The God Who Hears

by W. Bingham Hunter

To pray is to know God. "If God really cared he would answer my prayer." "I hesitate to ask him anything." "I can't understand why he continues to ignore my deepest needs." Bingham Hunter recognizes that most believers have these thoughts from time to time. He encourages us to look at prayer from the standpoint of who God is. The true aim of prayer is intimacy with God. We pray effectively when we make him the desire of our hearts, Hunter answers our questoins about prayer by directing us to the nature and attributes of God and to our own lives. God responds not to our prayers but to who we are--what we think, feel, will and do. Prayer is communication from the whole person to the Wholeness that is the living God.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Theology, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1986

Reviews

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most helpful books about prayer, God, and the Christian life that I have read--ever. Hunter did a lot of reading and studying on prayer, and it shows--but it doesn't overshadow his pastoral care for the reader. Sometimes I felt it was written just for me, like when he says, "If you have low blood sugar, you may need to wait until after breakfast to pray." Hooray for recognizing our bodily limitations!

Highly recommended, especially if you are like me--a bit brainy but not super intellectual, serious about your faith but sometimes overwhelmed by books for serious people.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian needs to read this book on prayer! It is unique in that it does not only discuss prayer, but how it interacts with learning more about who God is and how prayer affects following Him. It is one of those books that I read over the course of 6 months -- very slowly. As part of my time alone with God in the morning, I would read and meditate on one or more sections. I often read through the footnotes and the Bible references. This book is already on my list to re-read in 2018 -- maybe as part of a monthly book club with one chapter per month.

[Steve Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding treatment of prayer, including valuable insight on what it is and how to do it. Hunter begins with the premise that prayer is not the way we get from God what we want, but it is a means that God uses to give us what he wants. Hunter also asserts that we can't fully understand prayer without understanding the nature of the One to whom we pray, so the first part of his book is devoted to exploring what God is like. Part two deals with how we should pray to such a God. Part three deals with Jesus' pattern for prayer.

[Vincent Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would definitely recommend this book on prayer. It deals with a lot of questions that people may have regarding prayer with great clarity. It is also quite practical in terms of how we ought to think about prayers, and the significance of Christ in our prayers.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to learn and with practical insights as well.

[Nanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelves for over 30 years. I first read it in 1990. Little did I know that I would find its contents essential for my walk with God in 2021. I am so grateful for the sound teaching and direction provided within its pages and highly recommend it for anyone seeking a more honest, sincere, genuine, and intimate prayer life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[Connor Longaphie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really quite insufficient for a rich developed understanding of prayer. Perhaps it would be good for a new convert that has basic questions such as if God listens to everyone's prayers, if praying is even worth our time, etc. It would be very good for questions such as that.

[Gary Michelberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the third time I started a journal and wrote out reflections to the end of chapter discussions.

[Carol Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by cousin Patsy, it was meaningful . Could easily read again for more hearing.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent