Meet the Author
Gary Neal Hansen is an ordained Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister who earned a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998. He joined the faculty of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 1999, and currently serves as assistant professor of church history and the chair of the history and theology division. Hansen has published articles in several journals including the Princeton Seminary Bulletin, Teaching Theology & Religion, and Presbyterian Outlook. Additionally, his first book, Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers (2012), was recently released.
Book Basics
Individuals, small groups, and ongoing ministry gatherings of all types will benefit from this fresh approach to prayer that introduces ten ways to pray, invites readers to pursue the practice of prayer, and illustrates the importance of the life of prayer for all who follow the way of Jesus. Readers (both those reading just the book as well as those reading it alongside its companion volume – Kneeling with Giants Reader) benefit greatly from Hansen’s years of experience teaching this material as a two semester seminary course, and may even feel as though they are a part of that extended community of spiritual inquiry.
The book is divided into three parts: praying guided by written prayers, praying guided by the Bible, praying guided by personal conversation/communion, and praying guided by the practice of making specific requests for God to act. Chapter length considerations overview each approach, provide specific suggestions for those ready to try the given form of prayer, and illustrate it via a single exemplar. This book is an excellent resource for a wide audience from those who have limited prior prayer tothose who have previously tried many of the styles considered.
So What?
While prayer is an essential part of the Christian faith, it is also one many find challenging. Most study (within a local congregation) about prayer should move beyond intellectual consideration of the scope of this spiritual discipline to the opportunity for all participants to practice praying.
- What life experiences have been most helpful to you as you have learned to pray?
- Think of 2-3 individuals from whom you have learned a great deal about prayer. What memories are most clear?
- What types of prayer would you like to learn more about?
Gary Neal Hansen. Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers (InterVarsity Press, 2012). ISBN: 9780830835621.