ABOUT GRAY MATTER
A perfect blend of medical drama and spiritual insight, Gray Matter is a fascinating account of Dr. David Levy’s decision to begin asking his patients if he could pray for them before surgery. Some are thrilled. Some are skeptical. Some are hostile, and some are quite literally transformed by the request.
Each chapter focuses on a specific case, opening with a detailed description of the patient’s diagnosis and the procedure that will need to be performed, followed by the prayer “request.” From there, readers get to look over Dr. Levy’s shoulder as he performs the operation, and then we wait—right alongside Dr. Levy, the patients, and their families—to see the final results.
Dr. Levy’s musings on what successful and unsuccessful surgical results imply about God, faith, and the power of prayer are honest and insightful. As we watch him come to his ultimate conclusion that no matter what the results of the procedure are, “God is good,” we cannot help but be truly moved and inspired.
List Price: 14.99
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3975-7
Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Binding: Softcover
Release: March 2011
Each chapter focuses on a specific case, opening with a detailed description of the patient’s diagnosis and the procedure that will need to be performed, followed by the prayer “request.” From there, readers get to look over Dr. Levy’s shoulder as he performs the operation, and then we wait—right alongside Dr. Levy, the patients, and their families—to see the final results.
Dr. Levy’s musings on what successful and unsuccessful surgical results imply about God, faith, and the power of prayer are honest and insightful. As we watch him come to his ultimate conclusion that no matter what the results of the procedure are, “God is good,” we cannot help but be truly moved and inspired.
List Price: 14.99
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3975-7
Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Binding: Softcover
Release: March 2011
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
David Levy, MD practices neurosurgery in San Diego, California. His articles have been published in a variety of neurosurgical journals, and he is an accomplished and engaging speaker and presenter. In his off time, David enjoys helping those less fortunate who live in California and in other parts of the world.
David Levy, MD practices neurosurgery in San Diego, California. His articles have been published in a variety of neurosurgical journals, and he is an accomplished and engaging speaker and presenter. In his off time, David enjoys helping those less fortunate who live in California and in other parts of the world.
Joel Ki
lpatrickHis latest book is The Art of Being You (Zondervan, 2010), written with his father, singer/songwriter Bob Kilpatrick. Due out in 2011 is Gray Matter (Tyndale House), co-authored with brain surgeon David Levy, and Redemption (Thomas Nelson), co-authored with Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay.
Kilpatrick earned an MS degree in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in 1995. There he studied under the current administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes. Kilpatrick lives in southern California with his wife and five children.
MY REVIEW
Gray Matter by David Levy and Joel Kilpatrick is a true story of David Levy. He is a famous brain surgeon who prays with patients before and after surgery. I really found this interesting and will be keeping it for my own personal library. Dr. Levy isn’t perfect as he admits many times, but he loves the Lord and isn’t ashamed to pray and talk to others. At first it was hard for Dr. Levy to ask to pray for others as any time we witness to others, the first time is difficult.
After prayer the patients, their families and the surgeon and team all feel more calm, peaceful and ready to do the work and heal. When prayer is offered God is always there and willing to help and give us peace. Praying doesn’t mean every surgery will turn out perfect or all will be healed, but that peace and love are good to have.
I really like all of the true life drama of being a brain surgeon and keeping God at the head of it all. You will hear about the good and bad of the surgeon’s life. The many marvelous things surgeons can do these days. Gray Matter isn’t hard or complicated to read. Besides all of the success’ you will also read some of the failures and sad situations.
Here is a passage from the book that Dr. Levy feels he communicates to his patients when he asks to pray for them. “You may be looking to me for your outcome because of my skills, my confidence, and hopefully a glowing recommendation from other doctors, but I am willing to admit before you and your family that I am not God. I am good at what I do, but ultimately I cannot control the outcome of your surgery. We need God’s help, and I am not ashamed to ask for it.”
Besides praying for the patients, Dr. Levy also would talk to them asking them if they needed to forgive someone or themselves. He believes that holding bitterness or grudges in for years is horrible for your health and you won’t heal properly. He helped many people by just talking to them and praying with them.
This is a book you don’t want to miss. If you haven’t read any other book this year, this book should not be missed. I will recommend Gray Matter to each and everyone who talks to me. No better book will be found about the truth of prayer and praise. A must read.
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Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
1 comment:
I would love to read this book. It sounds a bit like River Jordan's Praying for Strangers, only from a different angle. Thanks for the excellent review!
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