Last year, I read Praying for the Impossible by Buddy Harrison, and it deeply reshaped the way I think about prayer—especially when it comes to situations that feel completely beyond human ability to fix.
As the title suggests, this book centers on bringing before God the things that are impossible for us to accomplish on our own. The kind of prayers that require nothing less than a miracle.
Not wishful thinking. Not positive vibes. But a confident belief that God is able to do what only He can do.
What stood out to me most was the book’s emphasis on how we pray. Instead of relying solely on our own words, emotions, or frustrations, the author challenges readers to pray the Word of God—to take Scripture and pray it back to God. This approach shifted my perspective in a powerful way. God’s Word is already His will revealed. The Bible is a legal document of God's will. When we pray Scripture, we are aligning our prayers with truth that God has already spoken.
The book also brings clarity to different types of prayer, which I found incredibly helpful. The author makes a clear distinction between:
Each has its place, but the heart of the book focuses on the prayer of supplication—a specific, intentional request brought before God with faith and structure.
One of the my favourite sections walks the reader through how to write a petition to God. This petition is essentially a prayer of supplication, written almost like a legal document. There is a formal flow to it—acknowledging who God is, standing on His promises, presenting the request clearly, and grounding it all in Scripture. This framework brings focus and intentionality to prayer, especially when emotions might otherwise cloud clarity.
What I appreciated about this approach is that it doesn’t treat prayer casually, but it also doesn’t treat God as distant. It reflects reverence, trust, and confidence—approaching God not with uncertainty, but with faith in His character and His Word.
After finishing the book, I wrote my own prayer of supplication and petition. I’ve been praying it consistently since 2025, standing in belief for the things I’ve brought before God to come to pass. More than anything, this process has strengthened my faith—not because I know how God will answer, but because I’m learning to trust who He is and what He has promised.
This book reminded me that prayer is not about persuading God to care. He already does. It’s about aligning our hearts, words, and expectations with His truth. When we pray the Word, we are standing on solid ground—ground that does not shift with circumstances.
Praying for the Impossible is an encouraging and practical guide for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or at the end of their own ability. It invites believers to pray boldly, biblically, and expectantly—not because we are powerful, but because God is.
It is a very short read. You can read the entire book in one sitting over coffee, breakfast or lunch
If you’re facing something that feels impossible and you’re unsure how to pray, this book offers a clear, faith-filled path forward. Sometimes the greatest shift doesn’t come from changing our situation—but from learning to pray differently.