Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

by Philip Yancey

If you’re looking for answers in your own questions about prayer, you might not find what you want here. If you’re looking for an honest soul who’s asking some of the same questions you are—the kind that most people in a church assembly would probably not openly ask—well, you’ll probably find someone to identify with. In this volume, Yancey asks some of the difficult questions surrounding prayer—Why pray? What difference does it make? Does prayer change God? Whose fault is unanswered prayer?—as he works his way through his thoughts and the biblical teaching about prayer. He’s honest about his own failings, but ultimately writes in a hopeful and inspiring tone. Ultimately, the idea of the book is that a life of prayer is more about building a relationship with God than it is about asking for things that you want and need—although, of course, those aspects of prayer are also discussed. Beyond that broad description, I find it difficult to review this volume without going into far more detail than I like to for these reviews.

Interspersed through the chapters are sidebars of stories from believers around the world about their joys and turmoil, specifically dealing with prayer. I didn’t read them all, but found those I did read interesting (though not compelling enough to read every one). Those who enjoy such anecdotes will find this an exciting feature of the book. Those who don’t can skip them without losing out on much.

Beyond that, let me say that this book is well worth reading. Let me say it another way: I’ve previously looked at Yancey’s books in two basic categories: Disappointment with God, The Jesus I Never Knew, and What’s So Amazing About Grace? and then everything else. The others were good with great moments, but those three were, in general, great all the way through. Prayer, has cracked into the upper echelon of Yancey books.