Learning To Pray - Some Recommended Books

Summer has arrived!  Typically this is a great time to get out of the usual rush routine for lots of different things - including summertime reading.  Connected with my sermon on June 6, let me recommend some books on prayer.  Why not choose one and set aside time to read it this summer?  In addition, I'd love to have you post some of your own recommendations in the comments section.


I'll start with two recommendations from my "mentor" Andrew Murray and then three more modern authors.  This 19th century South African pastor has passed from the scene, but his books remain - particularly his books on prayer.  Just for the record: I wrote a currently-out-of-print-in-two-languages biography of Murray for my doctoral dissertation.  Please note that due to the archaic language and Afrikaans background, I recommend that you look for editions of Murray's writings that are "updated for the contemporary reader" like Bethany's Andrew Murray Library when it can be found. 


With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray - While going to college and seminary, I kept reading about this book from leaders I respected.  Typically, they said "this book will teach you how to pray."  They were right.  I had to start it three times over several years before I could connect due to archaic language, but when I did, I moved forward in my own prayer life.  The book is comprise of 31 brief, topical chapters intended as a one month devotional to teach on the life of prayer.  It concludes with a great chapter on the prayer life of George Mueller as well.  Updated language edition: Teach Me To Pray


The Ministry of Intercession by Andrew Murray - This is a book with fifteen more in depth chapters on prayer topics, but includes a 31 day "practice of prayer" sort of devotional.  Murray was a pastor all of his adult life, so he is never far from training and encouraging real people in the midst of real life.  I will never forget how his first chapter helped me see the lack of prayer in my own life in a new way that brought me to a new repentance and freedom to pray.

Here's three great books by modern authors to round out your options:


Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels - Most folks associate Bill Hybels with Willow Creek, the church that he planted, which is arguably the first of the "seeker-sensitive megachurches."  I am not surprised that a church of such impact had at it's helm a man who could pray like this.  Though a legendarily intense workaholic, Bill learned how to slow down and make time to be with God.  The book is transparent and practical with chapters like Heart Building Habits, the Hurt of Unanswered Prayer and How to Hear God's Leadings.  My reading recommendation for folks who tell themselves they are just too busy to pray.

Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard Foster - With his earlier book Celebration of Discipline, Foster carved out a niche helping connect modern readers - especially evangelicals - with classic streams of Christian spiritual life.  Prayer is a book length treatment of an earlier chapter.  It is rich with history and depth.  Each chapter focuses on a particular practice of prayer, many of which are virtually unknown the modern church of the US.  This book will expand your horizons.


A Praying Life: Connecting With God In A Distracting World by Paul Miller - Probably the least known of this list of books and authors, Paul is the son of Jack Miller well-known in Gospel as the founder of World Harvest Mission and source of Sonship discipling.  My first encounter with Jack's Gospel-centered vision was his book Come Back, Barbara where he and his daughter recount a long season of disaffection - it's a great read for any parent with a prodigal.  Paul carries on his father's Gospel-centered ministry, with a real focus in this book on our prayer life placing us deeper in the story of what the Father is doing in the world.