Book Review--Gray Matter by David Levy, MD, with Joel Kilpatrick

In Gray Matter:A Neurosurgeon Discovers the Power of Prayer . . . One Patient at a Time, Dr. David Levy, a respected neurosurgeon, narrates how his journey of faith ultimately leads him to initiate praying with his patients prior to surgery.  The decision to introduce spirituality into his medical practice was not an easy one for Levy, and his book allows readers to witness his struggles with incorporating prayer with his patients into his medical practice.  Dr. Levy acknowledges with candor the concerns he faced about praying out loud with patients:  How would prayer affect his medical reputation?  How would he handle the possibility that patients could be offended by his offer of prayer?  

Ultimately Dr. Levy was unable and unwilling to resist the Lord's prompting to offer prayer to his patients, and the results are amazing.  Not only did patients and colleagues experience a greater sense of peace, but through prayer, Levy was able to lead patients and family members to experience forgiveness and salvation.  Not every case Levy describes has a fairytale ending; life isn't like that, but Levy describes how prayer reshapes the messiness of real life by introducing forgiveness and hope.

This book is a great read on several levels.  First, the medical situations that Levy describes are fascinating and the outcomes are dramatic.  Second, the power of prayer shines through this book.  Dr. Levy is not  heavy-handed with his religious beliefs, and yet, the impact of his simple prayers is unmistakable.  This book encouraged me to consider what seemingly simple act of faith I might take that might have a profound impact on my world.    

Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy of this book.  The opinions are my own.