“I want to believe, I want to have hope, but…” Pastor and bestselling author Craig Groeschel hears these words often and has asked them himself. We want to know God, feel his presence, and trust that he hears our prayers, but in the midst of great pain, we may wonder if he really cares about us. Even when we have both hope and hurt, sometimes it's the hurt that shouts the loudest. Can God be good when life is not

In Hope in the Dark, Groeschel explores the story of the father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus, saying, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” In the man's sincere plea, Jesus heard the tension in the man's battle-scarred heart. He healed not only the boy but the father too, driving out the hopelessness that had overtaken him. He can do the same for us today.

As Groeschel shares his pain surrounding the current health challenges of his daughter, he acknowledges the questions we may ask in our own deepest pain: “Where was God when I was being abused” “Why was my child born with a disability” “Why did the cancer come back” “Why are all my friends married and I'm alone” He invites us to wrestle with such questions as we ask God to honor our faith and heal our unbelief.

In the middle of your profound pain, you long for authentic words of understanding and hope. You long to know that even in overwhelming reality, you can still believe that God is good. Rediscover a faith in the character, power, and presence of God. Even in the questions. Even now.

In 1988 I wrote a book called "Why Pray?" which went through 6 printings by Creation House and one by the author. That book was written because I knew I had something to say to the pray-ers of America. I have, over the past 50 years of ministry, read scores of books on the subject of prayer. Most of them dealt with some rather fundamental issues, but none seemed to answer the questions I had regarding this matter. I wanted to know why God, who has all power, a plan and a will would need us to pray.
I had read early in my life with God a statement attributed to John Wesley in which he said, "God does nothing, but in answer to prayer." He did not explain the statement, but he sure caused me to think. If God does nothing but in answer to prayer, then prayer must be one of the most important things a Christian, can do.
I believed the statement, but did not understand it and Wesley did not explain himself. Later I came to believe the following: God, who is sovereign, certainly has the power to do anything He wills to do whether anyone prays of not, however, I can say, from a careful study of the Word and a thorough examination of life's experiences; as a rule, God does nothing, but in answer to prayer.
THE LAW OF PRAYER is a follow-up of 'Why Pray?" I have included in it some of the same material, with several new chapters, a new cover, forward and updated illustrations.
David Shibley will write the forward. Other recommendations will come from Bishop Ken Ulmer of Los Angeles, CA, Pastor Steve Dixon, Jack Hayford and Mike Bickel.
My Purpose in writing this:
.Is to instruct, encourage and inspire God's children to pray by convincing them that He will hear their prayer as quickly as He will hear the prayer of anyone.
.Is to share the truth that God, our Father desires to have a relationship with each of His children and has made a way for this to happen. His door is never closed, and all are invited to come in for a chat.
.Is to communicate, a few more things I have learned, to the thousands who read "Why Pray?"
.Last but not least. I want to obey my Father.

Each and every prayer and pray-er in the Bible is now available, together and categorized. Bible Prayer Pray-ers lists references only of all the prayers and every pray-er in the Bible within three separate lists: pray-er sequence, Biblical sequence, and category sequence. God's Book of Prayers and The Lord's Prayers both also contain all the prayers of the Bible. God's Book of Prayers separates each into nine categories for convenient reading, while The Lord's Prayers lists them in biblical sequence, with an exhaustive concordance of major words or phrases. These volumes will help you to easily be able to pray God's own words. Most of us already use the Lord's Prayer, so why not use all of The Lord's Prayers? See all of God's Prayers inside and be a Bible Prayer Pray-er

WARNING This is a propaganda book. I realize the word propaganda is not a word that is politically correct today. But in its original usage, it was a word coined by Pope Urban VIII. He formed the College of Propaganda in the 17th century in order to spread the Christian faith. In this sense, I AM striving for propaganda. Much of what I write in this book is meant to cause you to embrace prayer as a friend as well as a vital tool of your faith. Prayer is not boring; it is an adventure. I begin with the confession that there is probably nothing else in my spiritual life or disciplines I have struggled with more than prayer. I have read thousands of books on the subject (yes, an exaggeration), and I have been reluctant to add yet another literary work to the chaos of differing opinions, theological studies, and sure-fire methodologies that will guarantee a successful prayer life. Right And yet, as I pondered the direction of this volume, it dawned on me that my personal journey has had little to do with theology or methodology. It hasn't even had much to do with verbiage. But it had and has everything to do with my honestly and openness before God and with what's happening in my heart at the time I'm praying. And it has everything to do with the words of Jesus--"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Our Lord wants us to pray. Always and about everything. During times of joy as well as sorrow. He wants us to talk to Him...not about Him. I've asked myself the question often lately--"Do I pray out of thoughtfulness or habit? What can I do to get my heart involved as well as my mouth?" I continue to struggle. May these writings help you in your struggle. May you enjoy your journey through the school of groaning in the days and months to come. God bless you.

God's Word, the Holy Bible, is more than a history book or even an instruction manual. It is a personal love letter from God to his believers containing very specific promises.

God's answer seeks to link your concerns with his promises and help you pray back the Scripture, his own words, to Him.

Jim Greene is a layman Sunday school teacher who challenges himself and his class to enjoy a closer relationship with God.

This book, along with his others, Unlocking Your Spiritual Greatness and A Place of Faith, are practical guides to that closer relationship.

Prayer is an ancient and simple way to prepare yourself for grace, or love, and to learn to recognize it when it comes. Even the briefest "grace" spoken before dinner offers its time-honored wisdom. Yet in spite of hundreds of traditions and teachings and books about prayer, millions of Americans have become ambivalent about it. They are unsure how, when, where, and even why they might pray, afraid they'll do it wrong, or worried that they won't be heard.
Writing in the beautiful, funny, honest narrative style that moved and inspired readers of her first book, "Here If You Need Me, "Kate Braestrup explains what prayer is and the many ways we can pray. With an approach that is both personal and inclusive, "Beginner's Grace "is a new kind of prayer book. Even if you don't pray and don't consider yourself religious, there's room in this book for you. In these pages, Braestrup explains how and why the practice of prayer can open a space in our busy lives for mindfulness, gratitude, contentment, and a wider compassion toward others.
Inspired by her work as a chaplain, Braestrup includes many examples of prayers to draw from--beginning with grace, a brief prayer of thanks. She provides clear models and practical suggestions for making your own and your family's prayers meaningful and satisfying, and offers prayers for situations in which words might fail: times of anxiety, helplessness, or grief. And she invites you to explore forms of prayer that extend into the wider community, including prayer with and for people we don't like or with whom we disagree.
A welcoming modern guide to the simplest, most effective way to satisfy a universal spiritual hunger, "Beginner's Grace "is for the religious and nonreligious and even irreligious in its generous, good-humored approach to spirituality. With its insight and warmth, "Beginner's Grace "is sure to become a spiritual touchstone for people of all faiths