Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals

by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 335 ratings · 45 reviews

"Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do." --from the Introduction Activists Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove show how prayer and action must go together. Their exposition of key Bible passages provides concrete examples of how a life of prayer fuels social engage...more

Paperback, 124 pages

Published September 3rd 2008 by IVP Books

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community by Wendell Berry

Let Justice Roll Down by John M. Perkins

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

Books for Ordinary Radicals

13th out of 38 books — 24 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 737)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Dec 29, 2008 Brad rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fairly familiar ground for anybody who has read other books that Shane Claiborne has written/participated in: faith and action in concert, incarnation rather than incantation. This time surrounding a close reading of 'The Lord's Prayer,' John 17, and Ephesians 1:15-23.

Some of the same stories and illustrative anecdotes told in Jesus For President and Irresistable Revolution get recycled here, but that's largely okay, because they are pretty great stories.

My favorite paragraph of the whole book...more

like · see review

Feb 20, 2013 John David rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: prayer

Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove claim their book is about "the marriage of prayer and action" (117) but it's not an equal marriage: about 95% action and 5% prayer. They view prayer that asks God for help as "silly" and childish (11), while it is no doubt a sign of superior spiritual maturity to do things on your own. "Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do." (11) They quote John Perkins, "When you s...more Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove claim their book is about "the marriage of prayer and action" (117) but it's not an equal marriage: about 95% action and 5% prayer. They view prayer that asks God for help as "silly" and childish (11), while it is no doubt a sign of superior spiritual maturity to do things on your own. "Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do." (11) They quote John Perkins, "When you see someone who needs a handicap ramp, don't go pray for a ramp! Build them a ramp." (11)

That's fine if all you need is a ramp. What about the child in your church who is dying of cancer despite the best medical care? Or the drones dropping bombs on families in Afghanistan? Or the relative who cannot kick an addiction regardless of how much treatment and support he receives? No amount of lumber, nails and good intentions will help in those hard cases. White, middle-class activists will never be the answer to those prayers.

[Edit: Not that there is anything wrong with being a middle-class, white man. I am one myself. As such, I think we are perhaps uniquely susceptible to thinking that we have the power to "do anything we put our minds to." We've been lead to believe from a young age that we can "make a difference" and "take care of business." I mean, if anyone can get it done, it's us, right? One result of this privilege is that we pray to learn WHAT God wants us to do, and then, once God has pointed us in the right direction, we can roll up our sleeves and just do it. "Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do." Once we are convinced, God can step back and leave it to us. The problem is that the older I get the more I realize just how powerless and vulnerable I am. I would be interested to learn about prayer from communities that have learned to rely on prayer because they had no money or education or power.]

The authors reflect on the Lord's Prayer, Jesus' prayer in John 17, and Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23. In light of their dismissive attitude on page 11, it shouldn't be surprising that they have nothing to say about Jesus' teachings on prayer in Matthew 7 and elsewhere: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened...." Jesus does not look down on his followers for asking for bread and fish or whatever else they may request. He encourages them to ask. He does not distinguish between the "silly" requests of a child and "spiritual" requests. On the contrary, he teaches us to ask like a child. It is a symptom of spiritual pride to dismiss the simple asking of children at prayer, thinking that prayer--real, spiritual, mature prayer--is "less about what we say and more about being with the one we love." (11, again). The prayers of Jesus are filled with requests and he taught his disciples to ask, seek, and knock.

There are deep wounds and tragedies in this world that provoke us to prayer that can only be answered in miraculous ways by God alone. I recommend other books by Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove such as The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. But if you are troubled by the pain of the world or moved by a spiritual hunger to go looking for books on prayer, this won't be very helpful.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 02, 2013 Christian rated it 2 of 5 stars

I don't understand why all these modern emergent Christian authors have to rename Christianity. For example, to Donald Miller Christianity becomes Christian Spirituality and is always referred to as such. Claiborne is a Christian but he is also an ordinary radical which is mentioned with far more frequency.

The authors will often cite verses that back up their thesis but they never mention the ones that seemingly contradict them, to the point that sometimes they will stop quoting the Bible direc...more

like · see review

Jul 11, 2011 Callum Iles rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shane Claiborne is a passionate prophet to the modern institutional church and together with his like-minded, but more theologically qualified, co-author Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove has created a practical and inspiring guide to making prayer count. Their call in Becoming The Answer To Our Prayers is for the modern church to live out the prayerful words of their lips and combine them with the works of their hands to see the kingdom of God come on this earth. The authors sum it up beautifully in th...more

like · see review

May 26, 2011 Mark Franklin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Five stars for making prayer active without making prayer nothing but action.

I really don't know how to communicate how great this book was for me as someone who struggles with praying: not so much how to do it, but what good it does and even what exactly it is. Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove frame the book around three great prayers in scripture, the Lord's Prayer, Jesus' prayer for the disciples from John 17, and Paul's prayer for the church from Ephesians 1, then fill out the book with storie...more

like · see review

Oct 19, 2010 Lynne rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, political

I keep trying to get something from Shane Claiborne's books. I really do. The same problem always comes up, though, in every one of his books and the books like this:

It just isn't truly a "radical" life when you still have the choice to opt out of real pain and poverty. Those among us (both political and religious) who count themselves "radical" are most often very college educated and moneyed and connected, but when they go into communities of poverty and other forms of oppression they choose...more I keep trying to get something from Shane Claiborne's books. I really do. The same problem always comes up, though, in every one of his books and the books like this:

It just isn't truly a "radical" life when you still have the choice to opt out of real pain and poverty. Those among us (both political and religious) who count themselves "radical" are most often very college educated and moneyed and connected, but when they go into communities of poverty and other forms of oppression they choose to act on the surface as if they have none of those things, or as if they are working past those things. But their lives and work remains just as privileged, even in their "poverty".

For example, when the authors say in the book that they decide to fly to one disaster-stricken place or another, that's not knowing or living with real oppression.

When the authors have faith and financial connections with important and well-known people around the world, that's not knowing or living real oppression.

People living real oppression don't have the kinds of choices these "radical" ministers do. And they aren't really served by those who proclaim a "radical" Gospel that dresses itself up as against Empire - but then continues to live with the privileges that came with full Empire citizenship. In fact, the "radical" nature of what is promoted and self-promoted in this series is simply another version of the same, tired, worldly patronization of the oppressed as practiced by those Empire Citizens who want to count themselves among the rescuers of the world. It's just not real.

What would be a real radical "rescue"? The real boon to the poor and oppressed? Go home, "radicals". Stop hanging out amongst oppressed peoples, "fixing" the brokenness of Gay people, poor people, women, and so on as if there was something wrong with Gay, poor, female, and so on. What actually needs to be fixed - what's really broken - is in yourself, and in the families, friends, neighborhoods, colleges, and culture you came from and still belong to.

In other words, if "radicals" remove the plank from their own eye / family / culture / class / etc, there won't be the oppression they, their family, their culture, their class, and so on continues to cause Gay, poor, female, etc people.

Until then, it's just more self-righteousness (but with a smile and a great band). The world has enough of that in other flavors, already. (less)

like · see review

Feb 12, 2010 Adam Ross rated it 2 of 5 stars

An okay book. I liked the premise that prayer and action must be unified, which was why I picked up the book, but I didn't find much of that in this little work. Mostly I got autobiographical stories about Claiborne's new monastic communities, a dangerous obsession with the Gnostic church desert fathers and mysticism, and some misinterpretations of the Lord's Prayer. (Claiborne goes on for an entire chapter about the evils of private property and how we ought to give all our stuff away instead,...more An okay book. I liked the premise that prayer and action must be unified, which was why I picked up the book, but I didn't find much of that in this little work. Mostly I got autobiographical stories about Claiborne's new monastic communities, a dangerous obsession with the Gnostic church desert fathers and mysticism, and some misinterpretations of the Lord's Prayer. (Claiborne goes on for an entire chapter about the evils of private property and how we ought to give all our stuff away instead, and all based on the "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," when technically speaking the word has a moral and not economic bent and is more faithfully rendered as "forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" - at least according to Strongs). There is a puzzling view of Muslims as brothers in the book as well (I grant that we are all children of God, but outside of Christ we are all disinherited sons and daughters - children is active rebellion who have been taken out of the will, so to speak).

And he strongly implies that to hang onto what we earn but don't need for immediate use is stealing from the other brethren. I am perfectly find\e with him wanting to give his possessions away sacrificially, and I wish him well, but once he makes it an absolute command like that he crosses a line. If I am paid to do a job and of that income I tithe and do mercy ministry and give to the poor and the helpless out of the abundance God has given me to steward, holding it in an open palm, ready to give to others, but also invest some in the market and put some in the bank to store up for later use to take care of my family or whatever, I have not stolen from my brother.

I agree with the "Theses on the Kindness of Christ" statement adopted by Christ Church and Holy Trinity Reformed Church in Moscow in general, but specifically when it states "We deny that the fallenness of the world around us creates any necessary guilt as we receive blessings from God. Our place in the world is to function as the future of the new humanity, and we are therefore called to model a grateful use of the blessings that God bestows. The one who gives sacrificially does so to the Lord. The one who gives generously and remains a steward of the rest does so to the Lord."

http://www.credenda.org/index.php?opt...

Still, though, all things considered, it's the best book by Claiborne I've yet read. The original point of the book, prayer and action must go together, is a point well taken, and in the places the book gets around to talking about that, it is dandy.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 10, 2009 Devon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: poverty-justice, spiritual-life, theology

So I'll be honest - this wasn't a top priority read. I wasn't counting on anything incredibly new, and I'm the world's worst pray-er and probably only a slightly better doer. But I was looking for one of Jonathan's books to read after going to his workshop at CCDA, and this was all the library had in stock.

So yes, there were a lot of stories I'd already heard before. But I still ended up folding a handful of pages with notes I wanted to remember. Here they are:

-You may remember an almost-word-fo...more So I'll be honest - this wasn't a top priority read. I wasn't counting on anything incredibly new, and I'm the world's worst pray-er and probably only a slightly better doer. But I was looking for one of Jonathan's books to read after going to his workshop at CCDA, and this was all the library had in stock.

So yes, there were a lot of stories I'd already heard before. But I still ended up folding a handful of pages with notes I wanted to remember. Here they are:

-You may remember an almost-word-for-word version of this sentence in Vonnegut's Palm Sunday that I highlighted: "Biological family is too small a vision." (23)

-Something I need to be constantly reminded of: "When the options are 'get rich' or 'save the world,' we can respond with, 'I want to become part of the people who ask for God's kingdom to come in their life together.' We can find our identity not in our work or our causes, but in 'Our Father in Heaven'." (32)

-"We must never fall in love with 'the revolution' or 'the movement.' We can easily become so genuinely driven by our vision for church growth, community or social justice that we forget the little things, like caring for those around us...[and quoting Bonhoeffer:] The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community." (51)

-An awesome intentional community t-shirt slogan: "Everybody wants a revolution, but nobody wants to do the dishes." (69)

-A verse to go with the biblical interpretation of the Dispatch song, "The General": "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (Exodus 14:14).

-Another point I need to be constantly reminded of, especially when it comes to prayer: "This is the great paradox and humor of God's audacious power: a stuttering prophet will be the voice of God, a barren old lady will be the mother of a nation, a shepherd boy will become their king, and a homeless baby will lead them home. God works not in spite of but THROUGH our frailty." (118)

So all in all, it's worth the minimal time it takes to digest this little book. It's comforting to see how Shane and Jonathan have grown wiser and gained perspective, especially with respect to community living. I'm probably overly bitter, but I love hearing from those who have done it, seen it through all kinds of pain and chaos, and are still doing it. And it was definitely cool seeing the Bible's classic prayers - the Lord's prayer, John 17, and Ephesians 1 - unpacked for their community visions. Now I just have to start praying them.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 20, 2008 Jenni rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shorter than most of Shane Claiborne's books, but I really liked what it had to say about community, and how it incorporated so much of what the Bible has to say in the book. I also love that this book is co-written by friends. I think this quote from the book encapsulates what I learned from the book, or what it is about:
"Predictably, some will say it’s absurd to assert that we are the answer to our prayers because God is the only answer to prayer. That’s the beautiful mystery: we have a God wh...more

like · see review

May 06, 2013 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Part 1 of Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers explains the significance of the Lord's Prayer; parts 2 & 3 cover 'praying for the world' (which really means Simple Way-esque living), living incarnationally, discussing smatterings about evangelism, and being sent in the world. Many of the stories are recycled from Irresistible Revolution. Nothing wrong with that, they are still good stories.

If you've read Irresistible Revolution and you've also read any other writing on the Lord's Prayer, skip...more

like · see review

May 30, 2010 Elizabeth added it

Shelves: did-not-finish, religion-christianity

I read the first chapter or so of this book, and may or may not finish it soon. I agree with his major points, and the writing style is enjoyable. But theologically it's pretty basic so far; it very accurately describes where my theology was a long time ago. It may be something I recommend to others eventually. But it's lost my attention right now, as I have some other research calling to me.

Claiborne has been one of my first doors into writings about the emerging church. I gobbled him up at fi...more

like · see review

Mar 27, 2013 Jacki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: spiritual-religious

This book did not say what I expected it to. But in the end, I'm not surprised. I know Shane Claiborne's background and new monastic ministry and this fits right in.

Some of it was hard to take. I was looking for something a little bit more straightforward about prayer. But I suppose, that misses the point. God is not "straightforward" like we'd want him to be. What Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove constantly point to is the idea of community presented in the Bible as a way that God provides answe...more

like · see review

Jul 02, 2010 Krista rated it 4 of 5 stars

Quotes from Becoming the Answer to our Prayers
Pg 51: We have a God who enters the world through smallness – as a baby refugee. We have a God who values the little offering of a single coin from a widow over the megacharity of millionaires. We have a God who speaks through little people a stuttering spokesperson names Moses; the stubborn donkey of Balaam; a lying brothel owner named Rahab; an adulterous king named David; a ragtag bunch of disciples who betrayed, doubted and denied; and a converte...more

like · see review

Jan 04, 2013 Chas Bayfield rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I was excited as I heard Shane Claiborne speak back in the summer and this didn't disappoint. Claiborne's approach to Christianity is big, encompassing and accessible - we don't need to be perfect to join in. I love the thinking that God allows suffering because we do - that we are called to help others. The authors are optimistic without being unrealistic and they practise what they preach too. Well worth a read.

like · see review

Apr 21, 2010 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shane once again writes a good book, however this book is way too short (I read it in a day). While Shane has some awesome stories to tell that everyone needs to hear... his time with Mother Teresa, his Wall Street Jubilee, etc...after about the 3rd book of hearing them I am now wanting more. I still think his first book, The Irresistible Revolution, is a must read and would recommend it to all friends out there before this one.

like · see review

Aug 09, 2011 Brandon Stiver rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spiritual-formation

This book is about prayer...kind of. The emphasis is on action as the title points to. I really liked it and it is an easy read. I always find that anything Claiborne (and apparently Wilson-Hartgrove) says is worth hearing and applicable to American Christian living. I would suggest it, but not until you've already read Irresistible Revolution.

like · see review

Nov 11, 2010 Joshua Fink rated it 4 of 5 stars

Generally speaking the principles of this short book are quite good. Too often we forget that when we pray for the kingdom to be here on earth it is very much our responsibility to work toward that end ourselves.

I'm not sure how I feel about the direct applications, though I admit they are attractive to me. I just haven't thought to hard about the implications or consequences, I may come back and solidify my opinion later.

Overall, great read.

like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Shane Claiborne's writings and they definitely give me something to chew on. This book was no exception, although it was shorter and perhaps a bit easier to read. Makes me wonder why I am so drawn to these writings and what impact are they having on my life. God, show me!

like · see review

Feb 25, 2011 Mindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

If you've read Shane's other books, this will feel very familiar. Some of the same stories were duplicated. While it certainly wasn't an earth shattering book by any means, it was a good reminder that prayer alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by action because God wants to work with and through us to change the world. It was a quick and easy read.

like · see review

Oct 16, 2009 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the book because he shares stuff I know in a new way. Important to remember that prayer and service are linked. Prayer gives us the strength to serve and service to the neighbor is where we encounter God. God and neighbor are interwined.

like · see review

Jan 09, 2012 Shannon rated it 2 of 5 stars

While I agree with the principles of this book, I didn't find it to be a particularly exciting or motivating read. Overall, I was disappointed in the book as I'm a fan of Claiborne. He is an energetic and inspiring public speaker.

like · see review

Jan 23, 2013 Chuck Jackson rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have been everywhere with his book. Excited when the introduction says, "this is not a book about the kind of prayer where we tell God things God already knows, as if Jesus needs a reminder that kids are dying in Sudan." But then it seemed like so much tired old observations on the Lord's Prayer as a model. I've heard that before, thanks.

Later on I was encouraged by begging for god... And I finished it off with an overall positive impression.

There is much to be judgmental of in this, not lea...more

like · see review

Aug 30, 2009 Redbeardbrownhair rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction-spirituality

this was a simple book that reminded me that i am not just an innocent bystander whose job it is to wait on God to act supernaturally. i am a part of the process, and my life can be an answer to someone else's prayer.

like · see review

Nov 25, 2011 Randine rated it 4 of 5 stars

These two guys are SERIOUS Christians. They are the real deal, modern day people to look at as what Jesus meant to love the poor, serve others, be helpful and pray. They walk the walk.

like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Mike McVey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pastor, sociology, theology, spirituality, worship

Awesome book! Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove write a very readable book about our role in prayer. I would recommend to anyone and everyone who struggles with prayer or is a prayer warrior.

like · see review

Apr 02, 2009 effie rated it 2 of 5 stars

duuudes, just stop. after reading the 6th or 7th story that is in "the irresistible revolution" and "jesus for president" and every story, interview or video... i stopped reading this. growth is change, growth is NEW.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 05, 2009 Dean P. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction

While there is some good insight into prayer and the faith life in this book, it is a bit of a remix of some of Claiborne's other writings. Many of the personal analogies are told in Irresistible Revolutionand Jesus for President so, while some of the thoughts on prayer are new to readers, those familiar with Claiborne may want to avoid this one.

like · see review

Feb 04, 2009 Barbara is currently reading it

This is really interesting. I like the line by line interpretation of the The Lord's Prayer with the Shane Claiborne twist, of course. :)

like · see review

Jan 26, 2011 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The focus on the Lord's Prayer was especially interesting to me. Underlined a lot and took a lot from this book!

like · see review

Apr 11, 2011 Kate Davis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion, non-fiction

Not as in-depth as they could have gone (or as I would have liked them to go), but a great starting point. A very accessible way to start a conversation. It'd be great for a study group.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 24 25 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Christian

12 users

Religion > Theology

6 users

Spirituality

6 users

Religion > Christianity

6 users

Religion

3 users

Non Fiction

3 users

Social Movements > Social Justice

3 users

Inspirational

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Shane Claiborne

My love of God and my love of the arts seem to have begun simultaneously. I can not remember which awed me first. By age eight I was both an avid collector of crucifix pendants and a writer of poems. Thankfully those first poems are lost somewhere on the African continent.

Fast forward years later through stints in English boarding school, pew-warming in Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyter...more

More about Shane Claiborne...

Books by Shane Claiborne

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals

Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

Red Letter Revolution: What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said?

Common Prayer Pocket Edition: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Becoming the Answ...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals
avg rating	preview: Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals Goodreads rating: 3.66 (335 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.discovereads.com/book/show/2951440-becoming-the-answer-to-our-prayers?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348477168l/2951440.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.discovereads.com/book/show/2951440-becoming-the-answer-to-our-prayers?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne[/url]

Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website