Experiencing Prayer with Jesus
by Henry and Norman Blackaby
Published by Multnomah Publishers
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame
In this book the Blackabys provide a powerful framework for effective prayer: the prayer life of Jesus. They build from the passage in Hebrews ("In the days of His flesh") that emphasizes Jesus' humanity. The communication He maintained with His Heavenly Father was done in the same humanness that we experience. What He can do, we can do. It was His priority.
Prayer was Jesus' lifeline to a loving Heavenly Father. In communicating with the Father He felt that love and loving presence. It was also prayer that allowed Him to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22).
The Blackabys also emphasize that Jesus' experience with prayer began with relationship before petition. He enjoyed the presence of His Father before He asked things of His Father--even for others.
Another key learning point they draw from the life of Christ is that prayer is about submission and surrender. Jesus prayed out of a surrendered heart (Hebrews 5). "Through His prayer life, Jesus always knew the Father's intentions. The prayers of Jesus released His life to His Father's will."
This book not only provides the readers with the "whats" I've been describing, but is also filled with the practical "how-tos." For example on page 34 Henry provides a delightful approach to how to respond to people who have heard from the Lord His will for your life!
Armchair Interviews says: This book is for those who recognize the importance of prayer and want their prayer experience to be one of intimate communication with the Father.