BOOK REVIEW: PRAYING LIKE MONKS, LIVING LIKE FOOLS

PRAYING LIKE MONKS, LIVING LIKE FOOLS | Tyler Staton

PRAYING LIKE MONKS, LIVING LIKE FOOLS is the first book that I have read authored by pastor and writer Tyler Staton. This is a brilliant scholarly, inspirational igniter of a prayer movement. Tyler weaves the stories of personal prayer seamlessly alongside the Truth of Biblical narrative and complex theological understandings published by recognized authority on Christian prayer.

Organized around the Lord’s Prayer, Tyler engages with a historical perspective that brings new life to what can be a tired practice. Leading from his life honed by personal practice, he cleverly raises the value of traditional practices in the face of modern enlightenment. Tyler challenges us to hold the tensions of mystery, relentlessly trusting in God’s perfect faithfulness.

I don’t (and never could) understand everything about God. But I can trust the God who is revealed in Jesus—the God who has never looked down on suffering from a lofty throne but has always looked into the eyes of suffering from level ground. I can trust the God who refuses to offer platitudes from a safe distance, the God who descends into the mess with me.

This book is one that I hope transforms my personal prayer life and in doing so draws me deeper into the love relationship with Jesus—the kind of love relationship that changes an entire community.