First published in 1992, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home has become a classic on its eponymous subject. Awarded Christianity Today's Book of the Year award and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Medallion award, Prayer continues to receive widespread acclaim as one of the most thorough and insightful treatments of this central spiritual practice.
Following the structure of his 1.2 million copy-selling Celebration of Discipline, Prayer explores three spiritual "movements" of prayer: inward, upward, and outward. Within each movement he looks at seven different types of prayer, for a total exploration of twenty-one separate forms of prayer.
Coming to prayer is like coming home, Foster says. "Nothing feels more right, more like what we are created to be and to do." This accessible, rich, and reliable guide shows how each of the various forms of prayer can move us inward into personal transformation, upward toward intimacy with God, and outward to minister to others.
Amazon.com Review: There are hundreds of books on prayer, and much of the advice they contain is likely to be the same. So what distinguishes these books? Call it a kind of wisdom, a sense that here's someone who knows something of God's heart. A good example can be found in this fine book by the Quaker writer and teacher Richard Foster. The author of the bestselling Celebration of Discipline explores various aspects of prayer, which he defines in one place as "the human response to the perpetual outpouring of love by which God lays siege to every soul." Beginning with the simplest forms of prayer--what he calls "ordinary people bringing ... ordinary concerns to a loving and compassionate Father"--he then explores the deeper places where prayer becomes not simply petition but a way of life. He writes of prayer of adoration and rest, sacramental prayer, meditation, and contemplation, and in the final section of the book moves outward into ministry, where prayer meets the needs of the world. In each chapter Foster defines, describes, and gives helpful examples. Above all he writes with grace--in both the artistic and spiritual senses. --Doug Thorpe
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Best Book on Prayer
Foster would probably quibble with my description, "best book on prayer," but that's ok. The book is a phenomenal introduction to the rich variety of Christian prayer. The chapters are short enough to ... Read More
Rating: - The Better of the Two!
C of D was very good. Prayer out does C of D by a long shot. Layers of good stuff are on every page. Buy and Read.
Rating: - Fantastic!
One of the best books on prayer I've ever read. He's very rooted in Scripture and yet very thorough in His observations on how we, as humans, interact with God. It continues to challenge me as I read through ... Read More
Rating: - Piercing my Heart...
God used this wonderful book to pierce my heart with His truth. He has opened my eyes to what prayer really is and deepend my desire to be in converation with Him. This book has taught me new ways to approach ... Read More
Rating: - How to methods of prayer
I am in a study/prayer group which is using this book as a guide. I find it helpful to discover new depth in prayer.
