Book: Too Busy Not To Pray

By Bill Hybels

This was a really fast and interesting read on the importance of prayer, also quite practical on the how. I can see myself reading this again in the future. I also really like the discussion questions in the back of the book for each chapter; it can definitely be helpful if you’re leading a Bible study on prayer. =)

Some takeaways for me:

- I don’t (want to) pray because I forget (or don’t know) who God is. If God is able, willing, and powerful like I believe He is, why would I NOT bring my deepest needs to God everyday?

- “The real reason my prayers were weak was that my faith was weak (p.37).”

- Prayer of ACTS

• Adoration: set the tone with adoration of God to remind us of God’s identity, and to reinforce reality of who we are in light of that.
• Confession: Confess sins specifically rather than “forgive all my sins”. By feeling the pain/embarassment as we list each way we offend God, it helps us to hate sin more.
• Thanksgiving: Thank God for blessings in our lives, whether it’s answered prayers, relational blessings, spiritual blessings or material blessings.
• Supplication: Present requests to God – there is none that is too small or too big for God. He is interested in our lives!

- Writing down prayers can help us to see God’s past faithfulness.

 - On mountain-moving prayers: “Faith comes by looking at God, not the moutain (p.50).”

- Slow down life to pray. Listen. Test and approve of promptings.

- 2 verses:

• Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcneds all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Matthew 7:9-11

Which of you, if his sons asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Time to stretch my prayer life, woot!

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