One-Minute Prayers for Men. By Hope Lyda. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2004/2010. 288 pp. Cloth. $9.99.
Do you have a tendency to struggle with communication, especially when it comes to talking with God in prayer? Do you ever find yourself too busy to pray? Hope Lyda, bestselling author of the popular One-Minute Prayers series, has penned a little prayer book for men, keeping these types of considerations in mind.
One-Minute Prayers for Men is neatly organized topically, covering a range of topics especially relevant to men including work, marriage, sexuality, temptation, communication and management, even a section on asking for directions. This book will serve as a prayer catalyst, providing a daily starting place for men and it only takes a minute to read through each day.
Not only does the book provide aid for a stifling prayer life, it more importantly centers upon praying the Word of God. Each daily entry contains a relevant topical Scripture and a simple expository prayer that is both contextual and practical for personal application. An index of the Scriptures utilized throughout would be useful, but was unfortunately omitted.
Regarding to the author’s soteriology especially in relation to the theology of justification, an entry on John 3:36 is most telling and refreshingly consistent with the Free Grace position:
Lord, I believe! I believe in You and I believe in Your Son. And for such a simple faith, You have given me eternal life. That eternal life is not something I will someday inherit, it’s mine right now and I rejoice in it. (p. 167)
However, the entry in response to a reading of Eph 2:8-9 is lackluster at best and missing exposition on the importance of faith alone in Christ alone for justification:
God, everything I have is from You. The faith I hold onto tightly is a gift of Your grace. If people see the peace and wholeness in my life, may I never claim responsibility for such things. I will share about Your mercy. I will share how Your love transformed me at a time when I could do nothing to help myself. My dependence on You should shine far brighter than my self-sufficiency. Let everything I do, say, accomplish, or receive praise for be a reflection of Your gift (p. 42).
Clearly, this book is written from the perspective and with the purpose of ministering directly to Christian men, not necessarily for evangelistic purposes. As such, none of the entries attempt to cast doubt on the reader’s salvation, but rather spur the reader on to a productive Christian life lived out daily and grounded upon the cornerstones of the Word of God and prayer.
Scott Larrison
Associate Controller
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK