Pray Like a Gourmet by David Brazzeal

Pray Like a Gourmet by David Brazzeal

Pray Like a Gourmet by David Brazzeal takes the metaphor of food and applies it to the Christian’s prayer life. He states that we are “surviving on spiritual “feeding tubes” is on life support, but not living life on your own with God” (13). He implores the reader to “taste it and digest it” as you read the book. This reminds of me of “taste and see that the Lord is good” and all of the other places where people are called to “eat” the words that God sends to them (15).

The book relies on Augustinian theology and is influenced heavily by Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ written by French Catholic author Madame Guyon (16). Brazzeal challenges the reader to use imagination as a form of prayer. Creativity and spirituality function on the same side of the brain. I wonder if there is some kind of medical study to show this connection. However, it does seem to make sense. Brazzeal states that “God speaks to us by planting ideas in our minds.” I agree with this notion. Some in the medical community may think this is psychosis or “hearing voices” (23).

Brazzeal introduces the idea that food is a metaphor used through the Bible. From the fruit in the garden, to a simple meal to remind us of our commitment to Christ, food is part of our spiritual journey. Jesus used food often. He feed thousands of people. He told stories that revolved around food. Abstaining from physical food can bring us closer spiritually to God (27).

Brazzeal explores the nature of prayer throughout the Scriptures. He shows how the meal is an important part of our relationship with God. Starting with Abraham and his three special guests, Brazzeal shows how meals are essential to our spiritual relationship with God. One question that Brazzeal brings out is this (29): “Does Genesis 18 show God as Three Persons? Is that a story where Abraham saw all three Persons in the Godhead?” The author continues through the Bible to explore the connection between our relationship with God and food. In Psalm 23, God shows his desire to be with us. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: God wants to hang out with us even when things are tough (30). In Revelation 3:20, God wants us to open the door. Once He comes in, He wants to enjoy time with us…with food…(31).

After exploring the Biblical references of prayer as food, Brazzeal makes this statement: “Instead of God’s banquet, we limit ourselves to fast food, junk food, and processed food” (32-33). He suggests that what we need is a spiritual feast. He suggests the following ways to use prayer as entrees in our spiritual diet: Observation, Intercession, Meditation, Contemplation, Blessing, Lamenting, and Joining (36-37). Brazzeal gives the reader different ways to express these prayers – recipes for these entrees (40).

These recipes include the following examples:

Prayer Tasting – creative prayer practices (46).

Verbalizing prayer – Finding the verbs of Psalm 147 are great phrases that praise God (51).

Comparing God to characters in movies….Keep a running list of movie characters to compare God to (52-53).

Brazzeal spends the rest of the book providing a large list of recipes for one’s prayer feast – a virtual gourmet of prayer. One can discover more about this interesting idea on his website and on Twitter: @PrayLikeGourmet.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. 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.

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