The busy modern world too often distracts us from our spiritual paths, leaving us feeling disconnected and lost. This dissonance creates a chasm between us and God, making prayer seem unnecessary.
How, then, can we find the motivation and discipline to build a meaningful relationship with the divine? Enter Pastor Iren’s Pray Book, a timely guide offering a clear roadmap. This book becomes our guide, offering practical strategies and a renewed sense of purpose to help us reconnect with God.
About Pray Book
One sentence summary:
Pray Book: Biblical Strategy For Building a Prayer Life is a practical and inspiring book that equips readers with strategies to develop a consistent and powerful prayer life.
Author Pastor Emmanuel Iren presents an engaging and relatable approach to prayer, demystifying the process and emphasizing the importance of spiritual connection. With a focus on identity, motivation, and practical exercises, this guide promises to help readers cultivate a meaningful relationship with God.
Favorite Quotes






Remind yourself of who you are in the Lord. Walk by faith and not by sight.
The bedrock of a vibrant spiritual experience: learn that joy in fellowship is not based on feelings but on a “knowing.” Powerful feelings emerge out of an outgrowth of convictions.
If you want to fulfill God’s plan for your life, you would have to cultivate a private prayer culture.
The thought of Golgota should drive you to Gethsemane.
Prayer is first about who is talking before it is about what the person talking is saying.
The revelation of the Fatherhood of God to the believer is foundational to effective prayer in the New Testament.
The one to whom we cry (or pray) is as important as what we cry.
Fervour in prayer means enthusiastic, passionate, zealous, intense prayer. It has to involve your emotions.
Now, in the place of prayer, the believer stands as though Christ Himself in His righteousness were the one making the request.
On one hand, there is absolutely no way to build a consistent devotional life without effort and discipline. But the words of Jesus must resound in our consciousness thus: “For without Me, you can do nothing.”
“Prayer is first about who is talking before it is about what the person talking is saying.”
This quote encapsulates the book’s core message, reminding readers that our identity as children of God is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal. It shifts the focus from the words we utter to the stance we carry while approaching God.
“Feelings and emotions can sometimes be misleading and other times be informative.”
Iren encourages readers to evaluate their spiritual state objectively, using their spiritual faculties as the ultimate judge, a notion that promotes a deeper, more conscious spirituality.
Pray Book’s Principles and Driving Ideas
What are the key takeaways from this book?
Table of Contents
- Idea 1: Identity and Relationship
- Idea 2: The Balance of Corporate and Private Prayer
- Idea 3: The Heart of Prayer – Sincerity, Truth, and Fervency
- Idea 4: Practice Makes Perfect
- Who is this book for?
- Is this book suitable for someone who feels distant from God?
- What makes this book different from other guides on prayer?
- Are there specific action steps or exercises?
- How long does it take to finish the book, and is it worth the time?
Idea 1: Identity and Relationship
The first and foremost aspect of prayer, according to Pastor Iren, is understanding our identity in Christ. He emphasizes that prayer is not primarily about what we say but rather who we are when we say it. Our relationship with God the Father, as righteous children, shapes our prayers.
He explores the different identities linked with prayer, such as being the righteousness of God in Christ, and how these identities give us confidence and boldness in our communication with God. Understanding our position as beloved children allows us to approach God not as slaves or employees but as family, fostering an intimate and vulnerable relationship with Himself.
Idea 2: The Balance of Corporate and Private Prayer
Pastor Iren places emphasis on the significance of both corporate and private prayer in our spiritual lives. He highlights how each type of prayer offers unique benefits and contributes to our relationship with God.
Corporate Prayer
Fellowship with other believers is vital to our spiritual growth and security, as it provides a sense of community and shared experience. Corporate prayer, Pastor Iren explains, unleashes a powerful synergy, increasing the impact of our worship and petitions. He encourages readers to engage in regular corporate prayer, whether through church services, online platforms, or prayer groups, emphasizing the benefits of collective devotion.
Private Prayer
The author also underscores the importance of private prayer, which fosters intimacy and a personal connection with God. Private prayer allows us to address specific personal matters, seeking guidance and comfort in our individual lives. Pastor Iren emphasizes the need to cultivate a regular private prayer habit, suggesting strategies such as setting aside dedicated time and creating a conducive environment.
He notes that a balanced approach to spirituality includes both corporate and private devotion, each rubbing off on the other positively.
Idea 3: The Heart of Prayer – Sincerity, Truth, and Fervency
Pastor Iren emphasizes that the heart of prayer lies in the sincerity and truth of our communication with God. He stresses that our motives and the attitude behind our prayers are just as important as the words we speak. God sees and hears beyond our physical feelings, evaluating the sincerity of our hearts.
The author encourages readers to judge their spiritual state using their spiritual faculties and the Word of God, reminding us that our feelings of closeness to God may not always align with how God sees us. We should approach Him with the knowledge that He sees our efforts and sincerity.
Idea 4: Practice Makes Perfect
In the final sections of the book, Pastor Iren offers practical tips on enhancing our prayer life. He discusses the importance of correct prayer practices, including persistence, and how these can lead to spiritual muscle building. The use of repetition, consistency, and pushing past our limits termed ‘hypertrophy’ can help us develop a robust spiritual fitness regimen.
Additionally, he guides readers on creating a structure for their prayers, emphasizing the role of environment, accountability, and personal preferences. He also explores the impact of our spiritual identities on our prayer life, encouraging us to put effort into our relationship with God.
FAQs on Pray Book.
Who is this book for?
Pray Book is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of prayer and develop a consistent devotional life.
Whether you’re a long-time believer or a newcomer to faith, this book offers valuable insights into the transformative power of prayer.
Is this book suitable for someone who feels distant from God?
Absolutely! Praybook is specifically tailored to revive and reignite one’s relationship with God through the spiritual practice of prayer. It offers practical guidance and a fresh perspective on prayer, helping readers reconnect with the Divine and fostering a sense of closeness.
What makes this book different from other guides on prayer?
While many books focus on the ‘how-to’ of prayer, Pastor Iren delves deeper into the ‘why’ and ‘who’ aspects. He explores the identity of the pray-er and their relationship with God, providing an insightful and encouraging perspective on spiritual communication. The book’s unique angle makes it a valuable addition to spiritual literature, offering a holistic approach that caters to both the mind and heart.
Additionally, Iren’s relatable anecdotes and real-life applications make the book accessible and engaging, ensuring readers can implement the strategies effectively.
Are there specific action steps or exercises?
Yes, the book provides practical exercises and strategies throughout, encouraging readers to develop a structured prayer routine. These include establishing a dedicated prayer time and space, starting with small prayer goals and gradually increasing them, and incorporating spiritual ‘hypertrophy’ exercises.
Iren also explores the topic of speaking in tongues, providing guidance on how to tap into this powerful spiritual practice. He offers a balanced and insightful approach, ensuring readers understand the ‘whys’, ‘hows’, and ‘whom’ of this often-misunderstood phenomenon.
How long does it take to finish the book, and is it worth the time?
Pray Book by Emmanuel is a relatively quick read if you have enough time on your hands and a sound reading habit. Depending on your reading rate, it can take anywhere from 14 hours to 4 days to complete reading Pray Book from cover to cover.
However, the true value lies in the application of its principles, which may span a longer duration. The book invites readers to embark on a spiritual journey, and such a transformation requires dedication and time.
With practical action steps and a refreshing take on prayer, this book is an excellent choice for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God. It’s a worthwhile investment for those serious about reviving their prayer life and connecting with the Divine in a meaningful way.
Reviewing Pray Book.
The Pray Book is a fairly short read. One could read in a few hours. However, you would need to find more time to sit with bible verses and meditate on them. Also, their action steps are to be revisited when creating an action plan to revive your prayer life. So while it’s a short read, its post-reading application can span a longer, running into months even.
I like how the book and its content were introduced. The author shared an experience that highlighted the importance of a good teacher; one who is committed to the growth of his or her students. He ties together neatly and creatively his schooling experience and biblical or spiritual school which nicely sets the stage for learning and spiritual education for his readers to embrace when it comes to prayer.
However, there were some typos here and there that I think should have been spotted and corrected. Also, I personally don’t fully agree with a few deductions made by the author.
I want to say that It’s okay to have differing views, but it’s important to approach them with an open mind and a willingness to test them against scripture should you experience something similar while reading Pray Book or any other faith-related book.
Other than that, I would say it is a pretty solid book if you want to cultivate a life of prayer as a Christian.
Conclusion
Pray Book is a powerful tool that can help reset and refocus your prayer life. Emmanuel Iren’s teachings will inspire and motivate you to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. If you’re seeking to enhance your spiritual discipline, this book is a great place to start.
Grab your copy of Pray Book and embark on a transformative journey towards a more meaningful and fulfilling prayer life. May it guide you in building a strong and vibrant connection with the divine.