Prayer is common to most religions and world views. This guide describes a path to friendship with God through prayer based on writings believed to be the Creator’s written Word more than any other writing—also known as The Word.
[Special thanks to my wife, Denise, who’s exemplary walk and faithfulness has provided steady encouragement to push ahead on this journey, and for her editing skills and input. And thanks to my dad, J.R. Ball, who was also my pastor for the first 18 years of life. And to my mom Marilyn—who’s prayers ceased when I was 13, when she passed away—but their positive effects continue on. They are the ones who set me out on this journey. Another key person in my life has been my father-in-law, Tom Simpson—who’s journey of faith I have tried to model and learn from. Much of my recent prayer walk has been guided by my pastors and elders including Russ Chambers, Don Bertrand, Kent Scott, Ted Duncan and Theron Freiberg, not to mention some long-time prayer team members such as Ethel Johnson, Pat Crumpler, Bailey Abbott and Richard McBernie. I’d also like to recognize my Bible college professors, Alger Fitch and Steve Edgington who played important roles during my time at Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University).
A significant portion of what I have learned in recent years has come from Andrew Wommack Ministries (awmi.net) and his associated Charis Bible College (charisbiblecollege.org) where free online resources have pointed me to numerous familiar passages that were presented in a balanced harmonization that was new to me. Some Charis teachers I have learned the most from are Wendell Parr, Greg Mohr, Barry Bennett, and his son Daniel, not to mention Andrew.
I also highly recommend a new biography out by John Tesh, former TV host of Entertainment Tonight back in the 90s, who has been on a similar journey I have been on, as documented in his new book, “Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith.” Another resource mentioned in this guide is Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist who has discovered that the physiology of the brain backs up what the Bible says about how we should think, meditate and pray—see tip 32) Guard Your Mouth. Imagine, the Bible is the user’s manual to the human brain. I still have much to learn, and I believe the best is yet to come.]
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