Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher.Â
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. 155 pages
Teach us to pray! The disciples asked that of Jesus and he gave them a way to pray that remains the spiritual heart of the Christian tradition. This book aims to do the same for worship leaders who weekly offer public prayers. The goal is to offer a way of praying for others that deepens our relationship with God. Few things are worse than rants disguised as prayers or homiletic postscripts sneakily added to the pastoral prayer or political posturing with heads bowed. The authors, both of whom regularly lead worship, guide readers away from such common errors. They provide a theological and pastoral rational for intercessory prayers that can shape the worshipping community while avoiding the prayer practices that burden a congregation. The book includes examples of well-written prayers and a useful checklist for preparing prayers. Clearly the authors want this guide to help the church recover the heart of worship. Here is theology carefully and practically laid out in ways that will deepen the congregations who are blessed by leaders who pray well.
