The Possibility of Prayer - by John Starke (Paperback)

About the Book

The life of prayer is neither efficient nor productive, but it is transformative. As a pastor in Manhattan, John Starke knows the bustle and busyness of our society. But he also knows that prayer is not just for spiritual giants--prayer is for each of us. Here is an invitation to discover, via the church's ancient rhythms and with Starke's clear, practical guidance, the possibility of prayer.

Book Synopsis

The world clamors for efficiency and productivity.

But the life of prayer is neither efficient nor productive. Instead, as we learn in the psalms, prayer calls us to wait, to watch, to listen, to taste, and to see. These things are not productive by any modern measure--but they are transformative.

As a pastor in Manhattan, John Starke knows the bustle and busyness of our society. But he also knows that prayer is not just for spiritual giants. Prayer, he writes, is for each of us--not because we are full of spiritual wisdom and maturity, but because we are empty. Here is an invitation to discover, via the church's ancient rhythms and with Starke's clear, practical guidance, the possibility of prayer. Here is a book about prayer that is really a book about the whole Christian life.

Review Quotes

"The Possibility of Prayer is beautiful and deeply countercultural. John isn't asking us to layer another obligation on top of our lives but inviting us to a fundamental reorientation rooted in God's presence. Because John pastors a busy people in a busy city, he knows the cultural obstacles and the existential hurdles. But this is a profoundly hopeful and eminently practical book. What a gift this is to all of us!"

--Chuck DeGroat, professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality, Western Theological Seminary

"If you find the idea of prayer impossible in today's hyperconnected world, you're not alone. But it's precisely this dilemma that makes The Possibility of Prayer such a powerful book. In this excellent volume, Starke explores how our established habits and daily rhythms will either make space for prayer or silence it before we even begin. With a pastor's heart, Starke then invites us, not simply to the act of prayer, but to lives of which prayer is a natural and necessary part."

--Hannah Anderson, author of Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul

"There are all sorts of reasons to praise The Possibility of Prayer: it is honest, rich, practical, realistic, deep, refreshing, sometimes poetic, and frequently profound. But the highest praise I can give it is that it did exactly what I'd hoped for--it helped me to pray. I am so grateful for John Starke, and for this book."

--Andrew Wilson, teaching pastor, King's Church London

About the Author

John Starke is the lead pastor at Apostles Church Uptown in New York City. He is the coeditor (with Bruce Ware) of One God in Three Persons. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and four children.