Book Review Alone with God

Alone with God written by John MacArthur gives insight of how a Christian needs to
pray. I do believe that Pray is very misunderstood in regards to how to pursue it. John
MacArthur seeks deeply into the Lord’s pray and how Christ guides us to pray.

I heard Paul Washer say something along these lines. That business is not of the devil
but is the devil. Meaning, one of Satan’s biggest tasks is to keep people busy. So they have no
time for God’s word, no time to stay focused on Christ, and no time for in depth praying.

Charles Spurgeon says something about if he was Satan he would keep people from
reading the word of God. I also read at one time that Satan’s biggest secret in the 20th century is
the television. It is funny and sad to see Christians so busy among their lives that they have time
to sit in front of the T.V. and not miss their favorite sitcom. But yet can’t even read the Bible one
time through.

I also read a book by Wilhelm Busch who was a German Pastor during the mid-1900s. He
says he remembers when his mother had to wash clothes by her hands, cook without
technology, do all these errands that a mother does. Yet, always have time to read to her
children 4 chapters a day out of the Bible. He goes on to say that he can’t figure out that all this
new technology that is supposed to help make an easier life and make more time for people.
Yet, people still find themselves busier than ever before.

The entire ministry of Christ, the Apostles seen many miracles and extraordinary things.
They’ve seen things that are not even in scripture. But they never asked Jesus on how to do
them. They never asked Jesus to teach us to walk on water, to heal the sick, etc. They did
however ask Jesus to teach them how to pray.

I believe pray is underestimated. I’m no scholar on pray. But I know that I have a long
way to go on how to pray. Prayer is like an art. It takes practice, hard studying, dedication to
pray like Jesus Christ did. There is something the Apostles seen when Christ prayed that they
wanted to pray like Jesus Christ did.

In Matthew 6:9-13; Jesus Christ says “pray then like this” he did not say repeat this pray
as like many Christians claim to do. Jesus Christ called people that pray in repetition a hypocrite.
(Matt. 5) The Lord’s prayer is a guideline on how to pray or it is the pattern on how to pray.

One key point I like to make about the Lord’s pray is that the pattern teaches us that we
not to seek our needs or wants but simply praying is all about God. Praying brings us humility
and exalts God.

And this is exactly what “Alone with God” teaches and focuses on, the Lord’s pray.

Mar. 8, 2010 DwellingWithGod.com By Jay Gheen