Slowing down and making prayer a priority – that’s something I wanted to learn more about. And as this was written by respected pastor and author Bill Hybels, I hoped it would actually give me plenty to think about. Yes! This book checked all the boxes and is a 5 star read.

As many other reviewers have mentioned, this book was easy to read and understand. And it was easy to relate to, as we are all too busy for our own good. I appreciated Hybels’ honesty, his clear writing style, and the book’s ability to make me think. I was reminded that praying is not only talking to God, but also listening to what he has to say to us. Remember the phrase “that still, small voice”?

An example that resonated with me was Hybels’ explanation of taking time to pray: “The moments with God that follow are the ones that really matter. This is where authentic Christianity comes from. Not from prayers on the run, not at Christian concerts or conferences, not when I’m flying around here and there, even if I’m engaged in ministry. No one can become an authentic Christian on a steady diet of activity. Power comes out of stillness; strength comes out of solitude. Decisions that change the entire course of your life come out of your times of stillness before God.”

Hybels presented a journaling technique as a disciplined way that works for him to communicate with God daily. The book also includes a guide for prayer, to get you started as you begin to make time for prayer on a regular basis.

This would be a great book for a small group to read together and discuss, as it contains discussion questions for each chapter. And if you read this on your own, the questions work well for reflection.

I was looking for something that would focus on an important aspect of Christian life in an informative, encouraging way – and I found it in this inspiring book. ( )

Awesome! ( )

This book had a profound effect on my praying because it strongly encouraged me to write my prayers, a practice I had dabbled with a little bit, but this set me on it for good.

Bill Hybels takes you through prayer - knowing God is listening, how to pray, what happens when your prayers aren't answered, quieting yourself and listening, and finally how prayer becomes action and having a heart for others.

While much of what Hybels says is practical, his style is conversational and in my head he's writing the prayer book equivalent of Rick Warren's A Purpose Driven Life - lots of exclamation points, some Scripture, but more emotionally than intellectually driven. It's useful, good information but I found myself comparing it to Timothy Keller's Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, which I read last year and personally prefer. ( )

I don't like formulaic patterns for prayer. I need to be able to be creative. That being said, I seem to shy away from prayer completely rather than being formulaic. One line I liked: "What is MY immovable mountain? Could I have stood in its shadow for so long that I've actually grown accustomed to the darkness?" ( )