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Learning to Pray
Whether you realize it or not, your prayers change things. Be hindered no longer as K.P. Yohannan shares how you can grow in your daily prayer life. See for yourself how God still does the impossible through prayer.
60 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
234 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
K.P. Yohannan
41 books124 followersDr. KP Yohannan has been crisscrossing the globe for the past 40 years, challenging the Body of Christ to discipleship. His call to a radical lifestyle—with an all-out commitment to Jesus—has left its impact on nearly every continent. To the Church caught up by the tidal waves of compromise and self-preservation, Yohannan’s life message is a fresh word to this generation and yet as timeless as the scriptural mandate itself.
Yohannan is the founder and director of GFA World (formerly Gospel for Asia
aka GFA), a Christian mission organization deeply committed to seeing communities transformed through the love of Christ demonstrated in word and deed. He is also the metropolitan bishop of Believers Church , an indigenous church in South Asia.
Born in South India in 1950, Yohannan is the youngest of six sons. His mother dedicated each of her children to the Lord and longed to see one of them commit their lives to ministry. She secretly fasted each Friday for three-and-a-half years, praying, “Oh God, let just one of my boys preach!” Even as she prayed, her children were growing up, seeming destined for secular work. Finally, only the youngest, little “Yohannachan,” was left. Seeing how shy and insecure he was, his mother thought there was little chance that he would preach.
However, after Yohannan finished his schooling, he heard stories about North India from a visiting mission team, and his heart was gripped. His mother’s faithful prayers were answered as he immediately decided to join the mission movement and go to faraway North India to help bring the Good News to the multitude of villages that had never heard of Christ. While preparing to go with this radical mission team from Europe, the timid 16-year-old was challenged by a call to radical discipleship from missionary statesman George Verwer. That night, Yohannan couldn’t sleep. What if God asked him to preach publicly in the streets? What if he was stoned and beaten?
Suddenly, God’s presence filled the room, and he knew he was not alone. “Lord God,” he prayed in surrender, “I’ll give myself to speak for You—but help me to know that You’re with me.”
The next morning, he awoke with a supernatural love and burden for the people around him. The Lord gave him courage to speak to the crowds he saw that day, and he continued to preach for the next seven years in North India. As a field evangelist and regional coordinator, he was responsible for the members of his teams and the planning of each day. His future wife, Gisela, was also serving with the mission movement at the same time, and Yohannan felt through their brief encounters that he had found someone who shared his same vision and calling.
In 1971, Yohannan was invited to spend a month in Singapore at a new institute that had been started by John Haggai. Here, he was challenged by Haggai to do something significant with his life for God’s glory. His time at the institute produced a restlessness that eventually led him to leave India to search abroad for God’s ultimate will in his life. In 1974, he came to the United States, where he received his theological training at Criswell College. He and Gisela were married after his first term.
As a theology student, Yohannan was ordained and began pastoring a local church in Dallas, where he served for four years. While God blessed his pastoral ministry, Yohannan couldn’t forget the burden God had given him for those who had never once heard the name of Jesus.
Dr. Yohannan is a prolific writer with more than 200 books published in Asia and 11 in the United States. With more than 3.9 million copies in print, Yohannan’s landmark book, Revolution in World Missions, is an international bestseller that has literally changed the course of mission history in our generation. For his faithful service to the Body of Christ, Yohannan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hindustan Bible College in Chennai, India.
Yohannan is the founder and director of GFA World (formerly Gospel for Asia
aka GFA), a Christian mission organization deeply committed to seeing communities transformed through the love of Christ demonstrated in word and deed. He is also the metropolitan bishop of Believers Church , an indigenous church in South Asia.
Born in South India in 1950, Yohannan is the youngest of six sons. His mother dedicated each of her children to the Lord and longed to see one of them commit their lives to ministry. She secretly fasted each Friday for three-and-a-half years, praying, “Oh God, let just one of my boys preach!” Even as she prayed, her children were growing up, seeming destined for secular work. Finally, only the youngest, little “Yohannachan,” was left. Seeing how shy and insecure he was, his mother thought there was little chance that he would preach.
However, after Yohannan finished his schooling, he heard stories about North India from a visiting mission team, and his heart was gripped. His mother’s faithful prayers were answered as he immediately decided to join the mission movement and go to faraway North India to help bring the Good News to the multitude of villages that had never heard of Christ. While preparing to go with this radical mission team from Europe, the timid 16-year-old was challenged by a call to radical discipleship from missionary statesman George Verwer. That night, Yohannan couldn’t sleep. What if God asked him to preach publicly in the streets? What if he was stoned and beaten?
Suddenly, God’s presence filled the room, and he knew he was not alone. “Lord God,” he prayed in surrender, “I’ll give myself to speak for You—but help me to know that You’re with me.”
The next morning, he awoke with a supernatural love and burden for the people around him. The Lord gave him courage to speak to the crowds he saw that day, and he continued to preach for the next seven years in North India. As a field evangelist and regional coordinator, he was responsible for the members of his teams and the planning of each day. His future wife, Gisela, was also serving with the mission movement at the same time, and Yohannan felt through their brief encounters that he had found someone who shared his same vision and calling.
In 1971, Yohannan was invited to spend a month in Singapore at a new institute that had been started by John Haggai. Here, he was challenged by Haggai to do something significant with his life for God’s glory. His time at the institute produced a restlessness that eventually led him to leave India to search abroad for God’s ultimate will in his life. In 1974, he came to the United States, where he received his theological training at Criswell College. He and Gisela were married after his first term.
As a theology student, Yohannan was ordained and began pastoring a local church in Dallas, where he served for four years. While God blessed his pastoral ministry, Yohannan couldn’t forget the burden God had given him for those who had never once heard the name of Jesus.
Dr. Yohannan is a prolific writer with more than 200 books published in Asia and 11 in the United States. With more than 3.9 million copies in print, Yohannan’s landmark book, Revolution in World Missions, is an international bestseller that has literally changed the course of mission history in our generation. For his faithful service to the Body of Christ, Yohannan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hindustan Bible College in Chennai, India.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 12, 2017
K.P. Yohannan is someone I deeply admire and his writing always stirs my heart to go deeper with God. This short eBook, Learning to Pray, is no exception. I’d love to learn to pray from a man who spends several hours a day in prayer, seeking God’s will and moving mountains through faith and intercession.
After talking about some standard things about prayer, he urges the reader to let God shape their prayer time. That may mean starting by praying for one simple thing until it is answered or it may mean stepping up to longer and deeper prayer times. I find it reassuring that he sees prayer as a habit that is gradually developed over a lifetime rather than something we have to be perfect at right now.
This little gem will be worth a read again and again whenever I want to delve deeper in prayer.
This review, along with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com.
After talking about some standard things about prayer, he urges the reader to let God shape their prayer time. That may mean starting by praying for one simple thing until it is answered or it may mean stepping up to longer and deeper prayer times. I find it reassuring that he sees prayer as a habit that is gradually developed over a lifetime rather than something we have to be perfect at right now.
This little gem will be worth a read again and again whenever I want to delve deeper in prayer.
This review, along with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com.
January 29, 2018
I could tell that the author is a devout man of prayer. The work his organization does in Asia is quite amazing. I especially liked the anecdotes about God answering big prayers for him and his team. This short book (60 pages or so) is choke full of the influence of one of the greatest voices on prayer, E.M. Bounds, but there are also little nuggets from the author that challenges the reader to a deeper commitment to prayer (both individually and in community).
Definitely not a longer treatment on the topic (I'd suggest Keller's Prayer for that), but short and sweet. Sort of like the Lord's Prayer itself.
Definitely not a longer treatment on the topic (I'd suggest Keller's Prayer for that), but short and sweet. Sort of like the Lord's Prayer itself.
January 22, 2019
Book about prayer
Fairly straightforward short book about prayer. Some points for ways to pray, some testamonies of answered prayers, in particular a great reminder near the end that feeling more inspired to pray, as one is likely to do having read a book like this, is not enough, and one must actually do it. And reminders that we must continually humble ourselves afresh and pray again, without thinking that we have accomplished something already. And to let the Lord share his concerns with us, instead of just vice versa, which is really important. And of course there's a prayer to close with, but I'd encourage you to personalise it, because it violates one of the book's own premises, namely, be specific about the needs we pray for (but open-ended about the type of answer that prayer will have) -- this particular closing prayer is very generalised.
But still, overall a good short book about prayer.
Fairly straightforward short book about prayer. Some points for ways to pray, some testamonies of answered prayers, in particular a great reminder near the end that feeling more inspired to pray, as one is likely to do having read a book like this, is not enough, and one must actually do it. And reminders that we must continually humble ourselves afresh and pray again, without thinking that we have accomplished something already. And to let the Lord share his concerns with us, instead of just vice versa, which is really important. And of course there's a prayer to close with, but I'd encourage you to personalise it, because it violates one of the book's own premises, namely, be specific about the needs we pray for (but open-ended about the type of answer that prayer will have) -- this particular closing prayer is very generalised.
But still, overall a good short book about prayer.
August 7, 2018
It was a good little book about the importance and power of prayer. It was very well done, except for the part about our not praying keeping God from doing things for us in our lives. We don't have the power to keep God from doing anything (Yes, we do not have because we do not ask, but not asking doesn't prevent God from doing whatsoever He wills and giving us blessings that we have not asked for, as we often have no idea what blessings we need in the first place), so that was a giant stumbling block in the middle of an otherwise well done book on prayer.
September 10, 2018
Learning to pray
Learning to Pray by K. P Yohannan was an inspiration for me. I've struggled many years on how to pray and this booklet has given me great courage to talk with my Father God.
Learning to Pray by K. P Yohannan was an inspiration for me. I've struggled many years on how to pray and this booklet has given me great courage to talk with my Father God.
December 1, 2018
Excellent book to increasing your prayer life. God still hears and still does the impossible through
the prayers of his people.
This book helps one to understand the importance our prayers play and gives direction to start
a solid prayer life.
the prayers of his people.
This book helps one to understand the importance our prayers play and gives direction to start
a solid prayer life.
February 20, 2018
A Great practical book on the how's and why's of prayer
March 29, 2018
Excellent read. I learned so much from this.
I would recommend this to all that want to become more spiritual in their life. Easy to follow and put into practice.
I would recommend this to all that want to become more spiritual in their life. Easy to follow and put into practice.
August 10, 2018
Brief but effective jump-start to adding a bit of freshness to a life of prayer that seems to be a bit stale.
February 26, 2021
A good book on praying
I recommend this book. It was very good information. Speaks about praying and how we should pray. Thank you God Bless
I recommend this book. It was very good information. Speaks about praying and how we should pray. Thank you God Bless
October 4, 2022
Excellent short book about how to pray, every new Christian should have one . Easy to read and absolutely makes sense . A good reminder for long time Christians too.
May 18, 2023
Prayer
I could tell by the descriptions within that the author had spent much time in prayer. The instructions are clear.
I could tell by the descriptions within that the author had spent much time in prayer. The instructions are clear.
April 20, 2024
Excellent short book on prayer. This is definitely one to reread.
January 18, 2017
Didnt have much detail. Loved the few prayer testimonies though
May 11, 2009
This is a great book by K.P. Yohannan, who is the founder and president of Gospel for Asia. The best part is it's a free download PDF file from the organization's website: http://www.gfa.org/resource
I really liked this book, because it really encourages me to start taking prayers seriously. There are many great examples of how prayers worked miraculous powers when Gospel for Asia's native missionaries prayed fervently. However, the only thing I didn't really like is how he didn't included a chapter about what to do when it seems like God is not answering yet & testing our patience... The chapter I like the most is the one about group prayers. About the need for a balance between guided & free prayers so there is organization. Also the reminder to center on God so there is actual praying going on when we pray with a friend instead of just sharing and talking without including God with prayers.
Favorite Quote: (Pages 7-8)
"The need for prayer is felt in all aspects of our lives. Whether it has to do with our families, children, education, daily needs, ministry, relatives, friends or the many other concerns that can fill our days, the necessity of prayer is always present.
But despite that, the question remains: Do we honestly take time to pray? If we do pray, how much time do we really spend in prayer? We may spend hours each day talking to friends and family members about the things in our lives, but do we even spend at least one hour with the Lord in prayer, talking with Him?
I believe our lack of prayer is because so few of us truly know how to pray. I know that in the early days of my Christian life, I had no clue what prayer really was. I would close my eyes, and in a few short minutes, I would run out of things to say. It wasn't until learning from older brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as from books on prayer, especially those of E.M. Bounds, that I began to grow in my prayer life."
I really liked this book, because it really encourages me to start taking prayers seriously. There are many great examples of how prayers worked miraculous powers when Gospel for Asia's native missionaries prayed fervently. However, the only thing I didn't really like is how he didn't included a chapter about what to do when it seems like God is not answering yet & testing our patience... The chapter I like the most is the one about group prayers. About the need for a balance between guided & free prayers so there is organization. Also the reminder to center on God so there is actual praying going on when we pray with a friend instead of just sharing and talking without including God with prayers.
Favorite Quote: (Pages 7-8)
"The need for prayer is felt in all aspects of our lives. Whether it has to do with our families, children, education, daily needs, ministry, relatives, friends or the many other concerns that can fill our days, the necessity of prayer is always present.
But despite that, the question remains: Do we honestly take time to pray? If we do pray, how much time do we really spend in prayer? We may spend hours each day talking to friends and family members about the things in our lives, but do we even spend at least one hour with the Lord in prayer, talking with Him?
I believe our lack of prayer is because so few of us truly know how to pray. I know that in the early days of my Christian life, I had no clue what prayer really was. I would close my eyes, and in a few short minutes, I would run out of things to say. It wasn't until learning from older brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as from books on prayer, especially those of E.M. Bounds, that I began to grow in my prayer life."
July 23, 2016
I have been studying and praying over all the things God said in the Bible about prayer and praying. It has been a profound study this year. K. P. Yohannan's booklet compels us to pray. He covers some of the most important aspect of prayer and why we as God's people should pray. Though short, the booklet remarkable in the way it presents the purposes of prayer - to bring about God's work in the world and to grow in relationship with Him by not only speaking, but more often listening.
After speaking about prayer, Yohannan encourages the reader to act upon what he or she just read and the compelling God has now put on his or her heart by starting immediately to pray. Don't let the ember of this passion die by putting it off until tomorrow. Act on it today. As you do, the fire of the new passion will stay lit.
This book has become one of my personal favorites on prayer. It is up there with E. M. Bounds, C. H. Spurgeon, and A. W. Tozer. I highly encourage you to read this short and concise five chapter booklet.
After speaking about prayer, Yohannan encourages the reader to act upon what he or she just read and the compelling God has now put on his or her heart by starting immediately to pray. Don't let the ember of this passion die by putting it off until tomorrow. Act on it today. As you do, the fire of the new passion will stay lit.
This book has become one of my personal favorites on prayer. It is up there with E. M. Bounds, C. H. Spurgeon, and A. W. Tozer. I highly encourage you to read this short and concise five chapter booklet.
July 16, 2015
prayer
K.P puts a good perspective on prayer as we forgot that does not matter how short or long the prayers maybe, but taking that first initial step to coming to God. When I read this book I was not sure what God was going to do, but God reminded me that we do not have to have the latest technology to pray. But to Pray. I have read many of K.P.'s books and they give a lot of insight on how the Holy Spirit operate. As humans we forget that God just wants us to talk with him.
K.P puts a good perspective on prayer as we forgot that does not matter how short or long the prayers maybe, but taking that first initial step to coming to God. When I read this book I was not sure what God was going to do, but God reminded me that we do not have to have the latest technology to pray. But to Pray. I have read many of K.P.'s books and they give a lot of insight on how the Holy Spirit operate. As humans we forget that God just wants us to talk with him.
October 25, 2015
K.P. Yohannan writes simply, which is easily understood and leads one to a practical application of our wonderful opportunity to pray to our Living God. There is truth in this book and worth the read, especially so for those who are just learning the concept about praying. Sometimes, as Christians, we make it so scary, so unattainable, so complicated that most don't realize the power they have within themselves to simply talk to God on their own behalf.
December 11, 2015
This was a good book as is most of K.P.'s books are. Only 55 pages on Kindle, I was able to move through it rather quickly. I felt like this book should have been called, "Why We Need To Pray" I was misled and didn't really learn how to pray. It would have been cool if he would have given many examples of history as to how the Jews prayed or something to that effect. He doesn't go into detail as to the how. A little disappointed.
February 18, 2015
This an excellent, encouraging, and thought-provoking booklet on prayer. I think this would be good to re-read once a year. You can get a free copy from Gospel for Asia to read for yourself: https://bitly.com/LearnToPray
November 30, 2013
An OK booklet on the benefits of prayer and its practical application. KP is straight to the point, and forthright with the power of prayer, and the so often neglect that Christians pay such a powerful duty.
April 28, 2015
Prayer Insight
Thank you so much, K.P. Yohannan, for sharing with me how to pray so clearly. You have blessed my heart with your wisdom. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you today and everyday.
Thank you so much, K.P. Yohannan, for sharing with me how to pray so clearly. You have blessed my heart with your wisdom. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you today and everyday.
February 14, 2016
Prayer made simple
A good booklet to help unravel the mysteries and pit falls of personal prayer. Simple and direct to the point. A good read for those new to prayer and those disciplined in praying.
A good booklet to help unravel the mysteries and pit falls of personal prayer. Simple and direct to the point. A good read for those new to prayer and those disciplined in praying.
March 19, 2016
I liked this book a lot. It's an easy read with great references to scripture on the importance of praying with good intentions and listening for God's direction for us. praying is so important, we need to take it seriously.
February 4, 2016
What A delightful Tool
I found this book to be very to the point and stimulating,. I believe that it is not only capable of inspiring others to pray, but also a useful tool for learning and teaching about prayer.
I found this book to be very to the point and stimulating,. I believe that it is not only capable of inspiring others to pray, but also a useful tool for learning and teaching about prayer.
May 18, 2016
Very helpful for new Christians
I enjoyed this quick read as it is very simple and profound, it really helped me understand how to pray and what prayer should before! It has good direction as to what you could pray about and helps guide you when you are struggling to pray.
I enjoyed this quick read as it is very simple and profound, it really helped me understand how to pray and what prayer should before! It has good direction as to what you could pray about and helps guide you when you are struggling to pray.
September 11, 2016
amaizingly true and helpful. All that`s left to do after reading it is: pray.
May 3, 2012
This is an awesome little book about how to grow in your prayer life. You can find a free pdf at www.gfa.org. I found myself very encouraged by K.P. Yohannan's simple yet relevant words.
February 26, 2015
Great Book
Easy to read and very good information. This book explains the why of prayer in very practical terms. Five stars
Easy to read and very good information. This book explains the why of prayer in very practical terms. Five stars
March 1, 2015
This book was okay. I wanted to know more about saying prayers, however, it seems this book wants you to meditate and pray for hours. It was, however, written well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews