Experiencing Prayer with Jesus: The Power of His Presence and Example

I have read three books by Henry Blackaby and have been extremely pleased with them all. This book is relevant in today's world in understanding Jesus relationship with God and His disciplined use of prayer as a means of communicating and hearing God's answers. It also shows us how God used this time with Jesus to teach us that we, too, can have communication with Him in this same manner.

The characteristics of the prayer life of Jesus can be a model for our prayer life. Prayer was a very high priority in the life of Jesus. The book describes the sacrifices Jesus made in order to be in continual prayer with HIs Father. In prayer, God gave Jesus His direction, words, and insights. God wants to do the same for us. The book describes the intimate relationship between the Father and Son that made prayer so vitality important. A must read for all people who pray. A retired Army Chaplain.

In this book the Blackabys provide a powerful framework for effective prayer: the prayer life of Jesus. They build from the passage in Hebrews ("In the days of His flesh") that emphasizes Jesus' humanity. The communication He maintained with His Heavenly Father was done in the same humanness that we experience. What He can do, we can do. It was His priority. Prayer was Jesus' lifeline to a loving Heavenly Father. In communicating with the Father He felt that love and loving presence. It was also prayer that allowed Him to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22). The Blackabys also emphasize that Jesus' experience with prayer began with relationship before petition. He enjoyed the presence of His Father before He asked things of His Father--even for others. Another key learning point they draw from the life of Christ is that prayer is about submission and surrender. Jesus prayed out of a surrendered heart (Hebrews 5). "Through His prayer life, Jesus always knew the Father's intentions. The prayers of Jesus released His life to His Father's will." This book not only provides the readers with the "whats" I've been describing, but is also filled with the practical "how-tos." For example on page 34 Henry provides a delightful approach to how to respond to people who have heard from the Lord His will for your life! Armchair Interviews says: This book is for those who recognize the importance of prayer and want their prayer experience to be one of intimate communication with the Father.