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Prayer: The Mightiest Force in the World
While handling the tough assignment among half a million hostile Moros, Laubach experienced a most extraordinary breakthrough of the sense of the Lord's presence as he prayed. Prayer was for him "the mightiest force in the world."
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1946
119 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Frank C. Laubach
137 books30 followersFrank Charles Laubach (September 2, 1884 – June 11, 1970), from Benton, PA was a Congregational Christian missionary educated at Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University, and a mystic known as "The Apostle to the Illiterates." In 1915 (see Laubach, Thirty Years With the Silent Billion), while working among Muslims at a remote location in the Philippines, he developed the "Each One Teach One" literacy program. It has been used to teach about 60 million people to read in their own language. He was deeply concerned about poverty, injustice and illiteracy, and considered them barriers to peace in the world.
In 1955, he founded Laubach Literacy, which helped introduce about 150,000 Americans to reading each year and had grown to embrace 34 developing countries. An estimated 2.7 million people worldwide were learning to read through Laubach-affiliated programs. In 2002, this group merged with Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. to form ProLiteracy Worldwide.
During the latter years of his life, Laubach traveled all over the world speaking on the topics of literacy and world peace. He was author of a number of devotional writings and works on literacy.
One of his most widely influential devotional works was a pamphlet entitled "The Game with Minutes." In it, Laubach urged Christians to attempt keeping God in mind for at least one second of every minute of the day. In this way Christians can attempt the attitude of constant prayer spoken of in the Epistle to the Colossians. The pamphlet extolled the virtues of a life lived with unceasing focus on God. Laubach's insight came from his experiments in prayer detailed in a collection of his letters published under the title, Letters by a Modern Mystic.
Laubach is the only American missionary to be honored on a US postage stamp, a 30¢ Great Americans series stamp in 1984.
Laubach had a deep interest in the Philippines. He wrote a biography of the Filipino national hero, Jose Rizal: Man and Martyr, published in Manila in 1936. He also translated the hero's valedictory poem, "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell.)
His emphasis on the use of Easy English for literacy led directly to the development by WEC International in 1962 of an evangelistic paper using his basic vocabulary called SOON, which now prints 3 million copies a year.
In 1955, he founded Laubach Literacy, which helped introduce about 150,000 Americans to reading each year and had grown to embrace 34 developing countries. An estimated 2.7 million people worldwide were learning to read through Laubach-affiliated programs. In 2002, this group merged with Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. to form ProLiteracy Worldwide.
During the latter years of his life, Laubach traveled all over the world speaking on the topics of literacy and world peace. He was author of a number of devotional writings and works on literacy.
One of his most widely influential devotional works was a pamphlet entitled "The Game with Minutes." In it, Laubach urged Christians to attempt keeping God in mind for at least one second of every minute of the day. In this way Christians can attempt the attitude of constant prayer spoken of in the Epistle to the Colossians. The pamphlet extolled the virtues of a life lived with unceasing focus on God. Laubach's insight came from his experiments in prayer detailed in a collection of his letters published under the title, Letters by a Modern Mystic.
Laubach is the only American missionary to be honored on a US postage stamp, a 30¢ Great Americans series stamp in 1984.
Laubach had a deep interest in the Philippines. He wrote a biography of the Filipino national hero, Jose Rizal: Man and Martyr, published in Manila in 1936. He also translated the hero's valedictory poem, "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell.)
His emphasis on the use of Easy English for literacy led directly to the development by WEC International in 1962 of an evangelistic paper using his basic vocabulary called SOON, which now prints 3 million copies a year.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 4, 2022
Quite a few eyebrow raising points in the book alongside some that are quite good. The author has some strange beliefs about science and telepathy that he latches onto prayer and at times he treats prayer like an incantation that has power based on its repetitive attributes.
Outside of that the book raises some good points on prayer and how we simply do not take advantage of opportunities to pray more. At best this books gives some creative ideas to spice up ones prayer life. At worst it can turn you into a quasi-superstitious Christian staring at the back of people's heads and reading their signs of discomfort as the work of an active prayer life.
Outside of that the book raises some good points on prayer and how we simply do not take advantage of opportunities to pray more. At best this books gives some creative ideas to spice up ones prayer life. At worst it can turn you into a quasi-superstitious Christian staring at the back of people's heads and reading their signs of discomfort as the work of an active prayer life.
September 19, 2022
(Not Kindle) Some things the author said puzzled me, gave me pause, but overall this tiny book was challenging and inspiring.
“Senator Vandenberg wrote before the San Francisco Conference that nations were striving for ‘America first,’ ‘England first,’ ‘Russia first,’ — the very attitude which caused all wars. Peace cannot be permanent until we put ‘the whole world first. . . ‘Thy kingdom come on earth’ is not only Christian, it is the only possible roadway to lasting peace.
“We are still in the heat of a crucial battle between the way of Jesus and the way of greed . . .
“So this is not a time for confidence, nor is it a time for despair; it the time to turn to God. It is the time for humility, penitence, desperate resolve, rectitude, obedience to the will of God, all-out sincerity.”
Oh, the possibilities, if only I and all of God’s people would unite in fervent prayer, even just to moment-by-moment, speak into individuals, nations, that one Name above every other name, the Name of Jesus.
“Our prayer is valueless unless heart and faith are in it.”
“Vital prayers always suggest things to be done . . . . The mightiest men and women on earth are strong in prayer and strong in deeds.”
“At last we shall reach a point where only sleep itself interrupts the day full of prayer — sleep, prayer’s sunset; awakening, prayer’s new sunrise.”
And so much more in my notes.
Listen every moment to my “invisible companion.”
How can we “think of God a second of every minute?” It is “an unwinnable game.” BUT “we have eternity to try. We grow to the stature of our goals.”
“Senator Vandenberg wrote before the San Francisco Conference that nations were striving for ‘America first,’ ‘England first,’ ‘Russia first,’ — the very attitude which caused all wars. Peace cannot be permanent until we put ‘the whole world first. . . ‘Thy kingdom come on earth’ is not only Christian, it is the only possible roadway to lasting peace.
“We are still in the heat of a crucial battle between the way of Jesus and the way of greed . . .
“So this is not a time for confidence, nor is it a time for despair; it the time to turn to God. It is the time for humility, penitence, desperate resolve, rectitude, obedience to the will of God, all-out sincerity.”
Oh, the possibilities, if only I and all of God’s people would unite in fervent prayer, even just to moment-by-moment, speak into individuals, nations, that one Name above every other name, the Name of Jesus.
“Our prayer is valueless unless heart and faith are in it.”
“Vital prayers always suggest things to be done . . . . The mightiest men and women on earth are strong in prayer and strong in deeds.”
“At last we shall reach a point where only sleep itself interrupts the day full of prayer — sleep, prayer’s sunset; awakening, prayer’s new sunrise.”
And so much more in my notes.
Listen every moment to my “invisible companion.”
How can we “think of God a second of every minute?” It is “an unwinnable game.” BUT “we have eternity to try. We grow to the stature of our goals.”
January 7, 2024
This book starts out with encouraging vignette’s of times Christians who have gathered to pray for world leaders or friends living far away and the effect those prayers had on those people. Unfortunately, the author takes a weird turn in trying to use science to prove why prayer works instead of relying on scripture and the fact that it is a means of grace. The author goes so far as to suggest that prayer is telepathy and places way too much emphasis on peoples thoughts and actions as opposed to the work of trusting God in prayer and His sovereignty. There were some gems tucked in between the author’s strange opinions. I appreciated the suggestions of instances when time can be found to pray through out the day, and the encouragement to pray, and that prayer is important and God uses prayer. There were a few times the author completely misapplied scripture and a serious instance near the end where a false gospel is presented.
November 9, 2022
powerful new perspectives on prayer
I wanted to learn more about prayer than it just being a list of requests. I wanted to go beyond prayer. This book got me there. I knew it would because the author had a very close relationship with God. I wanted his insights into how to do that. Laubach delivered. Also strongly recommend his book Game With Minutes. If you want to have a close relationship with God these two books are a great how to by a man who knew how to.
I wanted to learn more about prayer than it just being a list of requests. I wanted to go beyond prayer. This book got me there. I knew it would because the author had a very close relationship with God. I wanted his insights into how to do that. Laubach delivered. Also strongly recommend his book Game With Minutes. If you want to have a close relationship with God these two books are a great how to by a man who knew how to.
December 29, 2022
A deeply engaging book, from a previous era. Read and be challenged!
“Pray with pencil and paper at hand. When God sends a thought, write it down and keep it visible until it can be carried into action. Pray for individuals by name. Vital prayers always suggest things to be done. Indeed, prayer and action must be mates, or both are weak. The mightiest men and women on earth are strong in prayer and strong in deeds. These are the only unbeatable combination.“ (52)
“Pray with pencil and paper at hand. When God sends a thought, write it down and keep it visible until it can be carried into action. Pray for individuals by name. Vital prayers always suggest things to be done. Indeed, prayer and action must be mates, or both are weak. The mightiest men and women on earth are strong in prayer and strong in deeds. These are the only unbeatable combination.“ (52)
March 3, 2022
A Necessary Read
This book was very helpful in pointing me to a better way of thinking. It helped me see that I have a responsibility to the world to think God's thoughts after Him. Prayer is so much more than bringing my grocery list of desires to God. It changes the world. This book tells you how.
This book was very helpful in pointing me to a better way of thinking. It helped me see that I have a responsibility to the world to think God's thoughts after Him. Prayer is so much more than bringing my grocery list of desires to God. It changes the world. This book tells you how.
July 14, 2023
Prayer is truly an awesome tool
This publication, though written years ago, is highly relevant- even today. Laubach emphasizes that our thoughts either add to or take away from the salvation of the worth. We become co-creators, in reality, with and through prayer. We are charged with the responsibility to get on with our task.
This publication, though written years ago, is highly relevant- even today. Laubach emphasizes that our thoughts either add to or take away from the salvation of the worth. We become co-creators, in reality, with and through prayer. We are charged with the responsibility to get on with our task.
February 8, 2021
Important
Prayer is indeed the mightiest force. The world is in great need of more people working cooperatively with God. Most would agree the world is broken. Here is the prescription
Prayer is indeed the mightiest force. The world is in great need of more people working cooperatively with God. Most would agree the world is broken. Here is the prescription
February 4, 2024
I have tried many of the ideas offered here
Love this book. So needed for everyone that believes in Christ and Prayer. I have seen results in my own personal life while practicing some of the ideas offered here
Love this book. So needed for everyone that believes in Christ and Prayer. I have seen results in my own personal life while practicing some of the ideas offered here
March 2, 2023
A must read for every human!
January 15, 2024
Amazing book! Brought me closer to the Lord everytime!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews