R.C. Sproul. Does Prayer Change Things? Sanford, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, March 14, 2019. 97 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Have you ever wondered: Does Prayer Change Things? Or have anyone ever asked you this question before and you don’t know how to answer it? This book answers this question rather wonderfully. It is not only biblical in the answer but also practical while also written in a vocabulary and style friendly for a general audience.
This is the third booklet in the Crucial Questions Series by the late theologian RC Sproul that I am reviewing. I appreciated that Sproul wrote this and also made it available for free on Kindle and cheap in paperback format. Of the three books I’ve reviewed thus far this is probably my favorite one.
The book itself is divided into six chapters. I love how the chapters in this book is alliterated with the letter P. The first chapter is titled “The Place of Prayer” while chapter two covers the purpose of prayer and chapter three is on the pattern of prayer. Chapter four is the practice of prayer and chapter five is titled “The Prohibition of Prayer” and finally chapter six is on the power of prayer.
One of the best thing about this book that I like is how Sproul answered the question of why pray if God is in control of all things or know all things. God commanding it is sufficient enough for us as Christians to pray to God. Sproul also pointed out that prayer changes us and that alone should be a reason why we should pray. Of course prayer doesn’t change God’s mind but Sproul points out it does changes things (Location 88). What was very helpful from Sproul was his illustration of how spouses who know each other very well still communicate with words even if they know each other and what each other has to say; likewise the point of prayer is a relationship with God so similarly we should pray.
This book was also practical and I appreciated chapter three being an exposition on Jesus’ teaching on prayer. Chapter four covers the four types of prayers that you hear often taught to Christians with the acronym “ACTS” which stands fro Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
I recommend this book and this was theologically stimulating and also spiritually edifying.
Thanks for the great review. Love R.C. Sproul. It is great this is free on Kindle.
Thank you pastor Jim. I have read the book. Totally agree with your review.
God bless you.
You’re welcome! Wow glad to hear you have read this book too. I imagine you got it for free on Kindle too?
I am not sure if it was free when I first got it a while back .
Thanks, brother! I downloaded this to my Kindle.
Glad to hear that! So many books, so little time right? I’m hoping to finish more books this week and roll out more book reviews, provided I don’t get worn down by fatigue. I had a strong tiredness hit me Friday through this weekend. It affected my sermon prep. Overall you had a good weekend?
Hope you’re able to get some R&R! I’m happy about my weekend, thanks, because I got a lot of house prep done. I usually procrastinate and put off the 1/4 house painting until September when the weather starts to get dicey.
Just started reading a glowing biography of IFB icon, Jack Hyles, written by his daughter. It’s very strange reading because the house would come crashing down a few years after the book was written. Will do some more prep this afternoon but it’s 91F and humid in ROC today.
I will download this now! How was preaching yesterday? I have been praying for you and your family and will continue to do so.
Thank you for your prayers, they mean a lot as I was extremely fatigued this whole weekend. I preached an old sermon from eight years ago since I didn’t have the energy to finish sermon prep. I think God use your prayers for me to get through this weekend and also able to preach. How was your weekend sister Mandy?
Hey, Brother! It was a nice weekend praise the Lord! My church had an outdoor worship service last night and it was good. I am really thinking about going to the church building for service next Sunday. We are required to wear masks, the church is only allowing 25% of normal attendance. It is a joy to pray for you!
Thank you for this review and recommendation, Jim! I have read the 10th Crucial Questions in 2014, entitled “What is the Trinity.” I’m looking forward to your review on that booklet. He is a good preacher; renewing our minds.
Wow that is one I still need to read. I have used some of these for discipling others and haven’t done that in a while using this series. Did you downloaded the Trinity one for free on Kindle?
No, Jim, I had it (booklet) bought in Amazon in 2014 just like 5 John Mac Study Bibles.
Downloaded it on Kindle!
Downloaded it to my Kindle app.
Thank you for letting us know of this free resource from the masterful mind of R. C. Sproul. I will be downloading it today.
Thank you.
You’re welcome. Hope you are having a blessed day this Monday Bonnie! RC Sproul’s teaching on prayer is also available online as audios to hear since I know reading is hard on your eyes; I’m grateful for resources where we can “hear” and not just read amen?
Excellent. Thank you.
Pastor Jim, your review is insightful and informative. I am planning to look at more about R. C. Sproul. His points about prayer look to be quite helpful.
Nice that it’s free on Kindle. I need to get a kindle now. Hahaha 🙂
I like Reformed books. Even better that it is free.