Book Review: Too Busy Not to Pray

Book Review: Too Busy not to Pray by Bill Hybels

I must confess I have no idea where I got this book.  When we moved books out of what will be Holland's closet I found it and decided to give it a try.

Two words can sum up this book: simple and effective.

As for the first: simple.  The book is an easy read with very surface level exposition.  The illustrations are usually based off of family stories or other personal experiences.  The good part about its simplicity will be explained in a minute, but the simplicity did have a couple of drawbacks.  The first is that it was often repetitive.  The second being that it is in no way an exhaustive study on prayer and I would hate for anyone to think that it is.  There are great examples on talking personally with God, but nothing about reverence, about presenting requests to God, but very little about aligning your life with His will. 

Now for the second: effective.  I used to hate books that were simple.  I would only read books that forced me to grow and learn.  I have since learned that there is definitely a place for an easy read book now and then.  There is great value in reminders.  As I read this book I found myself thinking over and over again "this is simple stuff, I know this, I've heard it all before."  Yet, as I sat down to pray I found my prayer life reinvigorated.  I found a lot of my old patterns broken and replaced with a fresh, vibrant conversation with God. 

The whole of the book is an intensely practical guide to prayer and many of the suggestions he makes are doubtless good ones.  However, I think the real value in this book for me is that it made me think about my prayer life.  Concentrated, focused prayers are much better than half-hearted repetitions and formulas. 

Before I leave this review I'd like to share one prayer from a Theologian that Hybels quotes in the book- the prayer was a blessing for their food:

"Father, I love being alive today.  And I love sitting down with brothers in the Hole in the Wall (the restaurant), eating good food and talking about kingdom business.  I know you're at this table, and I'm glad.  I want to tell you in front of these brothers that I love you, and I'll do anything for you that you ask me to do."