Quiet Talks on Prayer

by S.D. Gordon

The "Quiet Talk" series, written in the early 1900s, was a popular series that sold over 2 million copies. Quiet Talks on Prayer was one of the more popular books in the series. In the distinctive and admired style that made S.D. Gordon famous, the writer explores the creative power unleashed in the place of prayer. Gordon leads you out of the habitual, forced patterns of prayer into a realm where prayer lives as it is activated by the Spirit of God.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction

173 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

Samuel Dickey Gordon was a widely traveled speaker in high demand. A prolific author, he wrote more than 25 devotional books. He also traveled to Europe and Asia as a missionary. A plain man, controlled by a strong desire to edify God's people, he won the respect of the learned and at the same time the affection of the simple.

Reviews

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically packed with amazing truths and meaningful, impactful ways to live out those truths! Excellent!

[Kindra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply moving, unhurried discourse on prayer. Stirring, motivational, challening, but encouraging. Talks through prayer in different settings and stages of your relationship with God, absolutely laced with hope.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sneaked and borrowed this book from my dad's library as a teen, and it helped provide a positive influence that I was not finding in my peers. S.D. Gordon writes like the "Max Lucado" of his generation, with engrossing word-pictures of Bible scenes that draw us in. His description of Paul's denied prayer request of the painful thorn stood out to me as a teen, and the imagry has stayed with me. "Although God denied the request, He answered the man." I have turned to S.D. Gordon's description of this scene a couple of times in the course of my life. I read that passage aloud to a group of women studing Angela Thomas' "Brave Questions Women Ask" in the week studying the thorn. I also played Twila Paris's song, "The Thorn" for them, from her "Cry for the Desert" CD. In this most recent time rereading Quiet Talks on Prayer, other stories stood out to me, as well. This is also the best description I've seen of how to pray for loved prodigals. Another good book on that topic is Ruth Bell Graham's "Prodigals and Those Who Love Them."

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off with some hard hitting points made about the state of your heart as it relates to prayer. And he also has some great encouragement for unanswered prayer too. This book was good for providing direction on how to pray more effectively and also for creating a sense of urgency in my prayers. He really pushes the idea of the power in prayer, which I don't hear much of these days. We are so accustomed to power of many different types but not prayer. One hears and reads so much about prayer as part of relationship but Mr. Gordon really drives home the concept of prayer as a weapon in a cosmic battle. And this is where he gets me. It makes me want to throw down everything and pray. If you decide to read this, then buckle your seatbelts because there is no sugar coated anything about what Mr. Gordon has to say.

[Rebecca Lewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian Classic

Simple, yet profound, biblical exegesis on the subject of prayer. This was the first book in the subject that I ever read. It was life altering as a baby Christian. Now, after years in the Faith and the reading of many other classic works on the subject, as well as much reading and study of the Bible, I find this book still teaches me, still motivates me, still inspires me.

[Lynda Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books that read this, I am looking forward to reading it again, soon!

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I really enjoyed it. Every believer would benefit from listening to this book.

[chris hoban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effective and inspiring

Christians who desire to be part of the Father’s plan should meditate on these wonderful examples. Very encouraging and too important to ignore!

[Maree Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was interesting and has definitely given me a lot to think about and implement as I pray. I loved the analysis of Jesus's life and how he prayed. The times of solitude to be with the Lord were Christs preferred choice of rest and sustenance in ministry. It is how he prepared to be tested by the devil, how he prepared for miracles in the crowds, and how he prepared in the distressing hours of his approaching death. I liked the explanation of prayer being a partnership with God when you willingly submit yourself to his will. I feel uncomfortable when the language used in prayer verges on the side of entitlement which I found in here regarding the salvation of loved ones. He also said something about how God never imposes on someone's will and I just can't put it all together, it doesn't make sense to me. There was some other random stuff on spiritual warfare which I just have no idea about, my brethren upbringing didn't prep me for this and I don't know where the line between what is a healthy fear and dangerous fascination sits.

"A strong will perfectly yielded to God's will, or perfectly willing to be yielded, is His mightiest ally in redeeming the world."

"Shall we not plan to meet God alone, habitually, with the door shut, and the Book open, and the will pliant so we may be trained for this holy partnership of prayer. Then will come the clearer vision, the broader purpose, the truer wisdom, the real unselfishness, the simplicity of claiming and expecting, the delights of fellowship in service with Him."

"Through the lips, what we say. It may be said stammeringly and falteringly. But if said your best with the desire to please the Master it will be God blest."

[Tom Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a million editions of this book. Mine was issued by Bethel Baptist Print Ministry in Canada. It's a well done paperback, with good size font and clear print. Now then, the content...

Thoughtfully meandering. The book roams around. It reads like a series of disconnected daily devotionals about prayer that sort of got stitched together. I don't normally do well with that type of thing, and it bothered me here. Accounting for that then, the content was decent everywhere, and in some places rises to downright thought-provoking. I read it slowly out loud to our men's prayer group over many weeks.

It is a profitable book in that meditating upon prayer is a profitable exercise, but it doesn't have the urgency of Bunyan, the tender heart of John R. Rice, the organization of Jack Hyles, or the conviction of E. M. Bounds.

[Emma Troyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so inspirational and motivational. There is a lot of food for thought, so it's a good idea to take it slowly and think about it. It has challenged and changed my views on how to pray, why to pray, and where to pray. It really is a good read!
I'm still not sure I agree with every statement the author says, but I agree with most of it.
I read this e-book for free, so that's always a plus. You can download it here http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13196

[Jeff Karlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great find!

I had never heard of S.D Gordon until I read this book. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read on prayer. It is practical and inspiring. I’ve been a Christian for 45 years, but I still learned much from the book. I highly recommend it.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful teachings on prayer. Will be re-reading often.

[David L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Book but Applicable today

Gordon’s insights on prayer are as relevant today as when he wrote these talks in prayer more than a hundred years ago.

[Lance Towers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Gordon does more than present how-to's. He offers inspiration. This classic has stirred my soul to kneel and lay hold of God. I believe that learning how to pray comes from the practice of prayer itself. But a goodread on prayer rekindles the faith that such a practice is worth my while. This book has done that.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because the book is not structured in the typical format of many other books it is not very well written and doesn’t seem to have an easily identifiable thesis. It seems clear that these are simply written transcriptions of verbal lectures and little effort as gone into making them cohesive with a proper introduction, understandable transitions, and a summarizing conclusion. Though I am not suggesting that a modern author should add these posthumously, I do wish Gordon had taken the time to do this to leave a more cohesive resource to later generations.
However, this is likely the only negative critique I have for this extremely valuable resource and gift to the church. The talks are not only beautiful in wording and exquisite in symbolism and illustration but are doctrinally and theologically rich! I especially loved the first two parts of the book. In part one I was blown away by seeing prayer in the larger context of a spiritual war that has been occurring for thousands of years. The fact that we can project our true selves thousands of miles away by simply bowing a knee, closing the eyes, and arriving in a foreign land to assist in a spiritual battle with God’s power is an amazing concept. I need not be “called” to the subcontinent of India to affect change and build God’s kingdom! I can do the greatest work from my very own private prayer closet! I can do more than pray but I cannot do anything of real value until I pray. This is an amazing thought!
I was also impressed by Gordon’s ability to explain the hindrances of prayer. This is something that so many Christians have a difficult time with. If God is all powerful and I am his child, why do my prayers go unanswered? And so, Gordon masterfully walks through each and every reason presented in Scripture that a person’s prayers may not be answered. He begins by explaining that a person will not have prayers answered unless he has a personal relationship with the God of Heaven through Jesus Christ. This relationship allows the believer to understand the correct methods of prayer such as praying in the will of God, having a time for prayer, a place for prayer, the use of Bible in prayer, following the leading of the Holy Spirit in prayer, praying in Jesus’ name, and praying in faith. Without following these Biblically prescribed methods of prayer combined with a listening ear, a believing heart, and willing mind – our prayers will be hindered.
Lastly, the explanation and illustration of Jesus’ prayer life was done in such a way that was memorable and extremely helpful. The fifteen examples of prayer in the life of Jesus was a perfect way to end a book on prayer. This showed us not only the importance of prayer in the life of our Savior but the example of how to pray. I’m thankful that Gordon added this portion to this book.
I was somewhat irritated as Gordon seemed to overemphasis the importance of praying in the will of God. I am not opposed to this practice and would have been extremely disappointed if he had neglected to speak of this necessary truth regarding prayer. I simply believe that Gordon overemphasized this point. It became almost redundant in reading and brings the student to the point where he may want to skim through certain paragraphs that seem to repeat superfluous information. This, again, gives me reason to wish this collection of talks would have been better edited and produced by the author or those closely associated with him. If these works had been better edited and published they may have had an even greater life and ministry throughout the ages to come for the truths are second to none.

[Yonasan Aryeh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gordon presents a lot to consider regarding prayer. Written in 1904 and recently republished, this book is quite old and has been a heavy influence on current academics such as Dave Earley at Liberty University. The book is written in a fashion that feels like a small dialogue with the reader, which seems to be the prompt for the title, “quiet talks.” Gordon’s asssertions are heavily-influenced by Arminian views, approaching G-d’s sovereignty as something G-d set aside for the sake of man’s free will. This approach is not without issues, however, as the Bible contains events by which man’s free will was set aside so that G-d’s purpose would occur. Two such instances would be Pharaoh during the Exodus event and Judas the Betrayer. However, Gordon could counter both arguments that G-d forcibly intervened because He needed to set up Y’shua’s death, and both events were necessary for such to occur. Additionally, Gordon could argue that Pharaoh hardened his own heart, and that Judas chose betrayal of his own volition, but Scripture clearly indicates that G-d was involved in that process, to which the issue of G-d’s sovereignty and man’s free will arises. How does it work with those in play? Gordon would like to present that man’s free will is so paramount that G-d simply cannot act on His sovereign will because it would be outside His nature to allow free will to mankind. It is a difficult theological problem to consider, for certain.
Apart from establishing strong theological viewpoints without a solid base, Gordon does present other issues, seemingly creating new theological doctrine regarding the dominion of land, when although G-d gave the land to Adam, Adam did not own it, but was simply a caretaker. G-d still owned all of creation, otherwise G-d would not be able to forcibly remove Satan from his post in Revelation, as recorded for apocalyptic purposes. Such a situation does need to be carefully considered. Overall, Gordon’s work feels like he is establishing a theological doctrine without much proof, as if his word is proof enough. This is disconcerting in this regard. Otherwise, Gordon’s writing is quite old and it brings valid question to its relevance today, since most studies require source within the past twenty years or so. If the doctrine of prayer has not changed since Gordon’s writing, then perhaps it should be re-evaluated. That said, the Azusa Street Revival has happened since the initial publication of this book, which has introduced newer theories regarding prayer and prayer life. Given this, Gordon’s book, which a short and challenging read as far as theological beliefs go, is deserving of an update altogether. The content of this book seems quite similar to Dave Earley’s book on prayer (Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders), yet Earley’s positions do not reflect anything outside Gordon’s initial statements.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts I was very quick to understand what the author wanted to convey and other parts I found more difficult to discern what the author felt important. A friend recommended this book to me in the past particularly for the section in part III about "May We Pray With Assurance For The Conversion Of Our Loved Ones".

[Michelle Fuqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Written a long time ago, S.D. Gordon is dead and gone, but through this book, leaves a legacy on prayer and intimacy with God. Prayer allows the believer to get in line with God's will.

[Kimberly Yoghourtjian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite Talks on Prayer is written by a man who lived in a different era, but the truths that are taught on prayer remain timeless. S. D. Gordon offers the reader deep insights on the subject of prayer. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with God.

[Светлана · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right behind E M Bounds for me--one of the best books I have found on prayer.

[Darlene Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult book to read because I'm not so used to the English of the time this was written. It has some good points, good tips.

[Brent · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on prayer. It does take a little while to get used to the writing style, but it is worth the effort. I will definitely be reading this one again.