A well-crafted and welcoming Christian guidebook to the intrinsic value of prayer.
A Christian pastor muses on the benefits of prayer in this spiritual reflection.
A popular misconception about prayer, writes Jones, is that its worth is “measured in how many of our prayers God answers just as we want.” He suggests that prayer’s real value is the “treasure of talking with God,” who gives us “unfettered access and open invitation.” After an introductory chapter that provides a broad overview of prayer, including how it is defined in the Bible and examples of the various forms it can take (from songs and rote liturgical recitations to unique, individual, and even silent prayers), the bulk of the book pinpoints 10 specific “treasures” that an active prayer life offers. These include the fostering of virtues like persistence, honesty, and forgiveness, as well as lessons about embracing limitations and appreciating simplicity. Each chapter follows a similar format that makes the work an ideal daily devotional, beginning with a brief story from the author’s life; Jones reminisces about discovering his grandfather’s baseball card collection, growing up on his family’s farm, and his and his wife’s struggles with infertility. From there, the chapters reflect on how each treasure is reflected in the examples of Jesus and other figures found throughout both testaments of the Bible. Designed to encourage personal meditation, each chapter concludes with reflection questions, Scripture passages, and lined pages with prompts for “Prayer Practice.” While the work reflects the author’s theological underpinnings as a Lutheran parish pastor (Martin Luther is frequently cited throughout), it is broadly ecumenical; the author cautions against placing singular trust in “our nation, political parties, [or] denominations” and promotes a welcoming brand of Christianity that respects differences in belief. The third volume in a trilogy about applying spiritual lessons to everyday life, this book targets lay readers with a thoughtful, accessible approach that blends nuanced spiritual analysis with straightforward explanations and relevant anecdotes. The engaging text is accompanied by ample illustrations and other visual elements.
A well-crafted and welcoming Christian guidebook to the intrinsic value of prayer.Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2026
ISBN: 9780758682208
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Concordia Publishing
Review Posted Online: Aug. 10, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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