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Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 1,456 ratings · 96 reviews

Best-selling author Richard J. Foster offers a warm, compelling, and sensitive primer on prayer, helping us to understand, experience, and practice it in its many forms-from the simple prayer of beginning again to unceasing prayer. He clarifies the prayer process, answers common misconceptions, and shows the way into prayers of contemplation, healing, blessing, forgiveness...more

Hardcover, 275 pages

Published August 14th 1992 by HarperOne (first published January 1st 1992)

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May 21, 2009 James rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: prayer

I read Richard Foster's Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. I didn't much like it. Well there are parts I want to come back to, and I feel guilty criticizing a book on prayer by someone who has far-and-away-better-prayer-life than me, but it really didn't resonate with me. Here is why:

It is divided into three sections which (upward, inward, outward) and Foster relates each section to one of the Trinity. Each section has seven type of prayers which help you achieve one of these dimensions of p...more I read Richard Foster's Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. I didn't much like it. Well there are parts I want to come back to, and I feel guilty criticizing a book on prayer by someone who has far-and-away-better-prayer-life than me, but it really didn't resonate with me. Here is why:

It is divided into three sections which (upward, inward, outward) and Foster relates each section to one of the Trinity. Each section has seven type of prayers which help you achieve one of these dimensions of prayer. It is encyclopedic, and I honestly think I will look back on particular chapters and try the different prayer methods, or suggest particular ways of praying to others I mentor. But despite its usefulness, I found Foster's whole project wrongheaded. I am not sure if what I need is a taxonomy of prayer, as helpful as it is.

I acknowledge that some of my aversion may come from my own experience in regard to prayer. Once upon a time I was at a Charismatic church because I sensed that God wanted me to be open to the Holy Spirit. That church was a great practitioner of healing prayer and taught about it a great deal. I learned some of that there, and was generally open minded. However, one of the pastor's would always suggest that if one 'type of prayer' didn't work, simply try another type of prayer. He would say that each type of prayer 'are tools in our tool box.' At first, I ate up what he was saying because God was obviously doing something through the prayers of the people there, but something about the toolbox comment made me bristle. Finally I figured out what it was.

Treating each type of prayer as a different tool in your prayer tool box, suggested that if you just prayed the right way, God was obligated to answer you the way you wanted him to. Now, nobody said this, and they would nuance this by saying that sometimes God doesn't heal, or answer our prayers. But the use of the tools in the toolbox image was technological and it promoted a sort of formulaic idea of prayer. I found it difficult to jump from the idea of prayer as a tool to prayer as a conversation or communion with God.

Now I know this is a lot of baggage to dump on Foster. But I remain skeptical of lists of ways to pray, in order to achieve this or that objective. I understand that some understanding of the multiple dynamics of true prayer means that you end up talking about it in different ways, but I struggle with this approach. (less)

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Keith Great review James, and I really appreciated your point of view regarding your past history. I think you did a good job illuminating for me some of th...more
May 25, 2009 01:30am

James Keith,

Thanks for sharing your experience with church. I want to make a correction to my previous review on Foster's book. I think most of my difficul...more
May 27, 2009 01:40pm

Dec 18, 2007 Marisa Banas rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: For a "thinker" type of person.

Shelves: holy-given-missions-school-required

There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus--That is what I learned after reading this wonderful exposition on prayer. The book is basically a compilation of years of research on the subject of prayer. Richard Foster reviews every type of prayer imaginable, supports each style with historical facts, personal stories, and testimonies of every day people. Often times I hear people say, "I don't pray enough," or "I don't pray well." In most cases, this is simple not true. Richard does a great job of h...more

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Feb 16, 2013 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Because of my training in the history of Christianity, I have been privileged to be introduced to many of the mystical or devotional classics, from Julian to Tozer, from Bonaventure to Hilton, from the Jesus Prayer monk to Brother Lawrence. My knowledge is hardly encyclopedic, but I say this in order to offer a context for what will strike some as a startling judgment: The single most helpful book for me to actually pray is this one, and it's one of the very few books I have worked through more...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Jerry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion

I found this book very helpful in enriching my prayer life. It has improved my understanding of different types of prayer. It has some good advice on how to pray.

“The truth of the matter is, we all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives – altruistic and selfish, merciful and hateful, loving and bitter. Frankly, this side of eternity we will never unravel the good from the bad, the pure from the impure. But what I have come to see is that God is big enough to receive us with all our mixtu...more I found this book very helpful in enriching my prayer life. It has improved my understanding of different types of prayer. It has some good advice on how to pray.

“The truth of the matter is, we all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives – altruistic and selfish, merciful and hateful, loving and bitter. Frankly, this side of eternity we will never unravel the good from the bad, the pure from the impure. But what I have come to see is that God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture. We do not have to be bright, or pure, or filled with faith, or anything. That is what grace means, and not only are we saved by grace, we live by it as well. And we pray by it... We will never have pure enough motives, or be good enough, or know enough in order to pray rightly. We simply must set all these things aside and begin praying... What I am trying to say is that God receives us just as we are and accepts our prayers just as they are. In the same way that a small child cannot draw a bad picture so a child of God cannot offer a bad prayer.”

“In Simple Prayer we bring ourselves before God just as we are, warts and all. Like children before a loving father, we open our hearts and make our requests. We do not try to sort things out, the good from the bad. We simply and unpretentiously share our concerns and make our petitions... We ask for food, favorable weather, and good health.”

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought...” “The Holy Spirit of God, the third member of the Trinity, himself accompanies us in our prayers. When we stubble over our words, the Spirit straightens out the syntax. When we pray with muddy motives, the Spirit purifies the stream. When we see through a glass darkly, the Spirit adjusts and focuses what we are asking until it corresponds to the will of God. The point is we do not have to have everything perfect when we pray. The Spirit reshapes, refines, and reinterprets our feeble, ego-driven prayers. We can rest in this work of the spirit on our behalf.”

Here is the author's advice on one type of prayer: Healing Prayer
“First we listen. This is the step of discernment. We listen to people, and we listen to God... asking him to show us the key to the problem.... We ask politely if they would like prayer for the situation.
Second, we ask. This is the step of faith. As we come to clearness about what is needed, we invite God's healing to come. We speak a definite, straightforward declaration of what is to be. We do not weaken our request with ifs, ands, or buts. We speak with boldness.
Third, we believe. This is the step of assurance. We believe with the whole person: body, mind, spirit. At times we must confess with the father of the demonized child, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'
Fourth, we give thanks. This is the step of gratitude. Simple courtesy leads us to express thanks for what we have asked to happen.”
(less)

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Aug 21, 2009 Paul Dubuc rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: prayer

This book is an excellent introduction to, and survey of, the practice and experience of prayer for Christians. Richard Foster draws from many different traditions and experiences and distills them into this very fine and accessible work. It's very practical, unpretentious and inspiring. Foster helps us examine the many facets of prayer grouped according to three intentions on personal transformation, intimacy with God and ministry to others. Among its 21 chapters you may find aspects of prayer...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Applehillcottage rated it 5 of 5 stars

I borrowed this book from a library to read because I had been really impressed with one of Foster's other books, Celebration of Discipline. I had also joined the prayer chain at our church, and I wanted my prayer life to be more consistent. I was so amazed at the knowledge, detail, awareness, and holiness in this book that I immediately bought my own copy. I wanted to take notes; I wanted to be able to go back and reread chapters. A pastor friend of mine said it is often used in seminary classe...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Alissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

A friend lent me this book on the discipline of prayer and I basically read it in one sitting. I enjoy books with perspective, and this book did not disappoint. It's well organized, moving through the various types of prayer chapter by chapter and giving a good overview as well as some personal insights. I enjoyed the chapter on meditative prayer, especially his suggestions for devotional books (not the frou frou kind).

I found that much of what the author was explaining mirrored my own personal...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-book-list

If you're looking for a deeper prayer life, this may be the book for you. I began reading Prayer along with a group of women as part of an online book club, and had no clue what I was getting into. I have to be honest, there were chapters that were intimidating and difficult to get through; there were also those chapters that I will likely re-read in the future. There is a ton of good stuff in this book. I spent a good amount of time highlighting sections and re-reading them. The main "take away...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Jeff rated it 5 of 5 stars

Phenomenal book. Best Christian book I've read in a long time. The insights into prayer are extremely practical. He covers a wide range of denominational distinctives, ranging from the practices of the early church fathers which would look at home in a high church setting, to very charismatic/Pentecostal forms of prayer. As a Pentecostal minister, the last two chapters were even a bit out of my comfort zone. Divided into 21 concise, stand-alone chapters, this book, rigorously applied to one's li...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-discipleship, religion-theology

From the chapter on Radical Prayer (the last chapter in the book):

"Our spiritual defiance involves attempting to change God's mind when we believe that to do so is consistent with God's unchanging love. 'Sometimes,' writes Donald Bloesch, 'the prayer of faith involves defiance of God bordering on presumption.'" (p. 247)

I made a note in my virtual margin to the effect of "holy s***", because this statement trespasses on a number of sacred cows of traditional Christian theology, namely the unchang...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Jenny is currently reading it

Shelves: resource-book

This is a book I'm taking my time reading through and digesting. I have been frustrated for years and years with sermons and books on prayer. Essentially what I got from them was a call to duty (not necessarily a bad thing), and guilt (not a good thing). MOst people I've heard seem to say that they themselves are not "good at praying." Something about this seems off with me. Finally I decided I wanted to spend some time truly thinking about prayer itself, and not feeling guilty. Long story short...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Alexis Neal rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion, 100-books

Richard Foster, best known for his largely excellent Celebration of Discipline, walks the reader through 21 different types of prayer, including biblical examples and practical guidance. Each section closes with a written prayer that allows the reader to apply the lessons of the preceding chapter.

I have to say, I was pretty disappointed in this book. With 21 chapters, covering 21 different types of prayer, Foster was unable to address any one 'category' of prayer at length. And it's tough to rea...more Richard Foster, best known for his largely excellent Celebration of Discipline, walks the reader through 21 different types of prayer, including biblical examples and practical guidance. Each section closes with a written prayer that allows the reader to apply the lessons of the preceding chapter.

I have to say, I was pretty disappointed in this book. With 21 chapters, covering 21 different types of prayer, Foster was unable to address any one 'category' of prayer at length. And it's tough to read 21 short chapters on different kinds of prayer and emerge with an in-depth understanding of any of them. Plus I have to admit, I'm not sure I buy that there are 21 different kinds of prayer. That's . . . a lot.

Foster himself is a bit of a funny animal, theologically speaking. Not that he doesn't believe the gospel--it appears from this book (and others) that he does. He does not dwell on it as extensible or as repeatedly as I would like, but he does mention it at least. My theological questions about Foster stem more from his sources.

As always, he makes liberal use of quotes by various well-known (and more obscure) thinkers and writers--this book boasts quotes by C.H. Spurgeon, Thomas a Kempis, Martin Luther, Saint Teresa of Avila, John Calvin, Bonaventure, Saint Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, A.W. Tozer, Saint Benedict, Madame Guyon, Saint Jerome, John Chrysostom, Soren Kierkegaard, Juliana of Norwich, Richard Baxter, C.S. Lewis, Sue Monk Kidd, Henri Nouwen, Dietrich Bonhoffer, and John Woolman, as well as a number of Roman Catholic saints and monks. With a source list like that, I'm not really sure what Foster's specific beliefs are, other than a notable affection for Christian mysticism. Honestly, by the time I got to quotes by Spurgeon and Calvin, I felt like Foster was just pandering--quoting someone for everyone in an attempt to make his points more persuasive. Which I admit may be a bit unfair. I just didn't get the impression that Foster necessarily agrees with the bulk of Calvin or Spurgeon or Luther's theology, so his use of their quotes felt a bit . . . off. Then again, it may be that he was simply trying to establish that across time and space, Christians have largely agreed about prayer.

Aside from the varied sources, I was simply not impressed by the content. YMMV, of course, but I don't think there's much here.

(Full disclosure: Normally, this is the part of the review where I suggest an alternative--another, better book on prayer. Sadly, I've yet to find such a book. I've read a bevy of them lately and have yet to be impressed or really aided by any of them. If and when I do find one (there has to be one, right?), I will let you know.)(less)

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Oct 28, 2010 Amy Young rated it 4 of 5 stars

He writes 21 chapters devoted to 21 different types of prayer -- divined into three parts:

1. Moving invward: seeking the tranformation we need
2. Moving upward: seeking the intimacy we need
3. Moving outward: seeking the ministry we need

I hadn't thought before so systematically about all the differetn types and that the generic phrase "I'll pray about it" could have so many different meanings. His writing is apporachable as his style is humble yet challenging.

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Jan 25, 2012 April rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was OK. It could have been so much better though. We read it at Church, and the discussion it generated was great. The sermons based on it were fabulous. This book, not so much. The tone was condescending in parts, and he never questions his position as a white protestant male. He seemed to think his religious experience was par for everyone's course. It seems like a book on prayer could be really powerful and moving. This one just wasn't.

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Sep 14, 2011 Will Waller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: textbook, self-help, religious, classic

Amazing. There is a part of me that shudders to think that I respect a compendium like an encyclopedia or a dictionary. While this has a narrative (somewhat) it really is a listing of all the different kinds of prayer that Christians have used throughout the ages and that Foster has participated in. This makes this book a vital resource for anyone in ministry, or who goes to church, or who lives. To know how to pray opens one up to a myriad of interactions with the holy. Prayer never made much s...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Happyreader rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: spirituality

A perfect Lenten season read. The prospect of reading this, which I feared would be too preachy or solemn or stuffy, seemed like taking my spiritual medicine and suffering through. Instead, this book was a pure joy to read. Be warned about reading it in public though. Sometimes it brought me to tears, it was so moving. Completely expanded and transformed my understanding of prayer. Intelligent, compassionate, and inspirational.

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Oct 01, 2009 Glenda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Richard J. Foster: Please remember, we are dealing with the crucifixion of the will, not the obliteration of the will. Crucifixion always has resurrection tied to it. God is not destroying the will but transforming it so that over a process of time and experience we can freely will that what God wills. In the crucifixion of the will we are enabled to let go of our tightfisted hold on life and follow our best prayers." pgs 54-55

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Jul 22, 2011 Allen Lim rated it 5 of 5 stars

While this book is not new, neither is the concept of prayer. I find that Foster has done an excellent job in explaning the various forms which prayer takes, and also the various attitudes which we should adopt. While its true that, we can really only learn about prayer by praying... this book helped me by showing the richness of prayers available, and how my prayer life still has a long long long way to go....

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May 11, 2013 Jen B. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian

I should probably start reading this one again today... and then the day after I finish it the next time... and then I should just keep reading it over and over again for the entirety of my lifetime. SO MUCH information, but not hard to read. It is a great, "Meet you where you are" conversation on prayer, offering a lot for the reader to reflect on, personalize and internalize for growth. I really enjoyed reading it with a small group of close friends for the sake of the conversation and process...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Leeston Church added it

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Feb 03, 2013 Lynn Spencer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

I read this book for a group study, and really enjoyed it. I appreciated that the author did a comprehensive look at many different forms of prayer, and had obviously researched different branches of Christian tradition. The writing is approachable and as in some of the best religious books I've read, I never got the feeling that the author was judging the reader.

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Dec 31, 2011 Joey Reed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: discipleship

Foster has pulled together one of the most exhaustive tomes on prayer that I have ever seen in print. This book is a must read for any Christian disciple who is trying to understand prayer. For those with extensive training, this is a concise and practical application. For those who are new to prayer, this is a steady diet of prayer theology, practice, and experience.

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Apr 12, 2009 Janice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction-read, spirituality

This book is an extensive exploration of prayer, of every kind you can imagine, from the "Petition" kind we all are most familiar with, to some I had not even imagined, like "Authoritative". While at times I felt like the book over analyzes what should be simple, reading this has deepened my own prayer experience, by expanding my understanding and giving me ideas on how to enrich my own praying. Richard Foster is a lyrical, skilled writer, and even though I don't agree with all he says I would d...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Jeremy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-life, life-changers

This is the most comprehensive and compelling book on prayer I have ever read in my life. Each chapter deals with a different type of prayer and within each chapter is woven general exposition on prayer. It is informative, compelling, inspiring, humbling.

This is a MUST read. Take a chapter a week and spend the week practicing the discussed prayer, or praying about God teaching you that type of prayer.

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Apr 22, 2013 Keneda added it

This book was an awesome way to reflect on your prayer life. The book aided the individual in learning about prayer and the different kinds of prayers. I would read this book again and again and learn something new each time i read it.

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Jul 19, 2012 CCCfaithathome added it

Each chapter of this book explores a different kind of way to pray. It is a beautiful resource for enriching your quiet time with God and will lead you to reflect on who you are before God. It's worth reading on your own or with a group.

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Aug 21, 2011 Lady Jaye rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, loved-it, non-fiction, christian-non-fiction, read-in-2011, stars-5, owned-kindle

This was my first Richard Foster book that I read, and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed myself. I love the way he talked about and conceptualized prayer. And I like the categories he gave for prayer (made it sound almost liturgical). As I have not had much experience with "classical Christian authors" I liked the quotes he had from St. Teresa of Avila and all of those ancient people a lot.

This book gave me a lot of food for thought, a new way to think about prayer and the Christian walk, and ne...more

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Aug 25, 2010 Joel Daniel Harris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mdiv

Best book I've ever read on prayer. Written with a humility and openness that's inviting. Challenging yet accessible, Foster's book has the ability to warm even the most calloused heart again to the act of prayer or to spur the devotee to further pursuit.

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May 29, 2009 Ariel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: spiritual

I loved this book! Prayer is at the core of my spiritual life. Richard Foster's insight to the kinds and dimensions of this discipline is beautiful and illuminating. Highly recommend it.

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Jul 26, 2011 Marilyn Watson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The original edition was amazing enough to read the 20th Anniversary Edition. I would take the time to read any of Richard Foster's books on Prayer or Spiritual Formation.

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About Richard J. Foster

Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline, Streams of Living Water, and Prayer, which was Christianity Today's Book of the Year and the winner of the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He is the founder of Renovaré, an intrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the Church in all her multifaceted...more

More about Richard J. Foster...

Books by Richard J. Foster

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups

Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith

Freedom of Simplicity: Finding Harmony in a Complex World

Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines

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