Book Review: "The Hour that Changes the World" by Dick Eastman

I'm normally a bit wary of book titles that exaggerate their purpose, but this book is true to its title.  The Hour that Changes the World  is a book devoted to prayer, and if anything can change the world, prayer can.  The cornerstone verse is Matthew 26:40-41.  Jesus is praying in the garden of Gethsemane with three disciples and comes back to find them asleep.  He says, "What, could you not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."  I've always thought that it would be nearly impossible to spend an hour in prayer everyday, but I believe that prayer is a scriptural mandate for all Christ followers.  It is during our devotional time that we commune with our savior and receive power to face life's trials.  It is when we sacrifice our own time for the Lord that He is able to bless us beyond measure by knowing Him more intimately.  When I stop to think about it, what could be more important that spending time with the Living God?  What could be so demanding of my attention that I not make time for prayer?

Eastman outlines 12 areas of prayer to focus on for 5 minutes each totally one hour with the Lord each day.  I'll give a brief synopsis of each.

1.  Praise
"Praise produces a forgetfulness of self," which is exactly where we should begin our devotional time.  God is the focus of our prayers, not ourselves and praising God for who He is reminds us that God alone is worthy of praise.

2.  Waiting
Waiting is different than listening because during this portion of our prayer we bask in the presence of God and silently glorify Him.  As Eastman writes, "Praise cries boldly, "God I see these excellent qualities in your nature."  waiting says softly, "God I love you."

3.  Confession
Confession is recognizing our shortcomings before a holy God, and repenting of our sins.  God is willing to forgive our sins when we are willing to recognize them and turn from them.  One of my favorite verses from Psalms is Psalm 51:10-11 which says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."

4.  Scripture Praying
The Word of God is powerful in our prayer time.  Reading and praying the Word engrains it in our souls and allows us to more deeply understand it.

5.  Watching
Watchfulness in prayer is a way of becoming aware of how Satan is at work against the plans of the Lord in our lives and around the world.  We also are to be alert to the work of missionaries throughout the world, and how we can best pray for them.

6.  Intercession
I love that as believers we have power to intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and also the unsaved.  We are able to do much to thwart the plans of the devil through intercessory prayer.

7.  Petition
Eastman defines petition as, "the confession of helplessness in a specific matter."  God is always faithful to give whatever we ask when we do so in a way that aligns ourselves with His will.

8.  Thanksgiving
We have much to be thankful for, and it is necessary to have a grateful heart before God.  We can thank Him not just for physical blessings but for spiritual blessings as well.

9.  Singing
While singing is not something I regularly do in prayer, there is a scriptural basis for it.  The Bible says that Paul and Silas sang hymns while in prison.  Without printed hymnbooks, which weren't published until many years later, it is likely that they sang their own songs in praise to God.

10.  Meditation
Here Eastman encourages us to spend time contemplating one theme such as God Himself, the Word of God, or the works of God.  "No meditation is really valid unless it leaves us with something to which we can return during the day's business and find it helpful there."

11.  Listening
"To listen during prayer is to mentally absorb divine instructions from God concerning specific matters for that day."  To truly hear God's voice we must practice the art of silence as we listen for His still small voice.

12.  Praise
We begin and end prayer with a time of praise.  Eastman says it well when he states, "Our goal beyond the closet (of prayer) is to magnify God's name in all we do."

This incredible book has offered a great many insights into the importance and power of prayer, and the enormous blessings that come from our willingness to engage with the Lord for an hour.  I would encourage you to read it and see how it will affect your prayer life.