Helpful Score: 2
This book was like a breath of fresh air to me. At a time when I was hurting emotionally and wondered at God's hand in my circumstances, this book opened my eyes to God's gracious, loving, care for His own. Since that time I have reread it many times and always find fresh insigts on God's character, that He desires (and commands)us to pray, and that it is His very nature to hear AND ANSWER prayer. So often we hear "God always answers prayer, either yes, no or maybe", yet Dr. Rice challenges this thinking, by using scripture to show that all true asking, if it's done according to the biblical guidelines, will receive the answer - exactly what was petitioned. He does make it clear that it is not always God's will to heal, and there is a chapter devoted to praying according to His will, and what that means, as well as two chapters devoted to hindered prayer. But he used many scriptures that challenged me to see that when I am not receiving answers to my prayers, that I need to examine and find out why. Dr. Rice is well-known and respected in Christian circles and is very sound theologically, basing everything on scripture. He also gives many examples of answered prayer from his own life and from other Christians. On a personal note - this book helped my prayer life to go from merely "talking" to God, to knowing how to "petition" Him with my requests, and I can personally testify to many answered prayers, that if I had not had the boldness to ask, I am sure I would not have been blessed by seeing God work out the answers in such ways that I knew it was Him alone that could answer so wonderfully. I have also seen Him answer specific requests for opportunities to share Christ with loved ones, and I can say without a doubt that my God is a "Prayer-Hearing" God. I am confident that Dr. Rice's teaching on the Bible verses about prayer will offer new insight and challenges to all who read it.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great book! Not only is it full of scriptural principles on prayer, but examples of incredible answers to prayer. This book was great encouragement for my husband and I when he lost his job; we read it together. Of course, God answered prayer and he has a good job now. This book is great encouragement also for those with lost loved ones, illness in the family, whatever you need for God to answer for you. Even for mature Christians it is good to examine yourselves, to see that your prayer life is what it ought to be.
