Where Prayer Becomes Real: How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul

This was the book I was seeking! I always felt awkward about prayer, but knew it was a necessary part of conversation with God. No matter if that's you, or you've never prayed, this book can truly help you. When the premise of the book is, "How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul", you know you're in the right place. This book supports the premise that prayer is all about simply being honest with God. Why do we struggle with that? Sometimes being honest in prayer is a challenge and it feels strange, but Kyle and Joe unpack all of those reasons why it might, but then give actionable ways to change that perspective. That's what makes it so practical. The end of each chapter offers a chance to put things into action.Part 1 is all about changing the narrative of what we think prayer should be. After an incredibly powerful interlude, we then get to go to Part 2, which is all about putting prayer into action with new skills, and new methodology that solidifies a new way of approaching conversations with God through prayer!There's a line in the book that reminds us that too often we focus on form, and completely miss the purpose. So true of prayer. You have everything to gain and prayer does become real!

I signed up to review this book in advance of it's release and am so glad I did!This book is truly amazing and has transformed my prayer life! As I read through the book I found myself rereading each chapter because it was so full of truth.Like any book, you get out of it what you're willing to put into it. So purchase the book, grab a friend (you'll want to share what you're learning with someone!), and take the time to work through the book.I wake up in the morning excited to pray! When I find a moment through the day, spare time in the car waiting for my kids to get out of school, I get excited to pray. There is no routine obligation or "should's" - instead it's a thrilling "I get to pray!!!"Prior to reading this book I would have said my prayer life is going good... but now...well now I'd say it was mediocre and is now so rich and fulfilling!

Great book walking it’s readers hand in hand to the God we pray to. Strobel and Coe are helpfully honest in a way that shows we are not alone in our struggles to pray. Whether it’s distraction, discouragement, or idolatry, these helpful words give us a way forward in bringing our real selves into the presence of the real God.I especially loved the purposeful exercises at the end of each chapter. Rather than moving on to the next chapter, I was able to slow down and put these helpful ways forward into practice. I think the mastery of this book is that all those quiet voices of guilt that keep us from enjoying communion with God are not voices limited to the individual. With Strobel and Coe’s help, we can pray the Psalms and the Lord’s Prayer as a way to reignite and kindle communion with our Triune God.

Great book- really has invigorated my prayer life. Chapter 7 is the best!

• Truly one of those books that shifts the way life is lived.• The depth of wisdom is so sweet, without ever being cliché.• I know I'll be revisiting this book many times.

This book has up to this point been the greatest help to my prayer life. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life.

I have books on prayer that I love. They have helped me grow and challenged me to pray big. This simple book revealed the walls I have in prayer. It cuts to the heart of the matter and holds up a mirror to what my prayers are, attempts to please God or to get God to do something I want. In reality prayer is intimate communication. It is a safe place to be real with God and to hear His heart. This book helps the reader identify those spaces that need to be de-cluttered so God can fill that space with His presence. This is a book that is full of honest assessments of our hearts but also hopeful ways to practice praying more authentically. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to open up their prayer life and allow it to become a deeper more authentic communion with God. He is waiting for us to be real. He sees and knows already the real things that weigh us down and is more than willing and able to go there with us.

Our journey on growing a deeper prayer life began in the spring of 2020 with a sermon given by Robby Gallaty, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He challenged us to, “not be asleep in the garden,” and to pray for an hour each morning during Lent. We have consistently maintained a dedicated morning prayer time since that Lenten season, not that this is our only time of prayer, but it is definitely the most focused. Over this past year God has indeed grown our prayer life. The most recent resource He has placed in our hands is Where Prayer Becomes Real by Kyle Strobel and John Coe. It is a very practical book, providing guided practice in ways to approach our Father God with honesty and transparency, to be real with God and have authentic communication with Him. Whether you are new to prayer or a veteran looking for a fresh wind in your prayer life, this book will be a great addition to your prayer closet.I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Where Prayer Becomes Real from Baker Book via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.