I got this book a couple weeks ago. Somehow, the first 50-60 pages I wasn't able to really get into the message of the book. Perhaps it was too many distractions. Not sure.But, since I committed to reading the whole book to review for Book Sneeze, I found the remainder of the book enlightening, refreshing, and practical. As someone who is deeply a Vineyardite, the pastor, also a Vineyardite, it gives me a greater sense and appreciation for how my own Vineyard church operates.
I don't really know that Ken really explores "NEW REALMS" of prayer, because I've heard of some of these forms of prayer by other denominations. But, perhaps for the common folk who sees prayer on a plain two-dimensional level, Wilson introduces a fourth dimension. It's not the natural dimension which is comprised of 3-dimensions of what we see, hear, taste, feel, but another state that connects us to God in a deeper way.
One of the things I liked that he talked about was praying in small increments throughout the day. This sort of connects us more in the way of "pray without ceasing", where it keeps our minds more focused on the Lord throughout the day rather than just one big lump sum task to be over and done with at a specific time.
Wilson talks about one's physiological responses and one of the important things is to relax. One of those ways is to learn how to use the breath to help us to relax. Other things that are discussed are focusing on ONE thing, just the ONE thing. How hard for us in our very busy society to do that. Then, there is also that element of being still.
He goes through practical ways we can do each of these things. He doesn't tell you to BE STILL and give you nothing, but tells how to BE STILL. There's lots of really great things in this book and it's a must read if you want to learn some practical things to help deepen your prayer life.
For me, I'm glad I have already been doing many of the things, but I did learn or better understand some things I had not before. I'm going to incorporate these things into my prayer life and teach them to my kids.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
