A Call to Spiritual Reformation
D. A. Carson

D. A. Carson needs no introduction in the Christian scholarly world. He has made some of the most infamous and Scholastic books you can read. I was pleasantly surprised to see he turned himself to the topic of prayer. I believe he has produced one of the most helpful books on prayer, if not a perennial work that will be useful to generations to come.

That is not what I thought before I read the book. Praying with Paul was recommended by a professor of an online class I was taking. I sent it aside for the time, but when I began to read Carson’s work, I think it might be in the top five books on prayer I have read that has been this helpful.

The author begins by pointing out the modern landscape of neglected prayer. Even when we say we will pray for someone, we often forget or don’t pray. This was a convicted chapter for me, a pastor who has the time to pray in my quadriplegia.

Carson begins the first chapter by discussing the lessons he learned as he grew up in a Christian home. You might paint Carson as a scholar, but his insights on prayer from a lifetime of praying are insightful and on the discussion of prayer. I like how he gives you actionable, practical steps to take in prayer.

The rest of the book is Carson’s finest work as a scholar of laying out each of the prayers found in the Pauline letters and examining them for the context within the letter that affects Paul’s prayer, the prayer itself, and then practical application about how we pray now and how we should pray in light of Paul’s prayers and their scope.

I was studying Philippians at the time I read the book, and between Philippians and Ephesians, I think Philippians wasn’t easier chapter for me since I was studying the book. The chapter on Paul’s prayers in Ephesians is my favorite chapter.

Each chapter is very convicting because of what Paul prayed for and how he prayed. He was always concerned about the spiritual welfare and growth of the people he prayed for. I cannot say that my prayers are so well-rounded. When we think of petitions in prayer, we deliver a laundry list of items we need or want before God.

But when you study the prayers of Paul, you will find yourself thinking about how shallow your requests are. I’m not saying you can’t pray for the common things you need in your day. But when you look at the rich prayers of Paul and emulate them, you find yourself redirected in your prospective of what is important and what is not as important.

The book provides reflections at the end of each chapter that you can discuss with others who are studying the book with you or just consider for yourself. I like the questions because they make me think about what I have read and also what I have practiced in my life. This book is a far cry from a scholarly work from the ivory tower. It is extremely practical.

Carson’s book on prayer has really challenged my prayer life. I try to find ways to pray for the kinds of things that were important in Paul’s prayers. When I pray for others, I think more about my prayer for a person and how it could be the most effective in each situation.

This book will open your eyes to Paul’s prayers and help you become a better intercessor and even for prayers for yourself, you will find Carson’s work stretching you as he puts a magnifying glass on Paul’s prayers. If you want to become more God word and heavenly minded, yet extremely practical in your prayers, you need to read this book.