Longing to Pray: How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God

Prolific writer and dedicated churchman Ellsworth Kalas brings prayer into the Old Testament Psalms with his 2006 126-page paperback "Longing to Pray". The books guiding principle is "how the Psalms teach us to talk with God". Dr. Kalas documents inside the text without footnotes or endnotes and he present a helpful 15-page study guide (by John Schroeder) for additional book teaching and illumination. Beginning with the concept that friendship is one of life's most important commodities (page 9) the remainder of his book draws upon various poems and songs from the Psalter to present God as humanity's closest and most permanent friend. In deed, each chapter proffers a different aspect of divine friendship for people (candor, time, beauty, gratitude, repentance, anger, etc.). Kalas presents these often ignored, or misunderstood, friend-tenants as "secrets". His secret, here, is that God is always with us ready to be our universal and longest lasting bud. Kalas' long career is narrative rich. He shares many of his experiences through this book giving it a comprehensive and helpful feel. His stories, alone, make good reasons for its purchase. Dr. Kalas entices the reader to prayer with his psalmic suggestions and illustrations. Through Kalas' interpretation the various psalms reviewed come alive with meaning and holy application. Read this book with your Scripture close at hand (you'll want to make notes). It's unfortunate that Kalas has neither the place nor opportunity with this small prayer book to review each of the 150 Psalms and their dispositions toward prayer. Such would be a brilliant study! As it is, this little book convinces that God the Creator is our closest and longest friend. This book is recommended to all studying the Psalms, any wishing to invigorate his or her prayer life, those looking for a short term small group study, and all preparing to supplement their personal Scripture study.

This book arrived promptly in excellent condition. I ordered it for my neighbor. She had read it before and wanted it to give as a gift. She called me today and asked me to order two more copies for gifts.

No local bookstores could provide this book for me in time for a weekend women's retreat, so I was pleased this arrived as promised.