A.W. Tozer: Thoughts on Prayer

Posted on by Michele Morin

So many books.  So little time.  Tozer is my “undiscovered author,” and it’s not as if I haven’t delighted in brief quotations of his words — a mix of the understated and the profound.  It is even true that portions of his sermons read online have jolted me awake to God’s holiness and drawn me closer to the rosy glow of truth.

Now, thanks to W.L. Seaver, I’ve spent some focused time with Tozer’s writing, for he has compiled Tozer’s insights on prayer from sixteen of his books and several sermons.  Prayer:  Communing with God in Everything is a skillfully curated scrapbook that captures Tozer’s knack for portraying the majesty of God in all things.  While prayer is portrayed in all its efficacy and mystery, it is still abundantly clear to the reader that “God will never be other than Himself, no matter how many people pray, nor how long, nor how earnestly.”

Having said that, Tozer urges believers to:

  • “pray past the ordinary into the unusual;
  • enter the prayer chamber filled with faith and armed with courage;
  • bring his will into line with the will of God so God can do what he has all along been willing to do.”

Three features of these collected insights are most helpful:

  1.  Mr. Seaver has organized the material so that excerpts concerning the correction of common misconceptions about prayer are grouped together, as are motivational excerpts for making the most of one’s prayer life.  Each  chapter has been labeled with its source and date of publication for ease of future study.
  2. For readers who are new to reading theology, W.L. Seaver’s commentary following each chapter will be a confidence builder, answering the question:  “Did I get the point here?”  For the teacher who needs resources to fuel a class on prayer, the work of compiling material, writing questions for reflection, and making application with specific Scripture passages has already been done.
  3. Tozer’s sermon transcripts reveal his pastoral heart and his deep conviction of the enduring truth of God’s Word.  Step-by-step and story-by-story, principles and examples from Scripture become recommendations from an older and wiser friend who is in awe of God, who has seen with his own eyes that “God will make iron swim,” and who challenges his listeners to join him on their knees.

//

This book was provided by Moody Publishers in exchange for my review.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and five adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

31 thoughts on “A.W. Tozer: Thoughts on Prayer”

  2. Thank-you again, Michele! I always happen to click on your posts at the link-ups because I find them so interesting-looking! Tower is so inspirational and the area of prayer is one I want to continue to grow in. Thank-you.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Michele, this looks like a book both my husband and I would thoroughly enjoy. A.W. Tozer is my husband’s all-time favorite! I think this book would provide just what I need through the commentaries to help me make sure I’m understanding it correctly. Thank you for sharing. I’ll add this to my list of books for my bookshelf!

    Like

  4. Wow, this sounds like a book I would really love. Oh, the untapped depths of prayer we have yet to uncover! As times become darker in our world, I feel a greater urgency to stay in the spirit of prayer unceasingly. Thank you for sharing about this book, Michele. I hadn’t heard of it before, but have admired A.W. Tozer’s heart for God for years.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. So far, I’ve only read Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God,” and a lot of his quotes. Just for curiosity, I googled a list of his books – and, oh my! I better get busy reading!

    This particular book that Seaver has compiled of Tozer’s writings definitely makes me want to own it. Our church is really focusing on prayer this year and I believe I could put the material to good use.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s what I liked — all the pertinent quotes in one place. I know that’s not the “scholarly” way to approach Tozer, but maybe scholars don’t fold as much laundry as we do . . . ?

      Like

  6. This looks like a great book, Michele. I’ve never read anything from AW Tozer but always love quotes I see credited to him. I actually got a devotional of his from a book bundle I bought a while ago. I’ll have to go dig it up. Thanks for the reminder :)!

    Like

  9. Thank you for this review, I have never read A.W. Tozer and have wanted to! I will surely add him to my list..especially now that I am keeping a prayer journal. Thank you! I’m so glad I found you on #IntentionalTuesday

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Hi, Michele! I LOVE Tozer. And I really love this: “pray past the ordinary into the unusual.” I’m going to try to embed that into my weary brain to put into action during my morning walk/prayer/Scripture memory “power combo”! Glad I was led to you today via Sitting Among Friends!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Tozer is one of my favorites, right there with Mr. Murray. 🙂 I do not have this book but I am going to start looking for this one to add to my collection. Thank you for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Dawn

    Liked by 1 person

  15. This sounds like a very helpful book, Michele … especially the way that it’s organized. And I love this: “God will never be other than Himself, no matter how many people pray, nor how long, nor how earnestly.” 🙂

    Like

  16. We have several of Tozer’s books and love them. I love the idea of having his insights on prayer in one book. Thank you for this recommendation and for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.

    Liked by 1 person

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