The Folly of Prayer: Practicing the Presence and Absence of God
Matt Woodley
InterVarsity Press, 2009, 179 pp., $15.00, IVPress.com
Writing from the premise that the Bible offers “a much broader perspective on prayer” than the traditional four-fold pattern (ACTS), Pastor Woodley examines 11 paths to prayer found in Scripture. From guttural groaning to feeling God’s absence to embracing the mystery of unanswered prayer, Folly explores “quiet, hidden, marginalized ways to know God more intimately.”
While not specifically written for youth ministers, the book presents eye-opening, soul-enriching opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God through prayer flowing out of everyday life. This is prayer you can taste, touch, hear, see and feel.
Woodley’s transparent, conversational tone makes this an easy, enjoyable read for the time-challenged, which is good news; for the best way to practice prayer is to spend less time reading about it and more time doing it.
