Simply Prayer

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I wish this book would have been available to me when I first began to follow Christ. There was a time when putting my praises, fears, and questions into a prayer was intimidating. What if I messed it up, misspoke, or angered God? Max Lucado shares two things in this book that every new believer needs to know: This book serves as a practical lesson in prayer for all believers and is especially helpful for those of us who have never had prayer modeled to us.

Then the author introduces The Pocket Prayer. The Pocket Prayer provides a scaffolding of sorts on which readers can begin to build their own conversations with God. In each subsequent chapter, he offers thought provoking stories and prayer prompts to guide readers in praying for themselves and others. Before Amen is concise--Max presents his ideas within the first pages of the book.

The remainder of the book is a study guide prepared by Jenna Lucado Bishop. I have a tendency to put pastors and Christian authors on a faith pedestal, so I was moved when Max confessed to being a "recovering prayer wimp". By admitting his personal struggle with prayer, it took the self-imposed weight of prayer perfection off my shoulders and spurred me to reexamine my prayer life. I believe that by building upon The Pocket Prayer, my conversations with God are becoming broader less self-centered , deeper, and stronger. Sep 20, Cindy rated it it was amazing.

For anyone who has ever wondered how to approach God in prayer or just simply how to pray, this book is for you. The book is small consisting of nine simple to read chapters. The Pocket Prayer 2. You Are Good 4. I Need Help 5. They Need Help 8, Thank You 9. Lucado started chapter one, "Hello my name is Max. I'm a recovering prayer wimp. I doze off when I pray. My thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again. Let's be honest, I'm sure some of you out there start prying at bedtime and the next thing you know you are waking up and never said 'amen'.

Or you're in church and the pastor is leading prayer and your mind zig's to what to fix for lunch or where you plan to go after church. I'm sure most of us have been there before. If you find this to be true for yourself, this book is for you. Lucado shares about the different types of prayer and how we should pray during the times that are the hardest. In the first chapter, he shares with the reader his "Pocket-size Prayer". This prayer is easy to remember and should help the person who feels they don't know how to pray get started.

So many times I have heard people say, 'I don't know how to pray'. Believe me there are many people in the world that feel that way. Lucado explains, "God will teach you to pray. I enjoy Max Lucado's writing. It is simple for the reader to understand.

A Simple Way to Pray Every Day | Desiring God

In fact, it's like he is sitting across the room talking with you. His explanations are clear and easily understood. I would highly recommend Before Amen to anyone who wants a clear picture of praying. I truly enjoyed this book. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done. Jul 12, Jerry rated it it was amazing. Max Lucado hits it out of the park once again with this excellent book on the topic of prayer!

Sep 14, Laura rated it liked it. I told him, I have to review this. You can have it as soon as I finish! He's like, when will that be? I said, it's due tomorrow. Especially as his Wednesday night sermon topics are on prayer. Okay, people call me a "Prayer Warrior. I pray as I go about my day. I have the Lord's Prayer memorized and no, that is not what I pray all day long.

I wasn't real happy to see the prayer simplified. What kind of a relationship are you going to have with someone when you communicate like that?

Simple Prayers To Say at Night

This isn't a text-message prayer we need to learn. This is real time, people! Max Lucado treats the whole topic of prayer, in my opinion, with a very cavalier attitude. Yes, God doesn't expect thees and thous. He wants a relationship. If you communicated with your best friend like that, your relationship will go downhill fast.

I also and again, this is my opinion, my husband disagrees don't condone approaching the God of the Universe with a "Hi, Daddy! He may be approachable, through Jesus. But He's not my daddy. He is my God. To me, the "Daddy" reference to God really downplays who and what God is. If you do need help praying, this is a simple, easy to read, nonfiction book by acclaimed author Max Lucado.

And he probably knows a lot more about the topic than I do. I was offered the book in exchange for my honest opinion. I have read other Max Lucado books and enjoyed them. View all 9 comments. Oct 01, Cara Putman rated it it was amazing. Max Lucado brings a fresh perspective filled with child-like faith to the study of prayer in his new book before amen.

That's what struck me about the book. The way Max Lucado highlights the true father-child relationship of prayer. I read passages of this book to my husband because they so struck me. I also highlighted, underlined, and tweeted thoughts But because in their very simplicity, the concepts urge me to approach my Father God as a child. To cu Max Lucado brings a fresh perspective filled with child-like faith to the study of prayer in his new book before amen.

To curl up in His lap and share my days and concerns. Prayer doesn't need to be complicated or pious. All that is needed is a heart ready for and seeking relationship. Sep 12, Janelle Cole rated it it was amazing. I am a Max Lucado fan. I love to read his books because he speaks on a level that, no matter what, I can relate to. I enjoy his direct approach to teaching the reader what he wants to teach them. Most of all, I feel like if I were to meet Max on the street somewhere, he would be amazingly down-to-earth and real.

That it is down to earth, real, straightforward and for everyone. You do not have to be a believer to get the things he is I am a Max Lucado fan. You do not have to be a believer to get the things he is sharing, in fact this is a great book for a young Christian. This would help a young age or a new believer to really understand the point of praying and the simplicity of it. However, this book can help the more mature believer come back to the basics and be reminded that those wordy, lengthy, "holy" prayers are not really what the Lord delights in.

He delights in real. I could have picked up this book and finished in a day, it is that easy to read. But, if you want to really get what Max is trying to say, you need to read this book slowly and really chew on the truths he is teaching. This is a book that will have a home on my bookcase, one that my middle school boys will be reading and one I expect to pick up and read again!

Sep 29, Andrew rated it it was amazing. I would recommend this amazing book to anyone who is struggling in their prayer life and they are wanting to become closer to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I liked how Max Lucado wrote in a way that was very practical and easy for readers to comprehend. Max reminded readers to come to God like a little child and I think this is critical. Prayer is the key to communicating with God and this book can be a huge benefit to you, if you take its message to heart!

A Simple Way to Pray Every Day

Feb 09, Mikayla rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book was packed with amazing advice and simple directions. I haven't enjoyed a non fiction as much since I read Control Girl I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great book on prayer, why we do it, and how to do it. Mar 14, Susan Kendrick rated it really liked it.

Reading Max Lucado is like sitting down with a cheerful, encouraging Christian Grandpa. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I stick my nose up at Max Lucado because of his lack of theological depth; othertimes, however, I just need someone who is for me and for Jesus, and that is Max's sweet spot. This book on prayer is approachable and practical. Thanks for this book. Nov 09, Josh Olds rated it it was amazing Shelves: Father, You are good.

Heal me and forgive me. All of these or one of these or some of these.

Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

Praise to the Father. In the name of the Son. Bounds classic series remains a favorite. A lot of prayer books focus on the high theology of prayer. By that, I mean that they are written in an expectedly theological style, perhaps even emphasizing the mystical nature of communication with the Godhead. Those books have their places. Before Amen focuses on the simple truth that prayer is for everyone, always. It strips away the formality, the loquaciousness, the need for etiquette and ritual.

Do you understand how amazing it is that you have unfettered intimate access to the God of the universe? The bulk of the book could be summarized with the words healing and forgiveness. Heal the temporal, the physical, the immediate; heal the eternal, the spiritual, the forever. Sorrow for her pain, sorrow for the fact that I am not yet more like her. In many ways—if I can be so bold—I enjoyed reading through this section more than the stuff Max wrote. The guide invites you to PRAY through each chapter: Personalize how does this apply to you? You can read this book one of two ways.

You can read the first hundred pages—the book proper—and leave it at that. An hour or so conversation with a friend on prayer. Or you can dive deep into the study material and make this a recurring part of your everyday life. Feb 07, Heather King rated it really liked it. I was a bit disappointed. First of all, I think it's important to know what you are getting. Max Lucado actually only wrote pages of this book, which is printed with extremely large print. So, it may only be about ish pages of a typical book. The rest of Before Amen is a study guide prepared by his daughter.

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I read the book in about an hour tops. It's the typical quality of Max's storytelling and in I have loved so many of Max Lucado's books so I expected to love Before Amen just as much. It's the typical quality of Max's storytelling and insight, but ultimately such a shockingly superficial treatment of prayer. I definitely got the sense that he had preached some sermons and then just jotted them down on paperand WHAMinstant bestseller because he's Max Lucado. Either of those books dug so deeply into the topic of prayerthe why's, the how's, the practical side, the theological side.

I learned so much! But at the end of the day, all I could say about Before Amen is that it was mildly inspirational and essentially just a pamphlet on prayer for those who don't really want to learn anything in depth about praying. I love Max Lucado's writing. I'm just glad that I picked this particular book up from my church library and didn't actually pay money to read pages. Oct 02, Sarah rated it it was amazing Shelves: There is never a Luado book that I don't come away from refreshed and convicted at the same time. Nov 21, Ema Sticea rated it it was amazing Shelves: Eu am nevoie de ajutor.

Ei au nevoie de ajutor. In Numele lui Isus, Amin. Sep 11, Marisa rated it liked it Shelves: Prayer is a form of communication that we utilize subconsciously. Whether Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, or other, we all talk to something or someone greater than ourselves. Our audience might be God or the stars and the Earth, or the little angel and devil on our shoulder—whoever receives our prayers, we all know that a listener is better than the empty air of when we talk to ourselves.

We need confirmation of our thoughts, affirmations of our feelings, and a listening ear during troubled times. This misbelief that prayer must be structured, comprehensive, and analytical prevents many people from praying regularly and having conversatios with our Heavenly Father. Therefore, Lucado believes that the easiest approach to take is to not pray at all. But prayer is essential to a wholesome Christian life, so Lucado teaches in Before Amen: In nine chapters, Before Amen discusses elements of prayer, Scripture, and behavior that can assist Christians in comprehending the simplicity of conversation with God.

Rather than a generic formalized prayer that has little application to everyday life, the Pocket Prayer is a simple statement of faith and gratitude that is easy to say anytime, anywhere. Lucado has dominated the Christian non-fiction genre and mainstream market for many years; while Before Amen is the first book by the author that I have read, I can certainly see why his books continue to remain popular.

Before Amen is quick and simple book that can be read in a few short hours. The reading level of the text is easy: However, with the limited number of pages in the book and the simplicity of the text, Before Amen lacks the depth needed to truly impact readers in meaningful way in regards to prayer life. Lucado supports his arguments with Scripture but does not truly analyze that text to persuade readers that his belief about prayer is correct.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by St. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received. I think there should be more of a balance between the intimate childlike relationship and awe-inspired reverence when it comes to our relationship with God, so one of my main problems was that it felt like Lucado disregarded the latter part. I don't really think that was his intention, that was just how I felt. Also, a lot of chapters start to seem redundant after awhile. I did really like the ABCs of gratitude and will try to implement that into my life pretty frequently.

Also, th Just average. Also, the story he told about little year-old Rebekah with a failing pancreas and her miracle book just about made me cry. Sep 20, Lisa Johnson rated it really liked it. This is a book that reads quickly, which is good when one feels the pressure of much yet to accomplish.

The book Max Lucado writes and shares with us is filled with nuggets of wisdom learned and things he is still learning. Many may look at the author as one who knows so much; yet, even Max would tell you he is still learning and that we a Title: Many may look at the author as one who knows so much; yet, even Max would tell you he is still learning and that we all should be as well. At the end of the book is a study guide for those who want to learn more, perhaps develop their prayer life more or for use in a small group. However you are led to utilize it remember Max is pointing you to the Savior.

Simple Morning Prayers

The book is not a step-by-step instructional book on how to pray, but more like understanding the heart of communicating with God. Grab a good Bible version and dwell there, look up the verses the author shares and write what you hear God saying to you.

Prayer is a command we are given by God to bring ourselves to Him and all the weights we tend to carry around in this sinful world. They are found in Scripture. They are hidden in our daily lives. They swirl around our hearts and minds and rest on the tips of our tongues. Simple prayers are for both the novice seeker and the well-worn traveler on the journey of faith. Where do you find yourself at this moment?

Are you new to faith? Have you been on this faith walk for years? Do you feel like you are losing your way? Do you feel the wind at your back propelling you into unchartered waters and have a rising anxiety about the unknown? Maybe you are looking for a way to deepen your prayer life. Then it is time to simply pray. We can trust that before we even articulate our thoughts, emotions, or needs, God already knows and desires to respond. Then in succeeding chapters he writes about different simple prayers—the prayer of the heart, the prayer of faith, the prayer of forgiveness, the prayer of unity, the prayer of restoration, the prayer of finding your way.

Chapter seven focuses on simple words to pray—a single word or very short phrase. Here is one example: To be known by God is more than saying that God is aware of us; it is to say that God desires to inhabit every detail of our lives. God is not looking for a social media relationship with us, a relationship from afar. A need for intimacy is woven into us, and we all wander until we find our home in God. I remember watching the sitcom Cheers when I was younger.

Take a moment and pray this simple prayer: Allow each repetition of this prayer to provide more and more assurance to your heart that you are indeed known by God. Your actions cannot undo this and you cannot earn it. You are not known as the sum of your skills or achievements. You are not embraced by the love of God because you have accumulated wealth or possess status. What I appreciated about this work was that it articulated a way of praying focused less on methods or tasks, and more on intimacy with the one with whom we engage.

Not all our models of prayer in scripture reduce to a word, a phrase or a few phrases. I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Aug 21, James rated it really liked it Shelves: There are lots of books on prayer, but reading them doesn't necessarily make you a better pray-er. Developing a prayer life or just knowing what you are 'supposed to do' while you are praying can be difficult.

But does it have to be? We know that 'the prayer of a righteous man availeth much' James 5: Charlie Dawes is a pastor in the DC Metro area and the former vice president for student development at Sou There are lots of books on prayer, but reading them doesn't necessarily make you a better pray-er. Charlie Dawes is a pastor in the DC Metro area and the former vice president for student development at South-eastern University.

Learning to Speak to God with Ease , Dawes describes how to develop intimacy with God through praying short sentence prayers. Or sometimes just a single word which calls to mind God's presence. In his introduction, Dawes says, "This book is for those too busy to pray and those who found their prayers to be lifeless. This is a chance to connect our prayer with historic prayers that have carried believers for centuries, and for those prayers to create space in our inner life for us to be with God" Many of the prayer sentences Dawes points us to, are drawn directly from Scripture—a phrase from the Lord's prayer, or a plaintive cry of someone Jesus encounters.

However, Dawes also draws on the wisdom of the Christian tradition—the desert fathers and the Jesus Prayer. Simple Prayer is divided into eight chapters.

Chapter 1 discusses what simple prayer is. Yet, Dawes doesn't offer a simple definition. Instead he describes how prayer shouldn't be transactional or 'a performance. In this way, Dawes invites us to find ways to pray phrases from our Bible reading as a way of entering deeper into what the Spirit of God is saying. That is basically the method. Dawes writes, "Simple prayer is not about making prayer easier or reducing the amount our lives are devoted to prayer, it is about making it more accessible and more precise" Chapter 2 is devoted to describing the theology and practice of the Jesus Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Chapter 4 explores the simple prayer for forgiveness; chapter 5, unity; and chapter 6 prayers for restoration. These chapters each follow the same pattern: It is just pages and mostly just devotional reflections on Bible verses with invitations to pray the phrases. Dawes has done the ground work and it is possible to use this book as a prayer guide, praying the phrases which Dawes has highlighted for us.

Yet simple prayer is not simply limited to these particular words and phrases, and you can take the method Dawes employs and pray other Biblical phrases. As with other books on prayer, reading this book does not guarantee we will become better pray-ers, but Dawes does invite us to pray and gives us an accessible and focused way to do it.

There is no formal method here like centering prayer or stages to lectio divina, just praying Bible phrases. As someone who hates formulas and can overcomplicate things, this instructive for me.

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