LORD, Teach Me To Pray in 28 Days
by Kay Arthur @1982, 1995 (New edition), Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon

This is destined to become a classic book on prayer because it is full of truly biblical teaching on God's revelation to us about how we ought to pray and what we can expect as a result. I wish this book were around when I got saved because my first question was "How should I pray?" I had only known how to recite prayers from memory prior to my born-again experience and I had to learn like a child all over again.

Arthur leads the reader on a 28 day odyssey into the scriptures and what the Lord has to say about the subject. False methods of prayer, such as positive confession type affirmations are thoroughly and lovingly exposed as fruitless. The day by day format of the book makes it a wonderful tool for daily devotions or for any women's Bible study ministry. Each chapter (or day) ends with a list of prayer-provoking questions and exercises.

Be sure to have your Bible handy as you study this little volume because the book is designed to assist you in your own pursuit of truth as you learn to draw closer to Jesus through prayer.

Arthur's discussion of praying with children was most helpful as many of us are hesitant about praying too specifically for fear of taking the risk that God may let us down thereby stumbling the faith of a child or a new believer. She also teaches what it means to intercede on behalf of others and that all Christians are called to do so and to pray without ceasing.

This book would be a great gift idea for any friends who are confused by the unbiblical prayer styles of those on Christian television. This book would vaccinate them against such hype as addressing the devil in prayer and so-called decreeing or name-it-and-claim-it. These influences can devastate a Christian. Arthur quotes from a letter she received from a person who had followed this false teaching for a short time until the Lord opened her eyes. She shares how her unbalanced views almost wrecked her faith:

"It hurts to see Christians demand things of their Father like spoiled children, and then turn and be actually hostile to those who 'don't have enough faith' to believe like they do. How it must grieve our dear Lord Jesus when He sees us behave this way. And I have been guilty of it as much as any, for I 'bought into' this distorted teaching for a while (I figured that if all these 'spiritual giants' believed it, it must be true). I not only know what it is to be looked down upon because of my lack of faith, I also know what it is to pass off a person in need with a 'well, it's obvious she's sick/grieved/depressed/angry/etc. because she's now right with the Lord and she' confessing negatively.' It can become quite a science. And quite a sin."

Kay Arthur has proved to be a terrific role-model for women who want to serve the Lord within the biblical perameters God has given for his handmaidens. She has a national radio program called "How Can I Live," and is the author of many books including How to Study Your Bible and is responsible for the highly acclaimed International Inductive Study Bible. She really takes the Bible seriously and Lord, Teach Me To Pray keeps with that tradition.