A Praying Life (Paul E. Miller) | Book Review
In early March, a few days before receiving a “Stay at Home” order for Coronavirus prevention in Allegheny County, I began reading A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller. I’d heard a number of friends and family members speak positively of the book in the past and I decided to give it a read myself.
Little did I know how timely Miller’s message would be in the season in which we were about to enter...
As you might guess, I didn’t decide to pick up A Praying Life because I felt that my prayer life could not be better, and I merely wanted to stock away some further resources in spiritual reserve. I’ve believed in the value of prayer in the past – for my own personal practice of faith, in my relationship with my wife, and as a practice for Christian community. Prayer has been a regular part of my life and daily routines. That said, prayer has often felt mechanical to me - a verbal preface or summary to my day, meeting, or meal - and a bit unnatural. Miller’s writing led me to gain awareness of some reasons why that might be, and to consider more deeply the role that prayer can play in my life in response to the grace God has shown me through Jesus.
From the outset, Miller establishes that prayer is one of the primary ways we connect with God and experience Him in our lives. Why do so many people struggle to pray? Because we make prayer itself our goal rather than recognizing that prayer is instead a means for us to pursue the greater goal of connecting with God.
Viewing prayer itself as the goal rather than a means for connecting with God is an area where I can see that my perspective has done astray in the past, to my own detriment. When we fail to recognize this distinction, prayer becomes a spiritual task to accomplish rather than an opportunity to enjoy relationship with the God of the universe, who also knows us personally, cares for us deeply, and desires for us to experience His presence and provision our daily lives.
Miller also teaches that the number one criteria for turning to Jesus in prayer is weariness. Miller unfolds scripture, showing how, in prayer, we are to turn to God with our fears, anxieties, struggles, and weakness. When we do this, we are recognizing with our words and actions that we are a people in need. Our lives, our world, and our hope are in God and not ourselves. This concept hit home for me in a profound way. Why do I often fail to pray with an engaged heart and mind? Because I often rely on myself as the provider over my life rather than relying on God.
In reflecting on this truth while wrestling with anxious thoughts and uncertainty over what the future might hold as the impact of the Coronavirus became increasingly widespread, I felt a conviction to turn to the Lord with my thoughts and feelings in a more candid, present, and conversational way. I desire to live with a deep awareness of God’s presence and provision in my life. However, that begins with recognizing my need for God and yielding control to Him as the One who is over my life... This is humbling, but SO life-giving.
When we turn to God in prayer, we are reminded of the truth of the gospel – by grace through faith in Jesus Christ we are restored to right relationship with Heavenly our Father. He loves us deeply and we have His favor. He knows our needs and He is eager to provide.
Any person who trusts in Christ can be confident in that truth as we turn to God in prayer.
Throughout the book, Miller addresses numerous topics related to prayer in a helpful manner: How to make sense of a wandering mind, how to stay focused, and how to pray in a personal, authentic manner. Miller discusses how to combat our doubts and cynicism about prayer and he shares some helpful ideas on how to implement the use of prayer cards as a method for praying for God’s work and will in the lives our of loved ones, community, churches, and world as part of a daily prayer routine.
This practical teaching is helpful, but the strength of A Praying Life is Miller’s gospel-saturated vision for prayer as a way to enjoy and experience life in relationship with God through Christ. The message is clear from cover to cover - God is worthy of our trust and praise. Life is better when we yield control to Him and live connected to Him in active relationship – through prayer - as our Savior and Sustainer. If you want your life to be more about Christ and less about you, you will find A Praying Life to be richly rewarding!
