The Prayer God Longs For

by James Emery White

"What does God want from me?" You might ask it in frustration or in devotion, but, whatever your approach, it's a question that has crossed the lips of men and women from every generation throughout human history. What if God gave you an answer? James Emery White guides you through the Lord's Prayer in search of what God longs for in his relationship with you. As profound as it is simple, this prayer of Jesus is what God longs a divine-human dialogue that transforms you on earth and prepares you for heaven. Features & Benefits * Asks and answers the question, "What does God want from me?" * Ponders the Lord's Prayer * Offers insights into the character of God and the fruit of his kingdom * Shows how this prayer transforms you on earth and prepares you for heaven

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Prayer, Christian

124 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2005

About the author

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; president of Serious Times, a ministry that explores the intersection of faith and culture. Dr. White is an adjunctive professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president; and author of more than twenty books.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, profound, and clear. A great starter for your prayer life that follows the Lord's prayer.

[Paul Heidebrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb commentary on the Lord's Prayer. We never seem to get a point where we don't need to say, Lord, teach us to pray. No matter how much I learn about the Lord's Prayer, there is still more to learn. White's book really satisfies.

[Dennis Henn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book on prayer I have read. White breaks down the Lord's Prayer : "We have been directed to pray for our past (forgiveness), our present (bread), and now our future (temptation and evil." Short book, deep thoughts.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025

This is good from a devotional approach and encouragement in prayer.

2019

I received this as a gift almost ten years ago. I’m glad to finally get to it. It is a very good and challenging read.

[Jeremy Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a surprisingly deep look at prayer for the rather short size of the book. With a title like this you may expect some sort of faddish way of praying, but that's not what this book is really focusing on. This is instead a focused meditation on The Lord's Prayer. A chapter will go over a portion of the prayer and talk about what that phrase or sentence is really trying to get at and what we're saying or asking God for.

It's a great book to think about the Lord's Prayer and prayer in general. You may not agree with all that White says in the book, but I think that you will find some very useful insight on prayer. It's not a super complex book or anything like that. It's simply a deeper look at the answer that Jesus gave to his own disciples when they asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray."

[Jan Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a gem. If you can take the time to read slowly and reflectively, it will transform how you pray, as White digs deeply into the words (which too many of us merely recite) to uncover the essence of our relationship with God. As I read it and applied his insights in my own prayer life, I realized that God not only longs for our heartfelt prayer, but that He longs for us to become the pray-er He intends each of us to be. I look forward to reading it again...and again.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/2012 This small book took me six months to read. It required much pondering and reflection. White guides the reader through the Lord’s Prayer. The book is broken into sections: Intimate, Expectant, Reverent, Submitted, Dependent, Honest, and Humble. He ends with a section on unanswered prayer. Prayer has never been my long suit. This book, along with Walter Trobish’s writings on Martin Luther’s thoughts on prayer, have been helpful in providing guidance.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very analytical look at what could be called the world's most famous prayer. Taking it line by line, the author considers what meaning is behind it, and why our prayers to God should be structured in a similar way. Using scripture, he answers questions like "What should we pray for?" and "What should we do when it seems God doesn't answer our prayers?" Very well-written and informative.

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book changed my whole view on prayer.

[Mike Nencetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praying the Lord's prayer, with meaning.

[Jt]

Good book on prayer