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Kneeling with Giants
"Here is a book that invites each of us to learn how to pray. Not only is Gary Hansen a superb scholar and historical theologian, he also writes with a personal warmth and earnestness that makes his readers feel safe and encouraged as they trace with him the journeys of a company of remarkable men and women from Christian history. The mark of each was that they cared deeply about prayer, and because of that we are enriched as we learn from them. Hansen also invites us to experience our own life of prayer as we learn from this rare community of brothers and sisters--people like St. Benedict, Martin Luther, Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Ávila and Andrew Murray. I was personally challenged and encouraged in each chapter, and I recommend this book enthusiastically." (Rev. Earl F. Palmer, Earl Palmer Ministries )
"Prayer is one of those areas where one model or one mentor just isn't enough. I've never been good at prayer, and mostly blamed my lack of discipline. But Kneeling with Giants is changing all that as I am now experimenting with many more ways to pray--and doing so under the tutelage of some of God's great heroes of faith. Gary Hansen has provided us with a very practical guide drawn from these saints' actual prayer practices. He also supplies wonderful materials at every turn to make the journey rich and expansive. This is a unique and wonderful resource!" (Stephen Hayner, president, Columbia Theological Seminary )
"By seeing prayer through some of church history's most valuable mentors, this book leads us into practices that are both deep and accessible. It is a book that informs, invites and nourishes our hunger for God. Feast in it!" (Mark Labberton, author of The Dangerous Act of Worship )
About the Author
Gary Neal Hansen (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is assistant professor of church history and the chair of the history and theology division at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He has written numerous articles and papers for academic journals and conferences. Hansen and his wife live in Iowa with their young son.
"Prayer is one of those areas where one model or one mentor just isn't enough. I've never been good at prayer, and mostly blamed my lack of discipline. But Kneeling with Giants is changing all that as I am now experimenting with many more ways to pray--and doing so under the tutelage of some of God's great heroes of faith. Gary Hansen has provided us with a very practical guide drawn from these saints' actual prayer practices. He also supplies wonderful materials at every turn to make the journey rich and expansive. This is a unique and wonderful resource!" (Stephen Hayner, president, Columbia Theological Seminary )
"By seeing prayer through some of church history's most valuable mentors, this book leads us into practices that are both deep and accessible. It is a book that informs, invites and nourishes our hunger for God. Feast in it!" (Mark Labberton, author of The Dangerous Act of Worship )
About the Author
Gary Neal Hansen (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is assistant professor of church history and the chair of the history and theology division at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He has written numerous articles and papers for academic journals and conferences. Hansen and his wife live in Iowa with their young son.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 17, 2020
Fantastic resource on prayer. I am often turned off by the trendy and popular books on prayer. I am not looking for a cheap repackaging of prayer or great promises about some process that will promise great results.
Instead, this book takes us on a deep journey into ancient champions of prayer. Ten different chapters on ten different personalities and approaches. I can say that this book will have something in it that will resonate with any reader. There will also be chapters that will not do so as much. How could you expect anything different? But this journey takes you from the disciplined, structured, liturgy of prayer, to the contemplative and quiet meditation, to the personal and intimate forms of prayer.
The book was unbelievably practical. Hansen shows what each approach has to offer and also cautions against some of the dangers. He spends most of the chapter focusing on HOW the reader can pursue these different approaches, keeping in mind how a person may have to start small but then grow in depth.
I want a profound book on prayer that respects the profound and complex nature of the discipline of prayer itself. I love history and never knew there would be so much richness in looking at prayer through history like this. This was a book that accomplished those things.
Instead, this book takes us on a deep journey into ancient champions of prayer. Ten different chapters on ten different personalities and approaches. I can say that this book will have something in it that will resonate with any reader. There will also be chapters that will not do so as much. How could you expect anything different? But this journey takes you from the disciplined, structured, liturgy of prayer, to the contemplative and quiet meditation, to the personal and intimate forms of prayer.
The book was unbelievably practical. Hansen shows what each approach has to offer and also cautions against some of the dangers. He spends most of the chapter focusing on HOW the reader can pursue these different approaches, keeping in mind how a person may have to start small but then grow in depth.
I want a profound book on prayer that respects the profound and complex nature of the discipline of prayer itself. I love history and never knew there would be so much richness in looking at prayer through history like this. This was a book that accomplished those things.
May 13, 2021
Lots to offer, and an overview of different styles of prayer and ways to practice it. I found it helpful and learned a lot. We used it as a church-wide read for Lent 2019
April 7, 2022
A diverse collection of prayer practices that you can come back to again and again. Very grateful for this book and how it challenged me to be prayerful in new and surprising ways.
September 27, 2023
There are many ways to learn prayer. You don’t have to do or to like them all
November 8, 2014
Gary Neal Hansen, Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2012). Pp. 237. Paperback $12.80.
This book came across my desk at the invitation of the author to participate in an online continuing education class for pastors. The focus of the class was learning, and teaching prayer, and this book was the textbook. I’m an Eastern Orthodox priest, and, for a variety of reasons, I wasn’t sure how this particular book would fit into my ministry. The Orthodox Church has a rich tradition of prayer, so I was curious to see how the prayer methods Prof. Hansen wrote about would augment my ancient tradition. My conclusion, after reading the book and taking the class with the author, is that this book has a lot to say to Christians of every tradition!
There are far too many methods to cover in a review such as this, but allow me to write about a few of them.
Prof. Hansen begins his book with St. Benedict and the Divine Office. For many Protestants, this method of prayer is very foreign. However, for me as an Orthodox Christian, it’s very comfortable. I was able to adapt this method to my tradition very easily; as I worked my way through this chapter I simply used the Orthodox Hours instead of the Benedictine Hours. Even though I was using the Eastern version, what Prof. Hansen had to say about learning the rhythm of the hours, and his encouragement to stick with it even the prayers may feel rigid, apply to everyone equally – Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant.
In chapter four, Prof. Hansen asks us to pray with John Calvin. Before I began this chapter, I thought to myself, “There’s no way I’ll find this chapter helpful.” Yet, low and behold, this became one of my favorite methods of prayer. Generally speaking, the method in this chapter is a form of Lectio Divina, which is not completely foreign to Orthodoxy. What was most helpful were the charts in this chapter, which help one go through scripture in a very studious way. Many people in the modern world practice Lectio Divina in a way that doesn’t take one very deep into the study of scriptures. Prof. Hansen is able to engage the reader and show one how to truly meditate on scripture as the early Christians were taught to do.
In chapter seven, Prof. Hansen asks us to pray with the Puritans, which means praying through journaling. Again I found myself thinking that I’d be very uncomfortable with this method; but, to my surprise, I found this chapter very helpful. The way the exercises are laid out allow one to truly explore the depths of one’s soul. For me, this method of prayer is great for preparing for confession. I can turn to this chapter, and allow my preparation not to be just a listing of my sins, but also an experience of prayer.
The final prayer method I want to comment on is the one found in chapter nine: praying with Agnes Sanford. Sanford’s method of prayer stresses supplication. After reading through the other methods, of it was this method that I found the most troubling, but not because of the type prayer – the Orthodox services have a very large supplicatory aspect; what was troubling for me was the theology of Sanford herself. I would have preferred to stress Christ’s actions more in the process. The point of the book, however, was not to present forms of prayer that work for everyone. The point was to introduce different forms of prayer the Church has used throughout her history so that each reader can discern what works best for him or her. This book acts an in invitation and provides an opportunity for one to grow in one’s Christian walk through prayer. Even though I didn’t like Sanford’s methodology, I was still glad to be introduced to it because she’s had a very big influence on many American Christians, many of whom I interact with daily.
Though a Protestant author wrote this book, don’t let that scare you because this book is written in a way that allows it to speak to all Christians. It does cover methods of prayer used by Catholics (Benedictine Hours, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Teresa Avila), prayers used by Orthodox Christians (the Jesus Prayer), and prayers used by Protestants (Martin Luther, John Calvin, the Puritans, Agnes Sanford, and Andrew Murray). However, I discovered that many of the methods are applicable to any tradition. The only downfall is that if you want the Reader that accompanies this book, you will have to buy the e-book version.
This book came across my desk at the invitation of the author to participate in an online continuing education class for pastors. The focus of the class was learning, and teaching prayer, and this book was the textbook. I’m an Eastern Orthodox priest, and, for a variety of reasons, I wasn’t sure how this particular book would fit into my ministry. The Orthodox Church has a rich tradition of prayer, so I was curious to see how the prayer methods Prof. Hansen wrote about would augment my ancient tradition. My conclusion, after reading the book and taking the class with the author, is that this book has a lot to say to Christians of every tradition!
There are far too many methods to cover in a review such as this, but allow me to write about a few of them.
Prof. Hansen begins his book with St. Benedict and the Divine Office. For many Protestants, this method of prayer is very foreign. However, for me as an Orthodox Christian, it’s very comfortable. I was able to adapt this method to my tradition very easily; as I worked my way through this chapter I simply used the Orthodox Hours instead of the Benedictine Hours. Even though I was using the Eastern version, what Prof. Hansen had to say about learning the rhythm of the hours, and his encouragement to stick with it even the prayers may feel rigid, apply to everyone equally – Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant.
In chapter four, Prof. Hansen asks us to pray with John Calvin. Before I began this chapter, I thought to myself, “There’s no way I’ll find this chapter helpful.” Yet, low and behold, this became one of my favorite methods of prayer. Generally speaking, the method in this chapter is a form of Lectio Divina, which is not completely foreign to Orthodoxy. What was most helpful were the charts in this chapter, which help one go through scripture in a very studious way. Many people in the modern world practice Lectio Divina in a way that doesn’t take one very deep into the study of scriptures. Prof. Hansen is able to engage the reader and show one how to truly meditate on scripture as the early Christians were taught to do.
In chapter seven, Prof. Hansen asks us to pray with the Puritans, which means praying through journaling. Again I found myself thinking that I’d be very uncomfortable with this method; but, to my surprise, I found this chapter very helpful. The way the exercises are laid out allow one to truly explore the depths of one’s soul. For me, this method of prayer is great for preparing for confession. I can turn to this chapter, and allow my preparation not to be just a listing of my sins, but also an experience of prayer.
The final prayer method I want to comment on is the one found in chapter nine: praying with Agnes Sanford. Sanford’s method of prayer stresses supplication. After reading through the other methods, of it was this method that I found the most troubling, but not because of the type prayer – the Orthodox services have a very large supplicatory aspect; what was troubling for me was the theology of Sanford herself. I would have preferred to stress Christ’s actions more in the process. The point of the book, however, was not to present forms of prayer that work for everyone. The point was to introduce different forms of prayer the Church has used throughout her history so that each reader can discern what works best for him or her. This book acts an in invitation and provides an opportunity for one to grow in one’s Christian walk through prayer. Even though I didn’t like Sanford’s methodology, I was still glad to be introduced to it because she’s had a very big influence on many American Christians, many of whom I interact with daily.
Though a Protestant author wrote this book, don’t let that scare you because this book is written in a way that allows it to speak to all Christians. It does cover methods of prayer used by Catholics (Benedictine Hours, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Teresa Avila), prayers used by Orthodox Christians (the Jesus Prayer), and prayers used by Protestants (Martin Luther, John Calvin, the Puritans, Agnes Sanford, and Andrew Murray). However, I discovered that many of the methods are applicable to any tradition. The only downfall is that if you want the Reader that accompanies this book, you will have to buy the e-book version.
July 22, 2018
This book surveys a number of different types of prayer. There are some helpful insights. The author has a likable writing style. Unfortunately, it also advocates for several types of prayer that have more in common with eastern mysticism than Biblical Christianity. I would not recommend this book to those young and impressionable in the faith.
December 16, 2012
As a young Christian, I thought there was one way to pray. I learned the ACTS acronym (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) and thought this was THE way. Only later did I discover that even within scripture, people prayed in widely different ways. Hansen's book chooses ten saints and their recommended ways of praying to expose us to the breadth of ways God's people have prayed. We have Benedictine liturgy, Luther's teaching on praying the Lord's prayer, the anonymous pilgrim's Jesus prayer, Calvin's use of the Psalms, the Ignatian prayer of the senses and more! I was most surprised with his inclusion of Agnes Sanford's model of healing prayer, which he admits can be controversial. In each of the chapters, and in an appendix at the conclusion, he gives practical instruction for each prayer model with the encouragement to practice these for a period, recognizing that some will be helpful, and some may not connect. Yet he thinks all are helpful to some and some that may not be our "prayer language" now may serve us at a later time.
The e-book version (which I did not read) comes with a supplement of readings for each of the "giants".
The e-book version (which I did not read) comes with a supplement of readings for each of the "giants".
January 2, 2026
Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers
Gary Neal Hansen
I almost didn’t read Kneeling with Giants. I assumed it would be largely biographical—a tour through the history of Christian prayer, interesting but distant. I was wrong. This book is not primarily about prayer in the past; it is about prayer now. It is, quite simply, the best book on prayer I have ever read—not because it explains prayer, but because it makes you want to pray, and then quietly teaches you how.
Gary Neal Hansen writes as a patient tutor rather than a spiritual celebrity. Each chapter introduces a “giant” of the Christian tradition, not to impress us, but to lend us their wisdom for the work of prayer. The result is deeply pastoral, generously ecumenical, and profoundly practical. Hansen assumes what many of us already know but rarely say aloud: people struggle with prayer not because they are faithless, but because they were taught only one way to pray.
As Hansen puts it early on:
“Different people need to pray differently.” (p.13)
That conviction animates the entire book.
Introduction — Learning Freedom in Prayer
The opening chapter names the quiet discouragement many Christians feel:
“But countless faithful people learn one way to pray… and if it does not seem joyful when they try it, they figure they are just not good at prayer.” (p.11)
Hansen reframes prayer not as a spiritual talent, but as a learned practice—one that flourishes when matched wisely to the pray-er. The joy of this book is discovering that the Church already holds a treasury of such practices.
Part One: What Language Shall I Borrow?
Chapter 1 — Praying with St. Benedict: The Divine Office
Benedict teaches us that prayer can carry us when we have no words of our own:
“If we are usually distracted, the words of the office keep our minds in prayer as the banks hold a river.” (p.32)
Hansen shows how fixed-hour prayer forms spiritual “muscle memory,” grounding us in Scripture and the prayer of the whole Church.
Chapter 2 — Praying with Martin Luther: The Lord’s Prayer
Luther gives us structure without constraint—freedom within form:
“Praying on every clause even briefly begins to train the heart in Jesus’ priorities.” (p.50)
The Lord’s Prayer becomes not a recitation to finish, but a map to inhabit.
Chapter 3 — Praying with the Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer
Here prayer becomes breath, and breath becomes prayer:
“The prayer is our breath, and breathing is prayer.” (p.66)
Hansen beautifully conveys the depth hidden within simplicity, showing how ten words can reorient an entire life toward Christ.
Part Two: Praying with Scripture
Chapter 4 — Praying with John Calvin: Studious Meditation on the Psalms
Calvin teaches us that serious study can be genuine prayer:
“For Calvin, the intellectual work of studying Scripture was prayer.” (p.77)
The Psalms become a mirror for the soul and a megaphone for faith, legitimising even our grittiest prayers.
Chapter 5 — Praying with Ignatius of Loyola: The Prayer of the Senses
Ignatius restores the imagination as a God-given faculty for prayer:
“Your imagination is no less a tool of God’s creation than your reason.” (p.113)
Hansen gently invites readers to enter Scripture as participants, not observers, listening for Christ’s voice amid lived experience.
Part Three: Conversations, Light and Dark
Chapter 6 — Praying with St. Teresa of Ávila: Recollection of the Presence of God
Teresa teaches prayer as loving attention:
“I am asking you only to look at Him.” (p.123)
Prayer here is not effortful striving but relational presence—speaking with God as Father, Friend, King, and Spouse.
Chapter 7 — Praying with the Puritans: Meditation in Writing
The Puritans show us how writing can become prayer:
“Writing these down in prayer, we move from saying, ‘Another lucky break,’ to ‘God, you were there.’” (p.141)
Journaling becomes an act of faith, helping us recognise grace in retrospect and truth in self-examination.
Chapter 8 — Praying with The Cloud of Unknowing: Contemplation in the Dark
This chapter invites holy humility before mystery:
“With a devout, pleasing, impulsive love strive to pierce that darkness above you.” (p.162)
Hansen presents contemplation not as escape from thought, but as loving surrender beyond it.
Part Four: Asking God for Help
Chapter 9 — Praying with Agnes Sanford: The Healing Light
Sanford brings expectancy and joy back into prayer for healing:
“Prayer needs wings of joy to fly upon.” (p.184)
Hansen handles this material with care, grounding imagination firmly in trust in Christ the Healer.
Chapter 10 — Praying with Andrew Murray: The Ministry of Intercession
Murray reminds us that intercession is not optional—it is priestly vocation:
“Prayer is in very deed the pulse of the spiritual life.” (p.196)
This chapter quietly but firmly calls readers to perseverance, specificity, and hope-filled obedience.
Final Benediction — Freedom to Experiment
Hansen closes with an invitation rather than a conclusion:
“The key is to pick an approach that fits for the time being and to keep coming back to it.” (p.211)
Final Assessment
Kneeling with Giants does something rare: it honours the depth of Christian tradition while remaining utterly accessible. It neither romanticises the past nor flattens it. Instead, it places these giants beside us, kneeling—not above us, instructing.
This is a book I would recommend without hesitation to clergy, prayer groups, retreat leaders, and any Christian who has ever wondered whether prayer might become joyful again.
And perhaps its greatest gift is this: by the time you finish reading, you are no longer merely reading about prayer—you are already praying.
Gary Neal Hansen
I almost didn’t read Kneeling with Giants. I assumed it would be largely biographical—a tour through the history of Christian prayer, interesting but distant. I was wrong. This book is not primarily about prayer in the past; it is about prayer now. It is, quite simply, the best book on prayer I have ever read—not because it explains prayer, but because it makes you want to pray, and then quietly teaches you how.
Gary Neal Hansen writes as a patient tutor rather than a spiritual celebrity. Each chapter introduces a “giant” of the Christian tradition, not to impress us, but to lend us their wisdom for the work of prayer. The result is deeply pastoral, generously ecumenical, and profoundly practical. Hansen assumes what many of us already know but rarely say aloud: people struggle with prayer not because they are faithless, but because they were taught only one way to pray.
As Hansen puts it early on:
“Different people need to pray differently.” (p.13)
That conviction animates the entire book.
Introduction — Learning Freedom in Prayer
The opening chapter names the quiet discouragement many Christians feel:
“But countless faithful people learn one way to pray… and if it does not seem joyful when they try it, they figure they are just not good at prayer.” (p.11)
Hansen reframes prayer not as a spiritual talent, but as a learned practice—one that flourishes when matched wisely to the pray-er. The joy of this book is discovering that the Church already holds a treasury of such practices.
Part One: What Language Shall I Borrow?
Chapter 1 — Praying with St. Benedict: The Divine Office
Benedict teaches us that prayer can carry us when we have no words of our own:
“If we are usually distracted, the words of the office keep our minds in prayer as the banks hold a river.” (p.32)
Hansen shows how fixed-hour prayer forms spiritual “muscle memory,” grounding us in Scripture and the prayer of the whole Church.
Chapter 2 — Praying with Martin Luther: The Lord’s Prayer
Luther gives us structure without constraint—freedom within form:
“Praying on every clause even briefly begins to train the heart in Jesus’ priorities.” (p.50)
The Lord’s Prayer becomes not a recitation to finish, but a map to inhabit.
Chapter 3 — Praying with the Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer
Here prayer becomes breath, and breath becomes prayer:
“The prayer is our breath, and breathing is prayer.” (p.66)
Hansen beautifully conveys the depth hidden within simplicity, showing how ten words can reorient an entire life toward Christ.
Part Two: Praying with Scripture
Chapter 4 — Praying with John Calvin: Studious Meditation on the Psalms
Calvin teaches us that serious study can be genuine prayer:
“For Calvin, the intellectual work of studying Scripture was prayer.” (p.77)
The Psalms become a mirror for the soul and a megaphone for faith, legitimising even our grittiest prayers.
Chapter 5 — Praying with Ignatius of Loyola: The Prayer of the Senses
Ignatius restores the imagination as a God-given faculty for prayer:
“Your imagination is no less a tool of God’s creation than your reason.” (p.113)
Hansen gently invites readers to enter Scripture as participants, not observers, listening for Christ’s voice amid lived experience.
Part Three: Conversations, Light and Dark
Chapter 6 — Praying with St. Teresa of Ávila: Recollection of the Presence of God
Teresa teaches prayer as loving attention:
“I am asking you only to look at Him.” (p.123)
Prayer here is not effortful striving but relational presence—speaking with God as Father, Friend, King, and Spouse.
Chapter 7 — Praying with the Puritans: Meditation in Writing
The Puritans show us how writing can become prayer:
“Writing these down in prayer, we move from saying, ‘Another lucky break,’ to ‘God, you were there.’” (p.141)
Journaling becomes an act of faith, helping us recognise grace in retrospect and truth in self-examination.
Chapter 8 — Praying with The Cloud of Unknowing: Contemplation in the Dark
This chapter invites holy humility before mystery:
“With a devout, pleasing, impulsive love strive to pierce that darkness above you.” (p.162)
Hansen presents contemplation not as escape from thought, but as loving surrender beyond it.
Part Four: Asking God for Help
Chapter 9 — Praying with Agnes Sanford: The Healing Light
Sanford brings expectancy and joy back into prayer for healing:
“Prayer needs wings of joy to fly upon.” (p.184)
Hansen handles this material with care, grounding imagination firmly in trust in Christ the Healer.
Chapter 10 — Praying with Andrew Murray: The Ministry of Intercession
Murray reminds us that intercession is not optional—it is priestly vocation:
“Prayer is in very deed the pulse of the spiritual life.” (p.196)
This chapter quietly but firmly calls readers to perseverance, specificity, and hope-filled obedience.
Final Benediction — Freedom to Experiment
Hansen closes with an invitation rather than a conclusion:
“The key is to pick an approach that fits for the time being and to keep coming back to it.” (p.211)
Final Assessment
Kneeling with Giants does something rare: it honours the depth of Christian tradition while remaining utterly accessible. It neither romanticises the past nor flattens it. Instead, it places these giants beside us, kneeling—not above us, instructing.
This is a book I would recommend without hesitation to clergy, prayer groups, retreat leaders, and any Christian who has ever wondered whether prayer might become joyful again.
And perhaps its greatest gift is this: by the time you finish reading, you are no longer merely reading about prayer—you are already praying.
June 18, 2021
We've been reading this in my church's book group for the last several months. I tend to be really cynical about "Christian" books, partly because they are often bland sermonizing, and partly because I'm a literary snob, and partly because I'm a hypocrite-- I often write and talk more about my faith than I actually live it. And that should tell you something since I don't talk about it much. I attend church because of the community, and for the housekeeping benefit I get for taking care of my own internal spiritual life, not because I agree with the stated theology. This book is about ten historical approaches to Christian prayer, and while he never went quite as deep as I was hoping, it was always thought-provoking. He usually manages to avoid cliché, although I frequently wished he hadn't needed to spend so much time convincing his readers that it was OK to branch out try new things. By the end, instead of skimming through so I could participate in the discussion, I was actually reading it. Which is about as strong an endorsement as I can give to a Christian book, given the boulder-sized chip on my shoulder due to my history with churches in general.
October 20, 2020
Understanding and learning to pray takes time and effort. There have been many influencers throughout the history of the Christian church helping us along the way.
Hansen highlights several of these people and how they prayed. Just as there are different ways to communicate with people, there are different ways to communicate with God. Not everyone will want to try all ways this book teaches, but it is helpful in expanding our definition and practice of prayer. It is not meant to be purely an academic book on prayer, but a workbook to practice. There is discipline and patience needed, but the end result just might be a more intimate relationship with God, which is what I have experienced.
Hansen highlights several of these people and how they prayed. Just as there are different ways to communicate with people, there are different ways to communicate with God. Not everyone will want to try all ways this book teaches, but it is helpful in expanding our definition and practice of prayer. It is not meant to be purely an academic book on prayer, but a workbook to practice. There is discipline and patience needed, but the end result just might be a more intimate relationship with God, which is what I have experienced.
September 20, 2023
An excellent overview of different methods of prayers. The prayer exercises at the end are an integral part of the book, otherwise it just becomes head knowledge. The different chapters were fairly unique, and the combination with biography, teaching and practice made this an excellent book. There needed perhaps to be a little more emphasis on faith and prayer, and there was little gleaning from other prayerful cultures like Africa or South Korea, but a good cross section, but predominantly from the 19th century and earlier.
A recommended read if you would like to develop grow and expand your prayer life.
A recommended read if you would like to develop grow and expand your prayer life.
May 18, 2017
I loved this book! It was so practical. I will definitely be giving this book to more people. I love that it was rooted in history. The 10 different ways that he teaches you to pray were modeled by specific people. They reflect different Christian traditions. I also love that he affirms each of our uniqueness and therefore he suggests trying them on to see how they fit. They may not be what we need today but they may be what we or a friend needs at a specified time in our lives. This book is both theological and practical. Most prayer books are all theology. This was both.
January 31, 2022
Absolutely fantastic introduction to many different types of prayer, from an orthodox (small-o) Christian perspective. I wish I had read this book earlier in my life. But now I've bought a copy to keep on my shelf and re-read.
May 9, 2019
Required for Spiritual Formation this semester, definitely going to be taking up some new prayer practices during the summer.
May 22, 2020
Gets a little out there.
September 2, 2021
Some interesting bits, but mostly quite dry.
October 20, 2025
Good overview of 9 methods that can be used for prayer. It is useful in a small group setting to discuss the ideas and try them for a week or two between group meetings.
June 30, 2013
I’ve read a number of books on prayer and have a couple of “go tos” that I suggest to people but none that I’ve taken a specific liking to… until now.
The aspect of the book that really sold it to me is how practical it is.
There are many books that talk about prayer without really helping you develop your prayer life. While many books provide a new insight into prayer, often prayer books stay quite theoretical, talking about ways to prayer without helping you understand how to do it. Kneeling with Giants provides you with both. More than the other books on prayer that I’ve read, Kneeling with Giants gets into the how, providing us with practical instruction and examples that really help you to engage each style of prayer.
The premise of the book is wise: Awareness of different styles of prayer will help keep prayer fresh over time, and give you access to new styles of prayer which can help sustain you in different seasons of your life. The author’s hope in the book is to help you find a way to pray that you will find life-giving, since for so many people prayer can be such a struggle. By introducing you to different styles of prayer found throughout the history of the church, hopefully you’ll discover a style that will bring new life and enjoyment to your time spent in prayer. Gary’s clear pastoral desire to lead us deeper into the arms of God, and to equip us with tools to enhance our intimacy with Him come through the book clearly.
The book looks at ten styles of prayer. For each one Gary Hansen explains the particular type of prayer, grounds it in Scripture and historical writings, then by using his own experiences he helps guide us in experimenting with that particular method of prayer. Of the ten styles covered, I’d say that his chapters healing and intercession are the weakest, but they introduce you to some great writings you can jump to for more!
When I received the book back in January my thought had been to bash through the book quickly and get a blog up. At the end of his introduction came the exhortation: “However you go through this book, the one crucial thing is to pray (p15)” and I realised that “bashing through” would not do justice to his gift! [If you read this book without giving time to his suggestions, you’ll miss just how rich this resource is and rob yourself of some opportunities to experience God in a new way!!]
The material is rich! Each chapter looks at the writing of a great man or woman in church history (like St Benedict, Luther, Calvin, Ignatius of Loyola, and the Puritans) and explores how they experienced prayer. Coated with Hansen’s personal experiences, which he reflects on throughout the book, the pages take on a humble pastoral persona, like a spiritual director helping you (and challenging you) to experience deep new ways of meeting with Jesus.
This would be a good book to work through as a group study. At the end of the book are two helpful appendices. The first suggests ways to use the book as a small group or class curriculum, and the second is a helpful summary of suggestions for to how to practice each of the 10 styles Hansen discusses.
I’d recommend buying the e-book. It includes a reader containing excerpts from the primary source texts, which he draws from throughout the book. Though the book is a fine tool without this, the reader would add an extra element of depth through exposure to some of the writings from the history of the Church.
So… if you find prayer challenging, if your prayer times seem dull, if you’re looking for a prayer study for yourself or a group, or if you’re simply intrigued now that you realise there’s more than one way to pray, I’d highly recommend you grab a copy of Kneeling With Giants!
The aspect of the book that really sold it to me is how practical it is.
There are many books that talk about prayer without really helping you develop your prayer life. While many books provide a new insight into prayer, often prayer books stay quite theoretical, talking about ways to prayer without helping you understand how to do it. Kneeling with Giants provides you with both. More than the other books on prayer that I’ve read, Kneeling with Giants gets into the how, providing us with practical instruction and examples that really help you to engage each style of prayer.
The premise of the book is wise: Awareness of different styles of prayer will help keep prayer fresh over time, and give you access to new styles of prayer which can help sustain you in different seasons of your life. The author’s hope in the book is to help you find a way to pray that you will find life-giving, since for so many people prayer can be such a struggle. By introducing you to different styles of prayer found throughout the history of the church, hopefully you’ll discover a style that will bring new life and enjoyment to your time spent in prayer. Gary’s clear pastoral desire to lead us deeper into the arms of God, and to equip us with tools to enhance our intimacy with Him come through the book clearly.
The book looks at ten styles of prayer. For each one Gary Hansen explains the particular type of prayer, grounds it in Scripture and historical writings, then by using his own experiences he helps guide us in experimenting with that particular method of prayer. Of the ten styles covered, I’d say that his chapters healing and intercession are the weakest, but they introduce you to some great writings you can jump to for more!
When I received the book back in January my thought had been to bash through the book quickly and get a blog up. At the end of his introduction came the exhortation: “However you go through this book, the one crucial thing is to pray (p15)” and I realised that “bashing through” would not do justice to his gift! [If you read this book without giving time to his suggestions, you’ll miss just how rich this resource is and rob yourself of some opportunities to experience God in a new way!!]
The material is rich! Each chapter looks at the writing of a great man or woman in church history (like St Benedict, Luther, Calvin, Ignatius of Loyola, and the Puritans) and explores how they experienced prayer. Coated with Hansen’s personal experiences, which he reflects on throughout the book, the pages take on a humble pastoral persona, like a spiritual director helping you (and challenging you) to experience deep new ways of meeting with Jesus.
This would be a good book to work through as a group study. At the end of the book are two helpful appendices. The first suggests ways to use the book as a small group or class curriculum, and the second is a helpful summary of suggestions for to how to practice each of the 10 styles Hansen discusses.
I’d recommend buying the e-book. It includes a reader containing excerpts from the primary source texts, which he draws from throughout the book. Though the book is a fine tool without this, the reader would add an extra element of depth through exposure to some of the writings from the history of the Church.
So… if you find prayer challenging, if your prayer times seem dull, if you’re looking for a prayer study for yourself or a group, or if you’re simply intrigued now that you realise there’s more than one way to pray, I’d highly recommend you grab a copy of Kneeling With Giants!
March 1, 2020
As many readers of this blog may know, I am always have my eyes open for books that discuss spiritual formation and prayer, especially if they do so in a unique and thoughtful way. Recently, Intervarsity Press published a wonderful little survey methods for prayer by Gary Neal Hansen called Kneeling with Giants.
Kneeling with Giants approaches the subject of prayer by looking at how saints of old prayed throughout church history. This is a good idea. It allows readers to observe someone else's method of praying to see if it works for them. It allows Dr. Hansen to instruct his readers on how to pray without beating them over the head with how they "should" do this, or have to do that. Hansen approaches his topic with a lot of grace.
As an "NT" on my Myers-Briggs test, I was thankful to see that there were several models of praying in this book that engage the intellect in more than a perfunctory manner. In particular, I enjoyed the instruction from the Reformed Tradition--both the chapter on Calvin and on the Puritans.
The chapters I enjoyed most (Calvin and Ignatius) in particular, included some more detailed instruction on how the specific method of prayer was to be carried out. I enjoyed the "boxes" which asked leading questions and gave a few step by step guidelines to implementing the specific kind of prayer well. For several of the mystics, such as the description of the Jesus Prayer, this may have been less appropriate. But when I have a little "cheat sheet" I can copy off to use and share, I am a little better off.
Most books on prayer take two approaches. The either focus exclusively on intercession, or they neglect intercession for most of the book and focus on prayer as simply the exercise of spiritual disciplines. Thankfully, Kneeling with Giants goes to neither of these extremes. It presents a holistic view of prayer that will be helpful to people wherever they are on their spiritual journey.
I loved this book. I am hoping to use it some day as a primer on prayer for people who are beginning their walks with Christ, and seeking some guidance on prayer. I think Kneeling with Giants will be a helpful book for many, and an interesting study for most praying Christians
Kneeling with Giants approaches the subject of prayer by looking at how saints of old prayed throughout church history. This is a good idea. It allows readers to observe someone else's method of praying to see if it works for them. It allows Dr. Hansen to instruct his readers on how to pray without beating them over the head with how they "should" do this, or have to do that. Hansen approaches his topic with a lot of grace.
As an "NT" on my Myers-Briggs test, I was thankful to see that there were several models of praying in this book that engage the intellect in more than a perfunctory manner. In particular, I enjoyed the instruction from the Reformed Tradition--both the chapter on Calvin and on the Puritans.
The chapters I enjoyed most (Calvin and Ignatius) in particular, included some more detailed instruction on how the specific method of prayer was to be carried out. I enjoyed the "boxes" which asked leading questions and gave a few step by step guidelines to implementing the specific kind of prayer well. For several of the mystics, such as the description of the Jesus Prayer, this may have been less appropriate. But when I have a little "cheat sheet" I can copy off to use and share, I am a little better off.
Most books on prayer take two approaches. The either focus exclusively on intercession, or they neglect intercession for most of the book and focus on prayer as simply the exercise of spiritual disciplines. Thankfully, Kneeling with Giants goes to neither of these extremes. It presents a holistic view of prayer that will be helpful to people wherever they are on their spiritual journey.
I loved this book. I am hoping to use it some day as a primer on prayer for people who are beginning their walks with Christ, and seeking some guidance on prayer. I think Kneeling with Giants will be a helpful book for many, and an interesting study for most praying Christians
April 26, 2012
There is a widespread assumption that people who belong to congregations know how to pray. This is a mistake that leads to pastoral neglect. The occasional plea for help, shout of gratitude or song of spontaneous praise is common. Uttering these “prayers” from time to time is not the same prayer as a spiritual practice shaping a whole pattern of living. The old saying that people speak more freely about sex than prayer is true, and it’s because they experience the one much more than the other. The author wants his readers to enter into the great joy of prayer and invites them to learn from John Calvin, St. Benedict, the anonymous Russian Pilgrim, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius and the unknown writer of the Cloud of Unknowing. This is an invitation not to a superficial prayer life of occasional outburst but rather a journey with God made possible with mature prayer. “These are not techniques created on a whim (and sold for $19.95 at the supermarket), but gateways to whole spiritual traditions, ways to grown in a life-giving relationship with the God who created the universe and who redeemed us in Christ.” The book comes with a study guide for individuals and groups.
September 7, 2016
Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History's Best Teachers by Gary Neal Hansen is a must read if you want to build on your prayer life. You must be prepared to take it slow and truly engulf the words that you read. I had plans of just skimming through and picking out what I wanted but its impossible. This book is written in a way that you must not only read and think about what your reading but also to apply it. I have found myself following the suggestions of using this book as a tool and it truly if making an impact on my relationship with God. I believe Gary Hansen had written a remarkable book that will show people through history how prayer styles have made a difference.
I am still reading this book, taking it at a snails pace you could say. It has been worth every minute I have spent reading. Every page I turn gives me new insight and helps me become a prayer warrior for my family and friends.
I am still reading this book, taking it at a snails pace you could say. It has been worth every minute I have spent reading. Every page I turn gives me new insight and helps me become a prayer warrior for my family and friends.
May 3, 2012
**This amazing book on Christian prayer giants belongs in every home and every church! It's a 12+ on a scale of 1 to 10.
‘Kneeling with Giants,’ by Gary Neal Hansen, IVP Books, 2012, 238 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-0830835621, $15.00
Sometimes our prayers seem to reach the ceiling and stop, with prayers that feel hollow, flat and sterile to our own minds or ears. We would like a spiritual prayer mentor but don’t know where to find one or even where to look. If that describes how you feel, then this book on spiritual prayer giants of the past is for you.
In perfect time for National Day of Prayer week, Hansen’s new book on prayer introduces ten spiritual giants from church history with prayer techniques “…rooted in centuries of Christian tradition…”…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/6uajujk
‘Kneeling with Giants,’ by Gary Neal Hansen, IVP Books, 2012, 238 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-0830835621, $15.00
Sometimes our prayers seem to reach the ceiling and stop, with prayers that feel hollow, flat and sterile to our own minds or ears. We would like a spiritual prayer mentor but don’t know where to find one or even where to look. If that describes how you feel, then this book on spiritual prayer giants of the past is for you.
In perfect time for National Day of Prayer week, Hansen’s new book on prayer introduces ten spiritual giants from church history with prayer techniques “…rooted in centuries of Christian tradition…”…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/6uajujk
September 16, 2016
The only thing that kept this from getting 5 stars from me is just personal preference. There were some chapters I just really couldn't get into and fought to get through. I don't want to take anything away from the quality of information or skill of the writer to present the ideas.
To get the most out of this book, I would urge the reader to consider the totality of it, not just look for a specific chapter or method to change our life. Although there were some chapters I loved, especially the last few, which created very meaningful contemplation, the book as a whole had a far greater impact on my prayer life as a sum of its parts.
Kneeling with Giants was invaluable to me in transforming prayer from a spiritual Christmas list we send up to God and wait for a return, to an ability we have been given as a gift, to communicate with and be in the presence of our God
To get the most out of this book, I would urge the reader to consider the totality of it, not just look for a specific chapter or method to change our life. Although there were some chapters I loved, especially the last few, which created very meaningful contemplation, the book as a whole had a far greater impact on my prayer life as a sum of its parts.
Kneeling with Giants was invaluable to me in transforming prayer from a spiritual Christmas list we send up to God and wait for a return, to an ability we have been given as a gift, to communicate with and be in the presence of our God
December 3, 2014
Excellent overview of the various forms of Christian prayer. The ecumenical approach is refreshing and much needed in our fragmented Christian church of today. Each chapter is amazingly practical, but also gentle and encouraging to the person seeking to enhance his or her relationship with God. Firmly rooted in Scripture and sound religious tradition. The ten prayer forms addressed show the immense diversity and depth of the Christian prayer traditions. Something for any Christian seeker regardless of the length of his journey along the Christian path. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in enhancing their prayer life.
November 2, 2015
I have to be honest, I'm not really "finished" with this book, and likely won't be for a very long time. Not because I don't like it or find it difficult to read, but precisely because I like it so much and find it helpful. I first read through the chapters on the spiritual "giants" of the title and how they approached prayer. I am now working my way through again, trying out each method for a month at a time. The author is straightforward and acknowledges that not everyone will take to all of the various approaches to prayer, but thoughtfully explains the unique benefits of "trying" each one out. This is extremely helpful, and a treasure that I will hang on to.
October 18, 2012
Book Review - Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History's Best Teachers by Gary Hansen - This is a very good broad sketch at a variety of different prayer methods. What makes this different from other books like Richard Foster's Prayer, is that each of these methods of prayer are accompanied with a biographical sketch. So discussion meditation on Psalms talks about John Calvin and the way that praying Psalms affected Calvin. Very good, readable book.
Click through for a longer review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/kneeling-with-giants/
Click through for a longer review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/kneeling-with-giants/
December 27, 2012
This was a great book. Hansen helped deepen my spiritual walk with God. Check out all the various prayer styles. Some you may like while others you may not like. But, there are some great tips offered that will deepen you prayer life as never before. Check out the resources that he lists, as well. This was one of those life-changing books. So, I strongly recommend this book for all those who are interested in deepening their walk with God.
December 27, 2018
The author invites us to try different ways of praying. He gives examples from saints of the past including Teresa of Avila, St. Benedictine, and Andrew Murray. He boils down the main thing the person did in prayer and practical ways to practice prayer.
I thought this was a refreshing look at different ways of prayer. With different personalities, we often pray differently. Or maybe your prayer life is dry--here are some different ways to pray.
I thought this was a refreshing look at different ways of prayer. With different personalities, we often pray differently. Or maybe your prayer life is dry--here are some different ways to pray.
May 26, 2015
An interesting journey though different thoughts and styles of Christian prayer. Regardless whether one is Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox, I am confident one will find something of value in the book. I thought the use of examples was most helpful, and I found the author explores the subject as a wise and caring teacher.
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