Knowing and Enjoying God: A 14-Day Reading Plan With Tim ChalliesNäide

Christians are well-resourced with tremendous books that teach the theology and the practice of prayer (including the classic works on prayer by E.M. Bounds, the author of this quote). 

Many churches and ministries offer powerful classes that teach why we must pray and how we must pray. But as Bounds tells us here, the best place to learn prayer is not a classroom, but a closet. 

The best way to learn prayer is not to read books on prayer, but to simply pray. The books and classes can help, to be sure. But at some point we must simply close our eyes and pray. Even with our lack of confidence, even with our lack of knowledge, even with our lack of theology, we must simply close our eyes and open our mouths and speak to God. 

As we commit ourselves to the discipline of prayer, as we engage in it day after day and year after year, we find ourselves learning what it means to pray with faith, with power, with humility, with persistence. 

Christian, if you want to learn to pray, pray!