Victims may approach a relationship with God with distrust and a lot of questions. Philip Yancey is the kind of author that communicates well to such an audience. This book on prayer is not the standard instructional manual nor the straightforward encouragement to pray. As Yancey does in his other books, he takes the questions and objections of others seriously, and admits to his own doubts and struggles. For that reason, this book may be more “in tune” with the Christian who wonders how God did...

I've been running around with a book called "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" in my purse for six months. When people would ask what I was reading and carrying around, I'd shuffle my feet and change the subject, too embarrassed to pull it out and share. But I'm going public with this, because it's a good book! I apologize if the fact that I sometimes read contemporary spiritual self-help books messes with my friends' much-too-high opinions of me.Ahem. Yancey writes so beautifully about the

Like it says, this book tackles the question of the usefulness of prayer, and how to do it well. There has been many reviews already, so I shall just list some things this book brings up:- how essential it is to be as honestly ourselves as possible when we pray, and honestly express our positive and negative feelings, joy and rage, doubt and faith- what is the point of praying, what limits there are- to not shy away from 'wrestling with God' when we pray- the difference that praying can make on

Today I finished Philip Yancey’s book entitled, “Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?” Yancey has a very readable, approachable style and he presents as a very sincere person. But this book is not worthy of your time or attention. If I did not make myself clear, I cannot recommend this book.This book is not bereft of some helpful devotion thoughts. That is, in fact, Yancey’s strength. He is a concise, caring writer who approaches his subject matter with enthusiasm and sincerity. The problem with...

This is the fourth Philip Yancey book that I’ve reviewed here on Goodreads. I have rated all of these books at 5 stars. He is becoming one of my favorite Christian authors. I believe this book outshines them all. This is a book that is simultaneously comprehensive in its research but personal in its telling. An examination of the back of the book will reveal the breadth of resources consulted. This is no dry, intellectual dissertation, however. Throughout the book he shows real, relatable, day-t...

As the spring offering for my bible study group, Yancey's book was met with less enthusiasm than expected. A lot of us -- faith-filled women who have been enduring unusual hardships involving major, life-threatening health issues experienced by close family members (e.g., cancer, Alzheimer's, spinal surgery followed by life-threatening blood clots in the lungs, paralysis after a fall, and two deaths) -- really struggled with it. Had we not been so invested in one another's lives, it would have b...

Best book I’ve ever read on prayer! Gave me permission to pray the way that works best for me, encouraged me with the stories of others who have also had a hard time focusing while in prayer, and also helped clear up or at least give an explanation for some confusing Bible verses about prayer. I will read again soon, this may be an “read every year” book.

Sometimes depressing - left me with a feeling hopelessness about prayer midway through the book before pulling it out of the tailspin. Provocative, deep, sometimes depressing and sometimes hopeful, a compelling writing style never left me bored.

I enjoy reading books by Philip Yancey because it feels less like a book I've read and more like a conversation I've had. I can't say this book left me with any new profound techniques or answers that completely upend & transform my spiritual life. But I'm thankful for the conversation.

How many times in your life can you honestly say, "I am absolutely SURE God answered my prayer."...if that number is small, no wonder you wonder if everything would have turned out the same if you hadn't prayed at all.Philip Yancy addresses this, as anyone who writes on the subject would have to, since the experience is so prevalent. He gives the standard and usual Biblical answers. I personally don't find those answers satisfying, so I didn't find this book satisfying either.Phillip has some go...

Quite dense and, as he calls it in the end, research-heavy!:) But worth the try and digestion! It comprises several intellectual approaches on prayer, pertinent questions and a willingness to understand and know, just to end up every time admitting that we know partly and that to understand God (if there is such a thing), another kind of perception is needed, and there is always a dose of mistery that must live with.I loved it, loved the different points of view in it, the story - oasis, the str...

Yes, I am finally finished this book. It is not something to gulp, but to chew on little bits at a time. I have underlined much and it will continue to be a go-to book for me. What I love about Yancey's writings is that he does not pretend to have all the answers. In fact, he candidly admits to many of thee questions and doubts we have, as well as sharing thoughts from letters he has received and from some of the great heroes of the Christian faith. They,too, have their struggles and questions.

Loved his other stuff, couldn't get into this one.

Through reading this book, I have a calmer sense of prayer and what it really means. I still have questions but also trust that God has the answers and maybe I don't need them.

Philosophical book on prayer. Well written and thought provoking.

Rather than feel rebuked for my lack prayer I am encouraged to keep praying anytime, anywhere and about anything. “Some prayers go unanswered, a sense of God’s presence ebbs and flows, and often I sense more mystery than resolution. Nevertheless I keep at it, believing with Paul that “now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known”Philip Yancey deals with some tough stuff in this treatment on prayer and does not shy away from the questions we all have. The proof that God i...

I'm so glad I found this book! Yancey addresses many of the hurdles I face when I think about prayer and how to approach it. It was a relief to read that my own difficulties are common and it helped me re-frame how to think about prayer and how to improve my prayer life in a meaningful way. Very useful! Highly recommend!

My favorite chapter was Chapter 14: "Tongue-tied." This chapter talks, in part, about distractions that come up while praying, and it was a great reassurance to me to know that great prayer warriors have dealt with distractions just like I do.Teresa of Avila admitted to shaking the sand in her hourglass to make her hour of prayer go faster.Martin Luther wrote of his own experiences, and added: "Resolve to pray earnestly, and no doubt you will see how large an assortment of your own thoughts will...

TL;DR paraphrase: "I actually have no idea, but I think yes, because [anecdotal evidence] and [quotes from the Bible], but only in certain situations and definitely not in any way that we can quantify." Which, actually, is the most honest answer I've ever had to this question. It's not a satisfying book, and it didn't suggest anything that I haven't already heard in my 30ish years within the evangelical Christian subculture, but yeah, I appreciate the candor. Sometimes "I don't know" is the only...

Philip Yancey is insightful and relatable in this in-depth look at prayer. He combines his own thoughts and experiences with those of others to look at many of the doubts and questions people have about prayer. He doesn't offer easy answers, but it's a hopeful and thoughtful book, one to own and reread.