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Ora en grande: Aprende a orar como un apóstol
Muchos de nosotros luchamos con la oración. Se han escrito muchos libros sobre el tema y con razón. La oración es difícil para la mayoría de nosotros, en la mayoría de las situaciones. Y cuando oramos, a menudo no sabemos qué decir. ¿Qué es lo que mi Padre en el cielo ama escuchar? ¿Cuáles son las mejores cosas que podría orar por mi familia, mi iglesia y para mí mismo?
Este breve libro del reconocido maestro bíblico Alistair Begg combina calidez, claridad, humor y practicidad mientras examina las oraciones de Pablo por sus amigos en la iglesia de Éfeso.
Pablo claramente disfrutaba la oración, y le emocionaba. Esperaba que su Padre en el cielo escuchara lo que decía y actuara en consecuencia en la vida de otras personas. Las verdades que apuntalan y dan forma a sus oraciones nos motivarán a orar y nos darán un ejemplo.
¡Así que inspírate en el apóstol Pablo para hacer oraciones más grandes y mejores mientras esperas que nuestro Padre celestial haga ¡más de lo que pedimos o imaginamos!
Pray Big
So many of us struggle with prayer. Many books have been written on the subject and there's a reason for that. Prayer comes hard to most of us, in most seasons. And when we do pray, we often don't know what to say. What is it that my Father loves to hear about? What are the best things I could pray for my family, my church, and myself?
This short book by renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg combines warmth, clarity, humor, and practicality as he examines Paul's prayers for his friends in the church in Ephesus.
Paul clearly enjoyed prayer and was excited about it. He expected his Father in heaven to hear what he said, and to act in other people's lives accordingly. The truths that underpin and shape his prayers will motivate us to pray and set us an example.
So be inspired by the Apostle Paul to pray bigger and better prayers as we look to our heavenly Father to do more than all we ask or imagine!
Este breve libro del reconocido maestro bíblico Alistair Begg combina calidez, claridad, humor y practicidad mientras examina las oraciones de Pablo por sus amigos en la iglesia de Éfeso.
Pablo claramente disfrutaba la oración, y le emocionaba. Esperaba que su Padre en el cielo escuchara lo que decía y actuara en consecuencia en la vida de otras personas. Las verdades que apuntalan y dan forma a sus oraciones nos motivarán a orar y nos darán un ejemplo.
¡Así que inspírate en el apóstol Pablo para hacer oraciones más grandes y mejores mientras esperas que nuestro Padre celestial haga ¡más de lo que pedimos o imaginamos!
Pray Big
So many of us struggle with prayer. Many books have been written on the subject and there's a reason for that. Prayer comes hard to most of us, in most seasons. And when we do pray, we often don't know what to say. What is it that my Father loves to hear about? What are the best things I could pray for my family, my church, and myself?
This short book by renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg combines warmth, clarity, humor, and practicality as he examines Paul's prayers for his friends in the church in Ephesus.
Paul clearly enjoyed prayer and was excited about it. He expected his Father in heaven to hear what he said, and to act in other people's lives accordingly. The truths that underpin and shape his prayers will motivate us to pray and set us an example.
So be inspired by the Apostle Paul to pray bigger and better prayers as we look to our heavenly Father to do more than all we ask or imagine!
112 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2019
380 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
About the author
Alistair Begg
163 books333 followersAlistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church.
In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church.
In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church.
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May 5, 2019
The author, a respected pastor, writes that he wants to pray bigger, and better, and he wants his readers to enjoy praying like that too. To do that, we need to discover how to pray as Paul did, which means we need to learn to believe what Paul did. Paul was a man who knew to whom he was praying. The author focuses on Paul’s prayers for his friends in the church in Ephesus, which he recounts to them in Ephesians 1: 15-23 and 3: 14-21. Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians from prison. The truths that underpin and shape Paul’s prayers will motivate us to pray, and they will help us know what to say.
To pray is an admission and an expression of dependence. Real prayer is from a dependent person to a divine Person. Our conversation with others declares what is on our minds, but our conversation with God in private reveals what is in our hearts. Prayer reminds us who we are, and who our Father is. We come to a loving Father, but we do not come as his equal. The author mentions a few times that all that matters may be brought before God, but what we bring before God is not always what matters most.
The book is organized around five great qualities for which Paul prays for his Ephesian brothers and sisters. They are:
• Pray for Focus
• Pray for Hope
• Pray for Riches
• Pray for Power
• Pray for Love
The author asks how might our prayer life be transformed if we used the headings of this book to shape our prayers.
The author tells us that we pray for:
• Ourselves.
• Others.
• The glory of God.
The author quotes hymns throughout the book and ends each chapter with one of his own prayers. He writes that the reader might find it helpful to read one chapter of the book a week, and spend the rest of the week putting Paul’s divinely inspired wisdom into practice in your own prayers. Or, the reader could read it at the same time as a friend, and both commit to praying for each other in the ways the apostle lays out.
I highlighted a number of passages as I read through this short book. Here are 10 of my favorite quotes:
1. When I read Paul’s prayers, I am always struck by the fact that many of the matters that are the focus of my prayers are absent in his. What is striking is the absence of material issues.
2. When the eyes of our hearts are opened to our future, it changes our lives now—it reorders our priorities and our prayers. We pray less about the practical details of this life, and first and foremost about the spiritual realities of our eternal life.
3. The most transformational thing you can do today is to look clearly at Christ with the eyes of your heart.
4. The story of the Bible is the story of a God who seeks out people who are hiding from him.
5. You are going to live forever. The only question is where.
6. We know our best days are all ahead of us. We know that death isn’t the end of the best time of our life; it’s the start of it.
7. We are richer than we realize. And one day in glory, we will be richer than we can even begin to imagine. We’ll be with God.
8. When you come to the end of your power, that is where you find his.
9. Christianity is about the work of the Spirit to call you, convert you, and change you.
10. Small prayers betray a suspicion that we have a small God. We don’t. He is able to do immeasurably more than you can imagine.
To pray is an admission and an expression of dependence. Real prayer is from a dependent person to a divine Person. Our conversation with others declares what is on our minds, but our conversation with God in private reveals what is in our hearts. Prayer reminds us who we are, and who our Father is. We come to a loving Father, but we do not come as his equal. The author mentions a few times that all that matters may be brought before God, but what we bring before God is not always what matters most.
The book is organized around five great qualities for which Paul prays for his Ephesian brothers and sisters. They are:
• Pray for Focus
• Pray for Hope
• Pray for Riches
• Pray for Power
• Pray for Love
The author asks how might our prayer life be transformed if we used the headings of this book to shape our prayers.
The author tells us that we pray for:
• Ourselves.
• Others.
• The glory of God.
The author quotes hymns throughout the book and ends each chapter with one of his own prayers. He writes that the reader might find it helpful to read one chapter of the book a week, and spend the rest of the week putting Paul’s divinely inspired wisdom into practice in your own prayers. Or, the reader could read it at the same time as a friend, and both commit to praying for each other in the ways the apostle lays out.
I highlighted a number of passages as I read through this short book. Here are 10 of my favorite quotes:
1. When I read Paul’s prayers, I am always struck by the fact that many of the matters that are the focus of my prayers are absent in his. What is striking is the absence of material issues.
2. When the eyes of our hearts are opened to our future, it changes our lives now—it reorders our priorities and our prayers. We pray less about the practical details of this life, and first and foremost about the spiritual realities of our eternal life.
3. The most transformational thing you can do today is to look clearly at Christ with the eyes of your heart.
4. The story of the Bible is the story of a God who seeks out people who are hiding from him.
5. You are going to live forever. The only question is where.
6. We know our best days are all ahead of us. We know that death isn’t the end of the best time of our life; it’s the start of it.
7. We are richer than we realize. And one day in glory, we will be richer than we can even begin to imagine. We’ll be with God.
8. When you come to the end of your power, that is where you find his.
9. Christianity is about the work of the Spirit to call you, convert you, and change you.
10. Small prayers betray a suspicion that we have a small God. We don’t. He is able to do immeasurably more than you can imagine.
January 21, 2023
If I’m honest, my heart kinda grimaces at a book on prayer. It’s not that I don’t know how to (though this book schooled me), or have time (thank you iPhone screen time alert), but it’s mainly because I always think to myself, “I have better things to do than read a book on prayer.” And that’s just the thing I’m willing to write on paper—untold are the thousands of sins I attempt to pet. But on the first page of this book, Alistair Begg gently cuts to the heart reminding the reader that what we truly value is revealed in what we talk about—even more so when we talk with God through prayer.
This book is broken down into 4 parts—the posture of prayer, the problem with our current prayers, prompts for prayer, and the people for whom we pray. (Not chapter titles, just my general observations)
This book walks through the way Paul prays for the Ephesians and provides us a model for how to pray. Now, this isn’t exactly a “how-to” book in the sense that you actually learn how to pray, and you might be disappointed by that. But “you can have as many how-to books as you want. You can try as many practical solutions as you can find. But to start there is to start from the wrong end” (60). What this book does provide is the “why-to” and the necessary tools to give structure and words to your prayers. It helps us “to be made experientially aware of the truth and reality of the Lord Jesus Christ” (37-8). I’m so thankful I read it.
One of the best parts of this book was chapter 2. Begg contrasts our western, self-focused, preserving prayers with Paul’s imprisoned, eternally-minded ones. Our prayers tend to focus on health and ease of suffering, but this is quite opposite of Paul’s prayers. It’s not that those things are unimportant, but “what we [tend to] bring before God is not always what matters most” (30). It’s a challenging chapter that had me immediately revamping the posture of my heart.
This is a very short (100 pages) and helpful book and you will be reminded to hold your life loosely, long for eternity, look to Jesus, and recount God’s faithfulness and goodness toward his people especially in the midst of difficult circumstances.
My only critique has nothing to do with Begg’s writing or the content, but rather the compilation of the book. Begg referenced so many verses that this book really needs a scripture index. And because there are countless hymns and poems throughout, I really wish those sources would have been included in the bibliography. Again, minor, but those things really matter to me.
This book as a whole will challenge you to pray for the bigger, the eternal things like Paul.
This book is broken down into 4 parts—the posture of prayer, the problem with our current prayers, prompts for prayer, and the people for whom we pray. (Not chapter titles, just my general observations)
This book walks through the way Paul prays for the Ephesians and provides us a model for how to pray. Now, this isn’t exactly a “how-to” book in the sense that you actually learn how to pray, and you might be disappointed by that. But “you can have as many how-to books as you want. You can try as many practical solutions as you can find. But to start there is to start from the wrong end” (60). What this book does provide is the “why-to” and the necessary tools to give structure and words to your prayers. It helps us “to be made experientially aware of the truth and reality of the Lord Jesus Christ” (37-8). I’m so thankful I read it.
One of the best parts of this book was chapter 2. Begg contrasts our western, self-focused, preserving prayers with Paul’s imprisoned, eternally-minded ones. Our prayers tend to focus on health and ease of suffering, but this is quite opposite of Paul’s prayers. It’s not that those things are unimportant, but “what we [tend to] bring before God is not always what matters most” (30). It’s a challenging chapter that had me immediately revamping the posture of my heart.
This is a very short (100 pages) and helpful book and you will be reminded to hold your life loosely, long for eternity, look to Jesus, and recount God’s faithfulness and goodness toward his people especially in the midst of difficult circumstances.
My only critique has nothing to do with Begg’s writing or the content, but rather the compilation of the book. Begg referenced so many verses that this book really needs a scripture index. And because there are countless hymns and poems throughout, I really wish those sources would have been included in the bibliography. Again, minor, but those things really matter to me.
This book as a whole will challenge you to pray for the bigger, the eternal things like Paul.
January 27, 2023
A short read that encouraged me in how we can saturate our prayers by praying in ways that truly matter. Rather than merely asking the Lord to “be with so-and-so,” pray that they would be strengthened by the power of the Spirit, being rooted and grounded in love, that they would have the eyes of their hearts enlightened to know the riches of God’s glorious inheritance for the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power towards those who believe (Eph. 3:14-21, Eph. 1:16-21). Alistair Begg uses these passages along with several others to teach us how to pray like the apostles.
April 8, 2023
“My prayers reveal my priorities.” / “All that matters may be brought before God, but what we bring before God is not always what matters most.”
Prayer is something we all struggle with - this book is such an encouragement & full of biblical truth. It has definitely challenged me in how I think about prayer - reminding me of Who I pray to, and providing a helpful framework based on Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians of what to pray for. Also really valued the prayers at the end of each chapter. Will be coming back to this book again and again.
Prayer is something we all struggle with - this book is such an encouragement & full of biblical truth. It has definitely challenged me in how I think about prayer - reminding me of Who I pray to, and providing a helpful framework based on Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians of what to pray for. Also really valued the prayers at the end of each chapter. Will be coming back to this book again and again.
January 7, 2023
Simple and straightforward.
July 28, 2023
(3.5) Simple and solid. Not so specifically a book about prayer, but a reminder of the power available to us and at work within us by the Holy Spirit.
[Read for MPC 2023 Women’s Summer Book Read]
[Read for MPC 2023 Women’s Summer Book Read]
December 11, 2021
I loved this little book. I was skeptical after the introduction, but the following pages were filled with so much wisdom and biblical truth. This book truly reframed how I view prayer and what my prayers should look like. Based on the thesis that “[a]ll that matters may be brought before God, but what we bring before God is not always what matters most,” this book calls the believer to move beyond shallow, self-focused prayers. It is a call to heavenly-minded, God-centered and God-glorifying prayers because our greatest needs are spiritual. Begg states, “Our prayers reveal our priorities and our preoccupations,” and in reflecting on my prayers, they revealed that my priorities and preoccupations are primarily with the temporal needs of this earthly life. Yes, those things can be brought before the throne of God (and I believe we are commanded to bring those things—1 Peter 5:7), but if all I have time to pray about are the temporary needs of myself and others in this season, I am not spending enough time in prayer. This book traces Paul’s prayers in Ephesians and how they teach us to pray that we would see the Savior more clearly, grow in intimacy with the Father, and yield to the Spirit’s power in our lives, all for the sake of the glory and praise of God.
Read
October 6, 2021En su libro «Ora en grande: Aprende a orar como un apóstol», Alister Begg, pastor principal de la Iglesia Parkside de Cleveland, busca consolar y ayudar como un pastor sensible. Este es un escrito accesible que te muestra lo que puedes experimentar a diario en oración con el Señor. Su enfoque es magnificar la hermosura de una vida plena de oración con el Padre celestial. Su método consiste en usar como ejemplo cinco peticiones de oración tomadas de dos pasajes del apóstol Pablo.
Lee la reseña en Coalición por el Evangelio.
Lee la reseña en Coalición por el Evangelio.
May 25, 2020
An easy read. Alistair Begg takes you through Paul's prayer to the Ephesian church. What was included in Paul's prayers that we often exclude? How can we pray big prayers? Alistair Begg breaks it down in this book!
December 14, 2025
I was gifted this book back in school by a classmate (thanks Abbey!) and it has been on my shelf since. I finally got around to reading it and so wish I did sooner…
Prayer has always been a challenging spiritual discipline for me, and one I struggled to fully understand. This book challenged me to see prayer in a whole new way and has already deepened my relationship with the Lord. Begg packs this book with practical tips, mostly demonstrated by the apostle Paul. One that has been most impactful for me has been not asking God for things he’s already promised, but rather acknowledging those promises and searching to understand their depth and impact on our lives. The statement “pray big prayers” also has way new meaning for me.
Alright I’ll stop raving, just go read it for yourself! This book continues Begg’s case toward being one of my favorite pastors to listen to and learn from.
Prayer has always been a challenging spiritual discipline for me, and one I struggled to fully understand. This book challenged me to see prayer in a whole new way and has already deepened my relationship with the Lord. Begg packs this book with practical tips, mostly demonstrated by the apostle Paul. One that has been most impactful for me has been not asking God for things he’s already promised, but rather acknowledging those promises and searching to understand their depth and impact on our lives. The statement “pray big prayers” also has way new meaning for me.
Alright I’ll stop raving, just go read it for yourself! This book continues Begg’s case toward being one of my favorite pastors to listen to and learn from.
February 5, 2023
This book helped narrow in my focus on what prayer actually means. Very helpful and insightful. A recommended read for any Christian, even if they think they know how to pray or are a consistent prayer warrior.
April 18, 2020
God is pleased with a praying believer. That's a fundamental truth. It should bring a believer joy because not only that God is listening to our prayer, He is also pleased when we pray. There is no question that whatever prayer we bring to God, He will give His attention. But is there a specific prayer God wants us to pray? Of course, we are not here to discover a prayer that is much like casting a spell or some sort of code, once prayed, God will gladly obliged. Our aim is to further please Him and in the process bless us.
In Pray Big, Alistair Begg encourages us in these pages to pray a more profound prayer from this beloved apostle. While Begg doesn’t discount other prayers specially those personal ones, Pray Big demonstrates a prayer what is more needed that will bring a much more blessing to us, to others and glorify God. He starts by showing the Christian on the relationship he has with God and the benefits of being in union with our Creator. That is the jump off point to which this book further unleashes the prayer most needed to be on the lips of every believer.
This is not an epic read with all dramatic and moving stuff. It's a plain excursion through one prayer of the apostle to the Gentiles that reminds us the big prayer we should meditate and pray. But that doesn't mean that the simplicity of book means less. It does make room for awe and praise for God who wants us to pray the prayer that matters to Him. It's plain but it's what prayers should be . It's simple but it's essential. Definitely, Begg is spot on here when it comes to prayer.
Pray Big is a short easy read with a simple message, that is to desire to pray as Paul did for the believers in Ephesus. Simple yet we would likely to forget that these words. Begg's book help us so we will keep it in mind. Paul's prayer being moved by the Holy Spirit is essential for us in the Christian life. So start praying like an apostle today!
My verdict:
4 out of 5
In Pray Big, Alistair Begg encourages us in these pages to pray a more profound prayer from this beloved apostle. While Begg doesn’t discount other prayers specially those personal ones, Pray Big demonstrates a prayer what is more needed that will bring a much more blessing to us, to others and glorify God. He starts by showing the Christian on the relationship he has with God and the benefits of being in union with our Creator. That is the jump off point to which this book further unleashes the prayer most needed to be on the lips of every believer.
This is not an epic read with all dramatic and moving stuff. It's a plain excursion through one prayer of the apostle to the Gentiles that reminds us the big prayer we should meditate and pray. But that doesn't mean that the simplicity of book means less. It does make room for awe and praise for God who wants us to pray the prayer that matters to Him. It's plain but it's what prayers should be . It's simple but it's essential. Definitely, Begg is spot on here when it comes to prayer.
Pray Big is a short easy read with a simple message, that is to desire to pray as Paul did for the believers in Ephesus. Simple yet we would likely to forget that these words. Begg's book help us so we will keep it in mind. Paul's prayer being moved by the Holy Spirit is essential for us in the Christian life. So start praying like an apostle today!
My verdict:
4 out of 5
April 23, 2025
I’m not a fan of books teaching you how to pray, because I’m convinced that we learn to pray by praying and the Bibles gives us all the teaching needed on that matter but this little book appeared out of nowhere and encouraged me to dare pray bigger prayers again. Some not getting answered, or sometimes the opposite happening to what you prayed for, should not keep us from praying the big prayers and trusting the only God who can do more than we even hoped for.
May 23, 2019
Alistair Begg knows that most Christians (myself included) struggle with prayer. His solution is not to guilt you to pray, or give you some secret formula for prayer but to look at the prayers of Paul. The emphasis is on what he asked the Lord for, and who he prayed to! Begg gives suggested categories for prayer based on Paul's prayers: Pray for focus, Pray for hope, Pray for riches, Pray for power, Pray for love (pg. 41). [Hopefully it goes without saying that he means spiritual riches-Eph. 1:18]. Overall, this is a very practical book, because it is a very theological book. Begg rightly shows us our dependence and God's sufficiency and generosity, and so this helps us want to pray and to have confidence in prayer! The book reminded me of a lesser-known hymn by John Newton, "Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare", where the second verse says: 'Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring; for his grace and pow'r are such, none can ever ask too much, none can ever ask too much.' Begg does not quote this hymn, but he uses many others. Each chapter also ends with a short prayer focused on the content of that chapter. I highly recommend this short, easy to read, yet eminently helpful book, for anyone who wants to grow in their desire and ability to pray, and shouldn't that be all of us?
August 19, 2021
I am rereading this one!
“Pray Big” is a small book, about 100 pages long, but do not let the size deceive you. It is a BIG BOOK full of wisdom and Godly advice. In fact, Begg suggests taking a chapter at a time, slowly to allow the words to take hold of your heart and change your praying practice, if necessary.
God wants communion with His children. He loves us and wants to hear our thoughts, our thanksgiving, our concerns. He is our ABBA, our Dearest Father, always there to hear. So why do we stumble in prayer? Begg answers many of our questions in practical but scriptually-based advice. He uses the examples of Paul’s prayers in his epistles, especially Ephesians, to guide us.
What we say to God reveals what is in our heart. That is HUGE. So, how do you pray? For what or for whom do you pray?
I highly recommend this book.
“Pray Big” is a small book, about 100 pages long, but do not let the size deceive you. It is a BIG BOOK full of wisdom and Godly advice. In fact, Begg suggests taking a chapter at a time, slowly to allow the words to take hold of your heart and change your praying practice, if necessary.
God wants communion with His children. He loves us and wants to hear our thoughts, our thanksgiving, our concerns. He is our ABBA, our Dearest Father, always there to hear. So why do we stumble in prayer? Begg answers many of our questions in practical but scriptually-based advice. He uses the examples of Paul’s prayers in his epistles, especially Ephesians, to guide us.
What we say to God reveals what is in our heart. That is HUGE. So, how do you pray? For what or for whom do you pray?
I highly recommend this book.
August 14, 2020
Pray Big - God is Able!
Having the Lord God call me back to a fervent prayer life, I chose to read this book as Ephesians is one of my favourite New Testament letters. Alistair Begg has challenged me - through Paul's prayers for the Ephesians - to pray big, humanly impossible prayers again - because God is Able to provide so much more than we ask or think. I highly recommend this book to you.
Having the Lord God call me back to a fervent prayer life, I chose to read this book as Ephesians is one of my favourite New Testament letters. Alistair Begg has challenged me - through Paul's prayers for the Ephesians - to pray big, humanly impossible prayers again - because God is Able to provide so much more than we ask or think. I highly recommend this book to you.
October 7, 2020
It is a good little book on prayer. In fact Alistair calls us to depend on God and he desires to bring our hearts and intellect closer to Him, to yearn for Him and to know how much we need Him. So that our response may be through prayer.
November 16, 2023
Good book on prayer. Not as in depth theologically, but very practical and an ever needed reminder of what the Bible actually says about prayer.
July 28, 2019
There have been many books through the years that have been written on the subject of prayer. There are some that have risen to the level of almost required reading: With Christ in the School of Prayer; The Hour That Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer; or The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer to name a few.
I think that this little book would fit well on any reader's shelf along with these. Each have their place and in particular Begg urges the Christian to not simply approach God with our "shopping list" prayers but to use the example of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church to guide us in our prayer life. They are:
And
He expands on these simple prayers of a spiritual father for his spiritual children while writing to them from prison. Begg expands on the themes of the prayers in the following chapters.
Introduction: Who We Pray To
1. Prayer is Dependent
2. Prayer is Spiritual (But Not Impractical)
3. Pray for Focus
4. Pray for Hope
5. Pray for Riches
6. Pray for Power
7. Pray for Love
8. Can All This Really Happen?
Epilogue: Who We Pray For
I'll leave the reader to discover what Begg sees in these two prayers of Paul which he included in his letter to them. I'll give a hint with the following quote.
This book is a fairly quick read if you simply focus on reading the material. However, this is also one of those books that will require a little "chewing on" to grasp the full measure of the topic. I'm sure that I will go back to it again in the future to both review the ideas and to be inspired again to deepen my prayer life with my Heavenly Father.
I think that this little book would fit well on any reader's shelf along with these. Each have their place and in particular Begg urges the Christian to not simply approach God with our "shopping list" prayers but to use the example of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church to guide us in our prayer life. They are:
Eph 1:15-23 NASB For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
And
Eph 3:14-21 NASB For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
He expands on these simple prayers of a spiritual father for his spiritual children while writing to them from prison. Begg expands on the themes of the prayers in the following chapters.
Introduction: Who We Pray To
1. Prayer is Dependent
2. Prayer is Spiritual (But Not Impractical)
3. Pray for Focus
4. Pray for Hope
5. Pray for Riches
6. Pray for Power
7. Pray for Love
8. Can All This Really Happen?
Epilogue: Who We Pray For
I'll leave the reader to discover what Begg sees in these two prayers of Paul which he included in his letter to them. I'll give a hint with the following quote.
"This book is not about a doctrine of prayer. It is not a whole theology of prayer. It's not even going to look at all of Paul's prayers....And by explaining what he is praying for them, he's setting them an example for their own prayers--and for ours....So I am praying that this book will get you praying....But whatever you do and however you use this book, be praying that you would pray like Paul--because Paul was a great pray-er."
This book is a fairly quick read if you simply focus on reading the material. However, this is also one of those books that will require a little "chewing on" to grasp the full measure of the topic. I'm sure that I will go back to it again in the future to both review the ideas and to be inspired again to deepen my prayer life with my Heavenly Father.
October 5, 2021
Begg writes with simplicity and depth that is encouraging. He draws the reader to Christ as both the source and example of prayer. Begg references the content of Paul's prayers and encourages the reader to get out of the "prayer rut" of praying for the same things mindlessly... "Thanks for the food. Heal so and so. Watch over so and so." While these are fine prayers, the truth is that the model we have in scripture rarely includes prayers for health, and yet in our American culture that is typically the content of 90% of prayer requests. Also, I was encouraged to think about some common phrases that I repeat without thinking like, "Lord be near to so and so." But God has already promised to be near...Can we be praying bigger? Can we be praying more Biblically? If so, how? These are the questions addressed in the book.
The only reason I didn't give full stars is because there are some song lyrics Begg uses that are a little on the "emotional" side without much solid food/content, and talks about God giving him a hug. He acknowledged this in the book, but it begs the question (no pun intended) why he chose to include it instead of other more rich hymns.
Excellent book and it spurred me on to change the way I pray.
The only reason I didn't give full stars is because there are some song lyrics Begg uses that are a little on the "emotional" side without much solid food/content, and talks about God giving him a hug. He acknowledged this in the book, but it begs the question (no pun intended) why he chose to include it instead of other more rich hymns.
Excellent book and it spurred me on to change the way I pray.
January 29, 2023
This was a short but powerful book that convicted and encouraged me in regard to my personal prayers.
“All that matters may be brought before God, but what we bring before God is not always what matters.”
“And so spiritual matters are what the focus of our prayers-not the entirety, but the focus- must be.”
This isn’t a book on “getting your way with God”, manifestation station, or circle scribbler clubs.
Begg lays a solid groundwork by reminding us who we pray to and who we are in light of the gospel. He doesn’t disregard any and all practical prayers… he expresses how spiritual change has practical evidence, and how our practical prayers could be used as a personal audit of what we most value.
Kinda like looking at your transactions to see what you prioritize. He then walks us through 5 topics of prayer to focus on: Hope, focus, power, riches (not the investment portfolio kind) and love.
(I would say Western culture but, honestly…) THE FLESH is terrified of death, obsessed with comfort, and incredibly self-centered - to such an extent that even our prayers have been affected. Looking at the prayers of the apostle Paul (and what he DIDN’T pray for) is both convicting and incredibly eye opening.
“All that matters may be brought before God, but what we bring before God is not always what matters.”
“And so spiritual matters are what the focus of our prayers-not the entirety, but the focus- must be.”
This isn’t a book on “getting your way with God”, manifestation station, or circle scribbler clubs.
Begg lays a solid groundwork by reminding us who we pray to and who we are in light of the gospel. He doesn’t disregard any and all practical prayers… he expresses how spiritual change has practical evidence, and how our practical prayers could be used as a personal audit of what we most value.
Kinda like looking at your transactions to see what you prioritize. He then walks us through 5 topics of prayer to focus on: Hope, focus, power, riches (not the investment portfolio kind) and love.
(I would say Western culture but, honestly…) THE FLESH is terrified of death, obsessed with comfort, and incredibly self-centered - to such an extent that even our prayers have been affected. Looking at the prayers of the apostle Paul (and what he DIDN’T pray for) is both convicting and incredibly eye opening.
July 23, 2024
Der Autor, ein angesehener Pastor, möchte uns inspirieren, mehr und besser zu beten, ähnlich wie Paulus. Er betont, dass wir dazu lernen müssen, wie Paulus zu glauben und zu beten, da Paulus ein tiefes Verständnis davon hatte, zu wem er betete. Der Fokus liegt auf den Gebeten des Paulus für seine Freunde in Ephesus, die in Epheser 1,15-23 und 3,14-21 beschrieben sind. Trotz seiner Inhaftierung schrieb Paulus diese Briefe und vermittelte Wahrheiten, die uns motivieren und leiten können, was wir beten sollten. Echtes Gebet, so der Autor, ist ein Ausdruck unserer Abhängigkeit von Gott und offenbart, was in unserem Herzen vorgeht. Es erinnert uns an unsere Identität und an unseren liebevollen Vater.
Der Autor betont, dass wir alles, was uns wichtig ist, vor Gott bringen können, auch wenn es nicht immer das Wichtigste ist. Jedoch ermutigt er uns, für diese Dinge zu beten, die am Wichtigsten sind. Denn das sehen wir bei Paulus. Es geht ihm nie um materielles, nur um die geistlichen Dinge. Begg strukturiert das Buch um fünf Hauptanliegen, für die Paulus betete: Fokus, Hoffnung, Reichtum, Kraft und Liebe. Der Autor regt an, diese Themen zur Grundlage unseres Gebetslebens zu machen und betont das Gebet für uns selbst, für andere und zur Ehre Gottes ist.
Durch Hymnenzitate und eigene Gebete am Ende jedes Kapitels gibt der Autor praktische Tipps. Er empfiehlt, ein Kapitel pro Woche zu lesen und die restliche Zeit damit zu verbringen, diese Weisheiten in unseren eigenen Gebeten umzusetzen. Das Buch kann auch gemeinsam mit einem Freund gelesen werden, um sich gegenseitig im Gebet zu unterstützen.
Hier sind einige meiner Lieblingszitate aus dem Buch:
1. Paulus' Gebete beinhalten oft keine materiellen Anliegen, im Vergleich zu mir, wenn ich meine eigenen Gebete anschaue.
2. Wenn wir unsere geistliche Zukunft erkennen, ändert das unser Leben jetzt – wir beten weniger für materielle Dinge und mehr für ewige Realitäten.
3. Das Wichtigste, was Sie heute tun können, ist, mit dem Herzen klar auf Christus zu schauen.
4. Die Bibel erzählt von einem Gott, der Menschen sucht, die sich vor ihm verstecken.
5. Du wirst ewig leben, die Frage ist nur, wo.
6. Unsere besten Tage liegen noch vor uns; der Tod ist nicht das Ende, sondern der Anfang.
7. Wir sind reicher, als wir denken, und in der Ewigkeit werden wir noch reicher sein, weil wir bei Gott sind.
8. Wenn du am Ende deiner Kräfte bist, findest du seine.
9. Im Christentum geht es um das Wirken des Geistes, der dich beruft, bekehrt und verändert.
10. Kleine Gebete zeigen, dass wir einen kleinen Gott vermuten. Aber unser Gott kann unermesslich mehr tun, als wir uns vorstellen können.
Der Autor betont, dass wir alles, was uns wichtig ist, vor Gott bringen können, auch wenn es nicht immer das Wichtigste ist. Jedoch ermutigt er uns, für diese Dinge zu beten, die am Wichtigsten sind. Denn das sehen wir bei Paulus. Es geht ihm nie um materielles, nur um die geistlichen Dinge. Begg strukturiert das Buch um fünf Hauptanliegen, für die Paulus betete: Fokus, Hoffnung, Reichtum, Kraft und Liebe. Der Autor regt an, diese Themen zur Grundlage unseres Gebetslebens zu machen und betont das Gebet für uns selbst, für andere und zur Ehre Gottes ist.
Durch Hymnenzitate und eigene Gebete am Ende jedes Kapitels gibt der Autor praktische Tipps. Er empfiehlt, ein Kapitel pro Woche zu lesen und die restliche Zeit damit zu verbringen, diese Weisheiten in unseren eigenen Gebeten umzusetzen. Das Buch kann auch gemeinsam mit einem Freund gelesen werden, um sich gegenseitig im Gebet zu unterstützen.
Hier sind einige meiner Lieblingszitate aus dem Buch:
1. Paulus' Gebete beinhalten oft keine materiellen Anliegen, im Vergleich zu mir, wenn ich meine eigenen Gebete anschaue.
2. Wenn wir unsere geistliche Zukunft erkennen, ändert das unser Leben jetzt – wir beten weniger für materielle Dinge und mehr für ewige Realitäten.
3. Das Wichtigste, was Sie heute tun können, ist, mit dem Herzen klar auf Christus zu schauen.
4. Die Bibel erzählt von einem Gott, der Menschen sucht, die sich vor ihm verstecken.
5. Du wirst ewig leben, die Frage ist nur, wo.
6. Unsere besten Tage liegen noch vor uns; der Tod ist nicht das Ende, sondern der Anfang.
7. Wir sind reicher, als wir denken, und in der Ewigkeit werden wir noch reicher sein, weil wir bei Gott sind.
8. Wenn du am Ende deiner Kräfte bist, findest du seine.
9. Im Christentum geht es um das Wirken des Geistes, der dich beruft, bekehrt und verändert.
10. Kleine Gebete zeigen, dass wir einen kleinen Gott vermuten. Aber unser Gott kann unermesslich mehr tun, als wir uns vorstellen können.
June 30, 2024
Concise but very helpful. Begg doesn't set out to write a deep or comprehensive book on prayer, but in a few short chapters introduces the need for an experiential prayer life that seeks God, not things. This would be a good book for new believers or those feeling jaded and captured by the mundane. It is an evening's read, or would be useful as a short devotional to stimulate prayer over the space of a week.
April 15, 2021
Chapter 8 was honestly the best chapter that pulled all the information together! I highly recommend this book to someone that needs help or fresh step back into prayer.
May 2, 2022
Encouraging
February 24, 2023
This book is incredible! I highly recommend
March 29, 2023
This is a really good short book on prayer. A helpful reminder of our dependence on God and how prayer exposes the priorities of our hearts.
Read
January 26, 2024A fantastic guide to prayer, I will be revising this one very soon! Highly recommend!!!
October 25, 2024
Lots to think about and be convicted of in our prayer life. Our prayers show us our priorities & this is a book to help shift the focus off ourselves and to pray bigger.
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