Why We Pray [eBook]

Prayer is foundational to the Christian life, but many people don’t really understand it. What is it for? How does it work? Why do we do it? This short and accessible book explains what prayer is, why it exists, and how it can encourage us in our life of faith. Written by a pastor with years of teaching and counseling experience, Why We Pray doesn’t simply tell readers why they should pray, but instead focuses on four blessing-filled reasons that will help Christians want to pray. Rather than feeling discouraged and disheartened by their inconsistency in prayer, readers will feel reinvigorated to approach God with confidence and joy, delighted by the privilege of talking directly to their loving heavenly Father.

William Philip has been senior minister of St. George’s-Tron Church in Glasgow, Scotland, since 2004. He was formerly director of ministry at the Proclamation Trust in London and is now chairman of Cornhill Scotland, an organization committed to training pastors for expository preaching. Prior to ordination, he was a doctor specializing in cardiology.

“Prayer is a particular kind of relationship to God, not a technique. By examining the fundamentals of that relationship—who he is and who we are—with straightforward Bible exposition, William Philip helps you understand and enter into it.”
—Timothy J. Keller, Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City; best-selling author, The Reason for God

“There are not many books on prayer, and there are fewer good books on prayer. Here is a handbook on the subject that combines clarity and brevity and provides us with a thoroughly biblical and understandable framework for prayer. I commend it enthusiastically.”
—Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor, Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio

“Philip grounds prayer in the nature of the triune God, thus avoiding the modern evangelical tendency to make ‘the experience of prayer’ central. When divine Sonship and not feelings define you, then you have real prayer with a real God. This book will bless you.”
—Paul E. Miller, Director, seeJesus; author, A Praying Life and A Loving Life

“This book made me want to pray! It shows us what God is like—a Father who speaks, and whose adopted children are able to speak to him, by his Spirit. It is thoroughly biblical, honest, and entertaining. Philip takes our eyes off ourselves and our performance and onto God—Father, Son and Spirit.”
—Caz Dodds, Scotland Assistant Team Leader, UCCF

“Wonderfully refreshing, biblically realistic, and personally motivational—this book cuts through the stereotypes and guilt about prayer and presents us with our amazing privileges, at the heart of what it means to be a child of God. It will do your own heart good!”
—David Jackman, Former President, Proclamation Trust, London, England

“To speak freshly about prayer is neither easy nor common. Philip has done it here. In answering so well the big question he has set himself, he has enriched my thinking and practice.”
—Dick Lucas, Rector Emeritus, St. Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate, United Kingdom, Founder of Proclamation Trust

“In this wonderful book I find that my prayer life needs a reality check. The heart of prayer is not only talking to God, but knowing I pray because God is a speaking God.”
—Karen Loritts, author; conference speaker; blogger, MomLife Today; mother of four and grandmother of eight

“In this fine book on prayer you will find no super-spiritual hype nor dry detachment, but robust and sensitive exposition. Philip has put us all in his debt by this little book, which can be read with enjoyment in one sitting, but will reward repeated study and will give both challenge and encouragement.”
—Bob Fyall, Senior Tutor, The Cornhill Training Course, Scotland

“I found my heart and will deeply moved by the key premise of this book: that we learn about prayer by learning about God. He speaks—are we listening to him? He sends his Son—are we responding to him? He is sovereign—do we trust him and think his thoughts after him? He sends his Spirit—do we realize we’re empowered to pray? Internalize these great Bible truths, and your prayer life will come alive.”
—Rico Tice, Evangelist; author, Christianity Explored

“It’s refreshing not to have another Christian how-to book. Philip takes us right in by the front door and down the stairs to examine the very foundation of prayer. As he presses us to face the why, we also find help with the what and the how. I found these studies an essential exercise in thinking, a welcome source of relief, and a gentle lure to repentance.”
—Dale Ralph Davis, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary