The Prayer of Jesus: Secrets to Real Intimacy With God

by Hank Hanegraaff

Learn to pray with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ and embark on a radically life changing spiritual adventure!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Prayer, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Theology

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Hendrik "Hank" Hanegraaff, also known as the "Bible Answer Man", is an American Christian author and radio talk-show host. Formerly an evangelical Protestant, he joined the Eastern Orthodox Church in 2017. He is an outspoken figure within the Christian countercult movement, where he has established a reputation for his critiques of non-Christian religions, new religious movements, and cults, as well as heresy in Christianity. He is also an apologist on doctrinal and cultural issues.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slim yet profound meditation on the Lord's Prayer was written 20 years ago partly, I think, in response to the unfortunate "Prayer of Jabez" craze that pervade Evangelical America at that time.
For those who missed it, somebody published a book focused on the simple but efficacious prayer of the obscure Old Testament dweller Jabez and promised success and healing to those who would pray this prayer for themselves. As in the case of the countless owners of thigh-masters and shake-weights, I suspect the people who were swept up in this craze were left disappointed.

Hanegraaff reflects on the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray, not so they could memorize it and recite it endlessly, but so they could understand the remarkable and often counterintuitive thinking behind it. Prayer, it turns out, is merely one aspect of a person's relationship with God, but it is a crucial and oft neglected one. For reasons and ways that Hanegraaff demonstrates throughout this tiny book, prayer can be key in putting us right with one another as well as with the Lord of eternity.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guide to prayer. For anyone whose prayer life has seemingly run dry, this is worth reading. It brings the Lord's Prayer to life in a whole new way.

[Mark Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great analysis of the Lord's Prayer.

[antony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explain the form of prayer that Jesus taught to his disciples, the prayer that many Christians call “The Lord’s Prayer,” or the “Our Father.”

The author explains the circumstances under which Jesus presented this form of prayer and he breaks down each part of the prayer to mine it’s depth and reveal its meaning.

One of the best things about this book is the built in study guide at the end. The way many of us read books we can easily skim over and miss subtle details. It’s possible that we only absorb a small percentage of what is available in a text. The study guide at the end asks you to thing more deeply about the themes of the books and to seek ways to apply them in your life.

I expected this book to be more groundbreaking than it was. The content is tight and the writing is crisp and readable but after listening to, and being impressed by ,the author’s radio show I somehow expected to be taken to another level. Perhaps that is the purpose of the study guide. Reading about Jesus is not enough, I have to become transformed by him. Wait - what?

[Diane Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book with much wisdom. You will gain great understanding of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray. And you will learn more about what prayer is and what prayer is not. The author adds wisdom from other revered authors to his own to break down each part of the prayer and why Jesus included it. I recommend this book to Christians at any stage of their life journey, as it is a great spiritual boost to your prayer life.

[Angie (Bussen) Siedell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m pretty surprised at how mediocre this was. I’ve historically enjoyed Hank Hanegraff, and always thought he gave sound answers on his radio program. Not only was the content in this “nothing new under the sun”, he spent more time talking about Tiger Woods than Jesus. Disappointed.

[Tracy Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used as a devotional. Read a chapter a day. Breaks down the Lord’s prayer into pieces and explains each part.

[Neil McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pray daily, pray in private.

Get to know God.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, had good explanations.

[Rodney Sloan]

A much better book than "Prayer of Jabez".

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lord’s Prayer, paired with simple phrases to better understand and apply the prayer for children.

[Ruth Schmeckpeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book covers the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. Interesting, but more of a beginner's book for understanding and deepening prayer life.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be reading this book again. Loved it!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but significant. Much to ponder and appreciate. Will keep in my library for rereading.

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this short book about 20 years ago. I returned to it last night.

The title was a little deceptive, or so I felt 20 years ago. I'm not convinced I was wrong after all these years.

The book does not really focus on the Lord's Prayer, though it does include that. It is more an examination of all of Jesus' prayers, except maybe John 17.

Hanegraaff offers an acronym for a model of prayer. He offers F.A.C.T.S. This is the well-known Adoration - Confession - Thanksgiving - Supplication approach with Faith added to the front end. Thanks Hank - I'm not sure we realized we needed to pray with faith. Anyway, it seems he was trying to make a unique contribution.

In the end, this is an okay book on prayer.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hank Hanegraaff wrote this book on prayer as a response to "The Prayer of Jabez," a book with a main message that he didn't agree with.

In this book, Hanegraaff looks at the Lord's Prayer to dissect what was important to Jesus - More specifically, what did Jesus want the disciples to know about prayer.

This book had good parts and bad parts, but it wasn't as good as I expected (or hoped) it would be.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of potential in this book. If you've struggled with prayer this is a good beginning to consider what the point of prayer is and what example Jesus set. But it doesn't address the needs of those who want to move into a deeper prayer life. It's like scraping the surface and expecting you to understand untouched depths.

[Yolanda Shanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prayer of Jesus assisted me tremendously by teaching the fundamental purpose, necessity, and method of prayer from Christ Himself; verse the name it and claim it theology which currently has taken flight in our society today. Thank you Hank!

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

From what I remember, a pretty enjoyable read.

[William Dicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Biblical antidote to The Prayer of Jabez.

[Scott Hayden]

ok, but I don't like the way he takes the hatchet to Wilkinson by attributing ill motives to him.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does it seem that Mr. Hanegraaff writes books that are just like the books he wrote his book to counter. Seems cynical.

[Terrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book so small, there is so much covered on how to pray.

[Trudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a tiny book but a gem. every book I've read by h.h. is packed with valuable information. highly recommended.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small basic guide to prayer. Good reminders.

[Shannon Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this again as a devotional with my daughter. I appreciate Hank's measured, yet entirely scriptural, explanation of prayer. There are some poignant insights in this little book.