What do you think?
Rate this book
Just Ask: The Joy of Confident, Bold, Patient, Relentless, Shameless, Dependent, Grateful, Powerful, Expectant Prayer
Prayer can be a struggle. Sometimes we don't think it will make a difference, or we rely on ourselves, or we're just too busy. And even if we do pray regularly, it can feel more like a duty than a delight.
J.D. Greear shows us how prayer was a non-negotiable daily staple in Jesus' life, more essential to him than eating or sleeping, and therefore why we need to pray as well. He shows us how we can enjoy the same source of power as our Lord and the early church when we learn to just ask and depend on our heavenly Father as they did.
Giving specific practical tips for getting on with prayer in everyday life, this book leaves readers wanting to pray, rather than just feeling that they ought to.
In his introduction, Pastor J.D. says, "Prayer is not a religious task to accomplish; it's an invitation to lay your burdens down at Jesus' feet, to share your heart with him, and to be with the one in whose presence is the fullness of joy and at whose right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16 v 11)."
J.D. Greear shows us how prayer was a non-negotiable daily staple in Jesus' life, more essential to him than eating or sleeping, and therefore why we need to pray as well. He shows us how we can enjoy the same source of power as our Lord and the early church when we learn to just ask and depend on our heavenly Father as they did.
Giving specific practical tips for getting on with prayer in everyday life, this book leaves readers wanting to pray, rather than just feeling that they ought to.
In his introduction, Pastor J.D. says, "Prayer is not a religious task to accomplish; it's an invitation to lay your burdens down at Jesus' feet, to share your heart with him, and to be with the one in whose presence is the fullness of joy and at whose right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16 v 11)."
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2021
89 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Greear
69 books223 followersJ.D. Greear, Ph.D., did his degree work in Christian and Islamic theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He is Lead Pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC. The Summit’s vision is to plant 1,000 churches in by the year 2040. Currently, they have planted 11 and have several church planting teams stationed around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 4, 2025
This is the first book on prayer that I’ve read and I loved it! You should definitely give it a read.
July 16, 2024
Overall solid book. J.D. is accessible and relatable. I personally like his writing style - feels like we are hanging out talking about theology & following Jesus over a beer. Biggest takeaway for me was prayer being fueled by properly viewing God as my Strong, Loving, Heavenly Father.
June 11, 2023
Short listen. Solid content.
July 9, 2025
straightforward and practical read. filled with encouragement and truth about God and the gift and joy of prayer!
September 8, 2021
The sub-title of Just Ask by J. D. Greear is "The Joy of Confident, Bold, Patient, Relentless, Shameless, Dependent, Grateful, Powerful, Expectant Prayer." Wow! That is a lot of adjectives and a lot of expectations. Along with that great sub-title, I was drawn to this book on prayer by the fact that the forward was written by Paul E. Miller. I took a class on prayer based on Miller's book a few years ago at my church and was thoroughly drawn in to pray more because of it. Then the last couple of years, with all of the changes in the world, my habits changed. Just Ask has once again reminded me of the importance of prayer in my life at a time when I haven't felt like I have made much of a difference with it.
Just Ask is divided in to two parts: Why We don't Pray and How to Pray. I like how easy this book was to read. Greear writes in such a way that I find him easy to understand and he is almost conversational through the book. At the same time, I confess that I did have to use a dictionary for 2 words that I hadn't heard before so I also learned something new in my vocabulary. Even with that fact, he writes conversationally and he doesn't seem to be above me. In fact, throughout the book, I felt like he was write in the thick of the prayer discussion with me. He talked about some of his own mistakes and he also talked about his prayer successes. I have always struggled with God as Father because my father doesn't care if he has a relationship with me, which has messed with my thinking. In Just Ask, Greear encourages people with father struggles to look at the situation a little differently and I did find that helpful. He invites readers to look at their father through the lens of God instead of looking at God through the lens of their father. Through it all, I did feel encouraged in my prayer life as a result of reading this book. .
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, The Good Boo Company. All opinions within this review are my own.
Just Ask is divided in to two parts: Why We don't Pray and How to Pray. I like how easy this book was to read. Greear writes in such a way that I find him easy to understand and he is almost conversational through the book. At the same time, I confess that I did have to use a dictionary for 2 words that I hadn't heard before so I also learned something new in my vocabulary. Even with that fact, he writes conversationally and he doesn't seem to be above me. In fact, throughout the book, I felt like he was write in the thick of the prayer discussion with me. He talked about some of his own mistakes and he also talked about his prayer successes. I have always struggled with God as Father because my father doesn't care if he has a relationship with me, which has messed with my thinking. In Just Ask, Greear encourages people with father struggles to look at the situation a little differently and I did find that helpful. He invites readers to look at their father through the lens of God instead of looking at God through the lens of their father. Through it all, I did feel encouraged in my prayer life as a result of reading this book. .
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, The Good Boo Company. All opinions within this review are my own.
May 31, 2023
This is a short but great book that I needed. I needed the reminder that God listens to desperate, bold, and persistent prayer. To know that God is generous, just, and merciful is to have confidence to ask and trust him with childlike faith..
Recently, I have been recovering from detached retina surgery. There is nothing like the fear I felt understanding that I could potentially lose half of my vision so unexpectedly. Not only was it the fear of becoming partially blind, but wondering how this change could potentially impact my hopes and dreams for the future.
Praise be to God, my recovery is going well , I have regained all of my sight, and am on track to getting back to a normal routine! What a time for soul searching, though! So much of life is within our control, but for those events that come in which the only control we have is over our reaction to the circumstances, we must cling to God in order to not succumb to fear..
We can make all the “correct” decisions and make wise plans for the future, but we never can see fully what God has in store for us (Proverbs 16:9). The author included this quote by GK Chesterton:
“The trouble with Christianity in society is not that it has been tried and found lacking, but that it has been found difficult and left untried.”
Hardship and difficult things will come in life, but courage, trust, and God-given resilience are what we need for our faith to be authentic. It is important to not give up because, no matter how circumstances may look in the moment, God rewards those who earnestly seek him!
Recently, I have been recovering from detached retina surgery. There is nothing like the fear I felt understanding that I could potentially lose half of my vision so unexpectedly. Not only was it the fear of becoming partially blind, but wondering how this change could potentially impact my hopes and dreams for the future.
Praise be to God, my recovery is going well , I have regained all of my sight, and am on track to getting back to a normal routine! What a time for soul searching, though! So much of life is within our control, but for those events that come in which the only control we have is over our reaction to the circumstances, we must cling to God in order to not succumb to fear..
We can make all the “correct” decisions and make wise plans for the future, but we never can see fully what God has in store for us (Proverbs 16:9). The author included this quote by GK Chesterton:
“The trouble with Christianity in society is not that it has been tried and found lacking, but that it has been found difficult and left untried.”
Hardship and difficult things will come in life, but courage, trust, and God-given resilience are what we need for our faith to be authentic. It is important to not give up because, no matter how circumstances may look in the moment, God rewards those who earnestly seek him!
October 26, 2021
This is an excellent reminder and encouragement regarding prayer. Greear supports his arguments Biblically, and writes clearly.
Prayer is one subject that I just need to constantly have my thinking confronted and aligned with truth. This book was just what I needed. I think this book, and the one written by the author of the forward (Paul Miller, author of A Praying Life), are the best two books on prayer that I have read. I strongly recommend both.
Prayer is one subject that I just need to constantly have my thinking confronted and aligned with truth. This book was just what I needed. I think this book, and the one written by the author of the forward (Paul Miller, author of A Praying Life), are the best two books on prayer that I have read. I strongly recommend both.
July 29, 2025
I liked this one a lot! He uses a lot of scripture in each chapter. He is very practical. I loved the last chapter the most. He really focused on how we see God, and why that’s important for our prayer life. Would highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults looking to understand how to pray and why it’s so important!
January 21, 2022
A delightful, readable and Biblical book on prayer: how and why. The author also concludes with some practical tips for everyday prayer. As the title says, "just ask."
February 18, 2022
Helpful, practical, and encouraging. This book definitely changed my understanding and perception of prayer for the better!
September 20, 2025
Have a couple questions left for JD (I do have his # somehow?) but overall a solid, understandable read that’d I’d recommend.
March 4, 2024
I listen to this one, and I love that the author was the narrator. Very applicable and biblically founded.
May 2, 2022
The best book on prayer that I’ve read to date
February 24, 2025
Clear and straight to the point while not losing its heart. I may start gifting this book as a bundle with DeYoung’s “Just Do Something.”
August 7, 2022
Amazing and wonderfully helpful in understanding how God works through our prayers and how to deepen your prayer life. Such thoughtful guidance on becoming a person who trusts and obeys the Lords promises through prayer
Highly recommend this read for new and old christians !
Highly recommend this read for new and old christians !
November 6, 2021
Just Ask is the latest book by pastor and author, J.D. Greear. In Just Ask, Greear encourages readers to grow in dependence on God in prayer and encourages them to pray about everything. While reading Just Ask, I found my heart so encouraged. I observed that as a result, I was consistently going before the Lord and presenting my requests to Him with confidence and not fearing the outcome. I appreciate that throughout the book, Greear maintains a biblical stance on prayer. He encourages readers to pray about everything confidently while also reminding them that God doesn't always answer our prayers according to our preferences. Chapter two of the book is dedicated to exploring five reasons why God may not answer our prayers. Although considering why prayers may go unanswered is probably not what many prefer to discuss when it comes to the topic of prayer, the chapter left me feeling very hopeful.
The sentiments Greear expressed on page 51 really resonated with me: "My guess is that, if you think about it, you can already look back over your life and see places where you passionately prayed for something and couldn't, at the time, understand why God wouldn't give it to you. But now you realize that if God had given you what you asked for, it would have been disastrous for you. That raises the question: if already, with only limited time and perspective, you can see a good reason for some of God's unanswered prayers, don't you think, given enough time and perspective, you'll one day see a reason for all of them? So even as we keep asking God persistently for those things we ache for and that appear to us to be in line with his will, we do so with an understanding that if he chooses to say no, one day we will see why he answered that way—and agree with him."
Looking back over my life, I can see how God worked just the way Greear described, and in hindsight, I'm actually very thankful! Another portion of the book that I enjoyed included a list of what different people have prayed for throughout Scripture (pg.111-12). It was a helpful reminder that I too can go to God in prayer for anything. As a result of reading the list, I found myself looking for additional ways people have prayed throughout Scripture and plan to continue doing so as I read and study. I really enjoyed Just Ask and highly recommend it for those who are longing to grow in their prayer life or are looking to be reminded of God's faithfulness to His people.
I received Just Ask compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
The sentiments Greear expressed on page 51 really resonated with me: "My guess is that, if you think about it, you can already look back over your life and see places where you passionately prayed for something and couldn't, at the time, understand why God wouldn't give it to you. But now you realize that if God had given you what you asked for, it would have been disastrous for you. That raises the question: if already, with only limited time and perspective, you can see a good reason for some of God's unanswered prayers, don't you think, given enough time and perspective, you'll one day see a reason for all of them? So even as we keep asking God persistently for those things we ache for and that appear to us to be in line with his will, we do so with an understanding that if he chooses to say no, one day we will see why he answered that way—and agree with him."
Looking back over my life, I can see how God worked just the way Greear described, and in hindsight, I'm actually very thankful! Another portion of the book that I enjoyed included a list of what different people have prayed for throughout Scripture (pg.111-12). It was a helpful reminder that I too can go to God in prayer for anything. As a result of reading the list, I found myself looking for additional ways people have prayed throughout Scripture and plan to continue doing so as I read and study. I really enjoyed Just Ask and highly recommend it for those who are longing to grow in their prayer life or are looking to be reminded of God's faithfulness to His people.
I received Just Ask compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2022
This is an excellent book. If you are a long time Christian & feel stuck in a prayer rut (perhaps praying the same way for years), or a newly converted Christian wanting to learn how to pray, this book is for you! It is well written for any beginner to understand, while simultaneously written to appeal to the long time Christian with thoughts and insights to challenge even the most seasoned Christian in prayer time. I was greatly encouraged by Pastor Greear to pray and the posture to take while doing so. I have honestly never looked so forward to spending my quiet time in prayer with God. It truly is a privilege to take everything to God in prayer! I highly recommend this book to all believers!
July 6, 2022
This book humbled me and brought me to my knees to pray; so, I decided to start over and read the book again. If you are part of the triune-God and want to be in communication with Him, it takes thought, humility, and the common effort required to talk to your Father. Part 1 and Part II are just as different as Cain & Abel, Adam & Eve, and require an assent, and then a renewed desire to pray. Rev. Greear attempts this as eloquently, and simply as any man I've ever read. If you want to pray you must be bold, relentless, and situationally "desperate" or you may not get prayer right. Read this book 2X and pray as Jesus taught us.
December 20, 2025
A mildly written but massively eye opening book (for me anyway). The author does not try to show his linguistic skills or his knowledge of theology or the Bible. He doesn’t weave about the topic but jumps right to the point. You are just drawn into his 'conversation' that tells you about prayer - It's importance, how central prayers are to Christians (of all denominations regardless of age or experience), the way to approach and the essential components of a prayer with the Lord's Prayer as the foundation. It's a treasure trove.
May 16, 2025
This book is the basics of how and why to pray boiled down to its simplest form. It's theologically solid as well as encouraging and practical. It focuses more on what we need to believe is true to pray well than on a to-do list for praying better prayers and in that respect was convicting because it showed how much of the issue in my prayer life stems from a faulty belief about who God is and a lack of a street level trust in him. Definitely recommend.
June 19, 2022
Right time, right message, right delivery.
Greerar explains the concept of prayer, how it should and shouldn't be done, what God has to say about it and what it can and can't do in your life. He does this with practical, scriptural backing and with humor and authenticity. It's really a home run.
Cannot recommend this book enough.
Greerar explains the concept of prayer, how it should and shouldn't be done, what God has to say about it and what it can and can't do in your life. He does this with practical, scriptural backing and with humor and authenticity. It's really a home run.
Cannot recommend this book enough.
March 3, 2023
This is a fantastic book about how to pray and why we should pray. By developing our prayer life we are better able to communicate with our Heavenly Father. He makes so many excellent and valid points throughout the book. I'd recommend it for anyone who is looking to deepen their connections with God. Don't just read the Bible, Pray your way through it!
August 1, 2024
This book gave practical and encouraging advice to those of us who struggle with a consistent prayer life. Listening to JD read his book was also great as I have gone through a few of his studies in my Sunday School class. He is an excellent teacher. His illustrations, references, and teachings are so relatable. I don't ever feel like I can't understand what he's trying to convey.
September 8, 2021
A few question marks in this, and it doesn't say a great deal that hasn't been said in other books on prayer recently, its USP is probably that it offers a colloquial, relaxed approach to questions of prayer, perhaps if something like Miller reads a little drily for you.
March 24, 2022
Just Wow!
This is a personal, personable, accessible, interesting, helpful tool on the subject of prayer. It is more than a “how to” book with a new formula. It is a “why we were created to” revelation that points the reader to action! Highly recommend.
This is a personal, personable, accessible, interesting, helpful tool on the subject of prayer. It is more than a “how to” book with a new formula. It is a “why we were created to” revelation that points the reader to action! Highly recommend.
July 15, 2022
Took me forever to read because I got busy and forgot to read but just finished finished and it definitely refreshed my soul finishing the book and how I can have a productive consistent prayer time with the lord.
August 16, 2022
Fantastic book on the subject of prayer. Plain level authorship, but a broad overview that touches nearly any approach towards prayer. Would highly recommend this to believers in all walks of life. It is also a great book for teens and college age.
November 28, 2023
At a time in my life where I’m praying constantly, this book was just the right thing to strengthen my faith. Bold, persistent prayers from a Child of God are life changing. I like Greear’s sense of humor while speaking truth to a situation.
January 30, 2024
Great resource and reminder that prayer with the Father is relational, and not just a religious process… It builds upon the foundation of prayer being simple and practical, rather than a something laborious. Great resource for new believers!
January 17, 2022
Grateful for the fresh perspectives and candid insights in prayer offered here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews