The Prayer of the Lord

So good. It’s like you are sitting listening to him in a private teaching session

Other reviews have already covered well the basic contents of this book, and why it’s a good read. So I’ll try to add something more to those other reviews.Dr. Sproul touches on the fundamental dilemma of the Power of God versus Free Will, and (in the first 10 chapters) seems to side with the former, which leaves the reader asking, “well, if God has it all figured out, then why pray at all?” And actually, Dr. Sproul answers this question in the Appendix (to the effect that prayer can, on occasion, change outcomes). To his credit, in the Appendix Dr. Sproul seems to acknowledge that his profound faith in God’s universal design cannot be reconciled with the fact that sometimes prayer can affect outcome. While Dr. Sproul indicates that there are “many, many [examples] that clearly show that prayer does achieve things” (pg 116), the examples he provides are mostly scriptural. However, one example of which I recently became aware is the case of Barbara Cummiskey Snyder, who was miraculously cured of multiple sclerosis due to the apparent power of community prayer in 1981 (this can be verified by internet searching). So, yes, prayer still works in the modern era.Personally, I think the Appendix of this book ought to become a Preface. At any rate, I would suggest reading the Appendix first, as this may remove the issue (i.e., re the power of prayer) from the reader’s mind, which can otherwise become a distracting background nuisance when reading the book.Another “plus” for this book is that Dr. Sproul addresses where translation of the original Greek texts of the Gospels into English leaves The Lord’s Prayer somewhat lacking – specifically, “will” (pg. 54), and “evil” (pgs. 89-90). This kind of linguistic analysis is helpful, and takes the book beyond merely being the author telling us how he personally interprets the meaning of these potentially ambiguous English words.The author is to be commended for a well developed analytical approach (sans speculation) to interpreting the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer, and for avoiding side issues for which there are no real answers (e.g., “to be effective, does prayer have to be verbal, or will mental thought alone do the job?”)Finally, this is the rare book where, after reading it, I did not feel compelled to purchase more books on the subject (sorry, Amazon). Basically, the book answered all of my questions as to: (i) an analysis of the meaning of The Lord’s Prayer; (ii) how to pray; (iii) what to pray for; and (iv) the significance and power of prayer. At a mere 122 pages of primary text, this book gets the job done.

Prayer is one of the bedrocks of the Christian faith because it is the transformative medium through which believers communicate and fellowship with God. Yet, prayer cannot be done “any old way” because it is a dialogue with a Holy and Omnipotent Creator. The question then becomes: Is there a map one can follow on how to pray? The answer is yes and it is found in the blueprint Jesus gave to His disciples, The Lord’s Prayer.The Prayer of the Lord explains the “prayer map” and guides the reader on how to navigate that map.The book proceeds through a line-by-line analysis of The Lord’s Prayer. Sproul explains what Jesus told His disciples to pray, why He told them specific items, and what this means for us on how to pray. Additionally from Biblical, theological, sociological and historical perspectives, he extrapolates profound understanding and its subsequent implications for contemporary life.The Prayer of the Lord equips the reader with a tool belt of teachable principles that can then be applied to anyone’s prayer life. Furthermore, the author often makes some short detours to explain some of the more complex issues that arise with understanding principles such as how not to pray, temptation and sin, and what making the unseen kingdom of God seen really means. If you haven’t read some of R.C. Sproul’s other books, you will be treated to some short expositions on discerning God’s will and what it means to pray to an unchanging Lord.This book will help any curious mind to better understand one of the foundations of the Christian faith (prayer) using The Lord’s Prayer as a prime example. It goes without saying that anyone involved in Christian education, preachers and ministers will discover tremendous value in this book. The book is short and written in clear, plain language so I presume that even younger believers will not think this text to be “over their head.”Reading The Prayer of the Lord will forever change your prayer life and in turn bring you closer to God.

As usual, RC Sproul is on point. This is an excellent summary of the need for prayer and how to properly meet that need.

Anyone looking for resources to help them in their prayer life should consider this book. I have read several books on prayer and found this to be one of the more helpful ones so far.

I gave this book a five star rating because I am a simple man with an inquisitive nature. Dr Sproul has taken the Lord's prayer from scripture and made it alive. I enjoy reading but I lose interest and get distracted easily. This book I could not put down, I was captivated. I recommend this book to everyone who has ever said the Lord's prayer. Christian or not. It truly will open your eyes to the truth of God's word.

A small book packed full of punch.Jesus gave us the example for prayer by way of the Lord's Prayer in Luke and Matthew. RC Sproul provides a powerful insight into each of the verses of this very short prayer. This insight has helped refine my prayer life.Too often our prayer life can become very self-focused, however, Jesus demonstrates that it should be centred on the glory of God. Praise and adoration can sometimes be difficult. But I find when I start thanking and praising God my heart softens as I turn my attention to Him and off myself.Then true relationship can commence.Each verse has its own short chapter that is easy to read.This is beautifully written and I'll be encouraging friends to read it.

This book was the last book my husband was going through before he died in a road crash. I continued reading it after he went home to our true home and has been a great help for me to understand what we know as the Lord's Prayer in a deeper and biblical manner. RC writes with so much clarity as he talks. What a blessing from God.