Reviews

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard

matthewmolloy's review against another edition

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2.0

Don't know how much this lines up with biblical prayer. A lot of his examples I don't think can be so easily transferred to the modern world. I think examples of Moses and prophets like Jeremiah aren't necessarily applicable to us just because of the difference in role they played compared to us today.

marcg789's review against another edition

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Just a bit dated and convoluted for me.

bzzzzzz's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

I did find this a bit slow, but it was otherwise excellent.

mkanyion's review against another edition

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4.0

This is easily the most helpful book on prayer that I have ever read. He approaches the topic from the vantage point of those who ask questions such as, How do I know it's God speaking? and similar ones. And while he answers those questions he directs the reader to understand prayer in terms of a life, and not just a moment. I love Willard's books, my favorite being The Divine Conspiracy, but this book has been the most helpful in terms of my own spiritual transformation and growth. Please read it several times.

charityjohnson's review against another edition

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3.0

Not Willard's best book-but it's hard to go wrong. Willard is a profound thinker and he's always worth a re-read. I probably should have given him 4 stars, at least, for this...but his other books are better. Give a read to this one--and don't let my 3 stars dissuade you. (Only my preferred books get 5!)

kecb12's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a hard rating for me. I think that what Willard has to say is very important for Christians to understand. The points he makes about how to be in constant communication with God are thought-provoking and deep. From a material standpoint, this is a 4 star at least. However…it’s a 3 star for me because of the style of writing. This book was extremely dense and not written in a way that felt easily readable, or even manageably readable. I consider myself a strong reader with an interest in theology and philosophy, and this was difficult for me. I can’t imagine what this would be like for someone who genuinely wanted to learn but wasn’t able to sustain attention or follow what Willard was saying because of the way this book was written. It’s a shame, because, despite some disagreement with a few ideas in this book, I would say that it has a lot of great thoughts about a crucial topic for those who walk with Jesus.

elianachow's review against another edition

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5.0

Cannot recommend highly enough.

oswindler's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

ldegough's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was really helpful! I highly recommend it.

- Lacie

booknerd_therapist's review against another edition

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5.0

I positively adore this book. It is written in a simple, plain style that anyone can read and understand, but it is best read slowly, as a topic of this magnitude is no small undertaking. The author takes on some controversial topics but deals with them in a gentle and logical manner; for example, the misconception that a life guided by God is easy or risk-free, or that divine guidance means were are singled out to be special. He plainly says that anyone can develop a conversational with God, and that God will never try to trick us into doing the wrong thing. What I found most important in reading this book was the chapter in which the author leads us to examine our motives in wanting to speak to God. He warns against trying to "use" God so that we can exalt ourselves to a place of spiritual authority; approaching God with fear and insisting that he direct every aspect of our lives so that we can feel "safe;" and treating God as a kind of "cosmic butler" that should be at our beck and call to clean up our messes. Instead, the author gently leads the reader into wanting to live in freedom as one of God's children, and then shows us how we can do it. I highly recommend this book to any Christian who is serious about hearing God.