This is How We Pray by Adam Dressler

This book is unlike any other I have read on prayer. Dressler writes about his experiences of prayer and his thoughts about them. He adds insights from the Bible and books he has read. I would describe this book as thoughts on a philosophy of prayer. It is not a how to book but I have learned more about prayer from it than many others I have read. This book has made me think about prayer, the why and how of doing it. I was surprised Dressler writes about our prayers and how they relate to our character. That gave me much to think about.

One particular aspect of the book I really like is Dressler's honesty. He writes about his feelings when he prays and nothing changes. He feels disappointed and that God is ignoring him. Yet he senses that there is a greater reality than what he is seeing and feeling. And he keeps praying. He writes on topics like pain, silence, repentance, and more.

He reminds us that we cannot know spiritual reality like we do physical reality. Yet we continue to pray to our unseen God. We continue to seek the friendship and love of God. He suggests when we get distracted we try to see God in it and ask what He wants us to learn in this situation. He writes about our wanting control and our frustration when God does not do as we think He should. He writes about a life of prayer in that we recognize the presence of God all the time.

I recommend this book to readers who are on the journey of knowing God through prayer. Perhaps you are puzzled by prayer, the doing of it or the meaning of it. You will gain insight from Dressler about simply being present with God, growing in your relationship with Him. You'll be challenged too.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Adam Dressler is the lead pastor of Grace Community Church on Clarksville, Tennessee. He has a bachelor's degree in theology from Oral Roberts University and a MTS in Christianity and culture from Harvard Divinity School. He lives in Clarksville with his wife and their four children.

FaithWords, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.