THE MESSAGE OF PRAYER (BIBLE SPEAKS TODAY SERIES)

Written by Tim Chester Reviewed By Geoffrey Grogan

This book is very welcome, not only because prayer is a vital part of the daily lives of all true Christians, but also because it is all too rarely treated theologically. Confessing, as we all must, that he does not find prayer easy, the author says that his aim is to produce a treatment of prayer in which the Bible sets the agenda. He has fulfilled this aim admirably.

There are sixteen chapters, arranged under two headings: ‘The Foundations of Prayer’ and ‘The Practice of Prayer’. Each chapter focuses on one, two or, in one case, three passages of Scripture, although the very first takes a considerably broader view, for the passage given in brackets after the subject heading is ‘Genesis 1 to Revelation 22’!

The five studies on the Foundations of Prayer are concerned with prayer as the conversation of friends (an introductory chapter which stimulates us to read on), prayer in its relationship to each Person of the Trinity, and praying with faith. Most of those on the ‘Practice of Prayer’ are based on the prayers of Biblical people such as the patriarchs, the OT saints, Hannah, the psalmist, Paul and, supremely, Jesus, but there are four entitled, ‘Praying together for the world’, ‘Praying in the battle’, ‘Praying when God is silent’, and ‘Praying in eternal perspective’.

The general thrust of the book is eminently positive and constructive but some passages are obviously deliberately provocative, compelling the reader to think hard and to return to the Bible to see what it actually teaches. How about this, for instance?

Do you think your prayers are more likely to be answered if you are living a more godly life or if you are also fasting or if you bind demons in your prayer or if you pray for two hours rather than one hour? If we are inclined to answer yes to any of these questions then we have not grasped the grace of God in the gospel. We have not grasped the sufficiency of Christ’s mediatorial role.

We could use these questions as conversation starters between Christians or we could seek answers in the Bible. The former will undoubtedly happen, but it is the latter which is Dr Chester’s main concern.

He emphasises the importance of truth, saying, for instance, ‘the route to true heart-felt praise is not evocative music or emotional atmospheres but the truth of God’s character and ways’. He has a strong emphasis on prayer as an activity rather than a passive mystical experience. He says that in prayer we should follow the example of Biblical believers in using arguments, and he shows that the three great arguments are the promise of God, the mercy of God, and the glory of God.

While recognising the place of private prayer, he emphasises the importance of corporate praying. He has some particularly helpful comments on prayer in relation to the debate about theistic openness. He agrees with the open theists that prayer really does change things but he goes on to show that this is because, in God’s eternal purpose, it is used by him as an instrument of change. This means that it is a function of his sovereignty, in which we are given the privilege of co-operating in the fulfilment of his plans.

The book is furnished with a good bibliography and a useful study guide.


Geoffrey Grogan

Glasgow