Johannes Hartl

The need for spirituality in the Western world has never been greater. At the same time, churches are losing more and more members. The West is in a deep crisis of faith. How so? Because too often we are content with superficial answers and shallow conceptions of God. God, as he encounters us in the Bible and in prayer, is not simply `nice' and certainly not trivial or comfortable. God is fascinating and intimidating at the same time. He is a God who astounds. An astonishment and wonder that many have lost. In this rejection of `feel-good' Christianity, Johannes Hartl describes how one can rediscover this sense of wonder, pointing the way to what the Bible calls the `beginning of wisdom'. A compelling challenge to get out of our spiritual comfort zones to find a real, truly fulfilled and fulfilling faith.

In the gospel of Luke, the disciples of Jesus ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” They saw the great importance Jesus placed on having a daily rhythm of prayer and they wanted to learn how to have this same rhythm in their own lives. And so can we. In this refreshingly different look at prayer, Johannes Hartl explores twelve simple ways to build a thriving prayer life—twelve steps that have transformed his life. Hartl encourages readers to explore different forms of prayer, from embracing silence, to creating your own `inner garden’ in which to meet with Jesus wherever you are, to overcoming the scripts and traffic in our heads that prevent us from encountering God. With inspiring stories, spiritual exercises, and practical ideas, Simply Pray will help you develop daily rhythms of prayer, even in the hectic pace of day-to-day life. For those who long to meet with God in prayer, experience more depth, and discover God’s presence in the everyday, Simply Pray is an invitation to the biggest challenge and the loveliest secret—the adventure that will change your life.

What is prayer? How does it work? And does it even help at all? Where do we start and where will it lead? These are questions that Johannes Hartl has spent his life exploring. Questions that have found their answers through encounter, experience and often through travel - a journey of discovery that has taken Hartl into the very heart of true prayer. Weaving together stories of individuals, movements and moments he has encountered across the world, Hartl invites you to join him on an incredible adventure. Exploring different approaches to prayer, such as contemplative, intercessory, creative, powerful and revelatory prayer, Hartl encourages us to rediscover the true heart of prayer - a God who hears us and wants to speak to us. For those who want to experience the power of prayer or who are struggling to pray, this book is full of thoughtful insights and wisdom, combined with reflective applications which will inspire and challenge readers to catch the fire for a life of prayer themselves.

Das spirituelle Bedurfnis und Interesse ist so hoch wie selten. Johannes Hartl zeigt, wie wir das Staunen vor Gott wiederfinden konnen: Wir mussen raus aus unserer religiosen Komfortzone, um einen authentischeren und erfullenderen Glauben zu finden. Das Buch ist eine Absage an ein Wohlfuhlchristentum mit einer klaren Botschaft: Wenn wir unseren Glauben ernst nehmen wollen, mussen wir Gott ernst nehmen. Auch wenn der manchmal unbequem ist.