Lord, Teach Us How to Pray

I just received a rather long critique from a friend via email and I thought I would post it here so I can get some more feedback on the points he makes and my responses (in italics).

It's rather long but I would appreciate any further input you may have.

Comments on Lord, Teach Us to Pray

1. In a book on sale it is normal for the chapters to all be in even numbers of pages. Most of your chapters are two pages but some have gone the three.

I will add “note pages” to make up the difference. My plan was to add them anyway so I can strategically add them to cause all new chapters to start on odd pages.

2. Page numbers. Page numbers always help, especially if you print out a book to read it. One internet marketer I know of will always ask for a refund if the book he buys does not have page numbers. Chapter numbers may help as well.

Already plan on doing that when I get to the design phase.

3. Preface. You jump from “Pray without ceasing” to “abiding in Christ” this leap may be far too much for a new believer.

Not sure if I agree- will get other opinions.

4. Be careful the person you are dealing with may have a background in a church that uses a “prayer book” so contrast the reciting of prayers with the response of the heart and try not to demolish something that may have been part of this person's upbringing. Remember here may be times when we need to take the psalms or one of the prayers of the new testament as the basis of our prayers, for example when we are in extreme difficulty and prayer is hard.

Not really worried about people being offended for being religious. You can definitely use prayer books without being religious but those people wouldn’t be offended by what Jesus said anyway. Although I may need to make an analogy here of a husband reciting a poem to his wife- if he only recites love poems and never speaks from his heart the relationship will suffer.

5. What would a new convert understand by ministry? You refer to it in the chapter on The Secret Place. David said he would not “offer” – would “give” be a better word for a new convert as offer can mean to make a cash offer for something of value and it need not be given.

Will rethink the use of the word “ministry”.
Well in David’s situation he was talking about money however I am mainly using this as a metaphor or a shadow of the New Testament sacrifice of ones life. I think the readers will be intelligent enough to catch that.

6. At the end of The Secret Place you quote Ps 42:1, does it need some explanation for a new convert to see the link to the Place of Prayer?

Nope. :) It is there because it is poetic. It carries a certain emotion that I don’t want to hinder by explaining it.

7. Keep it real. There is a danger here not to limit the number of times people come when under extreme burdens. Remember the parable of the unjust judge Luke 18:1-8 where the widow keeps on coming back with the same request.

Had taken that section out but maybe I should add it back in.

8. Keep it real. Is bedrock a word in common usage today?

Bed-what? Just kidding, will consider revising.

9. Keep it real. What does systematic mean to a new believer?

Same thing it does to theologians (although not all of them), that we can treat God like a system.

10. Bridegroom would seek bride not lover!? I would stop the sentence after to be with her and add: “God will stop at nothing to be with you” as a separate sentence.

Well maybe it’s just my American English but bride and lover are synonyms to me but lover carries more passion. But in order to avoid confusion and add some emotion:
He is like a bridegroom seeking after His friend, His bride, His lover, and will stop at nothing to be with her. God will stop at nothing to be with you. (End paragraph)

11. Need fuller explanation of a donkey talking or money in a fish's mouth including Bible references.

Will say; Like Balaam and like Peter… I may be moving lots of references to footnotes and will do the same here.

12. Children of the King. Starts and ends with God

Not sure why that’s a problem? I will be doing some work on this chapter and adding a few things anyway so this may change.

13. Children of the King. Quoting from Hebrews means you need to unpack the words about priest and feelings etc.

Maybe I will just do verse 16

14. Children of the King. Unpack grace and holiness in simple terms. Grace is not generally understood. Holiness is shied away from by most non-Christians

Will definitely consider that as I redo this chapter.

15. Children of the King. Back up from scripture the statement “You were created for the very purpose of knowing Him”.

Okay, either a footnote or quote of possibly Ephesians 1:4-6

16. His will over mine. Who was Samuel and where did he come in the picture?

Yeah, that doesn’t make since! Who wrote that anyway?

17. His will over mine. Who is the Holy Spirit?

I am assuming that the reader knows, but maybe another footnote. Can’t really go chasing a rabbit in such a short booklet.

18. His will over mine. The Kingdom of God – everywhere the rule and reign of God through the Lord Jesus is expressed.

Agreed! Will say something along that line at the beginning of the last paragraph.

19. Daily Bread. When did God provide manna for the Israelites?

Will reference in footnotes.

20. Daily Bread. In another passage? Where?

Will reference in footnotes.

21 Be reconciled. Explain the difference between denarii and talents

May work it in the text or will explain in footnotes.

22. Be reconciled. How can I forgive someone who has hurt me so much and every time I remember it, it upsets me? Choose to forgive now and let the feelings follow on. It is a matter of choice and not a matter of “when I feel like”.

Yes wondered if I should go into that or not already. The topic really deserves a book all its own. I will consider it more. Thanks

23 Deliver us. To be tempted is not sin, it becomes sin when we give in. This needs to be explained and then backed up by the passage from James.

Will look at adding that thought as a second thought.

24 Deliver us. Who are the brethren? Are they not some strange Christian group? References for tempter, accuser of brethren and seeking whom he may devour.

More footnotes!

25. Deliver us. Where does it say “Go your way and sin no more”. Is that really in the Bible as there is a note in my Bible saying it should not be there.

You must have a Bible based on 3 manuscripts; the Codex Sinaiticus, Alexandrius, and Vaticanus. Mine is based on over 2500 manuscripts. But that is a different topic all together :)

26. Praise Him. Is this in the Bible – some manuscripts do not have it.

3 don’t the other 2,500 do. See above.

27. Praise Him. Where does it say the angels circle the throne and praise Him?

Revelation 7:11-12
11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“ Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”

28. Praise Him. Who is David?

I think it is obvious that he is the author of Psalm 42:1-8, I could change the preceding line to: Speak to your soul as David did when he wrote…

29. Suggest send with the book a copy of the gospel of Matthew in a modern translation in a pdf format. There are some available on the net.

Don’t really see the reason for this? If someone can convince I am willing.

30. Unlike preaching a book must be complete. It cannot respond to questions or puzzled looks from the reader!

I have never seen a preacher respond to puzzled looks :) they just keep talking! With all your help I am sure the book will be more complete. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment on the book.