Evangelicals Now
Christian news worldwide
magnifying glass Search archives
home Home check the archives Archives Subscribe Subscriptions Advertising Information & booking of classifieds Adverts Find a local evangelical Church Find a church for the search engines and extremely curious! About us Contact us Site Map
Printable
Version

Gleanings from Paul

Spiritual help from an old friend

GLEANINGS FROM PAUL
The Prayers of the Apostle
By A.W. Pink
Banner of Truth. 490 pages. £16.00
ISBN 0 85151 923 7

This book for the reviewer was an old friend in new clothes, being a new edition and new publisher of a book of solid biblical teaching focusing on the recorded prayers of the apostle Paul.

The subtitle on the inside cover is ‘Studies in the prayers of the Apostle’ and that is what you will find. Pink works his way steadily and soundly through these prayers in canonical order. Each is examined under the microscope of careful exegesis and warm-hearted devotion. A brief glance at the chapter headings gives some idea of the breadth and scope of Paul’s intercession for believers in the churches, many of which he started: for example, chapter 8 ‘Prayer in affliction’, chapter 16 ‘Prayer for inner strength’, chapter 22 ‘Prayer for a worthy walk’. This reviewer would suggest the reader begins with chapter 12 on Ephesians 1.18, ‘Prayer for understanding’.

Pink writes: ‘The more closely we examine the wide range of the recorded prayers of the apostle, the more we are impressed with their deep importance, doctrinally as well as experimentally — as well as their great variety, their extensive scope; and the more we feel convinced that they need to be approached and dealt with expositionally as well as devotionally and practically’ (p.53). He is concerned not simply to expound, but has a deep desire that the reader should implement and benefit spiritually from each study.

This is not a light or easy read, but is full of biblical truth and insight. Along the way you will come across wide ranging discussions on all manner of biblical topics. It is not a book you can read from cover to cover in one go; but as you journey through this guidebook on Paul’s prayers, you will discover that your mind is being stretched, your understanding deepened, your faith strengthened, your love for God and his Son inflamed and your personal prayer life profoundly challenged.

This is a book which will greatly enrich the prayer life of the careful reader, as he or she holds up the mirror of the Word of God and then adjusts his or her prayer habits in its light. To read and forget would be a waste of time and energy, to read and change will bring God’s blessing on individuals and churches alike. Try it, if you dare!

Kenneth Morey,
member of Leominster Baptist Church and retired pastor and missionary