Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus' Name

by Bryan Chapell

Christians often say, "In Jesus' name" to close their prayers. But is this truly a desire of the heart or a perfunctory "Yours Truly" to God? Bryan Chapell says we should begin our prayers in Jesus' name-we should be Praying Backwards. In this practical and inspiring book, he shows readers that to truly pray in Jesus' name is to reorder one's priorities in prayer-and in life-away from oneself and towards Jesus and his kingdom. It is to pray believing in the power and the goodness of the One who hears, and thus to pray boldly, expectantly, and persistently.

Readers seeking to transform their prayer lives will find wonderful direction in Praying Backwards .

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Bryan Chapell is the president of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, the denominational seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America. He began teaching at Covenant in 1984 after ten years in pastoral ministry. Chapell has a BSJ from Northwestern University, an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a PhD in speech communication from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Before becoming president in 1994, he served for six years as vice president for academics and dean of faculty. He is a speaker in churches and conferences around the country, preaching and lecturing on topics including grace, marriage, and journalism. Chapell's online broadcast ministry, Living Christ 360, contains additional resources in his areas of expertise.

Reviews

[Phil Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read from a great author on the subject of prayer. The central theme is the importance of praying in Jesus name - rather than simply tacking on 'In Jesus name' at the end.

'Prayers in Jesus name are enveloped with concern that he be represented, blessed, and glorified. By appealing to Jesus name we surrender our prayers to his purposes.'

Some highlights...
> Chapters 4&5 are worth the price of the book itself. Wonderful explanation of the trinity at work in prayer.
> Very helpful guidance offered on how to pray/live according to God's will.
> Deals biblically with the 'name it and claim it' notions popular today.
> Included are lots of very helpful illustrations throughout.

It's a book that will leave you challenged but not guilt-ridden - which for a book on the subject of prayer is great! Highly recommended alongside DA Carson's 'A call to spiritual reformation.'

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chapell takes Scripture's basic tenets of prayer and lays them out in a simple, engaging, and logical manner. So far I've found that the only books on prayer that I really enjoy, though, are by dead guys whose words are charged with the passion of deep personal experience. This book felt more systematic to me.

[PD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of having the author as a professor in seminary. The book is great for a deeper dive into the topic or a quick skimmed read. Either way, it is a good book to have on your shelf to revisit its wisdom and encouragement.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of best most insightful books on how to pray that I’ve ever read.

[Kevin Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you notice the dates shown below, this book took many years to go through. I LOVE THIS BOOK! But, be warned, this book will punch most evangelical readers in the nose. It will point out to you how absolutely revolting the common practices of most Christians are and it will cause you to either rage or repent.

It took me years to read not because the book was difficult or because it made me rage. It took so long because as I read sections, I either realized I needed to think through implications or I needed to change my thinking about what God is teaching me in prayer. I am re-reading the book and building notes and thoughts on the ideas put forward. I have many areas to further investigate and, as seems likely, change my mind and actions.

Bloody noses aside, I wish all Christians would read through this book and seek to understand the scriptural teaching on prayer. I plan on making this a MUST READ book in my discipleship efforts within my church.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book on prayer with some very encouraging and thoughtful admonitions. However, I did walk away from it with a vague sense of "do this" and "don't do that". Mr. Chappell does admit the point toward the end that prayer has a remarkable way of changing the heart as well as the world around. And that is a truth worth remembering if Mr. Chappell's other points make you hesitate in prayer. Do not hesitate to pray...ever. No worries if you don't do it right or your heart isn't humble. No one gets it all right. However, by and large this is a really good book. Practical and covering nearly all the bases. Paul Miller's book is better but this is a solid runner up.

[Ben K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the title reflects a practice in Nigeria where I live. People actually begin their prayers by saying “In Jesus’ name”! Chappell argues here that praying this way, whether in word or attitude, changes the way we pray. To pray in the name of Jesus is essentially to pray “Thy will be done.” It submits our desires and priorities to Jesus Christ, who will always act according to his will for his glory and for our ultimate good. Filled with helpful illustrations and powerful anecdotes, this book challenged me to pray more consistently and boldly to my God who loves me so dearly.

[Tori Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jesus’ name is the beginning and end of our prayer because his glory is the beginning and end of all things."

A solid book on prayer, exploring what it really means to pray "in Jesus' name." Praying backwards is not about moving a perfunctory phrase from the end of prayer to its beginning, but rather, letting its meaning drive and shape every prayer we offer. Prayer that seeks Christ's glory and purposes as its ultimate aim is prayer that can be offered boldly, expectantly, and persistently. And as Christ gets all the glory, we get all the good.

[Josue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. Bryan Chapell explains what it means to pray in Jesus' name, and in so doing he makes it clear that prayer is much more than a simple conversation with God.

Everyone who prays should read this book.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always good to be encouraged to live a life of prayer and this book does that.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book on prayer.

[fer_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at the perfect time for me. As a Christian who is trying to practice my faith more, I always found the habit of prayer to be awkward and difficult for me. I guess I felt that prayer had to be lengthy and “wordy” for it to come across as genuine. I know God listens to me (and all of His children), no matter how articulate or inarticulate I am when speaking to Him. But, something about prayer always made me feel inadequate and insecure. I never thought that I was praying the “right” or “correct” way. I’ve always been really hard on myself on how often or how seldom I prayed. I always questioned what were appropriate or inappropriate things to pray about. I never wanted prayer (or my relationship with God) to be one where I am always asking for something. But, looking back at my younger years, I had to accept that my prayers were (mostly) just that. And, boy, was that a hard pill to swallow! 😓

Chapell had a really gentle and loving way of pointing out what prayer is and isn’t. He used Scripture to support his statements and shared real life examples to help the reader better understand his message. I accept I am imperfect and that I am a work in progress (aren’t we all?). And, the older I get, the more I seek and thirst for a meaningful, deep, healthy relationship with my Creator. And, I appreciate and thank authors like Chapell who share their knowledge and experience to help guide readers like myself who are working at bettering their practices in faith. I take with me the task of always remembering to pray for everyone/everything, to pray often, to pray with thought and meaning, and to ALWAYS, ALWAYS pray in Jesus’ name and with “not my will, but Your will be done”. 🙏🏼 ✝️

5 ⭐️

[Kylea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My last book of 2023!

What an incredible book on prayer. I found it so insightful and helpful. As the title suggests, it is about praying first in Jesus’ name rather than tacking that phrase on at the end for good measure. Throughout the book, Chapell teaches us how and why to pray with Christ’s priorities first.

While it took me a while to finish this book, it was not because the content was bad. On the contrary, it is really good and extremely helpful. It is fairly meaty. It is not a long book, but it contains a wealth of information that is meant to be read thoroughly and pondered. Of all the books I’ve read for book club this year, this is one of my favorites.

“Jesus’ model for prayer places God’s purposes as the highest priority of our petitions. This does not rule out prayers for our concerns but places them in proper order—secondary to his.”

“Prayers in Jesus’ name are essentially prayers for God to make us more like Jesus.”

“Christians pray more spontaneously when our regular habits make prayer natural rather than unusual.”

“Above all I would say pray for the glory of God. If you think of God glorifying himself in history and you say, where in all of history has God most glorified himself? He did it at the cross of Jesus Christ, and it wasn’t by delivering Jesus from the cross though he could have…that’s where God is most glorified” (James Montgomery Boice).

[librarian4Him02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the May book of the month at my church's bookstore. It was recommended by one of the pastors.

It's because of Jesus that we can approach God's throne. The author reminds the reader of this truth and that prayer flows from our gratitude for Jesus work on the cross. The author also fleshes out how Bod answers prayer and what ti means to pray according to God's will.

There was a lot in here that I already know, but it was great to be reminded. I wouldn't say my prayer life was transformed, but it definitely became more sincere. I recommend this to new Christians just learning how to pray and those who need their prayer life refreshed.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praying as it Ought to be Done

So often Christians take the name of Jesus as a pin number or code to get our petitions granted. We end our prayers with the phrase in Jesus name and think we are praying God's will. But this book tells us otherwise. In Praying Backwards, we are told repeatedly that our prayers should reflect Jesus' character and purpose. Our prayers should conform us to the image of the Savior. When the glory and purpose of Jesus is the focus of our prayers, we do not have to worry whether they will be answered.His will shall be done, and we will become more like him.

[Jen J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a quick read since it was dense but full of nuggets of wisdom. I always wanted to pray well. This desire sometimes kept me from praying more as I didn’t want to pray incorrectly or unbiblically. This book lifted some of that burden. It was comforting to read the author’s detailed examples of how praying can take different forms, structure, and length depending on circumstances. Starting my prayers in Jesus’ name is my appeal to the Holy Spirit to guide and conform my prayer to His will so that I can pray boldly, expectantly, and persistently.

[Hopson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this great little book on prayer that I started a few years back. Chapell's premise is that when we understand what it means to pray "in Jesus' name," it should revolutionize the way we pray. "Praying backwards" is about learning to pray in accordance with Jesus' will and for Jesus' glory. Fantastic book for those (like me) who want to grow in their prayer life!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read many if any books on just prayer. So taking a recommendation from Tim Challies picked up this one. I found this book very good and well written.
It strikes a very good balance of being practical and theological and explains how the doctrine drives the practical. Highly recommend.

[Daniel Mok · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book suggested that the last phase of a Christian prayer is the most important phase which set the tone and emphasis of our prayer. Thus, the last sentence might be more important to be the first one to remind us how and what to pray.

[Chan-joo Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author brings a lot of experience and encouragement for prayer. Very practical and easy to read.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. Great thoughts on prayer. Expanded my mind & encouraged me in my prayer life.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book on how to pray according to God’s will and for His glory.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative and powerful. I enjoyed this refreshing perspective.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thoughts but a little too hard to follow sometimes.

[Ana Paula Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Começando pelo Amém" em português pela Cultura Cristã

[Julie Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight on prayer

This was an enjoyable read. A good explanation of prayer and what it means to pray in God’s will, not mine.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking read. Makes you stop and think about what it really means to pray in Jesus name, and how that should influence the way we pray.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

December 29, 2023 * 4.5 stars

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Biblical and very encouraging book on prayer. I recommend anyone who needs encouragement in their prayer life to read it.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved, LOVED Bryan Chapell's Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus' Name. I've loved many, many books this year. It's actually been a great reading year. I would definitely include this one among my favorites-so-far.

So. Another book about prayer?! YES, another book about prayer. A very needed book in my opinion. The message of this one:

How would your prayer change if you began where you normally end? We habitually end our prayers with the phrase “In Jesus’ name, amen.” The amen means “truly” or even “I really mean this.” But what are we actually saying? We are supposed to be saying that everything we prayed for was offered “in Jesus’ name”—for his honor and purposes. When we pray “in Jesus’ name,” we pray for his sake more than our own. We still present our desires and concerns to God, but we do so in the context of yielding our priorities to Christ’s priorities. The final phrase of our prayer reminds us, as well as commits us, to submit all our requests to the glory of Jesus. Yet that’s not always the way we pray. Often we focus on asking God to ease our worries and satisfy our wants before adding “in Jesus’ name” as an obligatory spiritual seasoning to make our petitions palatable to God.

Prayer. I think there will always, always be a need for books about prayer. No matter the century, I think believers have always struggled with prayer, with knowing how to pray, with praying consistently, with feeling confident that they're praying rightly, with priorities. Not all books about prayer are of equal worth to believers. I believe that Praying Backwards is a great book about prayer. (I'd also say Andrew Murray's Living a Prayerful Life is a great book about prayer.)

I would say the book is encouraging and relevant and practical. I think the encouragement is crucial. Books about prayer should not be commanding and condemning, or, only commanding and condemning. I think most people--most believers--know that prayer is important and that their own prayer lives could use improvement or attention. But all the "do this, do that, be better, try harder" messages can seem paralyzing and overwhelming. Yes, it is important for books to emphasis that prayer is part of a healthy spiritual life. But it is also important that grace be extended. That is one of the many things Chapell's book does well:

Jesus is so patient. He does not condemn or rebuke the apostles for their repeated questions or elementary understanding. Seeing how Jesus reacts to his disciples is important for my own prayer life. When I am tempted to blame myself for not knowing more than I do about prayer, the patience of the Savior calms my heart and draws me to him. I know from his treatment of the apostles that he wants me close and will listen to me even when I need to ask again and again, “Lord, how should I pray?”

Too often I am too weak and distracted to pray as I ought. I am like the disciples who fell asleep while Jesus wept (Matt. 26:36–43). My shame can tempt me to give up praying, but the promises of the Spirit strengthen me. My lack of fervor is no reason to rein in my prayers. As I pray so weakly, the Holy Spirit strongly pleads for me with groans deeper than I can express to touch the heart of the Father. And the Father, who sent his Son and his Spirit to be our advocates, loves to listen—and respond.

The Father hears our prayers, not as the petitions of the fault-ridden persons we are but as the pleas of the infinitely holy and eternally loved Son, our Savior. Our union with Christ influences every dimension of the Christian life. When we worship, Christ is not only the audience of our songs, but through his Spirit he is also the singer (Eph. 5:18–20). When his servants preach, he is not only the witness of the sermon but the proclaimer (2 Cor. 4:5–7; 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:1–2). When we serve, he is not only the object of our service but the enabler (Phil. 4:13). When we pray, he is not only the Lord whom we seek but the One who speaks. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we pray with his identity.

It's a book rich in insights. I loved this: "We cannot pray according to God’s will and prioritize according to ours."