The Secret to Prayer: 31 Days to a More Intimate Relationship with God

by Kyle DiRoberts

Overview

Everyone wants to know how to talk to God and get answers to their prayers. Yet most people are skeptical of prayer, or convinced they’re doing it wrong.
 
Is there a secret to talking with God?
 
God is more concerned about the condition of our hearts than the words we use. He cares more about the posture of our hearts than the posture of our bodies. And what is the right heart posture? Humility. 
 
The Secret to Prayer will take readers on a 31-day journey, examining the heart and actions of biblical characters whose prayers were answered. On the other side of the journey, readers will have a more vibrant prayer life, and a more intimate relationship with the God to whom we pray.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781087740454
Publisher:	B&H Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/31/2021
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Kyle DiRoberts (PhD) is department chair and associate professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona, adjunct professor at Phoenix Seminary, and director of the minister in residence and internship programs at Scottsdale Bible Church. He is married to Lolly and the father of Kaden, Oliver, and Carson. With any free time, he hangs out with his wife and kids, his favorite people, going to Michael Bublé concerts, cooking, traveling, eating good food, and getting to coach his kids in golf and baseball.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Illness of Prayer 1

Part I Theo-Talk

Introduction to Part I 11

Chapter 1 Swing Your Swing 13

Chapter 2 Naked 19

Chapter 3 Clothed 23

Chapter 4 Awkward 29

Chapter 5 Faith 34

Chapter 6 Everything 41

Chapter 7 Groanings 47

Chapter 8 Thomas the Train Undies 53

Part II Prayers of Humble Kings

Introduction to Part II 59

Chapter 9 Jehosha-who? 60

Chapter 10 The "Chronicler" 64

Chapter 11 If … Then 70

Chapter 12 Pretense 79

Chapter 13 Condescension 85

Part III Sin Makes You Holy

Introduction to Part III 91

Chapter 14 The Disciple He Loved 93

Chapter 15 Complete Joy 100

Chapter 16 Forget Perfect 107

Chapter 17 You Loser 114

Chapter 18 What's So Amazing about Grace? 125

Chapter 19 Do You Hear It? 135

Part IV Confess Your Sins to One Another

Introduction to Part IV 149

Chapter 20 The Prayer of What? 150

Chapter 21 You Go First 162

Chapter 22 Because James Isn't His Brother Jesus 168

Part V Keep Praying, God Isn't Annoyed

Introduction to Part V 177

Chapter 23 Why Did You Stop? 178

Chapter 24 Impudent Prayer 185

Chapter 25 Persistent, Annoying, Bothersome Prayer 193

Chapter 26 Somebody Changes, but It's Not God 203

Part VI Unanswered Prayer

Introduction to Part VI 213

Chapter 27 Consider the Lilies 215

Chapter 28 God Doesn't Hurry 225

Chapter 29 Pray, Even If It's for the Wrong Thing 239

Chapter 30 We're Going on a Bear Hunt 246

Conclusion: Big Announcement! 259

Editorial Reviews

‘I want to pray, but I don’t know how or what to say.’ I’ve both said and heard this said about prayer countless times throughout the years. In The Secret to Prayer, Kyle DiRoberts addresses the qualms, hesitations, and misunderstandings Christians have regarding prayer with biblical truth. Through witty and concise writing, Kyle makes the theology of prayer accessible to everyday life while stirring a deep desire in the reader to pray with humility. I cannot recommend this book enough!”
–Gretchen Saffles, author of The Well-Watered Woman: Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith, founder of Well-Watered Women
 
“Most of us struggle with prayer. I struggle with prayer. What’s the secret to overcoming our struggles and learning to love prayer? In The Secret to Prayer, Kyle DiRoberts reminds us that it’s simpler than we think. This practical, biblical, joyfully written book is a wonderful resource for anyone who struggles to pray. Read it over the course of a month. Read it with friends. Read it, and relax. Prayer shouldn’t be a burden, but a blessing. This book will show you that.”
–Brett McCracken, senior editor, The Gospel Coalition; author of The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World and Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community
 
“Christians pray. That is not a controversial statement. But not all Christians practice prayer in the same way or understand it in the same manner. Kyle encourages people of faith to understand and practice prayer as an expression of love and humility in relationship with the sovereign of the universe. That God, who is fully and completely self-sufficient, would humble himself to interact with his creatures is an amazing thought. And that thought really is what should drive our interaction with God in prayer. Using stories from his own life and others throughout history, Kyle draws the reader into the presence of God. This is an engaging book, written in a conversational style. The book models what it encourages the readers to adopt in their walk of faith and prayer.”
–Glenn R. Kreider, Editor in Chief, Bibliotheca Sacra; Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
 
“In The Secret to Prayer, Kyle DiRoberts offers keen insights into developing and truly enjoying prayer as a way of life. His reflections on God and our relationship to Him reveal prayer for what it is—a wonderful responsibility befitting a life changed by His grace. But make no mistake, this is not a detached academic manual about prayer but rather an invitation to chase after a life of prayer. With wit and relevance, DiRoberts helps us see anew how effective and essential this identity-shaping practice is at cultivating deeper fellowship with and affection for our triune God. Thankfully, some secrets are not meant to be kept.”
—Mark Yarbrough, President, Dallas Theological Seminary
 
“If prayer seems like a secret language you haven't quite learned, then spend 31 days with Kyle DiRoberts as he decodes talking to God. Here is a kind and trustworthy teacher willing to open up his own prayer practices to show us why and how to take God up on his wild and wonderful invitation into conversation.”
—Lisa-Jo Baker, bestselling author of Never Unfriended and Co-host of Out of the Ordinary Podcast

"We have no substitutes for prayer, and there are no shortcuts. But for those of us who would like them, Kyle DiRoberts has written a wise and practical guide to the relational core of this spiritual foundation. For the distracted, the discouraged, the confused, and all us other stumbling misfits of prayer, this is a book of joyful medicine." 
—Paul J. Pastor, author of The Face of the Deep, The Listening Day, and Bower Lodge

"Prayer—talking to and listening to God—is something that most people do, but also something most people have tons of anxiety about. This unease can plant seeds of confusion and doubt that grow into thorny weeds in your faith over time. With The Secret to Prayer, my friend Kyle welcomes you into an honest conversation where confusion is cleared up and important truths are shared. Incredibly approachable, this is an easy-to-read, quick-to-embrace book that you’ll read and re-read, highlight and underline."
—Jamie Rasmussen, Sr. Pastor  Scottsdale Bible Church

“The disciples once asked Jesus: ‘Teach us to pray.’ In the heart of any follower of Jesus is a similar longing: we want to live in radical intimacy with our humble Teacher: knowing him, hearing his voice, living out his will for our lives. This book is a beautiful guide to a life of prayer. It masterfully unpacks what prayer looks like, and how to do it; but more importantly it deepens your thirst for more of the presence of God.”
—Dominic Done, founder of Pursuing Faith and author of When Faith Fails: Finding God in the Shadow of Doubt 

From the Publisher