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How to Pray - Enhanced Version
Written a little over a century ago, How to Pray is a wonderful treatise on prayer. The author, Reuben Torrey, effortlessly guides even the most seasoned person of prayer into deeper, more significant prayer. Torrey explains what prayer is, what it can do, and when one should pray. He also describes the hindrances that keep believers from praying effectively, and how with the power of God believers can overcome those hindrances. Filled with a spirit of graciousness, this classic work on prayer has helped generations and can also further one's own spiritual maturation in the "essential activity" of prayer.
Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer
This edition features an artistic cover, a new promotional introduction, an index of scripture references, links for scripture references to the appropriate passages, and a hierarchical table of contents which makes it possible to navigate to any part of the book with a minimum of page turns.
Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer
This edition features an artistic cover, a new promotional introduction, an index of scripture references, links for scripture references to the appropriate passages, and a hierarchical table of contents which makes it possible to navigate to any part of the book with a minimum of page turns.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1900
2268 people are currently reading
1416 people want to read
About the author
Reuben A. Torrey
539 books86 followersReuben Archer Torrey studied at Yale and in Germany before taking up a pastorate in the United States. As a gifted intellectual, administrator, and Bible teacher, he went on to pastor Moody Church in Chicago and became D.L. Moody's closest associate. In his later years, he traveled the world as an evangelist speaking to millions in Australia, New Zealand, India, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Japan, China, Hawaii, Germany, the United States, and Canada. Torrey edited the last two volumes of the monumental "The Fundamentals" and was instrumental in the founding of both Moody Bible Institute and BIOLA University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
April 27, 2017
Why don’t Christians pray more? Why don’t we see more results? Does it matter ‘how we pray’? Torrey searched the Scriptures and found the answers to those questions, and yes, it does matter ‘how we pray’.
He opens with one of the best-known commands to pray; “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18) As Torrey shows us, every phrase in that verse has a meaning and a purpose, and he uses Scripture to help us understand what they are.
A large part of this book is given to correcting misconceptions and false teachings about prayer, but he goes about that by explaining what the Bible really teaches about it. For example, he teaches about the true meaning of ‘praying in the Spirit’, ‘ask in my name’, ‘according to His will’, and many others.
I have found so much mysticism in books about prayer that the strong biblical teaching in this little volume was incredibly refreshing. Not only was I convicted to pray more, and more biblically, but also to read and study God’s Word more, to repent of sin in my life, and to search diligently for God’s will and not my own. Then I was encouraged by the promises. God has not changed. He still hears when His people call. He still answers prayers. He still guides us. His power is still great. These are all God’ promises to His obedient children; how comforting they are. Please let me recommend this book to you. It has so much to teach us.
He opens with one of the best-known commands to pray; “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18) As Torrey shows us, every phrase in that verse has a meaning and a purpose, and he uses Scripture to help us understand what they are.
A large part of this book is given to correcting misconceptions and false teachings about prayer, but he goes about that by explaining what the Bible really teaches about it. For example, he teaches about the true meaning of ‘praying in the Spirit’, ‘ask in my name’, ‘according to His will’, and many others.
I have found so much mysticism in books about prayer that the strong biblical teaching in this little volume was incredibly refreshing. Not only was I convicted to pray more, and more biblically, but also to read and study God’s Word more, to repent of sin in my life, and to search diligently for God’s will and not my own. Then I was encouraged by the promises. God has not changed. He still hears when His people call. He still answers prayers. He still guides us. His power is still great. These are all God’ promises to His obedient children; how comforting they are. Please let me recommend this book to you. It has so much to teach us.
February 28, 2021
This is a wonderful teaching on how the believer must pray. R.A. Torrey uses a great book to explain how, that being The Holy Bible.
The most important concept is that we must pray constantly and with furver in order to get what we desire. God says "You don't ask so you don't recieve."
I recommend this book to all.
The most important concept is that we must pray constantly and with furver in order to get what we desire. God says "You don't ask so you don't recieve."
I recommend this book to all.
April 10, 2020
4.5⭐ Great little book on the purpose, importance, and plan for powerful prayer! It definitely convicted me and made me think.
September 27, 2025
A simple, yet profound book on prayer. Written in a much older style, but I found a lot to be gained with that.
January 4, 2022
A phenomenal book on prayer!
This text is short, but it is so convicting and thorough on the subject of prayer. I highlighted so many statements and passages. I struggle to pray on a regular basis, but am now revitalized. I appreciated how rooted in Scripture Torrey is in his thoughts, and enjoyed the final chapter on true revival.
This text is short, but it is so convicting and thorough on the subject of prayer. I highlighted so many statements and passages. I struggle to pray on a regular basis, but am now revitalized. I appreciated how rooted in Scripture Torrey is in his thoughts, and enjoyed the final chapter on true revival.
January 21, 2020
Last year I read a couple different contemporary books on prayer and they honestly did not seem all that relevant. Intercessory Prayer was a reread and an excellent look at the theology of prayer and I would recommend it for that. But at no point in the book did I feel the need to put the book down and apply what I was learning. The others were just plain weird.
So in December, I pulled into my kindle a series of books on prayer that I wanted to tackle in January. These were all classical works by tried and true authors. The first of these was With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray. It was en excellent work on the topic of the likes you simply do not see in our era.
The second book I read is this one. Wow. Torrey first wrote this gem right around the turn of the century about a hundred twenty years ago. Even still, this book has a prose as well as a practicality that makes it very relevant today. Far more than most of your contemporary works on the subject. I would highly recommend this book to someone who wants to be inspired and challenged into a deeper life of prayer.
Some highlights:
"Jesus spent much of His time and strength in prayer, and a man or woman who does not spend much time in prayer cannot properly be called a follower of Jesus Christ."
"One night of prayer will save us from many nights of insomnia. Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but is time invested at much interest."
"Many people call it submission to the will of God when God does not grant them their request the first or second time that they ask, and they say, “Well, perhaps it is not God’s will.” In general, this is not submission, but spiritual laziness."
"Our whole life should be a life of prayer. We should walk in constant communion with God. Our souls should be constantly looking up to God. We should walk so habitually in His presence that even when we wake up in the night, it would be the most natural thing in the world for us to speak to God in thanksgiving or in petition."
"The great cry of our day is work, work, work – new organizations, new methods, new systems. The great need of our day is prayer."
So in December, I pulled into my kindle a series of books on prayer that I wanted to tackle in January. These were all classical works by tried and true authors. The first of these was With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray. It was en excellent work on the topic of the likes you simply do not see in our era.
The second book I read is this one. Wow. Torrey first wrote this gem right around the turn of the century about a hundred twenty years ago. Even still, this book has a prose as well as a practicality that makes it very relevant today. Far more than most of your contemporary works on the subject. I would highly recommend this book to someone who wants to be inspired and challenged into a deeper life of prayer.
Some highlights:
"Jesus spent much of His time and strength in prayer, and a man or woman who does not spend much time in prayer cannot properly be called a follower of Jesus Christ."
"One night of prayer will save us from many nights of insomnia. Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but is time invested at much interest."
"Many people call it submission to the will of God when God does not grant them their request the first or second time that they ask, and they say, “Well, perhaps it is not God’s will.” In general, this is not submission, but spiritual laziness."
"Our whole life should be a life of prayer. We should walk in constant communion with God. Our souls should be constantly looking up to God. We should walk so habitually in His presence that even when we wake up in the night, it would be the most natural thing in the world for us to speak to God in thanksgiving or in petition."
"The great cry of our day is work, work, work – new organizations, new methods, new systems. The great need of our day is prayer."
September 26, 2025
A must-read for Christians. This book goes back to the foundations of prayer in a way that is very needed in the modern-day church. I took so many notes!
5 STARS
5 STARS
November 12, 2018
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Aneko Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
I must admit that I was a bit puzzled by this book. When I read a book on prayer (something that happens fairly often, actually [1]), I have certain expectations about what sort of material will be in it. Some people focus on prayer as a means to power, others look at prayer in a biblical or historical context, or look at various disciplines related to prayer. This book, though, looks at prayer from a standpoint that is fairly narrow and focused and somewhat odd, and that is the specific interest in revival. As far as authors go, this one is pretty tough-minded, using the obvious lack of revival as a way of criticizing the reading audience, and in particular taking to task pastors for not having a genuine desire for revival because it would be personally inconvenient for them. I must admit I don't like the attitude to be found in this book, but if one is looking for a fierce book about a church in drift, this book is certainly a timely one.
The contents of this book are short at a bit more than 100 pages, but they are definitely fierce. The author begins with a discussion of the importance of prayer (1) and the need to pray to God and not to ourselves (2). After that the author discusses the need to accompany one's prayer with a life of obedience (3) and to pray in the name of Jesus and according to His will and not our own (4). After that, there is a discussion of praying in the Spirit (5) and praying without fainting (6). The author then talks about the need to abide with Christ (7) as well as the need to pray with thanksgiving to cultivate an attitude of gratitude (8). There are discussions about the hindrances to prayer (9) as well as some advice on when to pray (10). The author then concludes this short book with a discussion of the need for a general revival (11), something that is no less true today, as well as the place of prayer before and during revivals (12), something which assumes that revivals are going to be present among a godly and healing congregation or area. After this there is a short biography of the author provided by the editor.
Sometimes one can learn a great deal from a book that one can respect without necessarily liking. Admittedly, praying for a revival is something that I would do differently than an author. That is because in my own perspective our nation and civilization have never believed or behaved in accordance with God's laws and the example of Jesus Christ, not even in the best eras or societies of history. In the author's mindset, there were periods in the past that were ideal that the author would want to see again in terms of faithfulness that needs to come back. Likewise, I think this book would have been a lot better had the author turned his concern at himself and not merely at others. More than most readers, I think, I tend to be rather sensitive to matters of framing and perspective, and people who have a lot of spleen to vent without showing any hint of self-criticism do not come off well, even among people with whom there would be a lot of agreement. That said, this is a book that is easy to respect and appreciate even if its tone is not the one that I think would be best suited to accomplishing its purposes of encouraging a widespread repentant attitude and a turning to God in prayer.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
I must admit that I was a bit puzzled by this book. When I read a book on prayer (something that happens fairly often, actually [1]), I have certain expectations about what sort of material will be in it. Some people focus on prayer as a means to power, others look at prayer in a biblical or historical context, or look at various disciplines related to prayer. This book, though, looks at prayer from a standpoint that is fairly narrow and focused and somewhat odd, and that is the specific interest in revival. As far as authors go, this one is pretty tough-minded, using the obvious lack of revival as a way of criticizing the reading audience, and in particular taking to task pastors for not having a genuine desire for revival because it would be personally inconvenient for them. I must admit I don't like the attitude to be found in this book, but if one is looking for a fierce book about a church in drift, this book is certainly a timely one.
The contents of this book are short at a bit more than 100 pages, but they are definitely fierce. The author begins with a discussion of the importance of prayer (1) and the need to pray to God and not to ourselves (2). After that the author discusses the need to accompany one's prayer with a life of obedience (3) and to pray in the name of Jesus and according to His will and not our own (4). After that, there is a discussion of praying in the Spirit (5) and praying without fainting (6). The author then talks about the need to abide with Christ (7) as well as the need to pray with thanksgiving to cultivate an attitude of gratitude (8). There are discussions about the hindrances to prayer (9) as well as some advice on when to pray (10). The author then concludes this short book with a discussion of the need for a general revival (11), something that is no less true today, as well as the place of prayer before and during revivals (12), something which assumes that revivals are going to be present among a godly and healing congregation or area. After this there is a short biography of the author provided by the editor.
Sometimes one can learn a great deal from a book that one can respect without necessarily liking. Admittedly, praying for a revival is something that I would do differently than an author. That is because in my own perspective our nation and civilization have never believed or behaved in accordance with God's laws and the example of Jesus Christ, not even in the best eras or societies of history. In the author's mindset, there were periods in the past that were ideal that the author would want to see again in terms of faithfulness that needs to come back. Likewise, I think this book would have been a lot better had the author turned his concern at himself and not merely at others. More than most readers, I think, I tend to be rather sensitive to matters of framing and perspective, and people who have a lot of spleen to vent without showing any hint of self-criticism do not come off well, even among people with whom there would be a lot of agreement. That said, this is a book that is easy to respect and appreciate even if its tone is not the one that I think would be best suited to accomplishing its purposes of encouraging a widespread repentant attitude and a turning to God in prayer.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
April 15, 2013
I keep re-reading this book (that's not the cover, but I can't find the IVP publication listed) in the hope that it will help me improve my prayer life. It has not done so, as far as I can tell.
A significant part of the material is devoted to why we should pray, and I know all of this. There is also a fair amount about when we should pray, and that becomes problematic--because a couple of times the Bible that Jesus got up early to pray in the morning, the author concludes that everyone should always pray early in the morning; but the similar statements that Jesus stayed up all night praying means only that sometimes we might want to do this. Also, the observation that Jesus prayed before the major events in his life doesn't much help if we have no way of knowing when such disasters will occur--He could anticipate His arrest, trial, and execution, but for most of us anything even remotely like that comes unexpectedly.
He talks about how important prayer is for revival. In this, I find something of the same problem I found years ago with the Change the World School of Prayer--in their case, it was that everyone ought always to be praying mostly about evangelism, and in Torrey's case it is general revival, that is, a sweeping move of God throughout the region or possibly the world. These are great things, but I want to know how to pray in a way that will impact my family and friends as well as my own life, in visible and powerful ways. Knowing that during times of revival there will be some people who are swept into an overwhelming need to pray for the world is useful knowledge if I ever happen to be in the midst of such a revival (and indeed, the more so if I find myself to be one of these individuals), but it tells me little of how to become such a prayer warrior.
I came to a conclusion this time, though, that the problem is not particularly with the book but with the concept of teaching someone to pray by writing about prayer. Prayer is fundamentally a social activity--not social in the sense of group prayer, but social in the sense that a conversation is social, a relationship is social. Learning how to pray is something like learning how to have a meaningful conversation with your father or your daughter--it can only really be learned by doing it, struggling through the pitfalls and hopefully emerging with a better understanding of how to communicate, not so much generally or to the masses, but to this individual. You can only really learn how to pray by praying, and praying more, and by getting past worrying about whether you will see "results" from your prayers so much as whether you are communicating with God. That's something that would be very difficult to communicate in a book--although the book I just got might suggest otherwise, from all reports. We shall see.
A significant part of the material is devoted to why we should pray, and I know all of this. There is also a fair amount about when we should pray, and that becomes problematic--because a couple of times the Bible that Jesus got up early to pray in the morning, the author concludes that everyone should always pray early in the morning; but the similar statements that Jesus stayed up all night praying means only that sometimes we might want to do this. Also, the observation that Jesus prayed before the major events in his life doesn't much help if we have no way of knowing when such disasters will occur--He could anticipate His arrest, trial, and execution, but for most of us anything even remotely like that comes unexpectedly.
He talks about how important prayer is for revival. In this, I find something of the same problem I found years ago with the Change the World School of Prayer--in their case, it was that everyone ought always to be praying mostly about evangelism, and in Torrey's case it is general revival, that is, a sweeping move of God throughout the region or possibly the world. These are great things, but I want to know how to pray in a way that will impact my family and friends as well as my own life, in visible and powerful ways. Knowing that during times of revival there will be some people who are swept into an overwhelming need to pray for the world is useful knowledge if I ever happen to be in the midst of such a revival (and indeed, the more so if I find myself to be one of these individuals), but it tells me little of how to become such a prayer warrior.
I came to a conclusion this time, though, that the problem is not particularly with the book but with the concept of teaching someone to pray by writing about prayer. Prayer is fundamentally a social activity--not social in the sense of group prayer, but social in the sense that a conversation is social, a relationship is social. Learning how to pray is something like learning how to have a meaningful conversation with your father or your daughter--it can only really be learned by doing it, struggling through the pitfalls and hopefully emerging with a better understanding of how to communicate, not so much generally or to the masses, but to this individual. You can only really learn how to pray by praying, and praying more, and by getting past worrying about whether you will see "results" from your prayers so much as whether you are communicating with God. That's something that would be very difficult to communicate in a book--although the book I just got might suggest otherwise, from all reports. We shall see.
December 23, 2022
This book was challenging in many different ways. And although I wanted to disagree with certain points raised in this book ( especially the meaning behind what is meant by adding “ Jesus Name “ at end of our prayers) nevertheless the overall message was to get serious about how you live in order to prayer effectively. This book was like eating certain types of fish. You have to remove the bones to get to the good stuff. Torrey does leave you with the impression that if you tick all the boxes then your prayer is guaranteed to be answered. This is obviously not true. Many saints died living extremely godly and holy lives. Scripture “ but others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection “ Heb 11. I think you need to read other authors on prayer to bring a healthy balance.
August 6, 2021
I waffled between 3 and 4 stars for this book. There are many excellent chapters and points made by Torrey, but he's also got a few issues that would keep me from recommending this book as a go-to for prayer in general.
October 19, 2023
This is an extremely helpful book. It has enhanced my approach to prayer. The author, R.A. Torrey was the first pastor of my church, Church of the Open Door, first in Los Angeles in 1915. I assume that he wrote this small book while still in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute. “How to Pray” covers all aspects of prayer concisely in just a little over 100 pages. It starts with the “Importance of Prayer” and finishes with the “Need for Revival” and the stories of the great revivals thru history. The last line of the book at the bottom of the page says, LET US PRAY.
Torrey expresses the value of prayer: “One night of prayer will save us from the many nights of insomnia. Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but time invested at big interest.”
Then there is that question about praying in the name of Christ. Torrey has a very good perspective: “Praying in the name of Christ is not merely adding the phrase ‘I ask these things in Jesus’ name’ to my prayer. I may put that phrase in my prayer and really be resting in my own merit all the time. On the other hand, I may omit that phrase but really be resting on the merits of Christ all the time. But when I really do approach God, not on the ground of my merit, but on the ground of Christ’s merit, not on the ground of my goodness, but on the ground of the atoning blood (Heb. 10:19), God will hear me.”
Torrey gives the value of persistent prayer, abiding in Christ, praying with thanksgiving, and even gives several hinderances to prayer. And much more, which have all worked to make my own prayer time more exhilarating and powerful.
Finally, as many of us who believe in Jesus are praying for revival, Torrey, as he wrote in the very early twentieth century on the need for revival then applies now: “We need a revival, deep, widespread, general, in the power of the Holy Ghost. It is either a general revival or the dissolution of the church, of the home, of the state. A revival, new life from God, is the cure, and the only cure. That will stem the awful tide of immorality and unbelief. Mere argument will not do it; but a wind from heaven, a new outpouring of the Holy Ghost, a true God-sent revival will.”
Just remember the words of Jesus, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)
LET US PRAY
Torrey expresses the value of prayer: “One night of prayer will save us from the many nights of insomnia. Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but time invested at big interest.”
Then there is that question about praying in the name of Christ. Torrey has a very good perspective: “Praying in the name of Christ is not merely adding the phrase ‘I ask these things in Jesus’ name’ to my prayer. I may put that phrase in my prayer and really be resting in my own merit all the time. On the other hand, I may omit that phrase but really be resting on the merits of Christ all the time. But when I really do approach God, not on the ground of my merit, but on the ground of Christ’s merit, not on the ground of my goodness, but on the ground of the atoning blood (Heb. 10:19), God will hear me.”
Torrey gives the value of persistent prayer, abiding in Christ, praying with thanksgiving, and even gives several hinderances to prayer. And much more, which have all worked to make my own prayer time more exhilarating and powerful.
Finally, as many of us who believe in Jesus are praying for revival, Torrey, as he wrote in the very early twentieth century on the need for revival then applies now: “We need a revival, deep, widespread, general, in the power of the Holy Ghost. It is either a general revival or the dissolution of the church, of the home, of the state. A revival, new life from God, is the cure, and the only cure. That will stem the awful tide of immorality and unbelief. Mere argument will not do it; but a wind from heaven, a new outpouring of the Holy Ghost, a true God-sent revival will.”
Just remember the words of Jesus, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)
LET US PRAY
April 14, 2025
In "How to Pray," Reuben A. Torrey presents a compelling exploration of prayer that blends personal conviction with practical guidance. Torrey, an evangelist and theologian of the early 20th century, approaches this spiritual discipline with a sense of urgency and reverence, encouraging readers to deepen their communication with the divine.
At the heart of Torrey’s work is the assertion that prayer is not merely a ritualistic practice but rather an absolute duty for any believer. Torrey’s writing invites readers to reflect on their motivations and the attitude they bring to their prayer life, urging them to approach it with humility and faith.
Torrey’s practical advice is as relevant today as it was when the book was first published.
One of the standout features of Torrey’s text is his emphasis on the power of prayer. He argues that prayer is not merely about asking for help or guidance; it can be a source of strength and peace during life’s trials. However it is very much emphasized how prayer should never be for selfish gain, but always and ultimately for the glory of God.
The tone of Torrey’s writing is earnest and approachable, striking a balance between personal storytelling and theological reflection. While the message is deeply rooted in faith, the language remains clear and straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience.
In “How to Pray,” Reuben A. Torrey provides a roadmap for individuals seeking to enrich their prayer lives. His blend of passion for the subject matter, practical guidance, and theological depth makes this work a timeless resource for anyone hoping to explore or deepen their spiritual practice.
At the heart of Torrey’s work is the assertion that prayer is not merely a ritualistic practice but rather an absolute duty for any believer. Torrey’s writing invites readers to reflect on their motivations and the attitude they bring to their prayer life, urging them to approach it with humility and faith.
Torrey’s practical advice is as relevant today as it was when the book was first published.
One of the standout features of Torrey’s text is his emphasis on the power of prayer. He argues that prayer is not merely about asking for help or guidance; it can be a source of strength and peace during life’s trials. However it is very much emphasized how prayer should never be for selfish gain, but always and ultimately for the glory of God.
The tone of Torrey’s writing is earnest and approachable, striking a balance between personal storytelling and theological reflection. While the message is deeply rooted in faith, the language remains clear and straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience.
In “How to Pray,” Reuben A. Torrey provides a roadmap for individuals seeking to enrich their prayer lives. His blend of passion for the subject matter, practical guidance, and theological depth makes this work a timeless resource for anyone hoping to explore or deepen their spiritual practice.
November 1, 2023
Great Book on Prayer
This book is practical, helpful, convicting, and inspiring. If you are looking for a spark for your prayer life this could very well help you to find that. Some of his ideas reflect his cultural understanding of text as opposed to the original authorial intent.
This book is practical, helpful, convicting, and inspiring. If you are looking for a spark for your prayer life this could very well help you to find that. Some of his ideas reflect his cultural understanding of text as opposed to the original authorial intent.
August 2, 2024
Relevant and useful even though written more than 100 years ago
This book is easy to understand with many biblical references to various aspects of prayer. Chapters were short which I appreciate in nonfiction. I believe it will help make my prayers more focused, thorough, meaningful and effective.
This book is easy to understand with many biblical references to various aspects of prayer. Chapters were short which I appreciate in nonfiction. I believe it will help make my prayers more focused, thorough, meaningful and effective.
August 17, 2021
A book read numerous times and heavily underlined. Despite its small size and ease of reading, this is one of the most succinct and comprehensive books on prayer in my library. I return to it time and again.
May 28, 2020
A Compelling and Convicting Read
When I told someone I was reading this book, their response was, “Well, it must be a short book. After all, to pray means you just start talking.” And that, my friends, is why so many Christians lack power in prayer. While I don’t believe prayer should be over-complicated, if it were really as simple as “just start talking,” why would the Bible have so much to say about it? Why would Jesus have discussed how, when, and for what to pray?
Fortunately, Torrey had a more insightful view of prayer than the person who made the flippant comment. He breaks down the hows and whys of prayer and helps the reader understand things that could be hindering our prayers or prayer lives in general.
His writing is clear and concise while eye-opening. I feel I have a better understanding of prayer now than I have ever had in my life, and I’ve been a believer for nearly forty years.
If you’re struggling with your prayer life, feel your prayers aren’t getting through, or fear your petitions aren’t making a difference, I urge you to read this book. You won’t be sorry!
When I told someone I was reading this book, their response was, “Well, it must be a short book. After all, to pray means you just start talking.” And that, my friends, is why so many Christians lack power in prayer. While I don’t believe prayer should be over-complicated, if it were really as simple as “just start talking,” why would the Bible have so much to say about it? Why would Jesus have discussed how, when, and for what to pray?
Fortunately, Torrey had a more insightful view of prayer than the person who made the flippant comment. He breaks down the hows and whys of prayer and helps the reader understand things that could be hindering our prayers or prayer lives in general.
His writing is clear and concise while eye-opening. I feel I have a better understanding of prayer now than I have ever had in my life, and I’ve been a believer for nearly forty years.
If you’re struggling with your prayer life, feel your prayers aren’t getting through, or fear your petitions aren’t making a difference, I urge you to read this book. You won’t be sorry!
February 16, 2025
Great read
Very very educational. Will help any Christian grow if they heed the words. I pray that God wil Bless and use the readers of this book.
Very very educational. Will help any Christian grow if they heed the words. I pray that God wil Bless and use the readers of this book.
January 11, 2026
This year I’m working on my prayer life because it’s not where it needs to be. I really enjoyed this book and it made me look at prayer differently, which is what I needed. I highly recommend it.
June 24, 2023
R. A. Torrey's "How to Pray: What the Bible Tells About Genuine, Effective Prayer" has some scripture but mostly helpful in ways and the need good prayers. This was published 1900 and it was interesting to hear about the need for revivals then and the history of the need in the seventeen hundreds. It made me think of the Old Testament and the continual need for redirection to God's word and prayer. Present day is really in need of a worldwide revival and a need to pray. Where are the spiritual leaders calling for a revival and prayer when the world is sinking into the mire of evil? When COVID caused churches to be closed, it was the downward spiral of society, the government had no right to do what it did and the people let that happen plus many more things.
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Highlight (Yellow) | Page 12
Some people let the hurry of their lives crowd out prayer, and then they waste much time and energy by constantly worrying. One night of prayer will save us from many nights of insomnia.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 22
Satan has assembled his forces. He is attacking with worldliness, with atheism, with false religions, and even with watered-down versions of Christianity. Christians loyal to the great fundamental truths of the gospel are glaring at one another with a devil-sent suspicion. The world, the flesh, and the
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 22
devil are having their way. It is now a dark day, but it is time for thee, O LORD, to act; for they have dissipated thy law (Psalm 119:126).
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 25
One night a very active Christian man dropped into a little prayer meeting that I was leading. Before we knelt to pray, I said something like the above, telling all the friends to be sure that they were praying properly. I told them that while they were praying they should be sure that they really were in God’s presence, that they had thoughts of Him definitely in mind, and that they were more concerned with Him than with their petition.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 32
I was once speaking to a woman who had been a professed Christian, but she had given it all up. I asked her why she did not still follow Jesus, and she said that it was because she did not believe the Bible.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 32
I asked her why she did not believe the Bible. “Because I have tried its promises and found them untrue.” “Which promises?” “The promises about prayer.” “Which promises about prayer?” “Does it not say in the Bible, ‘Whatsoever you ask believing, you shall receive’?” “It says something nearly like that.” “Well, I asked fully expecting to get, but I did not receive, so the promise failed.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 32
“Was the promise made to you?” “Why, certainly; it is made to all Christians, is it not?” “No, God carefully defines who the ‘you’ is – whose believing prayers He agrees to answer.” I then turned to 1 John 3:22 and read the description of those whose prayers had power with God. “Now,” I asked, “were you keeping His commandments and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight?” She honestly confessed that she was not, and she soon came to see that the real difficulty was not with
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 33
God’s promises, but with herself. That is the difficulty with many unanswered prayers today – the one who offers it is not obedient.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 50
Often when we come to God in prayer, we do not feel like praying. What should we do in such a situation? Should we stop praying until we feel like it? Not at all. The time when we most need to pray is when we least feel like praying. We should wait quietly before God and tell Him
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 51
how cold and prayerless our hearts are. We should look up to Him and trust Him and expect the Holy Spirit to warm our hearts and draw them out in prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 75
It is the same today. Many people are crying out to God in vain, simply because of sin in their lives. It may be some sin in the past that has been unconfessed and unjudged, or it may be some sin in the present that is cherished, and very likely not even looked upon as sin; but the sin is there, hidden away somewhere in the heart or in the life, and God will not hear.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 79
The fifth hindrance to prayer is found in Mark 11:25: And when ye are praying, forgive if ye have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens will also forgive you your trespasses. An unforgiving spirit is one of the most common hindrances to prayer. Prayer is answered on the basis that our sins are forgiven; but God cannot
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 80
deal with us on the basis of forgiveness while we are harboring bitterness or resentment against those who have wronged us. Anyone who is holding on to a grudge against someone else has tightly closed the ear of God against his own prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 96
In times of revival, Christians come out from the world and live separated lives. Christians who have been lingering in the world, who have been caught up in entertainment, fashion, sports, worldly pleasures, and other foolishness of the world give these things up. These things are found to be incompatible with increasing life and light and holiness.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 97
When a revival comes from the Holy Spirit, there is always new conviction of sin. If you see something that people call a revival, and there is no conviction of sin, you can know at once that it is a counterfeit.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 99
There is not much new in the higher criticism. Our future ministers are often educated under unbelieving professors, and being impressionable young men when they enter the college or seminary, they naturally come out as infidels in many cases, and then go forth and poison the church.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 99
Even when our ministers are orthodox – as many are, thank God – they are often not men of prayer. How many modern pastors know
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 99
what it is to wrestle in prayer or to spend a good part of a night in prayer? I do not know how many do, but I do know that many do not. Many pastors have no love for souls. Not many preach because they feel a deep urgency to preach, or because they feel that people everywhere are perishing, or because by preaching they hope to save some. Not many follow up their preaching as Paul did, by pleading with people everywhere to be reconciled to God.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 100
Look at the doctrinal state of the church. It is bad enough. Many do not believe in the whole Bible. They say that the book of Genesis is a myth and that Jonah is an allegory. They even question the miracles of
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 100
the Son of God. They say that the doctrine of prayer is old-fashioned, and they speak condescendingly of the work of the Holy Spirit. They believe that conversion is unnecessary, and they no longer believe in hell. Look at the trends and errors that have sprung up out of this loss of faith – Christian Science, Unitarianism, Spiritualism, Universalism, metaphysical healing, etc. It is a perfect confusion of doctrines of demons.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 102
There is lack of conviction of sin. Seldom are people overwhelmed with a sense of their awful guilt in trampling underfoot the Son of God. Sin is regarded as a “misfortune” or an “infirmity,” or even as
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 102
a “mistake,” and seldom as an enormous wrong against a holy God. Unbelief is widespread. Many regard it as a sign of intellectual superiority to reject the Bible, and even to reject faith in God and immortality. It is about the only sign of intellectual superiority that many possess, and that might be the reason they cling to it so tenaciously.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 104
We need a revival that is deep, widespread, general, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 104
general revival that is needed, or the falling apart of the church, the home, and the state will occur. A revival – new life from God – is the cure. It is the only cure that will stop the awful spread of immorality and unbelief. Mere argument will not do it, but a wind from heaven, a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a true God-sent revival will.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 115
In the early part of the sixteenth century, there was a great religious awakening in Ulster, Ireland. The lands of the rebel leaders that had been forfeited to the British crown were occupied by a group of colonists who for the most part were governed by a spirit of wild adventure. Real piety was rare. Seven ministers, five from Scotland and two from England, settled in that country, the earliest arrivals settling there in 1613. It is recorded by someone there at the time that one of these ministers,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 115
a man named Blair, “spent many days and nights in prayer, alone and with others, and experienced great closeness with God.” Mr. James Glendenning, a man of very limited natural gifts, was a man similarly minded regarding prayer. The work began under Mr. Glendenning. The historian of the time says, “He was a man who never would have been chosen by a wise assembly of ministers, nor sent to begin a reformation in this land. Yet it was the Lord’s choice to use him to begin the admirable work of God which I
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 115
mention on purpose, so that all may see how the glory is only the Lord’s in making a holy nation in this profane land,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 116
This work spread throughout the whole country. By the year 1626, a monthly prayer meeting was held in
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 116
Antrim. The work spread beyond the bounds of Down and Antrim to the churches of the neighboring counties. So great became the religious interest that Christians would come thirty or forty miles to the communions and continue from the time they came until they returned, without growing tired or sleeping. Many of them neither ate nor drank, and yet some of them professed that they “went away most fresh and vigorous, their souls so filled with the sense of God.” This revival changed the whole character of Northern Ireland. Another great awakening in Ireland in 1859 had a somewhat similar beginning. By many who did not know, it was thought that this marvelous work came without warning and preparation, but Reverend William Gibson, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1860, in his very interesting and valuable history of the work, tells how there had been preparation for two years.[1] There had been constant discussion in the General Assembly about the low state of Christianity and the need for a revival. There had been special sessions for prayer. Finally, four young men, who became leaders in the beginning of the great work, began to meet
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 117
together in an old schoolhouse in the neighborhood of Kells. Around the spring of 1858, a work of power began to manifest itself. It spread from town to town and from county to county. The congregations became too large for the buildings, and the meetings were held in the open air, often attended by thousands of people. Many hundreds of people were frequently convicted of sin in a single meeting. In some places, the criminal courts and jails were closed for lack of criminals. There were demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power in a most remarkable way, clearly proving that the Holy Spirit is as ready to work today
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 118
as in apostolic days, whenever pastors and other Christians really believe in Him and begin to prepare the way by prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 118
While the spirit of prayer continued, the revival stayed strong; but in time, less and less was made of prayer and the work fell off in power
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 118
very noticeably. Undoubtedly, one of the great secrets of the weakness, superficiality, and unreality of many of our modern so-called revivals is that more dependence is put upon man’s planning than upon God’s power. We must seek and obtain this power by earnest, persistent, believing prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 119
Satan laughs as he looks at the church today and says to himself, “You can have your Sunday schools and your young people’s small groups, your boys’ and girls’ programs, your vacation Bible schools, your Christian schools, your mega-churches, your retreats, your music programs, your brilliant preachers, and even your revival efforts – as long as you don’t bring the power of almighty God into them by
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 119
earnest, persistent, believing, mighty prayer.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 120
It is not necessary that the whole church prays to begin with. Great revivals always begin first in the hearts of a few men and women whom God arouses by His Spirit to believe in Him as a living God, as a God who answers prayer, and upon whose heart He lays a burden from which no rest can be found except in persistent crying unto God. May God use this book to inspire many others to pray that the greatly needed revival may come, and that it would come quickly. May God stir up your own heart to be one of those burdened to pray for true revival until God answers your prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 122
Torrey continued speaking all over the world and holding Bible conferences. He died in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928.
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Highlight (Yellow) | Page 12
Some people let the hurry of their lives crowd out prayer, and then they waste much time and energy by constantly worrying. One night of prayer will save us from many nights of insomnia.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 22
Satan has assembled his forces. He is attacking with worldliness, with atheism, with false religions, and even with watered-down versions of Christianity. Christians loyal to the great fundamental truths of the gospel are glaring at one another with a devil-sent suspicion. The world, the flesh, and the
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 22
devil are having their way. It is now a dark day, but it is time for thee, O LORD, to act; for they have dissipated thy law (Psalm 119:126).
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 25
One night a very active Christian man dropped into a little prayer meeting that I was leading. Before we knelt to pray, I said something like the above, telling all the friends to be sure that they were praying properly. I told them that while they were praying they should be sure that they really were in God’s presence, that they had thoughts of Him definitely in mind, and that they were more concerned with Him than with their petition.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 32
I was once speaking to a woman who had been a professed Christian, but she had given it all up. I asked her why she did not still follow Jesus, and she said that it was because she did not believe the Bible.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 32
I asked her why she did not believe the Bible. “Because I have tried its promises and found them untrue.” “Which promises?” “The promises about prayer.” “Which promises about prayer?” “Does it not say in the Bible, ‘Whatsoever you ask believing, you shall receive’?” “It says something nearly like that.” “Well, I asked fully expecting to get, but I did not receive, so the promise failed.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 32
“Was the promise made to you?” “Why, certainly; it is made to all Christians, is it not?” “No, God carefully defines who the ‘you’ is – whose believing prayers He agrees to answer.” I then turned to 1 John 3:22 and read the description of those whose prayers had power with God. “Now,” I asked, “were you keeping His commandments and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight?” She honestly confessed that she was not, and she soon came to see that the real difficulty was not with
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 33
God’s promises, but with herself. That is the difficulty with many unanswered prayers today – the one who offers it is not obedient.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 50
Often when we come to God in prayer, we do not feel like praying. What should we do in such a situation? Should we stop praying until we feel like it? Not at all. The time when we most need to pray is when we least feel like praying. We should wait quietly before God and tell Him
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 51
how cold and prayerless our hearts are. We should look up to Him and trust Him and expect the Holy Spirit to warm our hearts and draw them out in prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 75
It is the same today. Many people are crying out to God in vain, simply because of sin in their lives. It may be some sin in the past that has been unconfessed and unjudged, or it may be some sin in the present that is cherished, and very likely not even looked upon as sin; but the sin is there, hidden away somewhere in the heart or in the life, and God will not hear.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 79
The fifth hindrance to prayer is found in Mark 11:25: And when ye are praying, forgive if ye have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens will also forgive you your trespasses. An unforgiving spirit is one of the most common hindrances to prayer. Prayer is answered on the basis that our sins are forgiven; but God cannot
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 80
deal with us on the basis of forgiveness while we are harboring bitterness or resentment against those who have wronged us. Anyone who is holding on to a grudge against someone else has tightly closed the ear of God against his own prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 96
In times of revival, Christians come out from the world and live separated lives. Christians who have been lingering in the world, who have been caught up in entertainment, fashion, sports, worldly pleasures, and other foolishness of the world give these things up. These things are found to be incompatible with increasing life and light and holiness.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 97
When a revival comes from the Holy Spirit, there is always new conviction of sin. If you see something that people call a revival, and there is no conviction of sin, you can know at once that it is a counterfeit.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 99
There is not much new in the higher criticism. Our future ministers are often educated under unbelieving professors, and being impressionable young men when they enter the college or seminary, they naturally come out as infidels in many cases, and then go forth and poison the church.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 99
Even when our ministers are orthodox – as many are, thank God – they are often not men of prayer. How many modern pastors know
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 99
what it is to wrestle in prayer or to spend a good part of a night in prayer? I do not know how many do, but I do know that many do not. Many pastors have no love for souls. Not many preach because they feel a deep urgency to preach, or because they feel that people everywhere are perishing, or because by preaching they hope to save some. Not many follow up their preaching as Paul did, by pleading with people everywhere to be reconciled to God.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 100
Look at the doctrinal state of the church. It is bad enough. Many do not believe in the whole Bible. They say that the book of Genesis is a myth and that Jonah is an allegory. They even question the miracles of
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 100
the Son of God. They say that the doctrine of prayer is old-fashioned, and they speak condescendingly of the work of the Holy Spirit. They believe that conversion is unnecessary, and they no longer believe in hell. Look at the trends and errors that have sprung up out of this loss of faith – Christian Science, Unitarianism, Spiritualism, Universalism, metaphysical healing, etc. It is a perfect confusion of doctrines of demons.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 102
There is lack of conviction of sin. Seldom are people overwhelmed with a sense of their awful guilt in trampling underfoot the Son of God. Sin is regarded as a “misfortune” or an “infirmity,” or even as
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 102
a “mistake,” and seldom as an enormous wrong against a holy God. Unbelief is widespread. Many regard it as a sign of intellectual superiority to reject the Bible, and even to reject faith in God and immortality. It is about the only sign of intellectual superiority that many possess, and that might be the reason they cling to it so tenaciously.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 104
We need a revival that is deep, widespread, general, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 104
general revival that is needed, or the falling apart of the church, the home, and the state will occur. A revival – new life from God – is the cure. It is the only cure that will stop the awful spread of immorality and unbelief. Mere argument will not do it, but a wind from heaven, a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a true God-sent revival will.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 115
In the early part of the sixteenth century, there was a great religious awakening in Ulster, Ireland. The lands of the rebel leaders that had been forfeited to the British crown were occupied by a group of colonists who for the most part were governed by a spirit of wild adventure. Real piety was rare. Seven ministers, five from Scotland and two from England, settled in that country, the earliest arrivals settling there in 1613. It is recorded by someone there at the time that one of these ministers,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 115
a man named Blair, “spent many days and nights in prayer, alone and with others, and experienced great closeness with God.” Mr. James Glendenning, a man of very limited natural gifts, was a man similarly minded regarding prayer. The work began under Mr. Glendenning. The historian of the time says, “He was a man who never would have been chosen by a wise assembly of ministers, nor sent to begin a reformation in this land. Yet it was the Lord’s choice to use him to begin the admirable work of God which I
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 115
mention on purpose, so that all may see how the glory is only the Lord’s in making a holy nation in this profane land,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 116
This work spread throughout the whole country. By the year 1626, a monthly prayer meeting was held in
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 116
Antrim. The work spread beyond the bounds of Down and Antrim to the churches of the neighboring counties. So great became the religious interest that Christians would come thirty or forty miles to the communions and continue from the time they came until they returned, without growing tired or sleeping. Many of them neither ate nor drank, and yet some of them professed that they “went away most fresh and vigorous, their souls so filled with the sense of God.” This revival changed the whole character of Northern Ireland. Another great awakening in Ireland in 1859 had a somewhat similar beginning. By many who did not know, it was thought that this marvelous work came without warning and preparation, but Reverend William Gibson, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1860, in his very interesting and valuable history of the work, tells how there had been preparation for two years.[1] There had been constant discussion in the General Assembly about the low state of Christianity and the need for a revival. There had been special sessions for prayer. Finally, four young men, who became leaders in the beginning of the great work, began to meet
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 117
together in an old schoolhouse in the neighborhood of Kells. Around the spring of 1858, a work of power began to manifest itself. It spread from town to town and from county to county. The congregations became too large for the buildings, and the meetings were held in the open air, often attended by thousands of people. Many hundreds of people were frequently convicted of sin in a single meeting. In some places, the criminal courts and jails were closed for lack of criminals. There were demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power in a most remarkable way, clearly proving that the Holy Spirit is as ready to work today
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 118
as in apostolic days, whenever pastors and other Christians really believe in Him and begin to prepare the way by prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 118
While the spirit of prayer continued, the revival stayed strong; but in time, less and less was made of prayer and the work fell off in power
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 118
very noticeably. Undoubtedly, one of the great secrets of the weakness, superficiality, and unreality of many of our modern so-called revivals is that more dependence is put upon man’s planning than upon God’s power. We must seek and obtain this power by earnest, persistent, believing prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 119
Satan laughs as he looks at the church today and says to himself, “You can have your Sunday schools and your young people’s small groups, your boys’ and girls’ programs, your vacation Bible schools, your Christian schools, your mega-churches, your retreats, your music programs, your brilliant preachers, and even your revival efforts – as long as you don’t bring the power of almighty God into them by
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 119
earnest, persistent, believing, mighty prayer.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 120
It is not necessary that the whole church prays to begin with. Great revivals always begin first in the hearts of a few men and women whom God arouses by His Spirit to believe in Him as a living God, as a God who answers prayer, and upon whose heart He lays a burden from which no rest can be found except in persistent crying unto God. May God use this book to inspire many others to pray that the greatly needed revival may come, and that it would come quickly. May God stir up your own heart to be one of those burdened to pray for true revival until God answers your prayer.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 122
Torrey continued speaking all over the world and holding Bible conferences. He died in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928.
March 17, 2024
An amazing gem on how to pray. I was able to glean many insights. While I don't think that Torrey or others from his time in history emphasize grace enough, I still got a lot out of it.
February 8, 2014
An easy read that goes through all the aspects of prayer. A very useful book.
July 5, 2020
Very good book that convicts and leaves you thinking.
January 24, 2022
This book is a great resource on how to properly pray.
February 27, 2021
This Little book on prayer was life changing. Torrey was succinct, inspiring, and unapologetic. There are no excuses for not living a prayer filled life. The whole book feels like an urgent plea for help. Torrey was asking his generation, no begging, them to fill their lives with prayer. Again and again he pointed out the importance of pairing prayer with reading the word of God. Even in sections such as having confidence in prayer and being able to ask God for requests, he always brought it back to the Word. You cannot do these things unless you are following the will of God and you can only follow the will of God if you are immersed in his word. And yet he believed in the absolute power of prayer. The power not to change God's mind, but to be part of what God is doing.
Word of caution: This book was written in the late 1800s. Society has changed quite a bit. He mentions a couple of times his very negative views of dancing, theaters, and drinking. I personally have a more modern outlook on entertainment. But I think it is convicting not that we should necessarily give up those things, but we should constantly be checking how much we are consumed by those things. And he didn't even have social media in his day! Don't even get me started on how much time I can easily waste on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. Those things aren't necessarily bad and of the devil, But they often take the place of prayer in my life. I should always be checking and balancing how I am spending my free time.
Audience: This book is a bit old-fashioned. I feel like it's still understandable to the average person, but there are a few words that are a little archaic. I even had to look up "surfeiting". I think he's still understandable to the modern reader but possibly not as inspiring to some as he will be to others. If you know you don't like old things, this book is probably not for you.
Setting: This could totally work for a small group. A group could read anywhere from 1 to 3 chapters a week depending on how much time they wanted to spend with it. The chapters are short and succinct and the book is small. There are also a lot of opportunities for discussion and prayer time inspired by each chapter. I read the Moody classics version by Moody publishers And there were a few reflection questions at the end of the book.
Word of caution: This book was written in the late 1800s. Society has changed quite a bit. He mentions a couple of times his very negative views of dancing, theaters, and drinking. I personally have a more modern outlook on entertainment. But I think it is convicting not that we should necessarily give up those things, but we should constantly be checking how much we are consumed by those things. And he didn't even have social media in his day! Don't even get me started on how much time I can easily waste on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. Those things aren't necessarily bad and of the devil, But they often take the place of prayer in my life. I should always be checking and balancing how I am spending my free time.
Audience: This book is a bit old-fashioned. I feel like it's still understandable to the average person, but there are a few words that are a little archaic. I even had to look up "surfeiting". I think he's still understandable to the modern reader but possibly not as inspiring to some as he will be to others. If you know you don't like old things, this book is probably not for you.
Setting: This could totally work for a small group. A group could read anywhere from 1 to 3 chapters a week depending on how much time they wanted to spend with it. The chapters are short and succinct and the book is small. There are also a lot of opportunities for discussion and prayer time inspired by each chapter. I read the Moody classics version by Moody publishers And there were a few reflection questions at the end of the book.
July 23, 2017
A great book about prayer. He really inspires prayer, but I think E.M. Bounds is a tad more inspirational. Torrey's book is more about the subject of prayer, while Bounds just convicts and draws one to pray. Torrey does this too, but he is more organized and writing about the subject itself.
For example, in the first chapter, "The Importance of Prayer", he lays out 10 great reasons why one should pray. I will list them because they were so helpful: 1) there is a devil; 2) it is God's appointed way for obtaining things; 3) the apostles regarded prayer as the most important business of their lives; 4) it had a very prominent place in Jesus's life; 5) it is the most important part of Jesus's present ministry; 6) it is the way God has appointed that we receive mercy and grace; 7) it is the way Jesus appointed for his disciples to receive joy; 8) it is the way God has appointed for us to receive peace from anxiety; 9) it is the way Christ has appointed for us not to become overwhelmed by the cares of this life; 10) it accomplishes much.
The rest of the book details out important things about prayer. He talks about how we need to realize we are coming into God's presence before and when we pray (48). He talks about the need of using the Bible and abiding in Christ. And more.
He also towards the end lists hindrances to prayer, which were beneficial to watch out for. Then he ends with two chapters showing how we need revival and how prayer has always been what brings about true revivals.
Overall, a great read on prayer. It stirred me to pray over and over. I would, however, prefer E.M. Bounds.
For example, in the first chapter, "The Importance of Prayer", he lays out 10 great reasons why one should pray. I will list them because they were so helpful: 1) there is a devil; 2) it is God's appointed way for obtaining things; 3) the apostles regarded prayer as the most important business of their lives; 4) it had a very prominent place in Jesus's life; 5) it is the most important part of Jesus's present ministry; 6) it is the way God has appointed that we receive mercy and grace; 7) it is the way Jesus appointed for his disciples to receive joy; 8) it is the way God has appointed for us to receive peace from anxiety; 9) it is the way Christ has appointed for us not to become overwhelmed by the cares of this life; 10) it accomplishes much.
The rest of the book details out important things about prayer. He talks about how we need to realize we are coming into God's presence before and when we pray (48). He talks about the need of using the Bible and abiding in Christ. And more.
He also towards the end lists hindrances to prayer, which were beneficial to watch out for. Then he ends with two chapters showing how we need revival and how prayer has always been what brings about true revivals.
Overall, a great read on prayer. It stirred me to pray over and over. I would, however, prefer E.M. Bounds.
April 3, 2018
I am not sure where the author was going with this. I felt the author was a preachers who is very judgmental. The author felt the best thing to do is to pray 24/7. Some people have the gift for that, but majority of people do not. The author looked down on people who want to live their life, but still have an intimate relationship with GOD. I doubt GOD looks down upon me for going to the movies, for reading books that has nothing to do with religion, or for even making friends with people who do not believe the Christian principal of life. The book put me off in many ways. I felt I was being scolded for wanting to be me. This book is a great example of how to turn people off from getting to know GOD.
I have been fasting and praying for years. I know the 4 p's of prayer; Praise, Purify, Pray and Praise. I picked this book up to see if I can learn something knew to add to my prayer life, but this book took me in a different direction. The author also briefly discussed other none Christian ways; such as metaphysical life styles that people choose to learn about the supernatural. I do not agree with condemning other people for not looking at life through a Christian point of view. Everyone has a reason for doing what they do and judging them will not bring them closer to GOD.
The author does not give the reader ways to pray, or even the true deeper meaning of prayer. There was no list/ guidelines to teach the reader how to pray. There was no encouragement on the benefits of prayer, but just the fear of you need to pray and pray this prayer if you never prayed before.
I have been fasting and praying for years. I know the 4 p's of prayer; Praise, Purify, Pray and Praise. I picked this book up to see if I can learn something knew to add to my prayer life, but this book took me in a different direction. The author also briefly discussed other none Christian ways; such as metaphysical life styles that people choose to learn about the supernatural. I do not agree with condemning other people for not looking at life through a Christian point of view. Everyone has a reason for doing what they do and judging them will not bring them closer to GOD.
The author does not give the reader ways to pray, or even the true deeper meaning of prayer. There was no list/ guidelines to teach the reader how to pray. There was no encouragement on the benefits of prayer, but just the fear of you need to pray and pray this prayer if you never prayed before.
May 24, 2025
Torrey uses easy to follow conventions, such as listing (point one, two, three) or examples of prayer to make the path of understanding an easy one. A couple of phrases or sentences I liked: "If we feed the fire of our prayers with the fuel of God's word, all our difficulties in prayer will disappear." The repeated phrase of "constant persistent sleepless overcoming prayer" was used a lot in the explanation of one particular verse on prayer. Unfortunately, I forget which verse, and since I listened to an audio version, it would be difficult for me to find it now.
The reader read with passion and clarity, which is how I imagine the author would convey his ideas if still alive today. The book was originally published in 1900 and has some fairly old-fashioned ideas, and I don't always agree with all he says, but still, a chapter like chapter 11 on morality and infidelity might give you pause. Though I see nothing wrong with going to the theater for a PG rated movie or playing cards (I think UNO or Rook, here), the author makes a strong case for spending more time in prayer and Bible Study. In times of revival, he says, people pray so much they don't have time for cards, theater, reading novels, and such. Oops, what am I doing on Goodreads then?
I didn't learn as much about how to pray as I would have liked, but maybe there is nothing new to learn as the Bible gives all one needs to know. Otherwise, there is some good content here. I may have gotten more out of it in book form. Ugh, on audios. Someday, I will learn what works for me!
The reader read with passion and clarity, which is how I imagine the author would convey his ideas if still alive today. The book was originally published in 1900 and has some fairly old-fashioned ideas, and I don't always agree with all he says, but still, a chapter like chapter 11 on morality and infidelity might give you pause. Though I see nothing wrong with going to the theater for a PG rated movie or playing cards (I think UNO or Rook, here), the author makes a strong case for spending more time in prayer and Bible Study. In times of revival, he says, people pray so much they don't have time for cards, theater, reading novels, and such. Oops, what am I doing on Goodreads then?
I didn't learn as much about how to pray as I would have liked, but maybe there is nothing new to learn as the Bible gives all one needs to know. Otherwise, there is some good content here. I may have gotten more out of it in book form. Ugh, on audios. Someday, I will learn what works for me!
March 16, 2021
While this book had some good principles to share on occasion, it perhaps should have been titled, "How to manipulate God to get stuff from him." There is no mention in this book of prayer or its purpose being anything other than to ask for things... most of them earthly. There is no mention of prayer with God being about relationship with God. No mention of prayer being a way to get God himself. No mention of prayer being a way to worship God and praise Him for who He is... for his glorious majesty and goodness. No mention of prayer being a means to change us to be more like his son. Instead it looks at prayer seemingly as a means to twist God's arm to get what you want. It pays lip-service to not being legalistic about prayer, but goes on to describe all the things you must do and mustn't do (including no dancing or theatre or the like) if your prayers are to be answered. And this book claims your prayers absolutely will be answered if you can just tick all the right boxes. And if they haven't been answered, then you haven't managed to root out the hidden sins in your life enough or given enough money to the church, etc. This book is not about grace or a God who hears the cries of desperate sinners not based on our own merit, but on the merit of Jesus Christ and him crucified. This is a book about prayer as a means to get things and not much beyond that. A disappointing and limiting look at prayer in my opinion.
January 24, 2022
Old-fashioned but still rings true!
R.A. Torrey was a well-known Christian preacher of the late 1800s and early 1900s. While some of his references and asides may be dated, the principles of this book still ring true to today.
You may not agree with some of Torrey’s cultural fundamentalism (such as his criticism of dancing, the theater, etc), but I can’t dispute - and neither should anyone else - his fidelity to the Scriptures AND the seriousness with which he takes his relationship with God.
Christians may come down differently on some of Torrey’s specifics (again, especially when it comes to his commentary on “entertainment” — though I agreed with much of it), but we dare not underestimate the crucial importance of making God preeminent in our lives. And that includes being willing to subordinate or perhaps set aside everything else in our lives for the cause of Christ. THAT is when we most experience the power of prayer!
R.A. Torrey was a well-known Christian preacher of the late 1800s and early 1900s. While some of his references and asides may be dated, the principles of this book still ring true to today.
You may not agree with some of Torrey’s cultural fundamentalism (such as his criticism of dancing, the theater, etc), but I can’t dispute - and neither should anyone else - his fidelity to the Scriptures AND the seriousness with which he takes his relationship with God.
Christians may come down differently on some of Torrey’s specifics (again, especially when it comes to his commentary on “entertainment” — though I agreed with much of it), but we dare not underestimate the crucial importance of making God preeminent in our lives. And that includes being willing to subordinate or perhaps set aside everything else in our lives for the cause of Christ. THAT is when we most experience the power of prayer!
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