Before Amen by Max Lucado

From the publisher:

We all pray . . . some.

We pray to stay sober, centered, or solvent. When the lump is deemed malignant. When the money runs out before the month does. When the marriage is falling apart. We pray.

But wouldn’t we like to pray more? Better? Stronger? With more fire, faith, and fervency?

Yet we have kids to feed, bills to pay, deadlines to meet. The calendar pounces on our good intentions like a tiger on a rabbit. And what about our checkered history with prayer? Uncertain words. Unmet expectations. Unanswered requests.

We aren’t the first to struggle with prayer. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance too. In fact, prayer is the only tutorial they ever requested.

And Jesus gave them a prayer. Not a lecture on prayer. Not the doctrine of prayer. He gave them a quotable, repeatable, portable prayer. Couldn’t we use the same?

In Before Amen best-selling author Max Lucado joins readers on a journey to the very heart of biblical prayer, offering hope for doubts and confidence even for prayer wimps. Distilling prayers in the Bible down to one pocket-sized prayer, Max reminds readers that prayer is not a privilege for the pious nor the art of a chosen few. Prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child. Let the conversation begin.

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I have not read a Max Lucado book in years but when I was given the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour I jumped at the chance.  

Max Lucado is know for his simple, yet deep, Bible studies.  I was blessed by reading this book.  The preface to his book is so true, we all pray...some.  But wouldn't we all like to pray in a way that really makes a difference.  

Lucado's answer is found in the simple prayer of Jesus.  After all, who better to learn to pray from than Jesus Himself.  Lucado breaks down the Lord's Prayer into simple phrases that each hold meaning and further study.  The simple phrases make this book memorable beyond just sitting down and reading it.  I have found myself praying the simple phrases and then elaborating what I need to say to God after those phrases. This is not a rote prayer that you must pray to feel close to God or have the perfect prayer life, but guidelines that will help you carry a prayer around to pray at all times.  

Readers will find themselves drawn to having this conversation with their Father, one simple prayer that can flow into a conversation with their God.  

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity as a part of this blog tour.