Category Archives: books

Define prayer?

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How might you define or describe the biblical concept of prayer?

John Bunyan, the puritan author of PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, wrote several works, including a fine little volume on prayer (reprinted by the Banner of Truth Trust). His definition of prayer is one long sentence that’s hard to beat:

PRAYER is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to his Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.
[page 13]

Bunyan identifies several qualities/characteristics in his definition. Prayer is:

• sincere and sensible
• deeply affectionate
• Christ-centered, Christ-enabled
• Spirit-assisted and sustained
• in accord with God’s Word/promises
• benefiting the church, the cause of Christ in the world
• submissive to God by faith

May we ponder how we pray, and aim to do better…
pdb

The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God

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In one of his most significant works, “The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God” (437 pp. P&R, 1987), Dr. John M. Frame explores our relationship with God as a knowing relationship:

“We tend to forget how often in Scripture God performs His mighty acts so that men will ‘know’ that he is Lord.”

After hearing so many people holding this book “DKG” in high esteem, and having a friend (or two) prepared to read it through with me, I have bumped it up on the reading list to one of my top spots! I am really looking forward to this — and hope to comment on the book here on The Breadline from time to time.

I welcome your comments — especially if you have read it (or want to read it with me).

Wheels up,
pdb

[in the photo, its the book in the back, behind the even larger Doctrine of God volume by Frame!]