Copyright Page
2016 by Daniel Henderson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016942354
ISBN 978-1-4412-3050-8
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations labeled GNT are from the Good News TranslationSecond Edition. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Cover design by LOOK Design Studio
Endorsements
The wisdom we really need may not be the wisdom we typically seek. This book will challenge your assumptions, open new windows of understanding, and realign your relationships. Filtered through the life experience of a veteran pastor and renewal leader, the practical truths in The Prayer God Loves to Answer will connect you to the life of Christ to empower you for lasting life-change.
Mark Batterson , New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church
Daniel Henderson is a seasoned saint, a serious follower of Christ, and a profoundly humble man of God. Whenever he joins me on the show, I look forward to a thoughtful, engaging, deeper-life kind of conversation. Thats why Im thrilled about his latest book, The Prayer God Loves to Answer . Hes written a timely word for the church and for those who know they need wisdom only found in Jesus, the source of all wisdom. I pray we can put as much thought into reading these words as Daniel put into writing them. Our world needs Gods wisdom. Desperately. May God equip and empower you as you read!
Susie Larson , talk radio host, national speaker, and author of Your Powerful Prayers
Foolish choices are ruining the fabric of our nation and our lives. What we need is more of Jesus, more of his wisdom, more of his truth. Daniel Henderson delivers just that. The Prayer God Loves to Answer is a journey for wisdom and a map to some of Gods greatest highlights along the way.
Lance Hahn , senior pastor of Bridgeway Christian Church and author of How to Live in Fear Mastering the Art of Freaking Out
Anyone who has believed the gospel must also learn to apply it to every area of their lives. With careful exposition and relentless application, Daniel Henderson explains the implications of the good news of Christ in one of the most important aspects of our journeyour everyday relationships. You wont see your relationships the same again after reading this book, and youll be equipped to pray for much-needed wisdom in a fresh and life-transforming way.
Brian Bloye , senior pastor of West Ridge Church and coauthor of It s Personal
I start every single day by asking God to fill me with his divine wisdom. I have learned through the years that I can do nothing without him, and I even mess that up if he doesnt fill me with wisdom. And yet, the moment I started reading Daniels book, I immediately refocused my whole view of wisdom: Its not about me, its all about Jesus. Every Christian who wants to grow deeper in their faith, who wants to be more fruitful and discerning and experience an abundant life, must read this book.
Karen Covell , producer and founding director of The Hollywood Prayer Network
As a pastor and biblical counselor, I know there is no more practical guide to engaging people with the wisdom of God than through Gospel-centered prayer. In a generation of nothing more than give-me prayers, it is time we seek God for more than just results, and gain perspective and wisdom for lifes daily challenges. Daniel Henderson has done it again! This book is a guide for taking your eye off of yourself and gaining the greater gift God wants to give you through prayer: more of himself!
Josh Weidmann , senior pastor, Grace Chapel, author of Honest to God , and host of www.joshweidmann.com
Dedication
To Heather Rose
Our cherished daughter whose tender heart and willing obedience to Jesus has filled our lives with deepest joy.
Now, as a wife and mother, she continues to beautifully honor her Lord.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Foreword by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Preface
Introduction: Wisdom Within
Part One: Best Wisdom Available
1. Wise Beyond Solomon
2. Accessing Your Wisdom Treasure
3. The Relational Game Changer
Part Two: Best Wisdom Practices
4. Purely Wise in a Wicked World
5. Wisdom Wins in a Culture at War
6. Gentle WisdomStill in Style
7. Wise Reason for Unreasonable People
8. Mercy Me, Im Getting Wiser!
9. How the Good Die Wise
10. How Wisdom Trumps Pride and Prejudice
11. Wise Guys (and Gals) Are the Real Deal
12. Reaping Right Relationships
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1: Jesus Model of Prayer
Appendix 2: New Testament Descriptions of Gospel Relationships
Application and Discussion Questions
Notes
About the Author
Books by Daniel Henderson
Back Ad
Back Cover
Foreword
When I was in my early twenties, a friend came to me and said, Im dating this guy who just told me we cant talk about the possibility of marriage until we both memorize the book of Proverbs. What should I do? she asked, astonishment showing in her great big eyes.
Well, maybe you should memorize it! I responded. In fact, Id like to do it with you.
So the three of us started working on memorizing the book of Proverbs. As it turned out, my friend ended up marrying someone else, but what a wonderful journey those months turned out to be for me. A journey toward wisdom. Here are a few of the lessons I learned about wisdom in the process:
- Wisdom provides a sense of personal security, stability, and well-being. (Proverbs 3:2126)
- Wisdom builds strong homes and promotes happy family relationships. (Proverbs 24:3; 10:1; 19:13)
- Wisdom earns favor in the workplace. (Proverbs 14:35; 17:2)
- Wisdom enables us to overcome major obstacles and opposition. (Proverbs 21:22 and 24:5; Ecclesiastes 9:18)
- Wisdom helps us work smarter, not harder. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
- Wisdom exalts us before others. (Proverbs 3:35)