Prayer

Does It Make Any Difference?

By: Philip Yancey

Narrated by: Larry Black

Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat of our relationship with God: prayer. What is prayer? Does it change God's mind or ours or both? This book is an invitation to communicate with God the Father who invites us into an eternal partnership through prayer.

Polls reveal that 90 percent of people pray. Yet prayer, which should be the most nourishing and uplifting time of the believer's day, can also be frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery.

Writing as a fellow pilgrim, bestselling author of What's So Amazing About Grace? Philip Yancey probes such questions as:

• Is God listening?
• What should I pray for?
• If God knows everything, what's the point of prayer?
• If my prayers go unanswered, is there something wrong with my faith?
• Why does God sometimes seem close and sometimes seem far away?
• How can I make prayer more satisfying?

In this powerful classic of spiritual insight and investigation, Yancey tackles the tough questions about the mystery of prayer and, in the process, comes up with a fresh new approach to this timeless topic.

"I have learned to pray as a privilege, not a duty," writes Yancey, and he invites you to join him on this all-important journey.

Critic reviews

'...a reader-friendly book...subtle, elusive, and evanescent, inviting readers to discern their own meaning....'Prayer' can help reinvigorate a prayer life. It invites us to believe that God is listening.

'...offers readers' compelling insights about the topic of prayer, exploring the mysterious intersection where God and humans meet and relate....'

'...one of the many small evidences of this book's forcefulness is the number of times I did put it down -- the number of times I interrupted my reading because I was inspired to pray....[This] is the rare book about prayer that, rather than inadvertently distracting me from the pursuit of a praying life, actually prompts me to pray....'

'...the author's exploration of the topic includes a candid assessment of his own sense of failure, along with his growing sense of wonder at the possibliities of conversation with God....'

'...the experience of reading 'Prayer' is similar to the experience of prayer itself: a meandering journey with streaks of brillance, communion, illumination, and satisfaction....'Prayer' is a reader-friendly book, peppered with vignettes and sidebars from people attesting to the power of prayer....[It] is subtle, elusive, and evanescent, inviting readers to discern their own meaning....'Prayer' can help reinvigorate a prayer life. It invites us to believe that God is listening.'

'...theological substance, quality of biblical reflection, and readability...make it accessible even to those coming to faith, Bible reading, or prayer for the first time....Yancey writes more as a journalist, with a sharp eye for detail and an investigative unwillingness to force conclusions....One of the chief benefits of Philip Yancey's work is that he'll go where the evidence leads....'

'...Yancey writes...as a journalist, with a sharp eye for detail and an investigative unwillingness to force conclusions. Chapters are short, but brimming with juice. Stories abound. Part of the time, Yancey just wonders about prayer. And Yancey...is a mighty fine wonderer....

'..a new and powerful effort....Philip Yancey asks the tough questions about prayer that many are afraid to ask....Yancey writes as a friend and fellow-struggler, giving voice to the questions we may ponder but never bring up....This questioning process...inspires us to pursue prayer more earnestly....[This book] will encourage you as you meet with God daily and bring the details of your life before Him. You'll develop a stronger prayer vocabulary and a richer sense of the mystery and joy of prayer....'

'[Prayer] is well researched, captivating, and meets the reader right where he/she is at in the moment....If you are like me and have difficulties in praying then this book is a must for you.'

'Gently and with intelligence and compassion, Yancey works toward a vision of prayer as a kind of 'awkward rehersal' and, ultimately, toward the kind of conversation humankind had with God at the beginning of creation.'

Great & Informative

Fantastic book with a lot of spiritual insight and experiences. well researched and full of relevant scripture

Prayer - a profound open discussion

I am always reluctant reading books on prayer, as I usually expect pat answers and formulas on how to do it "right." Being a Christian for many years, and praying for just as many, I've never felt that I really understand prayer.

Yancy, in this philosophical, apologetic, somewhat theological, and honest work, explains the ins and outs of prayer in a way that has profoundly impacted my life. To be sure, he doesn't have all the answers (he doesn't attempt to). He asks the hard questions about prayer that we all have stirring deep inside us, and gently points us to Christ as he helps us understand the real reason we pray.

This is a must read for anyone.

Enjoy and be blessed!

Paryer is something we all need to understand.

Where does Prayer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Yancey is a very good writer and he knows his subject. Anyone that prays to God needs to read this book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Talking to God.

One of the books ever written about prayer!

One of the best books I have read about prayer. Rich and deeply insightful. Pregnant with critical knowledge and ever giving!

Another well assembled and meaningful book

This book helps answer some intriguing questions about prayer and provides many more questions for us to ponder. Great book and performance.