Prayer: the Transforming Friendship

by James M. Houston

To often, prayer seems only to be a dreary exercise that must be endured or a difficult skill that must be mastered. When we misunderstand its purpose and practice, we easily fall out of the habit of praying regularly. As a result, we miss one of the greatest opportunities to deepen our friendship with God. In Prayer: The Transforming Friendship, James Houston explores the transforming power of prayer, illustrating how prayer begins to change our lives and then how the way we live changes how we pray. Through clear and compelling examinations of the Scriptures, Dr. Houston shows the often-misunderstood spiritual realities of prayer. And through candid accounts of his own struggles to pray effectively, he will encourage you to engage boldly in the life-changing practice of intimate conversation with God.

Dr. James M. Houston-a prolific author, editor, and Christian scholar-is the founder of Regent College, an international graduate school of Christian studies located at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. A native of Scotland whose parents were missionaries to Spain, he is recognized around the world as a leader in educating laypersons for effective ministry and in helping to restore spirituality to evangelicalism. His other books include The Mentored Life, The Heart's Desire, and Joyful Exiles.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Spirituality, Religion, Theology, Christian Living

Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

James ‘Jim’ M. Houston is Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

[Note: Because there are several authors named 'James Houston', these have been entered using the author's middle initial].

Reviews

[C Jing · Rating 5 out of 5]

《转化生命的友谊》这本书到底在说什么呢？
直到你拿起这本书才能领略他向我们述说的关于圣灵上帝借着祷告我们可以获知的种种。本书副标题给了很好的提示-关于祷告的指南。
作者透过四个部分共14章阐述关于祷告的必要性和如何透过圣经学习祷告对我们的益处。1.祷告的沉寂-关于祷告的凡此种种。2.圣经中的祷告-从圣经中提示我们祷告的重要性，并引出本书想要提醒我们的属灵生命的友谊——那位良友，无时不刻与我们同在的圣灵上帝。3.进入上帝的心怀-借着在圣灵的祷告，我们得以窥见三一上帝的奥妙，体会神的心意。4.上帝子民的祷告-从保罗到教会乃至圣徒相通的祷告真谛。本书教导祷告出发的灵修神学，作者的博学与丰富如海的学识正如其神学及生命深度一般，让读者阅读本书不会觉得枯燥乏味，相反，可以在字里行间咀嚼出自立行间揣摩神心意的那种甘甜喜乐。初代教父亚历山大革利免、克尔凯郭尔、屈梭多模、C.S.路易斯、J.C莱尔、奥古斯丁等圣徒话语及著作被作者如数家珍般信手拈来的侃侃而谈。不再多说了，相信会有许多收获的。
某处网站介绍本书的标题作为卖点：维真神学院创立者代表作。北美三大灵修作家之一侯士庭经典作品。（北美三大灵修作家：侯士庭（James M Houston），傅士德（Richard J. Foster），毕德生（Eugene Peterson）。）熟悉侯士庭并喜爱他的读者对他一定不陌生，光是橡树出版的系列就有不少了-侯士庭作品系列(共6册)， 这套丛书还有 《师徒之道》《心灵渴望》《幸福真谛》《喜乐流放者》《美好品格的塑造》 。

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[Mark Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Richard Piet · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Transforming Power of Prayer, Houston first examines the human condition and the need for friendship in an alien world. He invites us to find friendship with God and enter into prayer to know the Father through the Son and by the Holy Spirit . Knowing God forms our prayer. Prayer is based on our perspective of God and requires a right approach to enter into communication with God freely. A biblical perspective leads to a right concept and knowledge of God. We are invited to apply these biblical principles in our personal experience with God. With this we can open ourselves with all our inadequacies to God and examine our heart in prayer. Praying based on this foundation builds a relationship in truth and spirit with God. And it is the Holy Spirit that enables us to pray since we are inadequate as humans. We are led to consider friendship with God and the wider community of the body of Christ.
Houston shares a collection of thoughts and written images gathered through a lifetime of study. These are dispersed through his discussion on prayer. They help me readily identify with my own struggle to pray and my weakness in spirit. Throughout the book, deepening relationships and becoming complete as people are common themes. Prayer then, as the title of the book suggests, is a transforming friendship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

[Kyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never been one to get too excited about books about prayer. Up until this point Richard Foster's magnum opus as well as Henri Nouwen books and the Way of a Pilgrim were all I need. However James Houston's book might be added to that list. At 300 pages it feels about 100 pages too long. This isn't to say the breadth and depth of prayer can be covered in 200 pages. I'm just saying it was a long read. However, the content is great. I think the greatest praise I can give this book is that it has encouraged me to pray more diligently. For some this recomendation might not matter too much but it's big words from me. I've never been much of a prayer. It's not that I haven't seen the point. It's incredibly valuable. It's just that I have found other spiritual disciplines that suit my temprament. So, to say Houston has encouraged me to open up in prayer is no small praise.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read. Many faithful Christ-followers struggle in their prayers as a result of not understanding the richness of what prayer is. Dr. Houston informs the reader of the common barriers to growth in prayer; an authentic prayer life is in entering into a transformative friendship - casting aside misconceptions, admit one's faults, brokenness, and vulnerability to the everlasting friend, namely, the triune God.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Houston is a wonderful man, but honestly this book took a long time to finish. Probably because every single sentance made me stop and think. Not a light read, but a good one.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

another book that was really instrumental in my developing prayer life

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on prayer. Houston takes prayer and frames it around a growing relationship with God (vs. a pragmatic technique). A classic.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read and discussed this as an InterVarsitystaffteam in the 90s. Helpful to my understanding of prayer especially.

[Jay Flagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thoughtful. Covers many,many aspects of prayer. The usual depth of James Houston.

[Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book on prayer as relationship with God.