Pray and Watch by Neal and Judy Brower is not a new program on prayer.  It is a great book on a lifestyle change.  Fortunately, this lifestyle change is not something that only a few theologically astute can achieve. It is not a concept that only the disciplined dozen will grasp. It is not a concept that only the courageously committed company of those who have walked on terra-firma for fifty or more years can comprehend, but anyone.  Anyone can pursue this lifestyle change because it does not depend on them, but on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray and Watch (P&W) is a lifestyle of praying for a person and watching God work in his/her life.  It is totally dependent on the Lord’s work rather than a human ability and work.  While P&W does not deny the need for an ability to give the gospel, it does not have to force an entrance into a person’s life, either. Pray and watch God at work and be available.  When the time is right, then share the gospel.  Yet, an important part of P&W is consistent prayer for the people in a person’s sphere of influence and when gathered with others, they mention the names of people they are praying for in prayer.

At first the concept seemed simplistic, but after a few more pages, it made complete sense.  I am still thinking through the “5-second-prayer” that the authors recommend, but I do not want to find fault with what draws people to Jesus.  Any written prayer seems plastic, but then when a new believer can take the concept and be radically transformed, I am going to get excited about that transformation

There certainly is a caution to the simplicity of seeking to draw people to Jesus.  I do not question the Jesus to which Neal and Judy are seeking to follow, however, as this concept might transfer to many others, the truth of who Jesus is may become distorted.  Hence, there is a huge need for good Bible teaching to ensure the Jesus of the Bible is proclaimed.  Neal and Judy reference Jesus as related to good Bible based organizations, so they have the truth, however, other organizations that do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible may take this concept and follow a post-modern approach of existentialism and feelings-based truth.

There are several things that I greatly appreciate in this book. First, their emphasis on the invisible and eternal reality of Jesus. We have become a culture that is so oriented to the visible reality of our senses, that we depend on what those senses connect with rather than on the spiritual reality of who God is (p. 25)  Our bodies and lives are passing away (p. 26) and only the eternal matters. Secondly, I appreciate their challenge of what is worth living for and only what is eternal (p. 27) Thirdly, I appreciate their honesty about how much they dislike evangelism (p. 42-43) , yet show that evangelism can be exciting by depending on God’s work through people.  Fourthly, I appreciate their challenge that what we are doing for reaching the world isn’t working (p. 129-130)  They show how this lifestyle change can be an impactful and community change.  Fifthly, I appreciate their emphasis on practice and making it a part of every aspect of life, especially before your children (p. 145-149). Sixthly I appreciate how they approach the P&W ministry in different ministries, including children’s , youth, men’s and women’s ministries.

I recommend the book for a fresh way to reach out to people.  It makes evangelism real, natural and non-intimidating.  The fields are white for harvest.  P&W is a great way to start harvesting as God draws people to Himself.