About the book

Book ISBN: 9781789043693

E-book ISBN: 9781789043709

Published internationally by Circle Books on 30th September 22.

About the book

This was a book I never would have written had God not asked me to! “Write a book and show people how to speak to Me,” He told me. This, then, is my work of obedience.

I wonder if you, like me, speak to God from your heart, listen for His reply, and do what He asks? If not, I hope that by sharing experiences of Christ and Bible-based private prayers I can show how you too can have enlightening conversations with God.

Through simple meditations, confide your troubles, listen expectantly for answers and overcome fear and doubt by allowing Christ to guide you through the tests of daily life, boosting self-confidence and resilience.

What people are saying about Pray Then Listen

The first five endorsements appear in the book! The other reviews I am sharing with you were written in various places such as Amazon in the US and UK, and other websites, or sent to me personally. For that reason not all have star ratings. Every review is equally precious to me. I especially love seeing how each reader responds to different aspects of the book. I am so grateful when readers take the time and effort to give me feedback on my work. 

If you have read Pray Then Listen it would be brilliant if you posted a review on your favourite online sites for feedback. Also, if you want to share your thoughts with me personally I’d love that! Simply email me using the green box below. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Teresa’s book on how to talk to God flows from her experience of prayer as a two way conversation. Mixed with everyday examples, she practically shares how to live a life seasoned with prayer. Providing foundational frameworks for prayer in the different seasons of life, this book will help us all move deeper in our relationship with God. 

Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International

I think this book is wonderful. Teresa has given a very honest exposé of her prayer life and written a real, easy and ready to read guide to prayer, knowing that this will lead to people having a deeper personal relationship with Jesus. 

Madeleine Walters, Director of Diocesan Evangelisation Commission, RC Archdiocese of Cardiff

This is a very necessary book for our time. Research on intentional disciples shows that a key tool to help the majority of Catholics to move from merely belonging to actively believing is testimony of what it’s really like to have a relationship with Jesus. Teresa does what few people do and writes openly about her inner life. Our generation needs witnesses like her.

Rev Fr Gareth Leyshon, Director of Adult Religious Education, RC Archdiocese of Cardiff

This is a wonderfully open, generous and personal account of Teresa’s journey with God and her relationship with Him through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is really encouraging and helpful to anyone wishing to deepen their relationship with Christ.

Sue Brice, Licenced Lay Minister

In her book Pray Then Listen, A heart to heart with God Teresa O’Driscoll explores the art of conversation with God in prayer. She shares her prayer journey in order to help others – a call she felt drawn to fulfil, sharing her many tried and tested methods of prayer formulated over the years. Yet she encourages her readers not just to follow, but to make a concerted effort to make their prayer life a personal one. Teresa shows us how, in purity of heart, we can approach our Heavenly Father - the beauty of this book being its simplicity and childlike innocence. This book is a reminder that Our Father always wants His children to turn to Him in good times and bad, Teresa offering prayers for a wide variety of occasions. Anyone reading this will develop, not just an authentic prayer life, but a close, deep personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. You will learn from this to carry God with you in every moment in all life’s ups and downs. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. 

Kathy Bishop, Founder and editor-in-chief of The Faith Companion

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

As I read Pray Then Listen, I felt Peace descend. This book felt a little like having a chat with a friend who does not ‘tell me how to pray’ but who shares her own prayer life with me, and encourages me to grow in my own relationship with Jesus – either through modelling her prayers, which she shares throughout the book, or through finding my own way.

Emily Owen, author of The Power of Seven: 49 Devotional Reflections, 7 Biblical Themes, Genesis to Revelation

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

This book is a delight. I’ve never seen anything like what’s featured in this simple book. Teresa’s writing style is as if she was talking right to me. As an American, I loved her Welsh phrases. They added to the overall sweetness of this book. All in all, reading this book brought me closer to the God I love so much.

Dennis Higgins, author of Pennies From Across the Veil 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Teresa O’Driscoll has produced a magnificent book on prayer. She nurtures us in to sampling the sheer texture and pace of prayer by trying out different approaches, actions, words and thoughts.

Kate Green, Artist. Writer and Spiritual Director

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 

Great devotional book! This book was broken down in an easy to read and understand format. The author included biblical verses as well as a personal account of how she grew stronger in her prayer life. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book!

Angie Williams 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 

The author discusses many situations we face in our day-to-day lives and offers sample prayers, and states when we should offer prayer to God. She provides pertinent scripture for her prayers. This is a very informative book on the types of prayers and I highly recommend it.

Shirley Andrade 

Many books speak about prayer but do not give a "how" to begin and this is certainly in the right mark here. Another aspect of the book which I think is essential is that it reaffirms in a modern way the integration that has to be achieved with lives and all its bumps and troughs and a real spirituality. A lot of modern books on spirituality do not cover this well whereas some of the ancient books made this a very strong point.

Rev Fr. Graham Venn 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 

A perfect daily compendium, with prayers to reflect upon, meditate and enhance your spiritual life. This is an excellent book to keep by your bedside, to dip in and out of at any time. I would recommend it to any Christian or anyone needing spiritual guidance.

Breda Arnold 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I highly recommend it for all Christian's out there. It was a fast and easy read.

Heather Michael 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 

The author Teresa O’Driscoll focuses on repeatable patterns to apply while deepening a relationship with God. Even if you are a new Christian or unsure about your relationship, the book provides basic prayers to help you start real conversations with God. One of the sections that really helped me focus more was the author’s direction on visualizing section of the bible. Her examples and the ways she writes about Zacchaeus was so vivid you could see yourself there under the tree and listening to the conversation that take place. 

Pamela Freeman

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

So often, people tell me they have no idea how to connect with God through prayer, and finding simple resources for them is difficult. Pray Then Listen can be just such a resource, particularly for new Christians or those seeking a change in their approach to prayer.

The language of the prayers in this book is language we use every day—no special words or jargon required. That’s their genius: making the process of prayer, which can be so intimidating to so many people, as easy and natural as breathing.

Along the way, Teresa uses her approach to prayer as an entry point for many basic Christian practices, like Bible reading (using your imagination) and forgiveness. Moreover, by sharing so much of her own experience, she invites readers to see that we tiny humans can connect with the God of the universe—and that God wants to connect right back.

John Backman, Author, Spiritual Director 

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

Personal testimonies make the book interesting, convincing and relatable. There are guidelines and advice about living a Christian life style; Prayers that serve as prompts for different life issues and there are scenarios given to show how God communicated differently with the author. All these enabled me to take a more conscious notice of God in everything and say prayers about everything. When life gets challenging, this book will be a useful resource. It is well written, practical, honest, doable and achievable.

O. S. Anyanwu 

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

Pray, Then Listen: A heart-to-heart with God was thoughtfully written. It covers prayer in all important aspects of life. The chapter on the two-way street of prayer truly takes the reader on a genuine prayer course - You must engage the heart and listen to God! It emphasises the importance of prayer as a connection to God that brings about solutions, rather than a mere obligation.

Peculiar mediunus, author of The Female Preacher and Single Act 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

It goes without saying that if you want to start a conversation with the Lord, it makes sense to train yourself to listen out for the answer, too. The author does this in an easy and accessible way. The language used is for the general reader, making this book an ideal guide for those starting on their Christian journey or for those who have so far been what I call cultural Christians who are investigating the Lord for the first time.

Virginia Weir 

Pray Then Listen: A Heart-to-Heart with God is the kind of book that if you are a Believer, have been since birth, have it running through your veins, that you will open and read as if it were nourishment.

This is where O’Driscoll’s book comes to the fore as it may not have you hearing his voice, but the book provides enough basic prayers to help you start a real and genuine conversation with God, that’s for sure.

Exclusive Magazine 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I did not think a book about prayer would hold my attention for long, however journalist and author Teresa O Driscoll’s 'Pray Then Listen' certainly did. Her life experiences are so woven into her prayer life, it draws one in and makes it a fascinating read. Teresa describes her own spiritual journey in Greece and Wales and shows how to reflect on your own personal experiences. She describes her conversations with God particularly at times of stress when we all need support to cope.

Ethel Corduff, author of Ireland's Loss Britain's Gain: Irish Nurses in Britain Nightingale to Millennium

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Encompassing all types of prayer and step-by-step guidance for them, this thoughtful book is for prayer novices, long-time prayers, and everyone in between. All can glean something to enhance their communion with God.

Plan to take some time to savor this feast for the soul. It is not fast food but a multi-course meal at a Divine banquet table. Enjoy.

Flora Reigada, author of Where Your Heart Meets God's 

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars 

As a licensed minister and a frequent public speaker at Christian women's groups, I developed a habit of speaking to the Lord throughout my day. This way of life is so joyful and fulfilling that I could never go back to NOT speaking (praying) to the Father without ceasing. O'Driscoll's book "Pray then Listen" will help people get into the habit of a useful and constant communication with our Creator. He speaks back; just it takes quieting our spirit enough to listen to be able to hear Him. I truly believe this book can help us do that.

Ellen Sallas, author of Wrapped in the Light: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions

Alongside her own thoughts on this sometimes complex aspect of Christian faith and living, Teresa offers several suggestions for short, simple meditations and prayers to use in a wide variety of situations. These reflect many practical experiences of prayer in the day to day tasks and worries of life. She offers good reminders of simple things we often forget. Teresa O’Driscoll reminds us that prayer can at times be ‘Oh so simple’ and still enable us to encounter God within it.

Richard Frost, author of Life with St Benedict 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

When I first came across this book I wondered if maybe I would have heard it all before…but as I read on, the day-to-day examples of the writer’s own application of prayer as a two-way conversation brought the whole topic to life and created in me both deep peace and a feeling of anticipation.

This is a book full of reminders and fresh insights. There are simple reminders, like bringing God into even our small decisions, the things that weigh unnecessarily on our minds, and even the reminder to breathe deeply.

Then there are deeper reminders, which the writer lives out in her own life, listening and obediently following God’s words to her. And, as I read, there was a reminder for me: this listening and responding does work. The way Teresa O’Driscoll turns to God in her everyday stresses shows the beautiful closeness she shares with God. In passing this on, she creates a sense of excitement around listening to God.

Clare O'Driscoll 

I had just completed a series of talks on the Lord’s Prayer when I received a request from Teresa to review her latest book Pray Then Listen. Over the past 60 years that I have sought to follow Jesus, time and time again He has brought the right book into my life at the right time. Teresa didn’t know that I had just been diagnosed with cancer and this book was just what I needed. The book contains precious words and insight for all who read it. It is a very easy to read but I would suggest that you keep it by your Bible and dip into it everyday and ask God to guide you as to which chapter you should read. If you are one of the many who struggle with prayer this is a must read for you. The book is God’s gift to enrich your life. Make sure you read it and I am certain your life will be greatly enriched.

Rev Dr John Clements, author of How To Get What Money Can’t Buy: How to Find Personal Peace and Happiness in a World of Unrest 

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

This book describes a thoughtful, spiritual journey. However, the most inspiring section for me is Section Six when the author outlines a way to make Bible stories alive by using your imagination. A perfect example of what is possible when one uses creative gifts to connect to Him!

Deborah Lloyd, author of 22 Messages from the Archangels 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I found the guided meditations and prayers for all varieties of situations from the weighty to the seemingly mundane to be both inspiring and practical--step by step guidance, suggestions for prayer, and plenty of personal experiences to help make it all relatable and encourage you to bring the Lord more deeply and intimately into your life.

Kate Hewitt 

Prayer is a deeply personal conversation with God, in which our Father listens, acts, changes us and often answers in ways we don't expect - always for our good. This is a deeply personal book of Teresa’s experience, providing tips and advice in an accessible way for anyone wanting to venture into the amazing mystery of communion with the Trinity.

Revd Mary Rolls 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

“Write a book and show people how to speak to me.” This was the message received by Teresa O’Driscoll during lockdown in 2020. The result is a book that is designed to enhance your prayer life, penned by an author with 20 years’ experience of leading prayer groups.

Using language that is simple without being dumbed down, Pray then Listen is a succinct guide to prayer. It incorporates personal testimony alongside an encouragement to engage in regular dialogue with our heavenly Father. Urging readers to pray regularly throughout the day, O’Driscoll reminds us that nothing is too small or irrelevant for prayer. Then, once we have prayed, we should actively listen. Prayer is a two-way conversation.

Including handy example prayers that can be used in various situations, this short but helpful guide promises to bring you closer to your heavenly Father by involving him in your life, no matter what you are doing.

Samantha Kay, Premier Christianity magazine

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

As with any human-authored work on a religious subject, people of different theological backgrounds may find statements, observations, and conclusions with which they disagree. I do appreciate the author’s reaction to the question as to why bad things happen: “Many years ago, after going through an extremely testing time related to a close relative, I eventually made the decision to put that question aside….I don’t know why bad things happen. But I decided to keep putting my trust in my loving Heavenly Father.” I also applaud her stand on the Bible: “Although written thousands of years ago, the Bible, a collection of books, is as fresh and as relevant today as it was then.” There is much interesting reading in this “prayer guide.”

Wayne S. Walker, homeschoolbookreviewblog 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I absolutely love the premise of “Pray, Then Listen” because I am convinced that God wants us to listen to what He has to say just as much as we want Him to hear what we have to say. In it, Theresa O’Driscoll invites the reader to develop an intimate relationship with Christ – one that not only includes talking but listening. Armed with testimonies of how God heard and responded to many of her prayers, she offers the reader her blueprint for initiating dialog with Jesus.

Sharon Nobuhle Williams, author of The Nehemiah Factors: Your Pathway To Godly, Effective Leadership (Global Growth Factors 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This Spirit-led work is not just about prayer, but also focuses on God’s heart. In Pray Then Listen O’Driscoll reminds the reader that God wants to speak to us, to ‘make his home with us’. The book is thoughtful and straight forward. Furthermore, the author’s transparency about her life adds a personal dimension – God is real and active in the lives of those who pray. Pray Then Listen is a book which is sure to guide and bless many readers, so that the power of prayer may be felt in their lives.

Joseph Posner 

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

One thing that stands out this book is the absolute centrality of prayer in the author's life. For O'Driscoll, prayer is not a dry, formulaic exercise but a chance to enjoy fellowship with the living God. I was moved by the joy she finds in this relationship.

I liked the way O'Driscoll included short, easy exercises to help the reader think about different ways to pray. I would recommend "Pray Then Listen" as a refreshing encouragement to the reader to delight in spending time with God in prayer.

Omnivorous Bookworm