Pray Like Hell

review by

Mike Nappa

Pray Like Hell

by Maxine Outlaw

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Having often experienced the title of this book, and noticing a mainstream publisher released it, I was intrigued to see how a secular viewpoint might influence such a profoundly vital spiritual subject as prayer. In the end, I found the book a mixed blessing of sorts, like eating a delicious berry pie—and finding unpleasant lima beans mixed in the crust.

First, the delicious parts. Outlaw often shares compelling anecdotes from her own Christian experience with prayer. Particularly moving is her telling of a time she felt unable to pray anymore—and how she got through it. Additionally, she’s included helpful Bible passages, practical “starter prayers,” and exercises for those uncomfortable talking to God.

Now, for the lima beans. Though Outlaw writes from a Christian perspective, it’s a viewpoint apparently shaped by liberal theology. Early in the book, she erroneously indicates prayer itself—not the Person we pray to—is most important. She says we pray to “Allah, the Beginning and the End, Yahweh, the Goddess, Supreme Being, the Eternal, Master of the Universe, the Ultimate Good, Creator, Father, Mother, Lord, and Savior.” In short, Outlaw’s philosophy seems to be that it doesn’t matter what idol you may pray to, only that you pray. She also mentions repeatedly that church is an unlikely place to go for help in prayer.

So, Pray Like Hell is rather a mixed blessing. If you’re willing to wade through the liberal theological baggage of the author, you may enjoy and be encouraged by this book. If not, you may end up more confused about God and prayer than when you began.