Prayer and the Knowledge of God: What the Whole Bible Teaches

by Graeme Goldsworthy

• Is it really possible to talk to God?
• Does he listen to us?
• How do we know what to say?
• Will it make any difference if we pray? Prayer is central to Christian faith and life and such questions are fundamental. While much teaching on prayer adresses practical issues and is experience-oriented, Graeme Goldsworthy's conviction is that good practice comes from a foundation of good biblical understanding. In this accessible and wide-ranging study, Goldsworthy explores the reality of God, the ministry of Jesus Christ, and our experience of being his redeemed people as the grounds for prayer, which he defines as "talking to God." Using a biblical-theological approach, he examines the principles that lie behind particular texts in Scripture, and he maps out the "progress" of prayer from Genesis to Revelation. He explains the basis for prayer, its role in our fellowship with God, and what is involved in Christian prayer. Above all, Goldworthy's desire is to encourage Christians in their praying, through a better understanding of, and reflection on, the "big story" of the whole Bible.

Genres: Prayer, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian

220 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2004

About the author

Graeme Goldsworthy is an Australian Anglican and Old Testament scholar. Now retired, Goldsworthy was formerly lecturer in Old Testament, biblical theology and hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. He is the author of "According to Plan" (IVP, 1991), "Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture" (Eerdmans, 2000) and "Proverbs: The Tree of Life" (CEP, 1993). Goldsworthy has an MA from Cambridge University and a ThM and PhD from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.

Reviews

[Gavin Breeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a theologically rigorous exploration of the Bible's teaching on prayer from a top notch theologian. If you're looking for something to warm your heart and give you practical tips to bettering your prayer life, this might not be the place to start. If you're seeking to have a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about prayer, how prayer works, and what role prayer plays in the life of the Christian, this may be a good book for you.

I really appreciate Goldsworthy opening the book with a discussion of some of the difficulties most Christians have with prayer. He goes on to consider several important topics like prayer and the sovereignty of God, our union with Christ as the basis for our prayers, the relationship between faith and prayer, and others. He also devotes a chapter to the Lord's Prayer and ends the book with several chapters on how the theology of prayer developed in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

The book ends with a few practical considerations but nothing along the lines of "How to Keep a Prayer Journal" (for that see Paul Miller's "A Praying Life" and other more practical books on prayer). It's an excellent read if you approach it with the right expectations.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goldsworthy challenges us to see prayer as our response to what God has said and done, not simply as a means of requesting things from Him. Although full of practical implications, Goldsworthy’s goal is to first provide a proper foundational understanding of prayer that will then affect the way we pray. He places a strong emphasis on the necessity of Christ’s mediation in making prayer possible and discusses the role of faith. A powerful, thought-provoking read.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book on prayer. I appreciated his biblical-theological approach to prayer, showing the development of prayer from Genesis to Revelation. Enriched my knowledge of prayer.

[Nat Mus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So much gold in here.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an encouraging book, not on the power of prayer, but on the power of God.

[Neil Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less of a 'how we should pray' and more of a 'why it is that we can pray'. Very helpful theology of prayer.

[Jeff Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best book I have ever read on prayer. Very faithful to God's word! Read this. Like right now!

[Iona Kroussoratsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best - maybe only? - books on building a biblical theology of prayer that I have read. Highly recommend for anyone to read, especially as many books on prayer tend to only engage with testimony and pragmatics (also important). Some of the reflection questions asked at the end of some of the chapters were so insightful and helped to deepen my relationship with, and knowledge of, God. Looking forward to reading more of Graeme's books!

[Jeremiah von Kühn · Rating 3 out of 5]

His emphasis on Jesus as our mediator who is the basis of all our prayer made the book worth reading. Also very helpful was how God's word to us (the gospel of his Son) should shape the content of our prayers.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really dig in to what prayer is. It has been super helpful in this series on the Lords Prayer

[Nathan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read on prayer. He explains the biblical theology behind prayer and grounds it all in the work of Christ. Excellent

[Katie Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in the theology of prayer, specifically in regards to God's sovereignty, our responsibility and privilege.