I recently finished reading “A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a distracting world” by Paul E. Miller. It is probably the most accessible thing I have read on the topic of prayer. This book is not highly theological or difficult to understand. It is also very thorough on the topic and fun and easy to read. Since the book is filled with many personal stories, the chapters seem to fly by.
The book is broken up into five parts. Part 1 discuses “learning to pray like a child.” Miller talks about how a child is dependent on their parents for things, and our entire lives should reflect that relationship between us and God. God is our heavenly parent, and we should be dependent on Him, constantly seeking his help, approval, gifts throughout the day in prayer. Our prayers should also come from a place of child-like faith, believing that our Heavenly father can and wants to give us what we are asking. The author compares a praying life to family mealtimes because prayer is about relationship. When we are having fun and enjoying a good family mealtime, we typically don’t think about communication or the right words to be saying; instead we focus on our relationships with the people we are with. Prayer should be similar to this experience.
The author talks about the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians where he begins praying in chapter 1, verse 16, and continues on until he begins giving instruction. Then, he continues again in prayer in chapter 3. The author says, “Paul’s praying is all over the map. It is classic ADD praying. He starts praying, interrupts himself, starts praying again, gets distracted, and then finally finishes his prayer” (p. 28).
The author suggests using “breath prayers” or “the Jesus prayer” as a way to slip into prayer during odd hours of the day. Praying a simple, one-line prayer like, “Lor Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (p. 56).
The opposite of child-like faith types of prayers is being cynical. We tend to become more cynical as we get older, even towards God. The author talks about moving out of cynicism in our payers to become more child-like in our faith. He quotes Yoani Sanchez, “Unlike our parents, we never believed in anything. Our defining characteristic is cynicism. But that’s a double-edged sword. It protects you from crushing disappointment, but it paralyzes you from doing anything” (p. 65).
The real-life application parts of this book come during the final few chapters. In chapter 32, Miller talks about prayer journaling. He says that using a prayer journal helps you stay focused and keeps your mind from wandering. You can write down worries, joys, and other prayers. One of the advantages is that it allows you to recall patterns of what God is doing in your life.
Miller also introduces a method of prayer that uses “prayer cards.” These cards are discussed all throughout the book, and examples of prayer cards can also be found throughout the book. However, Miller most accurately describes the process in the appendix, beginning on page 275. You can use physical note cards or you can use the app called “A Praying Life” available on iTunes or Google Play. He suggests labeling the card with a person’s name, and jot down phrases that capture your concerns or what you want to ask for. He encourages you to think beyond the person’s immediate needs such as surgery going well, and consider the big picture of his or her influence, character, calling, faith, etc. Then, consider what particular Scripture you want to see working in that person’s life. He provides a compilation of Scriptures by category and topic at http://seeJesus.net/prayercards. Miller suggests initially creating three to four cards that you pray through every day. Then, gradually add two or three weekly cards to each day of the week.
I feel like this book has helped me tremendously with my prayer life, shaping my experience to be more child-like in posture. I have begun to implement some of the strategies he has suggested like the prayer cards into my own prayer life. I have started to rotate cards that I use on a weekly basis.
If this review was helpful, let me know! You can contact me on any of my social media profiles linked to this website. You can also purchase “A Praying Life” by Paul Miller here.
