Before Amen Bible Study Guide: The Power of a Simple Prayer

By Max Lucado

We all pray . . . some. We pray to stay sober, centered, or solvent. When the lump is deemed malignant. When the money runs out. When the marriage is falling apart. But wouldn’t we like to pray . . . more? Better? Stronger? With more fire, faith, and fervency?

In this four-session video-based study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author Max Lucado reveals his own struggles with prayer and how he discovered that it is not a privilege for the pious nor the art of a chosen few but a simple tool everyone has been given to have a conversation with God. He shows you how to:

• Let go of uncertainties about prayer.
• Trust that God hears you.
• Embrace a prayer life that brings peace and rest.

 

Join Max Lucado on a journey to the very heart of biblical prayer and the power unleashed with five simple sentences: "Father, you are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen." 

This study guide includes leader helps, discussion questions, conversation starters, and between-session activities to enhance your understanding and application of Max's teaching.

Sessions include:

1. Father, You Are Good
2. I Need Help
3. They Need Help
4. Thank You

 

Designed for use with Before Amen Video Study 9780529123428 (sold separately).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Oct 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9780529123411

Max Lucado

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

Reviews for Before Amen Bible Study Guide

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Before Amen, bestselling author Max Lucado introduces readers to the power of a simple prayer:Father, You are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.As Jesus gave a model prayer to his disciples, so Lucado is giving a prayer that can be used quickly when time is short or used as the basis for a longer prayer. Each phrase has a correlating chapter to expound on the Biblical background of the thought, the appropriate application of the idea, and the spiritual blessings and possibilities that prayer can bring. Lucado's emphasis in Before Amen is on making prayer approachable and simple for anyone. One of my favorite quotes was: “We Speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer in its purest form.” (pg.11) Throughout the book, I felt like Lucado reiterated the approachability of both God and prayer as well as advocated prayer as a means of experiencing deeper intimacy with God.Before Amen is mainly targeted to Christians who desire to pray, but struggle with consistency or insecurity relating to prayer. Christians who already have a strong prayer life will likely find it minimally helpful as it is simplistic. However, I think that everyone could find encouragement in this book as Lucado often reminds the reader of Biblical truths and promises. For me, reading the chapter about God as Father was a refreshing reminder of God's love and care for each of us.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an Advance Reader Copy of Before Amen from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While this book is fairly short, it is powerful and helps focus on prayer and how to pray. Lucado is a masterful writer and story teller, and his words always hit home. The focus of this book is the Pocket Prayer, a short, powerful prayer to help guide you when you don't know what else to pray.

[ylferif_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Easy to read and easy to follow.Theology-lite

[sneezybee23 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Before Amen, bestselling author Max Lucado introduces readers to the power of a simple prayer:Father, You are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.As Jesus gave a model prayer to his disciples, so Lucado is giving a prayer that can be used quickly when time is short or used as the basis for a longer prayer. Each phrase has a correlating chapter to expound on the Biblical background of the thought, the appropriate application of the idea, and the spiritual blessings and possibilities that prayer can bring. Lucado's emphasis in Before Amen is on making prayer approachable and simple for anyone. One of my favorite quotes was: “We Speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer in its purest form.” (pg.11) Throughout the book, I felt like Lucado reiterated the approachability of both God and prayer as well as advocated prayer as a means of experiencing deeper intimacy with God.Before Amen is mainly targeted to Christians who desire to pray, but struggle with consistency or insecurity relating to prayer. Christians who already have a strong prayer life will likely find it minimally helpful as it is simplistic. However, I think that everyone could find encouragement in this book as Lucado often reminds the reader of Biblical truths and promises. For me, reading the chapter about God as Father was a refreshing reminder of God's love and care for each of us.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an Advance Reader Copy of Before Amen from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[drmom62 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I thought he started off well with the first chapter and at the opening of the second chapter he hit the God as Daddy fallacy.
That's when I decided to quit

[jmcdbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rated: AMy Pocket Prayer:Abba, Father,You are so good. You are a good, good Father. You are Holy, Holy, Holy.I love You. I need You. Fill me. Heal me. Protect me. Forgive me.They need You, Lord. Please send me.And show me where You are and what You are doing; Then give me the compassionate courage to follow in Your steps.Thank You. In Jesus Name. Amen.

[themadturtle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a very "light" book. Lucado writes around the idea of a "pocket prayer" made up of a few short sentences that one can easily memorize and "whip out" if they need direction when praying. In the book he expounds briefly on each idea or sentence. There's some neat ideas, but not a lot of deep substance in the book. I read it as part of a men's study and we breezed through it quickly. It didn't keep a lot of guys' attention.