This is the best book to start with if you have never read anything on the subject of prayer. Every aspect and question about prayer is addressed by Hallesby. He has a tremendous ability to put the reader under grace about his prayer life as he explains why all Christians have difficulty in prayer. Hallesby describes the subtle forms of attack that Satan will use to defeat your praying. Extensive thought is given to the relationship between prayer and ministry. This book is very readable and practical.
While lacking some of the intimate understanding of Hallesby and Murray (see below), Sanders compensates with clarity and Scriptural explanation. In this regard he is better than Hallesby. Sanders covers every conceivable aspect of prayer with down to earth practicality. He covers such topics as the different dimensions of prayer (worship, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession); the examples of Jesus and Paul; perseverance; and waging spiritual warfare in prayer, to name a few. This book would make an excellent teaching tool because of its practical outlines. Recommended for any age believer.
Few authors can write on the subject of prayer with the depth and conviction of Andrew Murray. He writing flows straight from his own victorious struggle to pray consistently. Murray was convinced that the sin of "prayerlessness" was the chief cause of weakness and failure in the church. Until we confess that our lack of prayer is sin and inexcusable, we will not see spiritual power unleashed through us as God intends.
Furthermore, vows and promises to "try harder" and make more time will result in further failure. In the area of prayer, just as in all areas of spirituality, we must fall dependently upon Christ as our only hope to learn how to pray and as our sustainer in prayer. This is a refreshing point for anyone who feels as through prayer is something we have to generate from within ourselves. What Murray is seeking to demonstrate is that a feeble prayer life is merely a symptom of a feeble spiritual life. This reveals our tendency to "life after the flesh" even in our ministry work.
The rest of the book goes on to relate prayer to other areas of the Christian life, such as sanctification, the Holy Spirit, and the Word. Even though at times Murray is frustratingly abstract, the book is a gold mine of insight and motivation toward a deeper walk with God.
This book was down right inspiring! Bryant surveys not only the historical effects of Christians committed to corporate prayer, but he also gives a run down on what is happening among praying Christians world wide. That is why he uses the term "concerts of prayer". He challenges us join with believers near us, and in spirit with the church at large to pray in concert for the church to be awakened with zeal to the Lord and for the world to be prepared for the gospel.
Bryant believes we are on the threshold of another major surge in world wide church growth. He has a good rasher of evidence that this is indeed true. The only question for us is will we be in on the action or miss the boat? Start with concerts of prayer says Bryant. The book is loaded with ideas for starting a prayer group.
This book was written with a particular audience in mind--Christians living in a fast-paced world where no one seems to find time to pray. By using examples from his own personal experience, Hybels explains how he finally developed the skill of intimately communicating with God after years of merely "tipping his hat" to the Almighty. Then, with the aid of Scripture, He verifies God's willingness and power to answer even the most seemingly impossible requests.
He also answers some common questions concerning prayer. For example, Hybels explains why some prayers may go unanswered. Anyone who has experienced this dilemma will be surprised to learn that the problem lies with the believer himself--not God! Next, Hybels recommends spending quiet time with God, rather than praying on the run and describes a journaling technique to aid this process. Finally, he teaches believers, in extensive detail, how to listen to God in prayer and thus discern God's will for their lives.
For those who prefer brevity, this book is desirable. Yet it still manages to say a lot in a short space. Nee emphasizes how significant the role of prayer is in the accomplishment of God's will. He reminds us that things do not happen and the Kingdom of God is halted by the lack of prayer among Christians. I think Nee overstates this to the point of making God appear controlled by the church, but beyond this he has a lot of good content to consider. Especially insightful are Nee's chapters on prayer and spiritual warfare.
Rather than instructional books on prayer, these are excellent portraits of people who prayed and how they prayed. By reading the Letters we gain a very personal glimpse into the heart of a mature man of God. The Letters unveil Schaeffer's spiritual crisis that occurred after he had been a Christian for 20 years. As he writes over a period of years, his new found joy and closeness to God emerges with increasing clarity. L'Abri is the history of the Schaeffers' work and how prayer was so central the establishment of their worldwide ministry. Those who are acquainted with Schaeffer through his apologetic works with be pleasantly surprised to discover the lifestyle of that great thinker.
This book would not be classified as a prayer book, but it is very helpful for understanding what goes on in the unseen realm of angels and demons. It is written as a suspense novel rather than an instructional book. The author makes a point of showing the ramifications of prayer in the spiritual world. The main character in the book is seen as a great threat by the demons because he is a praying man. Most readers say two things about This Present Darkness: it is hard to put this book down, and it woke them up to the reality of spiritual warfare. Peretti makes it possible to imagine what is going on around us daily.