TEACH THEM TO PRAY
Cultivating God-dependency in your church
By Paul Tautges. Day One. 124 pages. £5.00
ISBN 978-1-84625-196-2
Why so many books on prayer? Perhaps because it is such a vital and easily neglected part of the Christian life. Unlike most books on prayer, this one focuses on the corporate prayer-life of a church. It is part of Day One’s ‘Ministering The Master’s Way’ series and is intended for those in pastoral or eldership roles.
The book has three main sections. Part 1 shows, from Acts 1, that constant prayer is an expression of God-dependency and, from 1 Thessalonians 5, what such an attitude looks like. Part 2 contains seven short ‘sermons’ that the author gave in his church’s prayer meeting. They cover very helpfully such subjects as: ‘Praying in Jesus’s Name’, ‘Praying with a Forgiving Heart’, ‘When the Holy Spirit Prays’ and ‘How Husbands Get Their Prayers Answered’. These could easily be taken up and used.
A set of Appendices then gives practical examples of how a spirit of God-dependency can be cultivated in a church. These include an example of how to pray through a passage of Scripture, how to organise praying for one another in a church, a couple of sermon outlines and a photocopiable Bible study outline.
I found this book interesting and helpful, as well as very readable, and will be seeking to put into practice some of its ideas and suggestions. It is thoroughly grounded in Scripture and so speaks with authority, as well as clearly practical and therefore moves the reader to do something. Looking for some fresh ideas and impetus for your church’s prayer-life? Teach Them to Pray would be a good place to start.
Timothy Reynolds,
pastor, Borough Green Baptist Church, Kent
