Reviewed by Russell Anderson for the Association for Mormon Letters
I have often struggled with how to make my prayers more effective. I think that brother Millet has done a great job in a small book to present the essential elements for effective and useful prayers. He tells us that he started with the thought to write a much bigger book, but I am glad that he realized that “less would probably be more.” (p. 126)
In this very readable and useful book, he provides great insights into how we can prepare and truly communicate in our prayers. “observe that prayer is not, and should not be, merely a product of our own thoughts and feelings. Prayer is intended to engender communion with Deity. Communion certainly entails more than a monologue. It should in fact be a dialog, a true conversation with speaking, listening, digesting, learning.” (P. 81-82)
We all have probably experienced prayers that don't seem to make it heavenward, but we are given hope that we can learn to pray so that we are uplifted in the process.
“For the unconverted, prayer may seem a burden or at best a duty. But for the seasoned Saint, one who has begun to grow up in the Lord and mature in the gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12-14; Galatians 5:22-25), prayer is a blessed opportunity, a consummate privilege, a remarkable honor for a finite, fallen creature to be allowed and even commanded to communicate with an infinite, pure, and glorified Being.” (p. 5)
It really is worth the effort to spend the time to prepare and commit ourselves to true communion with God. This book provides an excellent resource to help us to have meaningful communication with God. “God is making known the mysteries of the universe to those who prepare themselves to receive. Prayer is our lifeline to divine knowledge and power.” (p. 32) Copyright 2010