The Hot Line (by Peter Lawrence)

(Amazon UK link)

Peter Lawrence was an Anglican clergyman in Birmingham (UK) in the 1980s, when the events of this book took place. Hoping for a bit more enthusiasm, and some answers to prayer, he started reading more, talking to people who had experienced dramatic healings, and experimenting in a small way in his own congregation. 

His book ‘The Hot Line’, which I last read in 2006, is biographical. It charts much of what he learned, with many anecdotes as well as Scriptural references and explanations.

It could have been quite heavy-going, or - alternatively - the kind of book that makes people roll their eyes and either disbelieve it, or feel inadequate. But it’s not like that at all. It’s self-deprecating in places, with more accounts of failure than success. Towards the end he writes about meeting David Watson, who believed strongly in the power of prayer but who also didn’t believe he was going to be healed. And there are many other such incidents.

The prologue explains that it’s a book for beginners, written by a beginner. Rather than waiting until he had a decade or more of experience behind him, the author believed it was right to embark on the book while he still had vivid memories of his early experiences. And it works well. He doesn’t come across as a wild charismatic, or someone super-spiritual in any way, but a very ordinary, likeable man who cares for his congregation and doesn’t like to appear foolish.

Moreover, each time he reads or hears about something new to him, he goes to the Bible, discusses the issues with people older and wiser than he is, and spends much time in prayer. He conducts ordinary Anglian services and offers ‘ministry’ at the end, rather than doing anything too dramatic. At least to start with.

The book covers several different aspects of learning to trust and hear from God, well organised and with plenty of Scriptural backing. So there’s a chapter about healing the sick, including many questions about why God does not always heal people. There are chapters about dealing with demons - written in a practical, non-dramatic way - and about hearing and giving ‘words’ from God - specific messages to individuals, which might or might not be claimed.

To someone outside the church, or who has never come across this kind of direct ‘hotline’ to God, it might seem surreal, disturbing, possibly even heretical. The first time I read it, I was quite cynical beforehand - and I had already read some of the better-known books about supernatural healing and similar topics. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe it was possible, just that I found it all so very uncomfortable. I suspect I wouldn’t have done so in Peter Lawrence’s church, as he makes it clear that it was essential to be sensitive to each individual and to the mood of the congregation. As far as I can tell from this book, he avoided any kind of manipulation.

I would recommend this highly for anyone wanting an introduction to these topics that’s clear, well-written, non-threatening and soundly based on Scripture. Unfortunately this, and the author's other books are out of print, but they can sometimes be found second-hand, or in church libraries.

Review copyright 2021 Sue's Book Reviews