Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

In his most powerful book since What's So Amazing about Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey probes the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect---the very heartbeat---of your relationship with God: prayer. In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between you and the God of the universe. In practice however, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat—the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect—of our relationship with God: prayer. What is prayer? Does it change God’s mind or ours—or both? This book is an invitation to communicate with God the Father who invites us into an eternal partnership through prayer.

Editor-at-large of Christianity Today and much-published author Yancey (Reaching for the Invisible God) takes on a deep and difficult subject in his latest book. Collections of prayers are many; admonitions to pray are endless but what good does prayer actually do? Prayer, to Yancey, has many styles and purposes, e.g., lament, gratitude, and grace. Gently and with intelligence and compassion, Yancey works toward a vision of prayer as a kind of "awkward rehearsal" and, ultimately, toward the kind of conversation humankind had with God at the beginning of Creation. Highly recommended. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Yancey strikes a moving chord with this book that is more full of yearning and wonder than it is of easy answers. Prayer, he writes, is our partnership with God, our chance to join forces with God's power to confront suffering and evil head-on. Yancey is candid about his nagging sense of failure in prayer, but the book is suffused with a cautious hope; he writes of his growing confidence and joy as his prayer life has deepened from a spiritualized to-do list to a conversational communion with God. The key, Yancey writes, is that prayer is a window into knowing the mind of God, whose kingdom is entrusted to all of us frail, selfish people on earth. As with his other books, Yancey draws upon his international travels to bring a fresh perspective to the topic, detailing, in nations such as Romania and South Africa, how he believes prayer has transformed hearts and permitted bloodless change. The book's strength lies in its balance, with Yancey holding equally important ideals in a beautiful tension: action and meditation, doubt and certainty, and the unchanging God with the God who appears so moved by people's petitions in the Bible that he changes his mind. Yancey also offers some startling and insightful observations about Jesus' own prayer life. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

"…a reader-friendly book…subtle, elusive, and evanescent, inviting readers to discern their own meaning….’Prayer’ can help reinvigorate a prayer life. It invites us to believe that God is listening. — The Cleveland Plain Dealer



"…Yancey writes…as a journalist, with a sharp eye for detail and an investigative unwillingness to force conclusions. Chapters are short, but brimming with juice. Stories abound. Part of the time, Yancey just wonders about prayer. And Yancey…is a mighty fine wonderer…. — Christianity Today



"…offers readers’ compelling insights about the topic of prayer, exploring the mysterious intersection where God and humans meet and relate…." — Homecoming (Bill and Gloria Gaither)



"Philip Yancey approaches the mysteries of communicating with God in this thoroughly researched yet highly accessible book….[He] skillfully interweaves Scripture with insights from Christian thinkers of many traditions, cultures, and eras….Fresh anecdotes and relevant testimonies of ordinary people give the book a compelling quality." — The Banner



"Philip Yancey is that rare example of a self-proclaimed recovering fundamentalists who is actually a spiritually healthy human being." — Birmingham News



"…the experience of reading ’Prayer’ is similar to the experience of prayer itself: a meandering journey with streaks of brillance, communion, illumination, and satisfaction….’Prayer’ is a reader-friendly book, peppered with vignettes and sidebars from people attesting to the power of prayer….[It] is subtle, elusive, and evanescent, inviting readers to discern their own meaning….’Prayer’ can help reinvigorate a prayer life. It invites us to believe that God is listening." — The Plain Dealer



"[Prayer] is well researched, captivating, and meets the reader right where he/she is at in the moment….If you are like me and have difficulties in praying then this book is a must for you." — 1340MAG.com



"He knows that the main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, but to know God." — Christian Science Sentinal



"Philip Yancey has done it again: taken a much-written-about topic and infused it with freshness and deeply mined relevancy….This is a valuable read for anyone: youth worker, pastor, parent, mature teen -- anyone." — YouthWorker Journal



"..a new and powerful effort….Philip Yancey asks the tough questions about prayer that many are afraid to ask….Yancey writes as a friend and fellow-struggler, giving voice to the questions we may ponder but never bring up….This questioning process…inspires us to pursue prayer more earnestly….[This book] will encourage you as you meet with God daily and bring the details of your life before Him. You’ll develop a stronger prayer vocabulary and a richer sense of the mystery and joy of prayer…. — Presidential Prayer Team



"…theological substance, quality of biblical reflection, and readability…make it accessible even to those coming to faith, Bible reading, or prayer for the first time….Yancey writes more as a journalist, with a sharp eye for detail and an investigative unwillingness to force conclusions….One of the chief benefits of Philip Yancey’s work is that he’ll go where the evidence leads…." — Christianity Today



"…one of the many small evidences of this book’s forcefulness is the number of times I did put it down -- the number of times I interrupted my reading because I was inspired to pray….[This] is the rare book about prayer that, rather than inadvertently distracting me from the pursuit of a praying life, actually prompts me to pray…." — Books and Culture



"Yancey strikes a moving chord with this book that is more full of yearning and wonder than it is of easy answers….[It’s] suffused with a cautious hope….The book’s strength lies in its balance, with Yancey holding equally important ideals in a beautiful tension…" — Publishers Weekly



"Gently and with intelligence and compassion, Yancey works toward a vision of prayer as a kind of ’awkward rehersal’ and, ultimately, toward the kind of conversation humankind had with God at the beginning of creation." — Library Journal



"…the author’s exploration of the topic includes a candid assessment of his own sense of failure, along with his growing sense of wonder at the possibliities of conversation with God…." — Today’s Christian Woman



"Yancey’s combination of talent, research, and openness about his own struggles make ’Prayer’ worth looking into if you…have ever felt frustrated with your prayer life." — Relevant Magazine

Average Rating:

8 of 22 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by David Way (Salt Point, NY), June 30, 2009

I'm currently reading Yancey's Prayer: Does it Make a Difference for the third time. It's the best book on prayer I've ever read. As always, Yancey is honest, transparent and authentic. His quoting of letters sent to him by people of all walks of life is a very interesting feature of the book. Yancey avoids cookie-cutter Christian cliches. He explores prayer from many viewpoints. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Marlys Samler (Orange, CA), June 12, 2009

This is a great book, says what I have often felt or thought about prayer. Very helpful.

Reviewed by Stan Brown (Georgetown, On,), May 19, 2009

As an avid reader of anything by Philip Yancey, this book {although not finished} has not let me down. Instead, after Nouwen's thoughts on prayer this is welcom addition for answers to so many who keep asking why?

Reviewed by Greg (Raleigh NC), February 16, 2009

While Philip Yancey writes about some profound theological concepts, he is not a theologian. In his own words, he writes "as a pilgrim, not an expert." His writing reflects a nonjudgmental, humble willingness to learn from others. His writing style is warm and engaging, and his thorough research results in many beneficial insights. All that said, not everyone will agree with every word he writes. The book offers many gems, including this one: "A sense of unworthiness hardly disqualifies me from prayer; rather, it serves as a necessary starting point. Apart from feeling unworthy, why call on God in the first place? Unworthiness establishes the ground rules, setting the proper alignment between broken human beings and a perfect God. I now consider it a motivation for prayer, not a hindrance." (page 185)

Reviewed by Sophie Stanley (Ballston Spa, NY), October 03, 2008

We are reading this book as a group and loving every bit of it. It doesn't give definative answers as much as it makes you think about the way you speak to the Lord and gives you ideas to improve your relationship with Him. I really like it and would recomend it to anyone.

Reviewed by Joanne Bollig (Tempe, AZ), September 19, 2008

I am reading this book in conjunction with leading the class at our church using the DVD/participant's guides. I've used excerpts from the book to help with class discussions. The book is a wonderful read on it's own, very insightfully the author takes you on his own journey discovering the value of prayer

Reviewed by David Mcnair (Orleans, On,), August 05, 2008

All the issues that honest people who try to pray struggle with are addressed in this book. It's a great resource.

Reviewed by Rebecca Beeler (Hendersonville, TN), June 04, 2008

As with all of Yancey's books, Prayer is excellent! I would encourage everyone to read it.

View all 22 Reviews

Write a review of Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

• Books
• Books >> Christian Living
• Books >> Christian Living >> Prayer
• Books >> Christian Living >> Prayer >> General
• Books >> Christian Living >> Prayer >> General >> Practical Instruction
• Christian Living
• Christian Living >> Prayer
• Christian Living >> Prayer >> General
• Christian Living >> Prayer >> General >> Practical Instruction
• Start A New Christianbook.com Search

I'm the author/artist and I want to review Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?.