This is a revised edition of 『Prayer』 published in 2002.
The author, a Norwegian theologian who once fell into doubt but experienced conversion and returned to faith and piety, preaches the gospel of prayer for souls who have lost hope in prayer.
God has promised us wisdom and power.
You must work with that wisdom and ability.
We must pray for that wisdom and power.
That is prayer.
This book, which provides spiritual insight into prayer, has been reprinted and has been a bestseller since its translation and publication in 1966.

Giant of Intercessory Prayer
One of the tenants on my father's farm was one of the faithful intercessors.

His name was Jørn.
The Lord gave him a severe disability from birth.
My eyesight was very poor.
So it was always difficult to make a living.
But even so, it turned out quite well.
Following the good custom of the Haugean sect, the congregation took care that none of the brothers went to the poor relief center.
Trials and tribulations were the lot of the lonely.
Many days were dark and miserable.
But he humbled himself under the mighty hand of God, and little by little, in the school of painful experience, he acquired the art of sacred prayer.
He prayed for his hometown day and night.
Then, shortly thereafter, God exalted him.
He became the spiritual counselor for the entire parish.
People came from near and far to his little cabin for his advice and help.
Even if he could not help them in any other way, he could give them true love that came from a gentle heart.
Besides, I prayed for them.
And so, as the days went by, many souls left his poor abode with light steps and cheerful hearts.
In his later years, his health was not very good.
The two old ladies who stayed with him and cared for him told me that he used to stay awake most of the night.
While he was awake, he prayed for everyone in the parish.
But he did not take that prayer lightly like we do.
Usually, we rush and rush, bringing a group of people to the Lord and praying for His blessings.
But old Eorn didn't do that.
He went from house to house in his head, calling out each person's name and praying.
Even though I could not see them, I knew that they were born, so I held them in my arms of prayer and brought them before the throne of grace.
How precious a person like that would be to us! How empty would the place where he once stood feel if he were gone!

There was something peculiar about the way Oerun left us.
Everyone thought that his end would be like a beautiful ascension, so they vied with one another to have the honor of being with him and watching him.
But the Lord completely overturned their own expectations.
Eorn died without anyone watching him die.
He passed away while the person who was caring for him went out to the kitchen to get something.
Oern's funeral was more magnificent than any funeral held in his hometown.
Since he moved to this parish, he had no relatives there.
But people came from all over the surrounding area.
And they stood beside his coffin and wept loudly as if they had lost their father.
Even non-believers who did not listen to the word of God came to his funeral.
And they cried too.
Even in death, he bestowed grace.
Both his life and his death were a fulfillment of the biblical saying, “Ask and you will receive.”

Pass on a legacy of prayer
My friend, don't worry if you don't have a legacy of money or goods to leave to your precious children.
Or, don't exert yourself physically or mentally to leave a lot of wealth to your children.
Just pray for them day and night.
Then you will leave them a legacy of abundant answers to their prayers.
It will follow them throughout their lives.
Then, even if you don't leave them much material wealth, you can leave them peacefully and with a peaceful conscience.
He who appeals to the prayer of a child, with innocence and perseverance, for his whole future life, experiences the answer to his prayer not only in his life but also in his death.

--- From the text