I let this book sit on my to-read pile for longer than I should have, although perhaps God's timing is far better than my own.

I appreciate the honesty with which this book discusses prayer, and how it understands the human heart that...doesn't understand. That doesn't know how to reach out and doesn't know what to do when there seems to be no answer, or when that answer is no. It's very relatable without being patronizing, and that's refreshing.

The promo code in the back of the book didn't work. I don't know what it was originally for, but that's my own fault for having waited so long to read it.

As I was reading this book, I felt as if I were sitting in a small group and discussing this topic with the author. Rusty George’s writing style is personable with touches of humor, and that made this an enjoyable book to read. However, this is also a thoughtful, encouraging, and sometimes convicting look at the questions we have when it doesn’t seem that our prayers are being answered or we’ve received a “no” to one of our prayers. I highlighted quite a few passages in this book and appreciated the way the author leads us chapter-by-chapter to a Eggert understanding of the close relationship we can have with God during difficult times. I love the scripture verses/prayers from the Bible that’s included at the end of each chapter, and I know I’ll be returning to those sections of the book again and again. If you have struggled with waiting on God to answer a prayer, or the way He answered it, this is a wonderful book for you to read. With the discussion questions included at the end of each chapter, this would also be a good book for a class or group study.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from Leafwood Publishers, via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

I must say, it is my humble recommendation. Please take your time while reading this book. I truly like this book and after many years I finally got the answers to many questions. Pastor Rusty demolishes many wrong ideas about prayer and what comes after, that waiting that many times we do understand and, to be honest, it is painful. I like that he opens up and talks about his owns experience and mistakes and how God help him during that time. I believe this is a must-read for everyone who believes in God, why?. Because I think many of us read books on prayer and how to be more effective, but the truth is that if we have a wrong vision about who God is it will hard to have a real prayer life. This book gave me hope to keep trusting, praying, to remember that even in the no or in the not yet God is still good and has good plans for me. Amid so much bad news this book and his practical advice can help you during hard and trying times.

It was really good, but I don't think AMAZING. xD But then the only other Christian nonfiction I've ever read is C.S. Lewis, so ... yeah. Take that with a grain of salt. In some ways, though, it did at least make me think - even if I felt it didn't really give me the answers I was looking for in some arenas. But in other arenas, it DID give me the answers I was looking for!

I wish it had spent a bit more time addressing some of the fallacies people have about prayer - say, for instance, the fallacy that something about your manner of praying with miraculous make God more inclined to hear you, something I have struggled with. I try to check off all the boxes - and then blame myself for lack of faith, lack of proper procedures, phrasing something wrong, etc. And though I know it's my fears that lead to such thoughts more so than Biblical truth, I still would've liked to see the author refute a lot of the things that he talked about (and he did talk about a lot of things I really related to ... he just didn't address them on most counts).

Otherwise, though, I found the book quite helpful and encouraging as I am attempting to further my prayer life

Full disclosure that Rusty is the pastor of the church I attend so I have some bias towards generally agreeing with his theology. Rusty is a talented storyteller and is gifted at making difficult concepts understandable and relatable. I didn't find anything super groundbreaking or new here but I feel like it is always nice to reflect on these bigger and more complex topics and Rusty presents it in a way that adds reality and humor. That time of waiting after prayer is a common experience among Christians and I think that almost anyone would get something out of this book.

In our impatient culture where instant answers and quick gratification are valued, how do we respond to God when our prayers seem unanswered? What is happening when God is not responding as expected - either with a no or a not-yet?

This workbook on the practice of prayer will help you examine the questions you are asking when prayer seems not to be "working" in your life or in those you know are praying. What expectations do you have (God as divine vending machine, God as indifferent, God as uncaring)? And how do you reconcile the sovereignty of God with his invitation to his children to ask for whatever they need? What if his answer is no instead of yes? What if you never hear an answer at all?

This book is an excellent interactive resource for small group or individual study. Consider sending a copy to a friend and read it together - discussion will make it richer. You'll be more open to the creative and unexpected answers of God. Recommended.

I read half the book hoping it will get better, but it didn’t. It’s not that the book says something wrong, it just highlights different truths of the Biblie that the regular reader can find easily without reading this book. I really wanted to like this book because it sounded promising, but it just wasn’t for me.