I absolutely loved this book. It will be on my top 9 book list for 2020. I rarely read anything twice, but this will certainly be one I plan to read again and again.

Autumn Miles is a faith force to be reckoned with. She was watching a TV show one day that detailed the devotion of gang members to their leaders and to their crimes. God convicted her that the gangs were more committed to evil than the Christians were to prayer. At the beginning she honestly admits that, “I was missing out on a world of possibility because I was too lazy in prayer.”

I am on my own spiritual journey with God and am thankful for a book like this to encourage me to continue walking in faith, believing for the seemingly impossible. I’m facing two such situations right now that I’ve been praying for like crazy. This book was a catalyst for praying more specifically. Autumn emphasized that offering big prayers to God is exactly what pleases him because, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” (Heb. 11:6) And “What is a miracle to them can be normal to you.” She said, “Satan didn’t want me to pray because he wanted to keep me from the power that prayer would produce in my life.”

I’ll share one final thought from the book. “It doesn’t say to exit His gates with thanksgiving; it says, ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving.’” Before the miracle comes, He is worthy of praise because His character is good.

I found this book so faith giving, that I immediately purchased it for a friend to whom I knew it would be a blessing. She read it in one sitting!! (Yes, it’s that good),

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Average nonfiction book of prayer and conviction when it comes to one's own faith. Quick read and we'll written. Any perspective is always an interesting one when you're open to learning.

Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for granting me early access to "Gangster Prayer".

I'm currently in the middle of a major move, but I will definitely come back at a later time and write out a full review and rating. Thank you so much!

If you are a Christian and feel your prayer life is stale or weak or none existent, read this book. Miles will light a fire under you, infusing passion for prayer into your very being.

The title might seem odd but is comes from the dedication a gangster has to evil. Miles wants to see that same kind of dedication in Christians toward prayer. I like her definition of gangster prayer: “intentional, tenacious, relentless communication with God that focuses on His might as the source for the answers we seek and on the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us access to 'that power.'” (Loc 109/2348)

I have read a ton of books on prayer but this one inspired me like no others have. Rather than an emphasis on technique, Miles writes of prayer as our means of communication with God. If we neglect it, the Holy Spirit may be present in us but we lose His “presence” in us. (243/2348) His power and influence in us will be reduced.

Her encouragement in prayer is great. Her chapter on persistence was awesome. I like her explanation of why, even though we assume God is willing to answer our prayers, He does not answer the way we expected. “Your character is more important than your request.” (1848/2348)

Miles advocates aggressive prayer. None of this “if it be Your will” attitude. We are to pray in faith, believing God will act. That was hard for this Christian with a high view of God's sovereignty. I also had a little trouble distinguishing between Miles' encouragement to be specific in our requests (not pray something general like “bless Martha today”), yet later saying we are not to be so specific (such as praying for a future husband with particular characteristics).

Nonetheless, a very good book on prayer. You'll not find specific techniques but you will certainly be set on fire to communicate with God more.

Food for thought: “The results of prayer are up to God, but abiding by the principles of prayer are up to us.” (101/2348)

I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Awesome book! Really dives into the prayer life and what it’s suppose to look like. Thank you a million time for writing this book!

Autumn Miles’ book “Gangster Prayer” challenges readers to either make prayer a priority or take it to the next level. Drawing upon Scripture, personal stories, and the stories of others, she easily backs up the principles she presents. Why “gangster prayer?” Miles says she was watching a TV docuseries on crime when God said to her, “Criminals are more passionate about doing evil than you are about praying.” Convicted Miles began a journey, growing in prayer. She defines “gangster prayer” as “intentional, tenacious, relentless communication with God that focuses on His might as the source for the answers we seek and on the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us access to that power.”

I thoroughly enjoyed Miles’ conversational manner and her transparency in her book Gangster Prayer. I felt almost as if we were sitting together chatting over a cup of tea.. I could feel her desire for me, the reader, to experience the power of life-changing relationship with God in prayer. Besides Miles’ friendly and honest tone, readers will also appreciate Miles’ end-of-chapter questions that help them process and put into action what God is teaching them. The questions are thought provoking and extremely practical. Gangster Prayer is the perfect read for someone new to prayer or for someone who longs for refreshing. Thank you, Autumn Miles, for the challenges and for the encouragement. I look forward to seeing more answers to prayer as I trust God and experience more of him.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.