Praying Personalities - by Janet Holm McHenry (Paperback)

About the Book

"You should pray in the morning. You should write out your prayers. You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day. You should pray with others or out loud. We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But when none of these ways to pray feel natural, what's next? Janet Holm McHenry has studied prayer extensively, and the one thing she knows for sure is that there's no one-size-fits-all way to pray. Instead, there are different styles of prayer-and by discovering the style most instinctive to each individual personality, staying in touch with God throughout the day becomes simple and all the more joyful. In this book, the author helps readers determine their particular praying personality by examining the praying styles of biblical people, spiritual gifts, and various ideas about personality, including the classic temperaments, the Enneagram, and more. McHenry includes scores of bulleted suggestions for developing a praying lifestyle that works for individuals. She has also put together a Praying Personality Quiz for readers to take in the back of the book or online to help narrow down the style that will most naturally fit into how they process. Whether a longtime Christian who has tried various prayer strategies but can't keep up or a new believer looking to learn about spiritual discipline, every reader who dives into this book will come away with a renewed prayer life and a greater understanding of who God created them to be"--

Book Synopsis

Discover the particular way God designed you to connect with prayer
You should pray in the morning. You should write out your prayers. You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day. You should pray with others or out loud. We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But when none of these ways to pray feel natural, what's next?
Janet Holm McHenry has studied prayer extensively, and the one thing she knows for sure is that there's no one-size-fits-all way to pray. Instead, there are different styles of prayer--and by discovering the style most instinctive to each individual personality, staying in touch with God throughout the day becomes simple and all the more joyful.
In this book, the author helps readers determine their particular praying personality by examining the praying styles of biblical people, spiritual gifts, and various ideas about personality, including the classic temperaments, the Enneagram, and more. McHenry includes scores of bulleted suggestions for developing a praying lifestyle that works for individuals. She has also created a Praying Personality Quiz for readers (available in the book and online) to help narrow down the style that will most naturally fit into how they process a prayer life.
Whether a longtime Christian who has tried various prayer strategies but can't keep up or a new believer looking to learn about this spiritual discipline, every reader who dives into this book will come away with a renewed prayer life and a greater understanding of who God created them to be.

Review Quotes

A groundbreaking exploration of the intersection between personality and spirituality, this book encourages readers to learn more about themselves and their unique ways of connecting with God. Whether you're just starting out on your spiritual journey or have been praying for years, Janet's advice will help you connect with God in ways that are true to who you are. Her thoughtful analysis of biblical characters and their prayer practices brings a fresh perspective, offering a tailored approach to a more fulfilling spiritual life. If you want to deepen your spiritual journey in a way that's both natural and exciting for your personality, this book is a fantastic resource. I love it!--Tricia Goyer, USA Today best-selling author of over ninety books (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

Books of this depth and insight can only be written by those who have experienced firsthand the truths of which they write and live it out on a daily basis. Janet Holm McHenry's book is an authentic, practical guide on how to pray most effectively, thereby experiencing God's presence daily, renewed and impassioned for his service.--Jacob George, community pastor and prayer coordinator, Centre Street Church, Calgary, Canada (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

For a fresh and liberating approach to overcoming prayer insecurities and guilt, I recommend Praying Personalities by Janet Holm McHenry! She uses examples of the prayer styles of biblical figures, personality and spiritual gifts assessments, and learning styles to clarify that prayer is more about building our unique relationship with God and becoming more like Jesus than in following (or not following) rules and methods that others suggest. For a richer praying life, read this book.--Elaine Helms, SBC national prayer leader, teacher, and award-winning author (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

If you desire a deeper, focused, effective prayer life, don't miss this book. Janet Holm McHenry's well-researched, biblical exploration of this essential topic will give you an understanding of how to develop a praying lifestyle that fits your God-given personality. Every Christian should read this important book.--Carol Kent, executive director of Speak Up Ministries, speaker, and author (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

In Praying Personalities, Janet Holm McHenry does an incredible job of taking you on a journey of finding your own praying style. She engages the reader with a short, targeted test to actually identify your very own praying personality. The path to enjoyable prayer is truly found in Praying Personalities.--Sylvia Johnson, California state leader for the National Day of Prayer Task Force (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

Janet has done it again. She's led me into a deeper prayer life through this well-researched book. Not only did I feel more at home with my praying personality, I also gained understanding of how others are created to communicate through prayer.--Robin Jones Gunn, best-selling author of Praying for Your Future Husband (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

Janet Holm McHenry's Praying Personalities meticulously observes how our God-designed personalities directly influence our natural prayer style. We discover that just because our praying style differs from our best friend's doesn't make it wrong or ineffective. McHenry's practical praying applications can help every reader or pray-er to enhance their relationship with God by discovering a prayer style that fits who they are by design. This book is a spiritual life changer!--Linda Goldfarb, speaker, podcaster, and award-winning coauthor (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

Oh, the freedom to know we can pray in a way that lines up with the unique way God designed each of us! In Praying Personalities, author Janet Holm McHenry--a leader in the field of prayer--equips, encourages, and inspires the reader to pray in a way that releases the power of prayer and removes much of the common stress, shame, or guilt many Christians feel about being a prayer failure. Yes, read this practical book to gain excitement, meaning, and anticipation in meeting your Creator in prayer!--Pam Farrel, author and coauthor of fifty-nine books (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

Prayer is a wonderful opportunity for deeper intimacy with God. However, the mechanics can become ritualistic. With so many formulas and guides sharing specific ways to pray, you may feel prayer is more of a chore than a divine opportunity. In Praying Personalities, Janet Holm McHenry helps make prayer an authentic expression to fit every person's unique communication preference. I found this book to be both affirming and challenging as it highlighted my preferred ways to pray and brought to light some prayer routines that did not fit my praying personality. A needed resource to make prayer a natural part of your relationship with God.--Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, best-selling author of Sacred Rest (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

Rather than trying to find the right way to pray, you can come to God as you are. But how do you do that? Praying Personalities will help you discover your natural prayer style, enabling you to draw close to God as you tap into his supernatural power--for your life and for the people you love.--Joanna Weaver, best-selling author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

This book shares a simple truth about prayer that most never consider. Since much of learning to pray is based upon watching others, it is easy to simply mimic friends' prayer styles but still feel out of sorts in our prayer lives. While learning from others can be helpful, the truth is God has wired each of us to pray the way he intended for us to pray. Praying Personalities will help you find that way and will free you to soar in prayer.--Jonathan Graf, president of Church Prayer Leaders Network (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

What does your personality have to do with your prayer life? In Praying Personalities, Janet Holm McHenry guides you on a fascinating journey to help you discover your own prayer strengths. She includes personalized tips that will help you deepen the way you talk to God.--Linda Evans Shepherd, author of Make Time for Joy (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)

With insight, wisdom, and encouragement, Janet Holm McHenry answers everything you've wanted to know about prayer but were too embarrassed to ask.--Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times best-selling author (12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM)