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A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul & his Prayers

Reviewed by Luke Penkett.

Carson is a well-known writer, having produced over fifty books, including The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God, Basics for Believers, and How Long, O Lord? Starting out as a series of seven lectures (to the Church Missionary Society in New South Wales) before being reshaped for the written page, this book first saw the light of day in 1992. Since then it has been reprinted four times and appears, now, in a new format.

He sets out to work through several of Paul’s prayers in such a way that we may hear God speaking to us today. This can give us direction and strength, with which our prayer life can deepen and grow.

After introductory sections on the urgent need of the church (to know God more intimately) and lessons learnt from the School of Prayer, Carson explores 2 Thessalonians 1.3-12, 1.1-12, and 3.9-13, Colossians 1.9-14, Philippians 1.9-11, Ephesians 1.15-23 and 3.14-21, and Romans 15:14-33.

In addition to petitionary prayer, praying for others and challenging prayers, we have chapters on excuses for not praying, overcoming the hurdles, praying to the Sovereign God, praying for power and prayer for ministry.

Each chapter ends with questions for review and reflection and the book as a whole ends with a prayer for spiritual reformation.

The text is very well supported by end notes, which include full bibliographical details.

Throughout Carson argues that if we are to progress in prayer, reforming both our personal and corporate prayer, then we must listen afresh to scripture and, enabled through the Spirit, apply what we learn to our lives, our homes, and our churches.

Beautifully clear in its exposition, the book is a joy to read, with scholarly understanding and insights from daily life deftly woven together.