Ask, Seek, Knock: Prayers to Change Your Life

by Tony Jones

Prayer. It’s good for the soul.
What do Abraham, Moses, Deborah, and King David have in common? They all prayed and saw amazing results. Our reasons for praying are similar to those of these heroes of the sorrow, joy, guidance, and relationship. How can we get amazing results? Walk through the earliest models of prayer and discover how our Israelite forefathers prayed. A prayer guide is included to help you use the same prayers in your own life. Your reasons for praying are similar, but are your methods? Begin praying the way biblical heroes prayed. The results will amaze you.

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Tony Jones is the author of The God of Wild Places: Rediscovering the Divine in the Untamed Outdoors (2024) and an award-winning outdoors writer. He’s written a dozen books, including Did God Kill Jesus? and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life. Tony hosts the Reverend Hunter Podcast, and teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary. He served as a consultant on the television show, The Path, and he owns an event planning company, Crucible Creative. He holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Tony is married, has three children, and lives in Edina, Minnesota.

Reviews

[David Mullens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I read the Kindle version of this book, I'm not sure of the format of the printed book. All in all, it probably only took me a few hours to read through it, so I assume it is either a small book, or contains quite a bit of white space. That being said, I thought it was a pretty good book on prayer. While he does not go into depth, he does touch on several aspects of prayer and does so by addressing prayers in the bible, and also prayers through church history.

I would have liked to see a few more spiritual masters included, but the introductions for the ones he does include, while short, are pretty good.

This is a very accessible book on prayer.

[Coryke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think that I am in Jones' target demographic for this book. Much of the book cycles over material that I've heard, read, or encounter directly or indirectly before. Having "grown up" in the church, this book offers the same stuff.

However! Section four of this book is not as well trod a path. Jones explores the prayers of those living after the era of biblical writing. And it here that I read new things. It was here that I was most encouraged and challenged. It was here that I found the most value in this book for me.

[Jeremy Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a worthy primer on prayer and the ways in which those in the Bible prayed.

I agree with Jones that prayer is ultimately a mystery.

The author has some good insights on the ways various people prayed through out scripture.

If you're looking for a quick read on prayer this is a fine work.