‘Not By Prayer’ – A Book On God's Purpose For Prayer Launched

A book revealing God’s real purpose and place for prayer, ‘Not By Prayer’, has been launched to enlighten and empower Christians to pray the right way, and also know when to apply practical steps in every area of their lives.

Authored by Rev. Solomon Nortey, a young Reverend Minister of the Methodist Church Ghana, the book, backed by sound biblical teachings, exposes very bluntly the flaws in the prayer lives of many believers, and outlines the right ways Christians ought to pray in line with the teachings of the Holy Book.

The young studious, meticulous, anointed preacher and prolific author, who has about twenty books to his credit, has become an instrument God is using to correct wrong practices and teachings that are leading many astray with several charlatans taking advantage of some believers.

Speaking at the launch of the book at the Mount Zion Methodist Church at Sakumono where he’s an Associate Pastor, Rev. Solomon Nortey, said “Prayer must not be left out or treated with irrelevance in any pursuit of life or human undertaking. Nonetheless, the enterprise of prayer must also not be esteemed as an all-purpose remedy to all problems. Regrettably however, the latter is usually the case; and the devastating consequences thereof are vivid for us to reckon with” he noted, as part of his introduction to the book.

He noted that while “the title of the book may rather be perceived as concealing a bile of disincentive to prayer, and may therefore be thought of as a document that does not merit the attention of serious minded Christians, this book is rather rightly titled ‘Not By Prayer’, to drive home the point that there are some issues of life that require the application of common sense and practical skills, and not the arsenal of prayer”.

He added that the “inability of some Christians to imbibe and apply this simple truth about prayer, has plunged them into a host of avoidable troubles, and coloured their efforts with many sorrows and minimal results.”

Rev. Nortey presented a plaque to one Dr. Kofi Amaniampong; the Medical Director and owner of the Jubail Specialist Hospital at Sakumono, who he said inspired him to write the book, as a Christian who “combines sound prayer life with best practices on the field of labour to impact lives. The testimony of your example is what ‘Not By Prayer’ is all about” he stated.

The book was subsequently dedicated by Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, the President of Trinity Theological Seminary, Ghana’s foremost theology institution. Commending the author for the book, Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu announced that the book would be used as a resource material for a course in his institution to equip student pastors.

Bishop Samuel Koffy Okoe-Adjei, a Bishop of the Action Chapel in Tema, prayed over the books before the launch sale, moderated by Adi Ayitevie, the Executive Director of Engineers and Planners Company, Limited, Ghana.

Copies of the book were bought for very good prices at the launch.

The lead Chairperson for the launch, Dr. George Donkor, who’s the Vice President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, commended the author for availing himself to be used by God to bless the body of Christ.

While urging Christians to get copies of the book to enhance their understanding and by extension support the ministry of the author, Dr. Donkor stated that Rev. Solomon Nortey was not only a gift to the Methodist Church, Ghana, but a gift to the entire body of Christ.

The book’s Foreword was written by Very Rev Dr. John Abedu Quashie, General Director of the General Directorate of Ministries for the Methodist church Ghana, and Rev. Ing. Samuel Kwofie, Minister In Charge of the Emmanuel Methodist Church, Lashibi.

The book launch was well-attended, with the book receiving massive endorsements from varied groups of Ghanaian Christians with various professional backgrounds.

They included Justice Cecilia H. Sowah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, who among other things said “the book provides a firm foundation grounded on knowledge of fundamental Biblical truths and fills a yawning gap in a Christian’s basic understanding of what prayer will do and what prayer will not do. No Christian will kneel or rise up from prayer feeling inadequate having read this excellent book”.

Among those who endorsed the book, is Archie Hesse, CEO of the Ghana Interbank Payment & Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), who said “Rev. Solomon Nortey presents a candid interrogation of the subject of prayer as it relates to living a balanced, effective and victorious Christian life. This thought-provoking book is a lifesaver from the errors of old for today’s believer”.

Dr. (Mrs) I. Stella Agyenim-Boateng, the Director of Human Resources at the Volta River Authority, also endorsed the book, saying among other things that “The book is a must-read for all who want to improve their prayer lives and walk with God as Enoch did in days of old. It directs us to place our trembling hands in our God’s and have a sweet communion with Him. This is a life-changing book and must not be ignored. I encourage everyone to own copies, not to keep them on shelves to collect dust but to read, assimilate and apply the nuggets of wisdom in it to life’s circumstances”.

The other endorsements came from Ebenezer Okai Laryea, CEO of EMMS Consult Ltd, Evangelist Gladys Osabutey, Chief Economist and Head of UN System Unit, Ministry of Finance, Ellen Asare-Pepra, Headmistress of Nungua Senior High School, Godfred A. Bokpin (PhD), an Economist and Professor of Finance, University of Ghana Business School, Kwame Owusu, Head, Transfer Pricing Unit, Ghana Revenue Authority, Rev. Stephen Obeng Amoako, Bethel Methodist Church, Comm 8, Tema and Adi Ayitevie, the Executive Director of Engineers and Planners Company, Limited, Ghana.

The 153-page book will later be available at selected bookshops nationwide.