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Praying Hyde: The Life of John Praying Hyde
John Hyde's prayer life ranks in a league with the prayer lives of Andrew Murray, George Mueller, Charles Finney, Frank Bartleman, Rees Howells, Evan Roberts and other prayer warriors of church history. If you wish to learn to pray effectively, you can have no better example than the life of John Hyde.
"One of the results of reading this book will be the enlistment of many and better intercessors." -- J. Pengwern Jones
"We take our stand near the prayer closet of John Hyde, and are permitted to hear the sighing and the groaning, and to see the tears coursing down his face, to see his frame weakened by foodless days and sleepless nights, shaken with sobs as he pleads, 'O God, give me souls or I die!'" -- Francis A. McGaw
"One of the results of reading this book will be the enlistment of many and better intercessors." -- J. Pengwern Jones
"We take our stand near the prayer closet of John Hyde, and are permitted to hear the sighing and the groaning, and to see the tears coursing down his face, to see his frame weakened by foodless days and sleepless nights, shaken with sobs as he pleads, 'O God, give me souls or I die!'" -- Francis A. McGaw
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 25, 2021
Prayer and much prayer is the straight way
Brother Hyde was and still is inspiring the true Christian to prayer. I'm so thankful to have read about his life. He has or should I say the Holy spirit has created in me a longing for the quiet secret place with Jesus Christ. I recommend it to all who are hungry and thirsty for God. And more of Himself.
Brother Hyde was and still is inspiring the true Christian to prayer. I'm so thankful to have read about his life. He has or should I say the Holy spirit has created in me a longing for the quiet secret place with Jesus Christ. I recommend it to all who are hungry and thirsty for God. And more of Himself.
April 27, 2021
This small book of only 140 pages is a compilation of some of John Hyde's missionary associates who spoke of the greatness of this man known for his dedication to prayer during his years as a missionary in India (1892-1911). The reader cannot miss how much John Hyde devoted himself to prayer and Bible meditation, spending many hours on his knees or on his face before God, always wanting to be in complete obedience and surrender. His time spent in Biblical contemplation gave John Hyde great insights of our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. John Hyde also discovered a great secret to successful prayer and that was to always pray with thankfulness. The book was a treasure for me to not only learn of this amazing man, but to also learn from his teachings. I am so glad I read it.
April 6, 2020
This biography on the relatively short life and ministry of John Hyde is truly inspiring. Highly recommendable book.
January 24, 2022
I finished this book last night. The book is not very well written since it is really a collection of biographical memories. However, that does NOT take away from the value of the book. John Hyde was a dedicated saint of God who literally prayed himself nearly to death! His prayers were effective with God and countless souls will know eternal life through his faithful service and witness and countless more will join him in the ranks of intercessors as a result of this record. I am so glad I read it. I found the book to be inspiring and immensely convicting. "Dear God, help me learn to pray at least a fraction of the fervency and effectiveness of John Hyde!"
"Lord teach us at whatever cost to satisfy Thy great heart of love, broken over wandering sheep. So shall we apply balm and healing to that Heart. So shall we bind up Thy wounds and give Thee the joy that was set before Thee. May we realize the angels envy us such service! They cannot render it unto Thee. Only pardoned sinners can, by bringing others into the circle of Thy pardoning Love.
Lord show us that this passion for souls cannot be worked up by any efforts of our own. It comes forth from Thy bleeding heart, O Thou Lamb upon the Throne, Who are still giving forth Thy glorified Life for us, 'He ever liveth to make intercession for us.' We praise Thee O Lamb of God that Thou madest known Thy Father's Name and wilt make it known, 'That the love, wherewith Thou, O Father, lovedst me may be in them and I in them.'"
"Lord teach us at whatever cost to satisfy Thy great heart of love, broken over wandering sheep. So shall we apply balm and healing to that Heart. So shall we bind up Thy wounds and give Thee the joy that was set before Thee. May we realize the angels envy us such service! They cannot render it unto Thee. Only pardoned sinners can, by bringing others into the circle of Thy pardoning Love.
Lord show us that this passion for souls cannot be worked up by any efforts of our own. It comes forth from Thy bleeding heart, O Thou Lamb upon the Throne, Who are still giving forth Thy glorified Life for us, 'He ever liveth to make intercession for us.' We praise Thee O Lamb of God that Thou madest known Thy Father's Name and wilt make it known, 'That the love, wherewith Thou, O Father, lovedst me may be in them and I in them.'"
January 27, 2019
Highly formative book early in my Christian walk. Shows the power of prayer. The man showed me:
-you really can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (anything in God's will)
-God honors prayer warriors (men and women who like Anna have consecrated themselves to pray)
-the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a crucial piece of being *most* effective in ministry (see Lloyd Jones' Joy Unspeakable for the best theological defence of the doctrine)
-be it unto you according to your faith (if you believe God for something which is in his will and persevere in that faith, you will receive it).
-just pray more, pray harder, pray with others, and you will rejoice with joy unspeakable full of glory
-you really can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (anything in God's will)
-God honors prayer warriors (men and women who like Anna have consecrated themselves to pray)
-the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a crucial piece of being *most* effective in ministry (see Lloyd Jones' Joy Unspeakable for the best theological defence of the doctrine)
-be it unto you according to your faith (if you believe God for something which is in his will and persevere in that faith, you will receive it).
-just pray more, pray harder, pray with others, and you will rejoice with joy unspeakable full of glory
April 11, 2019
Not a typical biography in that the events portrayed take place in the middle to late years of a John Hyde’s life, and the reader comes away from the book not really knowing much more about him other than he prayed for hours.
John Hyde was a missionary from America to India, at the turn of the 20th century. He wasn’t so much of a preacher or teacher. Instead, he prayed. When he wasn’t praying, he was looking for souls to tell about the Lord. It doesn’t seem that he tried to accumulate money, eat good meals, or get restful sleep as much as he tried to pray, hear God’s leading, and follow His promptings.
John Hyde was a missionary from America to India, at the turn of the 20th century. He wasn’t so much of a preacher or teacher. Instead, he prayed. When he wasn’t praying, he was looking for souls to tell about the Lord. It doesn’t seem that he tried to accumulate money, eat good meals, or get restful sleep as much as he tried to pray, hear God’s leading, and follow His promptings.
February 14, 2020
This book uses older, more formal English which makes it a little harder to read at times. Even though it talked much about the power of prayer in the conversion of souls, it also seemed to have a more man focused view on conversion as well. But my favorite part was the chapter that included Hyde’s letters. I felt like the first part of the book (tributes to Hyde written by his friends) made him look perfect, which ends up being discouraging rather than encouraging. But Hydes’ letters were more balanced in showing his human side as well. Overall, it was generally a quick and easy read and was very inspiring to pray more!
April 4, 2019
Phenomenal
Best book on prayer I have ever read. It is not a book on how to pray but it’s a book about a man who modeled a life of prayer. The life of this man will challenge you like no other to pray and believe in the power of prayer. If we learn by example, then this is the book to read if you want to learn prayer.
Best book on prayer I have ever read. It is not a book on how to pray but it’s a book about a man who modeled a life of prayer. The life of this man will challenge you like no other to pray and believe in the power of prayer. If we learn by example, then this is the book to read if you want to learn prayer.
June 4, 2023
Equipment guide for true intercessors
It gives me great pleasure to recommend this gem gleaned out to infuse and ignite the souls to pray and learn the art of true prayers and to look into the agonizing heart of Jesus as He interceeded us. I must read and redread .
It gives me great pleasure to recommend this gem gleaned out to infuse and ignite the souls to pray and learn the art of true prayers and to look into the agonizing heart of Jesus as He interceeded us. I must read and redread .
November 10, 2023
Godly prayer life
Very appropriate for our time. How we need to learn the sacrifices of prayer so we can bask in His Presence, and see His hand move in REVIVAL in the church and in our land!
Very appropriate for our time. How we need to learn the sacrifices of prayer so we can bask in His Presence, and see His hand move in REVIVAL in the church and in our land!
August 9, 2019
One of the best books on prayer I have ever read. Highly, highly recommended.
May 25, 2020
The most inspiring book on prayer I’ve come across to date
May 29, 2021
What a fantastic man
June 7, 2021
Hyde's story is inspiring and convicting. May God make me such a man of prayer!
December 28, 2021
Personal devotion - Christian
January 16, 2023
We need to pray..
If only we were more diligent in our times to pray. Lord call us to pray as Hyde and others did.
If only we were more diligent in our times to pray. Lord call us to pray as Hyde and others did.
August 25, 2023
Thought provoking and probably a book that will stretch some previously held ideas. Of especially interest were pages 88 - 102
November 14, 2025
WOWSERS! What a life!! often I needed to put the book down after a page or two, to simply digest what I read.
I absolutely loved this book. Probably in my top 5 biographies
I absolutely loved this book. Probably in my top 5 biographies
April 10, 2020
A very good book to read, good insight into his character
June 14, 2016
This book recalls the life and ministry of John Hyde. John was greatly used of God in the life of the people of India as man of intercessory prayer. His prayer life was such as to put most of us to shame as to our lack of prayer. Three things characterized his life in my opinion that I would like to share. 1) His ardent love for His savior the Lord Jesus Christ. 2) A passionate and undying love for the people who he was called of God to serve. 3) His genuine love and affection for his fellow missionaries.
May 27, 2025
Some really great material presented in a somewhat awkward organizational scheme. This is a collection of writings by different authors (including Hyde) and much of it overlaps in theme if not in details. On one hand, the group I read this with was deeply inspired by Hyde's prayer life and his dedication to it. On the other hand, Hyde seemed to push quite beyond the boundaries of basic stewardship of his physical body and the good and godly limits that come with being a limited and finite human. Definitely good material for conversation.
June 11, 2020
(This book is a combination of 2 books available in the public domain, on archive.org, which is how I read this. Part one is Praying Hyde by Francis McGaw. The second part is from A Present-day Challenge to Prayer by Captain Carre.)
What an encouragement! This inspires me to pray more. What’s testimony! Every follower of Christ should acquaint themselves with this brother in Christ!
What an encouragement! This inspires me to pray more. What’s testimony! Every follower of Christ should acquaint themselves with this brother in Christ!
September 4, 2013
I only wish that I had read this book many years ago. It is a compelling story of what God can do when someone surrenders through prayer. Though the setting is early 20th century India, it resonated in my life in profound ways.
May 23, 2008
A strong man of prayer.
August 17, 2009
Good stuff. Shows the importance of prayer and self-denial through the life of one man determined to yield to God in all things.
August 7, 2013
Burdened to pray. A story like no other. Did a group study with this book!
September 11, 2013
"give me souls or let me die" so was the heart of John Praying Hyde.
Aaron Lill's dog ziggy chewed on the corner to provide some character.
Aaron Lill's dog ziggy chewed on the corner to provide some character.
July 14, 2016
Not nuts about the writing style and some of the theology was questionable. But it did make me think more about the need for serious, stick-to-it-ive prayer.
May 3, 2017
If one is looking for a definitive biography of John Hyde, missionary to India at the turn of the (previous) century, this is NOT it. This book is actually a combination of 3 former books put together by people who clearly adored Mr. Hyde and had great affection for him. In addition, they saw him at prayer over a period of years and had come under his instruction. Their personal experiences are recounted in this book.
All this said, it is clear John Hyde had an incredible ability to pray for extended periods of time, and would not relent until he was absolutely sure his prayers were answered by the Lord. There is much for a Christian to learn here regarding persevere in prayer, faith (trust, believing God etc.), self-control and other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit.
This book is definitely worth reading, especially if one is interested in learning more about advancing in deeper prayer to Christ
All this said, it is clear John Hyde had an incredible ability to pray for extended periods of time, and would not relent until he was absolutely sure his prayers were answered by the Lord. There is much for a Christian to learn here regarding persevere in prayer, faith (trust, believing God etc.), self-control and other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit.
This book is definitely worth reading, especially if one is interested in learning more about advancing in deeper prayer to Christ
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews