Book Review: Before Amen

It would have been better if I had listened to Max Lucado's Before Amen, before J. I. Packer's Praying. Lucado offers superb storytelling and simple explication of prayer, but not the depth and intellect Packer brings to his book. Of course, Lucado didn't set out to write an intense treatise on prayer. His subtitle declares: The Power of a Simple Prayer.

Lucado's proposed pocket prayer is easy to remember and recite: "Father, you are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you, In Jesus' name. Amen" As he breaks down each portion of this prayer, Lucado identifies God as trustworthy and praiseworthy (similar to Packer) and our prayers as essential and effective. In this prayer, we identify who God is, how deeply sinful and needy we are, how important it is to intervene on behalf of others, and our enduring gratitude for God's intervention in our lives. Lucado highlights these as four prayer strengths: worship, trust, compassion, and gratitude. So, if you want a simple book on prayer, this one breaks it down into easy-to-follow steps.