Lois Herrington reviews ‘How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People’, by Pete Greig (2019)

I have a mini-library of books on prayer, and I have read many more, all of which have impacted my own prayer life to a greater or lesser degree. But this one is different, and it fulfils its own brief by being “a simple guide for simple people”. Nicky Gumbel writes in the Foreword, “This is indeed a book that does what it says – it explains how to pray”.

Pete Greig is well-known in the world of prayer, having co-founded the 24/7 prayer movement, and having written several other books on the subject. This is his latest, and in his own words, flows “from the practical discoveries we’ve made in hundreds of pop-up prayer rooms, praying night and day over the last twenty years”.

Because of its down-to-earth approach, which deals honestly with aspects of prayer that most of us will have struggled with at some time, such as being assailed by doubts, or coping with unanswered prayer, it thoroughly deserves a place on any prayer bookshelf. Its strength is its simplicity: I couldn’t find any weaknesses.

The whole book is laid out in a way that encourages us to read it. It is full of examples from Pete’s own life, and from family and acquaintances, peppered with wisdom from writers ancient and modern, and backed up by Scripture. Each chapter concludes with the description of the life of a ‘hero’ who exemplifies the theme of the chapter.

Peter is a master at the use of the diagram, bullet-points and other literary devices in order to grab the attention of his reader and make it easier to memorise and put his ideas into practice. For those who want to dig deeper there is a companion volume entitled ‘The Prayer Course’, a free online programme for small groups, available at www.prayercourse.org.

The book comprises twelve chapters and uses an easy four-step prayer rhythm, each step of which is illustrated by consecutive phrases from the Lord’s Prayer. The four steps are an acronym of PRAY.

If it is time to restructure the rhythms of prayer, this is the book for you. Read it through first, then keep it beside you to dip into from time to time, or use it as part of your devotional time, reading a section each day.

'How to Pray' (240 pp) is published by Hodder & Stoughton, and is available from Amazon for £9.64 (inc p&p). 

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Paul Luckraft reviews ‘A Roomful of Elephants: My First 80 Years in the Church’, by Patrick Forbes (2021)

This is a book for those who like autobiographies, especially those full of reminiscences. The author is now in his 83rd year and is keen to explain his life and vocation in great detail. He either has a remarkable memory or has kept copious notes on a regular basis. Personally I wanted to hear more about God in his life rather just a succession of facts and appointments.

This isn’t quite the ‘entertaining autobiography’ of its publicity, but it is enjoyable in parts, especially if you like the sea, clowning or religious broadcasting.

Perhaps the most relevant part of the book is at the end when Forbes talks with honesty and realism about the Church of England and its future. He tackles the question, “What is the point and purpose of the Church?” (p.218), and refers to the way it is shrinking and the crisis caused by staffing shortages. But he comments that such vacancies can be both good and bad, in particular good if “congregations learn that they may very well be more resourceful than they imagined” (p.194).

He concludes that there is a future for the Church of England “but not without massive change, and probably a great deal of pain” (p.218). In that sense, his voice should be heard.

‘A Roomful of Elephants’ (234 pp) is published by Bauhan Publishing and is available from Eden Christian Books for £13.23 (inc p&p).