To preface this post, I want to mention that Max Lucado’s Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer might not have been a book I would have chosen on my own. I might have thought that this book wasn’t something I needed, or even wanted, to read. That being said, I ale feel that God can lead people to certain products. I feel that God knew that I needed the message that was in this book, which is why He allowed me to be chosen to do this review. I am sure glad that He did.
Having been raised in the church, I often feel bad that I’m not a better prayer. That my mind wanders. That I fall asleep. That I’m not more trusting. There are a million ways in which I fall short. But you know what? That’s OK. Even Max Lucado, author of this book as well as over 50 others, admits that he was a “prayer wimp.” Apparently, I am in good company.
The best part?
None of that matters to God. He is perfect, but knows that we aren’t. He wants to be our Father, and fathers don’t expect their children to be perfect. My sons are a perfect example of this.
They can drive me crazy sometimes. They color on the walls, spill milk on the floor, and just generally make a mess. Thankfully, most of these messes can be cleaned up with a damp paper towel. I also know that as my boys get older, their messes will continue to get bigger, and harder to clean up. However, no matter how big of a mess they make, and no matter how hard it might be to clean up, I will always love them and will always be there for them.
This is how God is with us. No matter how much of a mess we make, or how hard it is to clean up, God always welcomes us back. He IS our Father.
Father,
you are good.
I need help.
They need help.
In Jesus’s name, amen.
This is the “pocket prayer” that Lucado teaches in Before Amen. If we humbly come to Him in prayer, then He will listen and answer our prayers. It doesn’t matter if it is a prayer said from a pulpit or a whispered in the bathroom. It makes no difference if it is the most eloquent prayer ever heard, or the prayer of a child. God hears them all the same.
To say I was moved by Before Amen would be an understatement. No wonder it was named Family Christian’s Book of the Year. More than once I found myself in tears over what I was reading. It is that powerful. I rarely write in books, but before I knew it, I had this book full of highlights and comments in the margins. Yeah, it was that good.
I know that just like my boys, there isn’t mess that is big enough or bad enough that God will turn his back on me. I just need to call out to him and trust that he will make everything right again.
Hi, I’m Rachel, and I am a recovering prayer wimp…
Thanks for sharing something that had such an impact on you!
I love the title of this post!
This was such a wonderful book! It definitely made me change how I view my prayer life!
So glad I found your blog from the comment thread on Inspired bloggers network. You have a beautiful blog! I am happy to have seen your book recommendation. I love great books and am definitely going to check this one out!!
Thanks!!
One thing that Jesus taught was that an earnest prayer with few words is more effective than
Looking at our children and recognizing how we understand their behaviors, and then transferring that same perspective of looking at ourselves as children to G-d is a great way to better see that love that is felt for us.
Sounds like a good book!