly techie and busy. I want to find stillness with God in a restless world.
I can’t say at the moment that this book has transformed my prayer life to be more consistent. I don’t think all the books I read has been a waste, I think they all play an important role in pushing me forward. Progress is slow. But an inch forward is still an inch. I would like to see what happens at the end of the year, when I do a long-term review to see which books made the deepest impact on me over the year.
If I could make one criticism, the book doesn’t have enough doxology. With the material he is dealing with, like for example the places of prayer, you have the burning bush, the throne room of God, the eternal communion of the Trinity, as he goes through them, he could have just gone into praise. How marvelous are you O Lord. Just bursting with awe at the reality he is describing.
For a book on prayers, he doesn’t end the chapters with prayer, nor does he pray much. I mean written prayer. I don’t know John Starke. I’ve never heard his sermons, read any of his articles and this book is his very first book. Is he shy to share prayers? Or is it because spot where he could have interjected with doxology, he doesn’t put his own words but instead the Psalmist’s.
Full 3,000 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...
July 5, 2020
This is a perfect book for now, John Starke doesn’t just show us how to pray but how to form a life of prayer. Prayer has never been my strong suit, so this book enriched me, far more than I hoped. John Starke is a lead pastor at Apostles Church Uptown in New York City. He knows the cultural obstacles and the existential hurdles, we as worshippers meet today especially in the Covid times.
Busyness has always been my first obstacle to praying, this book taken slowly will allow you time for reflection and spiritual growth. Half of his book is devoted to the Possibility of Prayer, and the second half the Practice of prayer. I thoroughly enjoyed his personal examples as while as fine literature stories, and Bible references. Each chapter was just perfect for the rebuilding of my prayer life and my love and appreciation of God, our father. I particularly liked the chapter on outgrowing the reactionary heart, as he explains it a reactionary heart acts in response to what happens rather than out of our inner lives. What an important idea now days.
I think I have learned a way to clear my schedule and refocus my attention. The last chapter was on Corporate worship and how important it is. The way he explained it I could sense the meaning even in our zooming and you tubing of services, and how important it is to gather together with other believers. Chapters on solitude, fasting and feasting and sabbath resting and pain and prayer were all very helpful.
I contains no study guide or questions, by a good reference of his quotes.
Busyness has always been my first obstacle to praying, this book taken slowly will allow you time for reflection and spiritual growth. Half of his book is devoted to the Possibility of Prayer, and the second half the Practice of prayer. I thoroughly enjoyed his personal examples as while as fine literature stories, and Bible references. Each chapter was just perfect for the rebuilding of my prayer life and my love and appreciation of God, our father. I particularly liked the chapter on outgrowing the reactionary heart, as he explains it a reactionary heart acts in response to what happens rather than out of our inner lives. What an important idea now days.
I think I have learned a way to clear my schedule and refocus my attention. The last chapter was on Corporate worship and how important it is. The way he explained it I could sense the meaning even in our zooming and you tubing of services, and how important it is to gather together with other believers. Chapters on solitude, fasting and feasting and sabbath resting and pain and prayer were all very helpful.
I contains no study guide or questions, by a good reference of his quotes.
March 24, 2020
Overall, a great book on prayer and its practice. Excellent study on the practice of solitude as well. "To listen in solitude is to let the Word of God act on us. We've taken the truth of the scripture and pressed into it, and now we're quietly letting the truth press into us."
Nevertheless- I was taken aback by the chapter on fasting and feasting. He basically says fasting makes way for feasting later on and mentions a tendency to have meals with friends and family keeping the "hard liquor" for the end. This just sounds off, especially for a minister- there are some things you should set aside for the sake of some brothers and sisters in the body. There are those that are "weak" when it comes to drinking alcohol and so the situation is exasperated and made worse yet when the pastor encourages the consumption of hard liquor when "feasting." I also took offense to the misuse of scripture, taking it out of context to prove a point. This was especially evident when teaching on corporate worship and prayer. The pastor teaches on how we are a body and need each other to thrive- agreed- but then throws in a verse to teach that we are called to a body. However, that particular verse in it's full context teaches that we are called to peace. The pastor misuses a verse unnecessary, spoiling the entire lesson. I still received an excellent teaching through a majority of the text. Sometimes we need to throw out the bad, and receive the good. For all the good, I'm grateful.
Nevertheless- I was taken aback by the chapter on fasting and feasting. He basically says fasting makes way for feasting later on and mentions a tendency to have meals with friends and family keeping the "hard liquor" for the end. This just sounds off, especially for a minister- there are some things you should set aside for the sake of some brothers and sisters in the body. There are those that are "weak" when it comes to drinking alcohol and so the situation is exasperated and made worse yet when the pastor encourages the consumption of hard liquor when "feasting." I also took offense to the misuse of scripture, taking it out of context to prove a point. This was especially evident when teaching on corporate worship and prayer. The pastor teaches on how we are a body and need each other to thrive- agreed- but then throws in a verse to teach that we are called to a body. However, that particular verse in it's full context teaches that we are called to peace. The pastor misuses a verse unnecessary, spoiling the entire lesson. I still received an excellent teaching through a majority of the text. Sometimes we need to throw out the bad, and receive the good. For all the good, I'm grateful.
May 13, 2020
The Possibility of Prayer
Finding Stillness with God in a Restless World
by John Starke
InterVarsity Press
InterVarsity Press
IVP Books
Christian
Pub Date 11 Feb 2020
I am reviewing a copy of of The Possibility of Prayer through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:
Has their ever been a time where the business of life, affects your prayer life? An then there are those times we choose to be busy, because when we are busy we tend to not think about what is causing us stress as much, and instead focus on the tasks set before us. But The Possibility of Prayer reminds us that prayer is not only for the spiritually elite, but in fact it is for everyone, and that includes you.
John Starke tells us that Prayer is either Prayer is either the greatest insanity or the most wonderful news. Prayer is calling on God for his attention. I choose to believe that prayer is the most wonderful news. He then goes on to tell us that our faith is a mystery because God is in us, beyond us and with us all at the same time.
The Possibility of prayer reminds us that prayer is the place we go to be healed, and to experience love freely and fully. In prayer we experience God’s divine welcome and joy. We experience being known and seen. God is fully present and invites us to be fully present with him.
I give The Possibility of Prayer five out of five stars and would recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life!
Happy Reading!
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