Prayer and praying men

In Short

This work is a series of biographical meditations on the prayer lives of key biblical figures, including Samson, Solomon, Moses, Elijah, and Paul the Apostle. By examining these individuals’ moments of crisis and triumph, the text posits that prayer is not merely a religious habit, but the primary instrument for invoking God’s direct intervention in human affairs. Its enduring appeal lies in its uncompromising, high-voltage call for believers to move beyond superficial devotion and reclaim the "lost secret" of sustained, fervent, and sacrificial intercession as the prerequisite for spiritual impact.

The Story

The narrative arc of the book is essentially a progression through the history of divine interaction, tracing the evolution of prayer from the desperate cries of Old Testament patriarchs to the strategic, habitual intercession of the New Testament church. The journey begins with the early biblical figures, who represent a raw, reactive form of prayer. Here, the author examines characters like Samson, whose irregular and often sinful life still finds a path back to God through a final, desperate petition in the midst of his humiliation. The story moves through the lives of Solomon and Moses, illustrating how prayer functions as the foundation for institutional and national leadership. In the dedication of the temple or the intercession for a wayward Israel, prayer is depicted as a force capable of swaying the divine will, showing that even the most powerful leaders are entirely dependent on their ability to "grapple" with God.

As the book progresses, the focus shifts to the prophets, such as Elijah, who demonstrates that prayer can penetrate even the forbidden realms of death. The author emphasizes that these men were not merely spiritual icons, but individuals who understood that when human resources fail, prayer bridges the gap between impossible circumstances and divine deliverance. The text highlights the "prayer-born" successes of Nehemiah and Ezra, demonstrating that whether one is rebuilding the walls of a city or reforming a nation, the work must be saturated in prayer to withstand opposition.

The final, and most significant, portion of the book is dedicated to the Apostle Paul. In this section, the narrative reaches its argumentative climax. Paul is presented not as a hero of intellectual or organizational achievement, but as a man whose entire existence was defined by the "business" of prayer. The author meticulously connects every victory, survival, and successful mission of the Apostle to his habit of ceaseless, agonizing intercession. The account concludes with Paul’s own explicit requests for prayer from the churches he served. These requests reveal his profound humility and his belief that his own ministry—his boldness, his safety, and his ability to impart spiritual gifts—depended entirely upon the prayers of others. The ending leaves the reader with a clear mandate: the life of the believer must be marked by the same "martyr glory" and intensity found in the early church, where prayer was the first priority, the final defense, and the only path to a life of true spiritual significance.

How It Unfolds

The foundations are laid The author establishes a strict binary between human effort and divine power, asserting that prayer is the primary requirement for all spiritual service. He introduces the Old Testament saints as prototypes who, despite their flaws, understood that calling on God was the only effective response to existential crisis.

The leadership of the altar The focus shifts to figures like Moses and Solomon, who demonstrate that prayer is a mandatory prerequisite for public duty and national guidance. The author illustrates how these leaders used prayer to negotiate for their people, showing that even the most prominent figures must maintain a position of total dependence on God.

The invasion of the impossible The author examines the prophet Elijah, arguing that a true man of prayer can intervene in the most extreme circumstances, including the restoration of life itself. This section posits that answers to prayer serve as the primary evidence for the truth of the divine record.

The apostolic model The final movement centers on the life of Paul, casting him as the ultimate practitioner of prayer. The author breaks down Paul’s missionary work to show that his boldness in preaching and his protection from enemies were not innate traits, but results harvested directly from his life of ceaseless intercession.

The People

The central figures are the "praying men" of the Bible, though the author draws a sharp distinction between their roles and their methods. Samson serves as a cautionary yet hopeful figure, demonstrating that even a life marked by compromise can end in a powerful, prayer-induced victory. Moses appears as the archetypal intercessor, a man whose relationship with God is so intimate that he can successfully plead for a sinful nation, essentially "staying the hand" of divine wrath. Elijah embodies the "man of God" who operates with absolute confidence, invading the realms of death because he refuses to accept any boundary where God is concerned. Nehemiah and Ezra represent the practical, administrative side of prayer; they are reformers who use their time at the throne of grace to secure the resources and courage necessary to rebuild society. Paul the Apostle stands as the book’s definitive model. Unlike those who might rely on their own intellect or apostolic authority, Paul is characterized by his desperate, relentless need for the prayers of his fellow believers. He is defined by his transparency regarding his own weaknesses—his fear of being a "stammerer" or a coward—and his firm conviction that his ministry is entirely sustained by the intercessions of others.

In Its Own Voice

“There are no positions of extremity which baffles God, when prayer puts God into the matter.”

(The author makes this claim while discussing the mission of Moses.)

“He that prays not, is not at all; he is naught, less than naught.”

(The author uses this stark assessment to emphasize the primacy of prayer in the teaching of the Apostle Paul.)

“Prayer must either reign in the life or must abdicate; which shall it be?”

(This rhetorical question serves as the author's final, challenging summary of the necessity of a prayer-centered life.)

What It's Really About

The book is a focused argument for the "primacy of prayer" in the Christian life. It strips away the comfort of religious activity and asserts that without a disciplined, agonizing, and constant life of intercession, all human effort—no matter how noble—is essentially worthless. The text interrogates the reader’s commitment to spiritual practice, asking if their prayer life is merely a secondary hobby or if it is the central, controlling engine of their existence. It posits that the "lost secret" of the church is not a new method or strategy, but a return to the exhausting, life-or-death intensity of the ancient saints who believed that prayer could alter the course of history and move the hand of God.

Why Read It Today

This book is a challenging, intense, and often abrasive read that will resonate most with those who feel that contemporary religious practice lacks spiritual weight. It is not a gentle devotional; it is a rigorous call to discipline. Readers who value a direct, unwavering, and sometimes harsh style will find the author’s tone bracing. He does not mince words regarding the "forceless" nature of much modern devotion, and he is clearly writing from a perspective that prioritizes absolute dedication over personal comfort.

The prose is rooted in the biblical language and theological urgency of the early 20th century, which may feel dense or antiquated to some modern readers. The author’s demand that the believer "burn out for God" and his focus on agonizing, "white-heat" prayer reflect an intensity that can be both inspiring and exhausting. Because the author focuses on the lives of figures like Samson or the rebellion of Korah, he brings a raw, sometimes violent, and dramatic energy to his subject that keeps the reader engaged, even when his arguments feel confrontational. You should read this if you want to be unsettled, if you are looking for a standard of faith that is measured in struggle rather than success, and if you are willing to hold your own daily habits up against the author's high, uncompromising demands for "praying men."