Barnes & NoblePray First: The Transformative Power of a Life Built on Prayer by Chris Hodges

Transform your prayer life

We sometimes expect that prayer comes naturally to Christians, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Even when a believer feels comfortable praying, it doesn’t mean that their prayer style will lead them to a deep and fulfilling relationship with God. Author Chris Hodges’s Pray First outlines the ‘transformative power of a life built on prayer’. When I first read the title “Pray First”, I made an assumption that the book would be a quick, easy, and fluffy read. I quickly learned it is anything but! Instead, Pray First is 272 pages packed with insight, guidance, and many examples that serve as food for thought as the reader determines what approaches might work best for their own prayer journey. The book is broken into three sections that include an extensive foundation of prayer, several prayer models, and how and why prayer and fasting work together. As someone who isn’t accustomed to sacrificial fasting, I appreciated the comprehensive segment about fasting and why fasting is an important part of praying – whether the fast is from food or another sacrificial aspect, such as social media. Pastor Hodges has an impressive following at his church and it’s easy to see why after reading Pray First. He has an engaging style and is clearly enthusiastic about prayer, as evidenced by the incredible foundation of prayer he’s established in his church community. Although I had a couple of differences of opinion, I was still impressed with and inspired by this book as a whole. Anyone who’s looking to amp up their prayer life will certainly benefit from reading this book.