Carson's clarion call to a failing church is that Paul's prayer life must transform Christians if they are to know release from the superficial. Ca...
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May 23, 2011
Alexis
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Carson wins again. This is an excellent treatment of Paul's prayers. I sometimes felt like Carson argued a little too strongly and made some unsupported logical leaps (Paul's canonical prayers do not constitute the sum total of the prayers he uttered, so it's a little dangerous to assume that he didn't pray for certain things or in certain ways just because he didn't mention those prayers in the New Testament epistles.) Still, he's right in that overall our prayers are far too selfish and too
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Nov 03, 2011
Dennis
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Carson's consideration of Paul's prayers would be excellent fare for new Christians. Steeped in solid theology and the Scriptures, Carson uses Paul's prayers as a model for our own. By most standards we pray in very weak, and quite limited fashion, to a God of our own devices. The reason I gave this two stars is because at this point I have studied Paul's prayer and used them as models. I really didn't get much out of the book and found myself frequently skimming.
Jan 11, 2011
Brad
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If you only read one book on prayer in your life, this is it. From the writings of Paul, Carson demonstrates how the words of Scripture should inform our words in prayer. He also addresses age-old struggles when it comes to prayer, like reconciling prayer with God’s sovereignty. It's simple enough to take a new Christian through, thorough enough to warrant several readings, and important enough not to ignore.
Nov 29, 2010
J.E.
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This book is a very helpful guide on prayer by a hero of our times. It looks at Paul’s letters and gleans what we might learn about how to pray in a more biblical manner-- something we all could benefit from. I love Carson’s style and biblical insight, and I always find his engagement with such practical material to be worth my time. This one took some time-- I soaked it up over about six weeks, putting it down for a bit to consider a chapter or so. It isn’t light reading; still, I highly recomm
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Dec 18, 2010
Todd
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This is a remarkable book - must reading for any Christian. If it does not challenge you to pray more biblically, then you need to read it again - this time with your eyes open.
Carson looks at the prayers of the Apostle Paul recorded in his letters, exposing the depth and content of his prayers. I found the book to be simultaneously convicting and challenging. Read this book with a notebook in hand, taking notes to incorporate into your own prayerlife. At a minimum every pastor, More...
Carson looks at the prayers of the Apostle Paul recorded in his letters, exposing the depth and content of his prayers. I found the book to be simultaneously convicting and challenging. Read this book with a notebook in hand, taking notes to incorporate into your own prayerlife. At a minimum every pastor, More...
Jul 04, 2008
Les
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Not bad. Has the benefit of talking about prayer by looking at what Paul actually prayed for. It ends up meaning that Paul mostly prayed about God and about others. Chapter 11 is worth the price of the book. He talks about "praying for power" and explains that Paul believes that the best motivation for prayer is the knowledge of Jesus' love for me. I usually like to hang out with people that I know like me. Why should Jesus be any different? Genius. This affirms my long conviction that
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Jun 04, 2009
Jo
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The best book on prayer I've read. The chapter on man's free will in light of God's sovreignty was really, really insightful. Good mix of theology and practicality.
The one drawback is that it's very dense. I tend to have a short attention span, so sometimes it was difficult to keep going. Well worth it, however. Just prepare yourself for some concentration.
The one drawback is that it's very dense. I tend to have a short attention span, so sometimes it was difficult to keep going. Well worth it, however. Just prepare yourself for some concentration.
Feb 23, 2011
Dan
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A lifetime of help on prayer is contained in this book. Carson uses the recorded prayers of Paul to help us learn how we can pray more faithfully and biblically. If you only read one book on prayer in your life, this is the one.
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Feb 07, 2011
Chuck
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Outstanding book on prayer! Carson's thoughts in patterning our prayers after Paul's was a great help in my own prayer life.
CB
CB
Jan 09, 2011
Cbarrett
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One of most insightful books on prayer; very encouraging and a great motivation to pray more earnestly according to Scripture.
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Sep 04, 2008
Kyle
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I'm a huge Carson fan and I suggest everyone should be too. This was one of the few "practical" Christian books I've read in a while. Carson goes through Paul's various prayers in his letters and observes the things Paul prays for and why he prays for them. Carson then argues that we too should pray for those things for those reasons. Sprinkled in are more topical chapters (e.g. "Praying for Others," "Excuses for Not Praying"). A great book: extraordinarily ch
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Oct 28, 2011
viktor
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"the unvarnished truth is that what we most frequently give thanks for betrays what we most highly value. If a large percentage of our thanks-giving is for material prosperity, it is because we value material prosperity proportionately...[etc]"
"forgiveness is possible only because there has been a real offense, and a real sacrifice to offset that offense"
"As popularly stated that we must learn to love ourselves before we can love others, is quiet absu More...
"forgiveness is possible only because there has been a real offense, and a real sacrifice to offset that offense"
"As popularly stated that we must learn to love ourselves before we can love others, is quiet absu More...
Oct 30, 2009
Mike
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Excellent book on prayer. I plan to review it again and take good notes. Book is full of wise counsel.
Sep 28, 2008
David
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If you noticed this is a 5 star book. This is as high as the rating goes for me. This is by far the best book I have ever read on prayer.
For christians that have trouble with either: sovereignty of God and prayer or with praying this is THE book on prayer.
This book helped me greatly understand the sovereignty of god and prayer. This book is well worth reading multiple times.
This book single-handedly propelled D.A. Carson to being my favorite author of all t More...
For christians that have trouble with either: sovereignty of God and prayer or with praying this is THE book on prayer.
This book helped me greatly understand the sovereignty of god and prayer. This book is well worth reading multiple times.
This book single-handedly propelled D.A. Carson to being my favorite author of all t More...
Nov 26, 2011
Examines Paul's prayers in his Epistles for instruction on our greatest needs as a church
Sep 30, 2009
Matt
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I'm not done with this book - just reading it devotionally a few pages at a time, but I highly recommend. A great way to think about/practice praying the Scriptures.
Oct 26, 2010
Will
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Carson is one of the finest New Testament scholars around, though you don't need a degree in Biblical Studies to profit from this wonderfully accessible book. Whether you are a pastor or a lay-person, you will find this scripture saturated gem a helpful guide on the topic of prayer.
Nov 12, 2010
Dan
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Another good book by Carson. Once again, his exegetical skills served to walk me through the prayers of the Apostle Paul. But perhaps the greatest value of this book for me was the very first chapter, where Carson describes some of his own practices of prayer. In short order, I will go back there to try and put some much-needed structure to my own prayer life.
Aug 25, 2008
Pam
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What a challenge to my prayer life. Carson looks at the beginning of Paul's letters to churches in the New Testament and challenges us on every page. I have to wonder -- Do I really pray the deep spiritually meaningful prayers and petitions for people like Paul, or do I remain on the surface?
Aug 15, 2010
Sharon
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More than anything else, this book encouraged me to pray. It reminded me the power and privilege of prayer, and also gave lots of tips on how I can practically start praying more fervently, passionately and biblically.
Apr 10, 2008
John
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By far, the best book on prayer I have read. Carson helps our prayers to be Pauline, rather than petty or thoughtless. Should be on the shelf of any prayerful Christian - as any Carson book should!
Jun 27, 2011
Coyle
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An excellent work on the importance and basic nature of prayer. Carson surveys several passages from Paul and applies them to prayer in a way that is thoughtful and devotional at the same time.
Jun 11, 2008
John
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It was nice to be taken to the scriptures to examine what Paul prayed for, and to begin to think about how to let those prayers permeate my prayer life.
Nov 12, 2008
Jacky
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A rather dry book, but also theologically challenging one's views as to the purpose of prayer in both a personal and corporate context.
Jul 26, 2010
Barry
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Good study of the prayers of Paul, along with some helpful advice for those looking to enhance their prayer life.
