Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation
The Spiral Bound format of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, 2017 Edition contains the same text as the hardback format, but with ample room for note-taking. The spiral binding allows for the catechism to lay flat for ease of use.
About the 2017 Edition of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation
Written by Martin Luther in 1529, the Small Catechism provides a brief, clear summary of God’s Word on the essentials of the Christian faith. In question-and-answer format, it explores the Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine and includes daily prayers, a table of duties for Christians in their various callings, and a guide for Christians as they prepare to receive Holy Communion.
An explanation designed to help readers understand and apply Luther’s Small Catechism has accompanied editions of the catechism since the early days of Lutheranism. The 2017 edition offers an updated and expanded explanation, tackling issues prevalent in our culture today. With 374 questions and 1142 Scripture references, the new Explanation provides more biblical teaching and devotional aids than ever before. The Bible text included in the Explanation is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
Purchase Here
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The Spiral Bound format of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, 2017 Edition contains the same text as the hardback format, but with ample room for note-taking. The spiral binding allows for the catechism to lay flat for ease of use.
About the 2017 Edition of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation
Written by Martin Luther in 1529, the Small Catechism provides a brief, clear summary of God’s Word on the essentials of the Christian faith. In question-and-answer format, it explores the Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine and includes daily prayers, a table of duties for Christians in their various callings, and a guide for Christians as they prepare to receive Holy Communion.
An explanation designed to help readers understand and apply Luther’s Small Catechism has accompanied editions of the catechism since the early days of Lutheranism. The 2017 edition offers an updated and expanded explanation, tackling issues prevalent in our culture today. With 374 questions and 1142 Scripture references, the new Explanation provides more biblical teaching and devotional aids than ever before. The Bible text included in the Explanation is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
Purchase Here
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Prayers that change things
By Lloyd Hildebrand
Lloyd Hildebrand is an established writer of books on prayer. He has co–authored other popular books on the topic of prayer. This book contains prayers about personal feelings, situations, and prayers that are built directly from the Bible. You will discover that praying the Scriptures will truly bring about changes to so many things, especially your outlook on life and the circumstances of your life. This is a concise book that can easily be carried. The text consists of five chapters and fifty-three prayers used for as many different needs. Each prayer is discussed using a central focus, the prayer itself, the supporting Scriptural source, a personal affirmation, and a reflection. The word-prayers about your feelings and conditions are listed in alphabetical order and range from (A)ddictions/Obsessions to (W)eakness. It is useful, well written, and organized. It’s made for daily use. For anyone who wants their prayers to be good for meditation this book will be a blessing!
Purchase Here
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By Lloyd Hildebrand
Lloyd Hildebrand is an established writer of books on prayer. He has co–authored other popular books on the topic of prayer. This book contains prayers about personal feelings, situations, and prayers that are built directly from the Bible. You will discover that praying the Scriptures will truly bring about changes to so many things, especially your outlook on life and the circumstances of your life. This is a concise book that can easily be carried. The text consists of five chapters and fifty-three prayers used for as many different needs. Each prayer is discussed using a central focus, the prayer itself, the supporting Scriptural source, a personal affirmation, and a reflection. The word-prayers about your feelings and conditions are listed in alphabetical order and range from (A)ddictions/Obsessions to (W)eakness. It is useful, well written, and organized. It’s made for daily use. For anyone who wants their prayers to be good for meditation this book will be a blessing!
Purchase Here
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A Grandparent's Prayer Journal: Lifting My Grandchildren to the Throne of Grace
By Melanie Wayne
The topics of these scripture-based prayers range from character building to dream building. There are spaces in this journal for birthdates, special occasion dates, notes for forgetful seniors, your grandchild's photo, and a section to enter special prayer requests from parents and grandchildren. The print is large enough to facilitate easy reading. If you were a praying parent, this carries on the legacy of prayer in your family. If you weren't, it is time to start the legacy, beginning with A Grandparent's Prayer Journal.
The prayers are written well and fit the needs of today’s grandchildren. I would recommend and rate this book as five stars. The greatest gifts we can give our grandchildren are our prayers.
Purchase Here
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By Melanie Wayne
The topics of these scripture-based prayers range from character building to dream building. There are spaces in this journal for birthdates, special occasion dates, notes for forgetful seniors, your grandchild's photo, and a section to enter special prayer requests from parents and grandchildren. The print is large enough to facilitate easy reading. If you were a praying parent, this carries on the legacy of prayer in your family. If you weren't, it is time to start the legacy, beginning with A Grandparent's Prayer Journal.
The prayers are written well and fit the needs of today’s grandchildren. I would recommend and rate this book as five stars. The greatest gifts we can give our grandchildren are our prayers.
Purchase Here
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PRAYERS OF THE REFORMERS
By Thomas McPherson
“In this 500th anniversary year of the Reformation this volume collects the writing of well-known reformers Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Thomas Cranmer, Lancelot Andrewes, as well as lesser-known leaders of their time. Rather than look at the theological arguments and apologetics of these religious thinkers, we instead look to their hopes and concerns by reading their prayers.
This year, many are asking, “How is the Reformation relevant for today?” These prayers, arranged by author and subject, will open a window into the personal faith and spirituality of those on the front lines of that great upheaval in the church and culture. Their wisdom speaks across the centuries to our world today, torn by competing religious and political factions and challenges to the institutions of faith.”
Purchase Here
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By Thomas McPherson
“In this 500th anniversary year of the Reformation this volume collects the writing of well-known reformers Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Thomas Cranmer, Lancelot Andrewes, as well as lesser-known leaders of their time. Rather than look at the theological arguments and apologetics of these religious thinkers, we instead look to their hopes and concerns by reading their prayers.
This year, many are asking, “How is the Reformation relevant for today?” These prayers, arranged by author and subject, will open a window into the personal faith and spirituality of those on the front lines of that great upheaval in the church and culture. Their wisdom speaks across the centuries to our world today, torn by competing religious and political factions and challenges to the institutions of faith.”
Purchase Here
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LUTHER’S PRAYERS
EDITED BY Herbert F. Brokering
This introductory volume of Luther’s prayers includes 185 prayers arranged by topic with brief comments for the editor. Luther had a directness in praise, thankfulness, confession and petitioning. He was very honest about his struggles and that frees us up to admit ours. The indexes prove useful for those who take the editor's suggestion and read the prayers as a commentary on Luther's catechism. The collection itself is a good introduction to Luther's style and the rhythm of his language; he was an ordinary person with an extraordinarily approach to prayer. You won’t be disappointed in purchasing this book.
Purchase Here
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EDITED BY Herbert F. Brokering
This introductory volume of Luther’s prayers includes 185 prayers arranged by topic with brief comments for the editor. Luther had a directness in praise, thankfulness, confession and petitioning. He was very honest about his struggles and that frees us up to admit ours. The indexes prove useful for those who take the editor's suggestion and read the prayers as a commentary on Luther's catechism. The collection itself is a good introduction to Luther's style and the rhythm of his language; he was an ordinary person with an extraordinarily approach to prayer. You won’t be disappointed in purchasing this book.
Purchase Here
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THE BARBER WHO WANTED TO PRAY
By R.C. Sproul
“This imaginative tale, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr. McFarland shares a 500-year-old story—a story about a barber and his famous customer.
Master Peter is a barber well known to all in his village. One day, when Martin Luther the Reformer walks into his shop, the barber musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk how to pray. Dr. Luther responds by writing a letter to the barber (a letter that we know today as the book, A Simple Way to Pray!). The barber’s life is changed as he encounters a model for prayer by using the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed.”
The 500th anniversary celebration of the beginning of the reformation is an appropriate time to purchase and read this book to the family. At the same time it would be good to purchase the translated copy of A Simple Way to Pray! by Martin Luther. Both will be a blessing.
Purchase Here
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By R.C. Sproul
“This imaginative tale, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr. McFarland shares a 500-year-old story—a story about a barber and his famous customer.
Master Peter is a barber well known to all in his village. One day, when Martin Luther the Reformer walks into his shop, the barber musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk how to pray. Dr. Luther responds by writing a letter to the barber (a letter that we know today as the book, A Simple Way to Pray!). The barber’s life is changed as he encounters a model for prayer by using the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed.”
The 500th anniversary celebration of the beginning of the reformation is an appropriate time to purchase and read this book to the family. At the same time it would be good to purchase the translated copy of A Simple Way to Pray! by Martin Luther. Both will be a blessing.
Purchase Here
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MADE TO PRAY
By Chris Heinz
Chris Heinz claims he discovered for himself the key to having an enjoyable, effective, and enduring prayer life he always wanted. The author shares a personal story for each of twelve different prayer types. Also he shares a character in the Bible who used this prayer type. Heinz releases a fresh vision for prayer and helps you identify your best prayer types. Different ways to pray are described in detail; each with a biblical icon and useful examples of ways to think about prayer and its different forms and functions. MADE TO PRAY is a great read with a lot of practical advice. This is a great book that examines 12 different types of prayer.
I'd recommend taking the online prayer assessment (http://www.csheinz.com/made-to-pray/prayer-assessment) to know what type(s) of prayer you naturally gravitate toward - that allows a more "personal" feel to the book so you're able to really read about your types!
While I consider myself a seasoned intercessor, this book helped me re-engage and refocus on praying. It helped me return to fundamental basics in strategizing how to pray. Below are three quotes from Chris Heinz:
Purchase Here
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By Chris Heinz
Chris Heinz claims he discovered for himself the key to having an enjoyable, effective, and enduring prayer life he always wanted. The author shares a personal story for each of twelve different prayer types. Also he shares a character in the Bible who used this prayer type. Heinz releases a fresh vision for prayer and helps you identify your best prayer types. Different ways to pray are described in detail; each with a biblical icon and useful examples of ways to think about prayer and its different forms and functions. MADE TO PRAY is a great read with a lot of practical advice. This is a great book that examines 12 different types of prayer.
I'd recommend taking the online prayer assessment (http://www.csheinz.com/made-to-pray/prayer-assessment) to know what type(s) of prayer you naturally gravitate toward - that allows a more "personal" feel to the book so you're able to really read about your types!
While I consider myself a seasoned intercessor, this book helped me re-engage and refocus on praying. It helped me return to fundamental basics in strategizing how to pray. Below are three quotes from Chris Heinz:
- “Prayer is where ministry is made…While prayer is God’s work in you, prayer is your chief work. It’s easy to make ministry the chief work, but this is backward.”
- “So in order to change the world, first change your prayer life… Your prayer life is your greatest means of changing the world for Christ.”
- “Praying the Bible is praying the words of the Bible as your prayer.”
Purchase Here
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Praying the News
By Wendy Griffith & Craig Von Buseck
“In Praying the News, concerned readers will find a practical guide to discovering the power, joy and peace of partnering with God. Veteran news reporters Wendy Griffith and Craig von Buseck offer an unvarnished assessment of the media as well as a comprehensive biblical plan for effective, world-changing prayer. They tell behind the scenes stories not only of effective prayer for the news but also stories of their prophetic intercession while reporting the news. Bad news is no match for the Good News of God’s kingdom!”
Often the news can be discouraging and you feel like the world around you is spinning out of control. PRAYING THE NEWS from two veteran Christian journalists gives the reader new insight and action steps for daily life. They combine their personal stories with practical insights and a Biblical perspective. I recommend "Praying the News" to anyone who needs a fresh reminder or renewed motivation to pray after hearing or reading today's troubling news.
Purchase Here
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By Wendy Griffith & Craig Von Buseck
“In Praying the News, concerned readers will find a practical guide to discovering the power, joy and peace of partnering with God. Veteran news reporters Wendy Griffith and Craig von Buseck offer an unvarnished assessment of the media as well as a comprehensive biblical plan for effective, world-changing prayer. They tell behind the scenes stories not only of effective prayer for the news but also stories of their prophetic intercession while reporting the news. Bad news is no match for the Good News of God’s kingdom!”
Often the news can be discouraging and you feel like the world around you is spinning out of control. PRAYING THE NEWS from two veteran Christian journalists gives the reader new insight and action steps for daily life. They combine their personal stories with practical insights and a Biblical perspective. I recommend "Praying the News" to anyone who needs a fresh reminder or renewed motivation to pray after hearing or reading today's troubling news.
Purchase Here
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The Circle Maker And Praying Circles around Your Children
According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, “Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” Do you ever sense that there’s far more to prayer, and to God’s vision for your life, than what you’re experiencing? It’s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker―a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart’s deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.
Mark Batterson also shares in his other book, Praying Circles around Your Children,
a perfect blend of biblical yet practical advice that will revolutionize your prayer life by giving you a new vocabulary and a new methodology. You’ll see how prayer is your secret weapon. Through stories of parents just like you, Batterson shares five prayer circles that will not only help you pray for your kids, but also pray through your kids.
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According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, “Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” Do you ever sense that there’s far more to prayer, and to God’s vision for your life, than what you’re experiencing? It’s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker―a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart’s deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.
Mark Batterson also shares in his other book, Praying Circles around Your Children,
a perfect blend of biblical yet practical advice that will revolutionize your prayer life by giving you a new vocabulary and a new methodology. You’ll see how prayer is your secret weapon. Through stories of parents just like you, Batterson shares five prayer circles that will not only help you pray for your kids, but also pray through your kids.
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Prayer Works: Prayer Training and Strategy for Kids
By Stephane Kendrick and Alex Kendrick with Amy Parker
“As kids grow, their prayer lives need to grow too—but how? Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick offer a strategy that kids can use to figure out how prayer works and just how powerful it is. Lots of great explanation is combined with fun activities, illustrations, and journaling prompts to get kids thinking and praying.”
“This companion book to the movie War Room contains 32 perforated journal pages kids can use to write specific prayers and then post them on the walls in their prayer room—just like the characters in the movie.
Topics include:
What is prayer?
Why should I pray?
Where do I pray?
Is there a wrong way to pray?
What should I pray for?
Does God really hear me?”
This book is a training book for prayer. It could be used in various ways with different age groups. The chapters are organized into five subtopics. The book could be used as a daily or weekly devotional in a family or classroom setting.
To Purchase Click Here
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By Stephane Kendrick and Alex Kendrick with Amy Parker
“As kids grow, their prayer lives need to grow too—but how? Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick offer a strategy that kids can use to figure out how prayer works and just how powerful it is. Lots of great explanation is combined with fun activities, illustrations, and journaling prompts to get kids thinking and praying.”
“This companion book to the movie War Room contains 32 perforated journal pages kids can use to write specific prayers and then post them on the walls in their prayer room—just like the characters in the movie.
Topics include:
What is prayer?
Why should I pray?
Where do I pray?
Is there a wrong way to pray?
What should I pray for?
Does God really hear me?”
This book is a training book for prayer. It could be used in various ways with different age groups. The chapters are organized into five subtopics. The book could be used as a daily or weekly devotional in a family or classroom setting.
To Purchase Click Here
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The Daniel Prayer
By Anne Graham Lotz
“Anne Graham Lotz has found while prayer does work, sometimes the “pray-ers” don’t. So she has turned to the prophet Daniel for help.”
This book will help readers pray effectively for their nation, for their families, and for themselves.
Anne has tremendous insight into Scripture. This is a book not only on Daniel’s prayer found in Daniel chapter 9 but also a general book on prayer. She leaves the reader with much to chew on. Her challenge to a more consistent, focused life of prayer is compelling. She attempts to get American Christians as well as others to pray Daniel Prayers. The last section of her book, Patterns for Prayer, has several prayer patterns to help the reader understand what she has been teaching and to use as a guide. She makes it crystal clear she in no way thinks she has perfected her own prayer life. Her section on confession lets the reader walk through some of her struggles.
This is one of the better books I have read on prayer that. Having studied Daniel 9, I can attest to the author’s accuracy and insights. I appreciated her personal examples and stories of how she has put the principles in practice. The book is well worth reading and putting into practice. Anne Graham Lotz has written a very timely book, especially in view of the elections looming ahead.
To Purchase Click Here
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By Anne Graham Lotz
“Anne Graham Lotz has found while prayer does work, sometimes the “pray-ers” don’t. So she has turned to the prophet Daniel for help.”
This book will help readers pray effectively for their nation, for their families, and for themselves.
Anne has tremendous insight into Scripture. This is a book not only on Daniel’s prayer found in Daniel chapter 9 but also a general book on prayer. She leaves the reader with much to chew on. Her challenge to a more consistent, focused life of prayer is compelling. She attempts to get American Christians as well as others to pray Daniel Prayers. The last section of her book, Patterns for Prayer, has several prayer patterns to help the reader understand what she has been teaching and to use as a guide. She makes it crystal clear she in no way thinks she has perfected her own prayer life. Her section on confession lets the reader walk through some of her struggles.
This is one of the better books I have read on prayer that. Having studied Daniel 9, I can attest to the author’s accuracy and insights. I appreciated her personal examples and stories of how she has put the principles in practice. The book is well worth reading and putting into practice. Anne Graham Lotz has written a very timely book, especially in view of the elections looming ahead.
To Purchase Click Here
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Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
By Timothy Keller
One of the best books on prayer I have read. It will make you think and grow in your prayer journey. Pastor Keller emphasizes in this book how we as Christians can grow in our approach to prayer and how it has been done through history.
(Kevin P. Halloran wrote this review of the book. I feel he has done it well and want to share it.)
This book is divided into five parts, each comprising from two to five chapters. Part one is called "Desiring Prayer," which answers the "why?" question about prayer and digs into its necessity, mapping out the terrain for the rest of the book.
Part two, "Understanding Prayer," describes the many differing views of prayer from many vantage points including world religions, the non-religious, and various Christian traditions. He then moves to discuss how prayer is our response to God's Word and share how the Trinity is essential to true prayer.
Part three, "Learning Prayer," interacts with great theologians from church history (Augustin, Luther, and Calvin), sharing their instruction and methods in prayer. (I was especially helped by Keller's interaction with Luther's teaching on meditation on Scripture and the Holy Spirit "preaching to us" in prayer.) Keller then moves on to prescribe modeling our prayers along the Lord's Prayer before laying out a biblical and balanced grid of what prayer is, what it requires, what it gives, and where it takes us.
Part four, "Deepening Prayer," dives deeper into meditation and the experiential aspect of prayer, interacting with theologians like John Owen, J.I. Packer, Jonathan Edwards, and C.S. Lewis along gleaning truth and offering critique of medieval and Catholic practices of mystical prayer.
Part five, "Doing Prayer," practically teaches just that: the place of praise in prayer, the role of the gospel in prayer, and our ability to ask for help in prayer. The last chapter offers a guide for daily prayer, sharing sample devotions and methods to practice.
I plan to apply the following thoughts from this book:
To Purchase Click Here
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By Timothy Keller
One of the best books on prayer I have read. It will make you think and grow in your prayer journey. Pastor Keller emphasizes in this book how we as Christians can grow in our approach to prayer and how it has been done through history.
(Kevin P. Halloran wrote this review of the book. I feel he has done it well and want to share it.)
This book is divided into five parts, each comprising from two to five chapters. Part one is called "Desiring Prayer," which answers the "why?" question about prayer and digs into its necessity, mapping out the terrain for the rest of the book.
Part two, "Understanding Prayer," describes the many differing views of prayer from many vantage points including world religions, the non-religious, and various Christian traditions. He then moves to discuss how prayer is our response to God's Word and share how the Trinity is essential to true prayer.
Part three, "Learning Prayer," interacts with great theologians from church history (Augustin, Luther, and Calvin), sharing their instruction and methods in prayer. (I was especially helped by Keller's interaction with Luther's teaching on meditation on Scripture and the Holy Spirit "preaching to us" in prayer.) Keller then moves on to prescribe modeling our prayers along the Lord's Prayer before laying out a biblical and balanced grid of what prayer is, what it requires, what it gives, and where it takes us.
Part four, "Deepening Prayer," dives deeper into meditation and the experiential aspect of prayer, interacting with theologians like John Owen, J.I. Packer, Jonathan Edwards, and C.S. Lewis along gleaning truth and offering critique of medieval and Catholic practices of mystical prayer.
Part five, "Doing Prayer," practically teaches just that: the place of praise in prayer, the role of the gospel in prayer, and our ability to ask for help in prayer. The last chapter offers a guide for daily prayer, sharing sample devotions and methods to practice.
I plan to apply the following thoughts from this book:
- Payer is simply the key to everything we need to do and be in life.
- The clearer our understanding of who God is, the better our prayers.
- Prayer is continuing a conversation that God has started through His Word and His grace which eventually becomes a full encounter with Him.
- Your prayer must be firmly connected to and grounded in your reading of the Word.
To Purchase Click Here
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INVITING GOD INTO THE PROCESS
By Dave Butts
PrayerShop Publishing
Is positive change truly possible in our nation? YES! THROUGH PRAYER.
As we pray- even as one solitary person – we team up with the Creator of the universe to change situations. This non-partisan prayer guide provides Scriptures and prayer points to pray around seven key topics. Let it increase your passion and effectiveness as you pray through it.
This election prayer guide was adapted from Prayer Connect, Issue 25, “There’s Still Hope: A Call for United Prayer for our Elections.”
About the Author: David Butts is the chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee and the president of Harvest Prayer Ministries.
This election prayer guide covers seven major areas that relate to our national elections:
The United States needs prayer not only from its citizens but from Christians around the world. This handbook can provide guidance.
To Purchase Click Here
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By Dave Butts
PrayerShop Publishing
Is positive change truly possible in our nation? YES! THROUGH PRAYER.
As we pray- even as one solitary person – we team up with the Creator of the universe to change situations. This non-partisan prayer guide provides Scriptures and prayer points to pray around seven key topics. Let it increase your passion and effectiveness as you pray through it.
This election prayer guide was adapted from Prayer Connect, Issue 25, “There’s Still Hope: A Call for United Prayer for our Elections.”
About the Author: David Butts is the chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee and the president of Harvest Prayer Ministries.
This election prayer guide covers seven major areas that relate to our national elections:
- Our Nation and the Issues It Faces
- The Election Process
- Candidates and Leaders
- The Church
- Media
- Spiritual Warfare
- Revival
The United States needs prayer not only from its citizens but from Christians around the world. This handbook can provide guidance.
To Purchase Click Here
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Praying like Jesus the Messiah
By Harry Wendt
CROSSWAYS INTERNATIONAL
The goal of Praying Like Jesus the Messiah is to help people see Jesus the Messiah as the model for all they think, say, and do - including how they approach their prayer life. It is designed for use as a study course in a group setting but can be used as a “personal read.”
The first two units set the stage for understanding Jesus’ message and ministry as God’s “final Word” in relation to the practice of prayer. Unit 3-5 deal with prayer in general, the Lord’s Prayer, and the practice of prayer in relation to all we think, say, and do.
Praying Like Jesus the Messiah also contains three supplementary sections. The first of these, titled Learning to pray Jesus’ Way. The second contains suggested prayers for use in a variety of situation. The third, titled Points to Ponder, contains short statements that offer food for spiritual thought.
To Purchase Click Here
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By Harry Wendt
CROSSWAYS INTERNATIONAL
The goal of Praying Like Jesus the Messiah is to help people see Jesus the Messiah as the model for all they think, say, and do - including how they approach their prayer life. It is designed for use as a study course in a group setting but can be used as a “personal read.”
The first two units set the stage for understanding Jesus’ message and ministry as God’s “final Word” in relation to the practice of prayer. Unit 3-5 deal with prayer in general, the Lord’s Prayer, and the practice of prayer in relation to all we think, say, and do.
Praying Like Jesus the Messiah also contains three supplementary sections. The first of these, titled Learning to pray Jesus’ Way. The second contains suggested prayers for use in a variety of situation. The third, titled Points to Ponder, contains short statements that offer food for spiritual thought.
To Purchase Click Here
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Mighty Prevailing Prayer
By Wesley L. Duewel
Wesley Duewel provides sound exposition of prevailing prayer and practical suggestions for ways to prayer. If you want to know the secrets of how to prevail with God, and over Satan, this book is one to read; it comes with my recommendation. Included here are a few of those suggestions.
To Purchase Click Here
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By Wesley L. Duewel
Wesley Duewel provides sound exposition of prevailing prayer and practical suggestions for ways to prayer. If you want to know the secrets of how to prevail with God, and over Satan, this book is one to read; it comes with my recommendation. Included here are a few of those suggestions.
- The secret of prevailing prayer is simply to pray until the answer comes.
- We need a new intense and radical commitment to prayer, leaders who know and prove the power of prayer, congregations growing ever mightier in prayer.
- Heaven wants sincerity, not beautiful, polite words.
- Repetition is sweet in the ears of God when it is the heart-cry of the soul.
- The vision of the need for which you pray must become a burning passion to see God’s answer.
- Humility is always the first step to God’s grace and power.
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Experiencing GOD through PRAYER
By Madame Jeanne Guyon
This a simple little book that can be read quickly. Therefore one can read it more than once. Madame Guyon teaches a person to pray from the heart not the head. She encourages Bible meditation on a short section of scripture and let this lead into praying the Word. Guyon tells the believer to remember that the main objective is to focus on God’s presence and accomplish His will on earth through you. Below are a few additional thoughts presented by Guyon:
To Purchase Click Here
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By Madame Jeanne Guyon
This a simple little book that can be read quickly. Therefore one can read it more than once. Madame Guyon teaches a person to pray from the heart not the head. She encourages Bible meditation on a short section of scripture and let this lead into praying the Word. Guyon tells the believer to remember that the main objective is to focus on God’s presence and accomplish His will on earth through you. Below are a few additional thoughts presented by Guyon:
- Abandonment means casting off all selfish cares in order to be altogether at His divine disposal.
- It is essential to continually submit your will to God’s will…
- God gives us the cross, which gives us God.
- Your contrition and God’s love combine in one principal act to a higher perfection than ever known before.
- Prayer is simply pouring out the contents of one’s heart in the presence of God.
- The ultimate purpose for each of us who knows God is to love Him and enjoy His presence.
- Our highest form of activity is to press on into a total dependence on the Spirit of God.
To Purchase Click Here
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The Practice of the Presence of God
By Brother Lawrence
“Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence. For nearly 300 years this unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day.”
This book gives the reader insight on how to deepen one's relationship with God. In a world full of "doing", "performing", "keeping up with the Joneses", and an innumerable other distractions and pressures, Brother Lawrence was a man gifted by God to have the vision of true fellowship with God. He tells us simply that being a Christian means to have a constant love relationship with God, only made possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
Here are a few of the key thoughts I want to remember from Brother Lawrence:
To Purchase Click Here
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By Brother Lawrence
“Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence. For nearly 300 years this unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day.”
This book gives the reader insight on how to deepen one's relationship with God. In a world full of "doing", "performing", "keeping up with the Joneses", and an innumerable other distractions and pressures, Brother Lawrence was a man gifted by God to have the vision of true fellowship with God. He tells us simply that being a Christian means to have a constant love relationship with God, only made possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
Here are a few of the key thoughts I want to remember from Brother Lawrence:
- I engaged in a religious life only for the love of God, and I have endeavored to act only for Him; …I will always continue to act purely for the love of God. …I shall have this good at least, that till death I shall have done all that is in me to love Him.
- That we ought, without anxiety, to expect the pardon of our sins from the blood of Jesus Christ, only endeavoring to love Him with all our hearts.
- When I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying I am used to do so; I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give God thanks, acknowledging that the strength comes from Him.
- That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.
- The greater perfection a soul aspires after, the more dependent it is upon divine grace.
To Purchase Click Here
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Begin the Journey With the Daily Office
By Peter Scazzero
We are staying at the home of missionary friends Matt and Jacinda Basinger while they are on home leave in USA. On their bookshelf I found a book by Peter Scazzero with the title Begin the Journey with the Daily Office. “The basic premise of the Daily Office is simple: We need to stop intentionally to be with God more than once a day so that the practice of ‘the presence of God’ becomes a real possibility.” The book’s purpose is to introduce you to a revolutionary spiritual discipline called the “Daily Office.” The word Office comes from the Latin word opus, or “work.” For the early church, the Daily Office was always the “work of God.” Here are a few of the elements of each Office (devotion) he presents:
To Purchase Click Here
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By Peter Scazzero
We are staying at the home of missionary friends Matt and Jacinda Basinger while they are on home leave in USA. On their bookshelf I found a book by Peter Scazzero with the title Begin the Journey with the Daily Office. “The basic premise of the Daily Office is simple: We need to stop intentionally to be with God more than once a day so that the practice of ‘the presence of God’ becomes a real possibility.” The book’s purpose is to introduce you to a revolutionary spiritual discipline called the “Daily Office.” The word Office comes from the Latin word opus, or “work.” For the early church, the Daily Office was always the “work of God.” Here are a few of the elements of each Office (devotion) he presents:
- Silence, Stillness, and Centering (We stop our activity and pause to be with the Living God.)
- Scripture (Less is more. He suggests meditating on the few verses of scripture provided.)
- Devotional Reading (Its purpose is to stretch you in your journey.)
- Question (Brief but probing.)
- Prayer (Written)
To Purchase Click Here
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Praying the Bible - The Pathway to Spirituality
By Wesley & Stacey Campbell
We have the good fortune right now to be staying at the home of missionaries Shane and Mel Sinclair while they are on home leave in Australia. On their bookshelf I found a book about prayer by Wesley and Stacey Campbell. It is written from a very open and honest viewpoint concerning the struggle many Christians have with the art of prayer. One of their major conclusions is that Christians need guidance on how to become more prayerful.
“The authors share their own exciting personal prayer experiences as they guide you through the seven steps – how to pray, when to pray, and more – to a deeper connection with God. This book is practical and revelational, historical and educational - …”
Here are three quotes I would like to remember:
By Wesley & Stacey Campbell
We have the good fortune right now to be staying at the home of missionaries Shane and Mel Sinclair while they are on home leave in Australia. On their bookshelf I found a book about prayer by Wesley and Stacey Campbell. It is written from a very open and honest viewpoint concerning the struggle many Christians have with the art of prayer. One of their major conclusions is that Christians need guidance on how to become more prayerful.
“The authors share their own exciting personal prayer experiences as they guide you through the seven steps – how to pray, when to pray, and more – to a deeper connection with God. This book is practical and revelational, historical and educational - …”
Here are three quotes I would like to remember:
- Although the topic of Christian spirituality is massive, one observation that is pretty much universal is that in order to attain spirituality, one must pray.
- Prayer works! It works not because it is a formula but because God is real and He listens when we talk to Him.
- In other words, God’s antidote to those who complain that they don’t know what to say is to pray the Bible.
PEACE CHILD
By Don Richardson
“Peace Child” was first published in 1974 and in a few short years became well known. I had read it several years ago, but couldn’t recall the details. It caught my attention again on a bookshelf in Sentani, Papua. I looked at the author’s introduction. The author, Don Richardson signed his name at the end of the introduction. Beneath his signature were the letters RBMU, Sentani, Irian Jaya Indonesia. RMBU stands for Regions Beyond Missionary Union. Irian Jaya has since changed its name to Papua. This weekcertainly was the appropriate time for me to reread the book. Missionaries are known for their strong prayer life and this proved to be true in Don and Carol’s life experiences.
“Still living in the Stone Age and, until 1962, still isolated from all but the nearby tribes, the Sawi people of Netherlands New Guinea were headhunting cannibals who pillowed their heads on the skulls of their victims."
In the pages of his book, Don Richardson narrates firsthand the gripping account of how The Peace Child brought true peace at last to the Sawi people. It is hard to believe this took place during my life time and that I am actually now living for a few months on this island. If you have not read The Peace Child, it will certainly open your eyes how God can work through people to share His love.
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By Don Richardson
“Peace Child” was first published in 1974 and in a few short years became well known. I had read it several years ago, but couldn’t recall the details. It caught my attention again on a bookshelf in Sentani, Papua. I looked at the author’s introduction. The author, Don Richardson signed his name at the end of the introduction. Beneath his signature were the letters RBMU, Sentani, Irian Jaya Indonesia. RMBU stands for Regions Beyond Missionary Union. Irian Jaya has since changed its name to Papua. This weekcertainly was the appropriate time for me to reread the book. Missionaries are known for their strong prayer life and this proved to be true in Don and Carol’s life experiences.
“Still living in the Stone Age and, until 1962, still isolated from all but the nearby tribes, the Sawi people of Netherlands New Guinea were headhunting cannibals who pillowed their heads on the skulls of their victims."
In the pages of his book, Don Richardson narrates firsthand the gripping account of how The Peace Child brought true peace at last to the Sawi people. It is hard to believe this took place during my life time and that I am actually now living for a few months on this island. If you have not read The Peace Child, it will certainly open your eyes how God can work through people to share His love.
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AND THE PLACE WAS SHAKEN
HOW TO LEAD A POWERFUL PRAYER MEETING
“And the Place Was Shaken makes an impassioned plea for churches to grow in passion for Jesus through praying together. It identifies for leaders of prayer the four responsibilities they must execute in guiding God’s people, and it gives practical suggestions for how to fulfill them.” According to the author these four responsibilities are:
1. Discerning the activity of God
2. Shepherding the people of God
3. Designing a God-centered format
4. Facilitating activities that involve participants
John Franklin's book is a reasonable "how-to" manuscript for reinvigorating the church prayer meeting and making it an effective kingdom activity. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking to establish vibrant prayer meetings.
Franklin has also written a 26-week study guide designed to be used in conjunction with his book. http://files.stablerack.com/webfiles/70168/andtheplacewasshakinprayerguide.pdf
Broadman & Holman Publishers Copyright 2005
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HOW TO LEAD A POWERFUL PRAYER MEETING
“And the Place Was Shaken makes an impassioned plea for churches to grow in passion for Jesus through praying together. It identifies for leaders of prayer the four responsibilities they must execute in guiding God’s people, and it gives practical suggestions for how to fulfill them.” According to the author these four responsibilities are:
1. Discerning the activity of God
2. Shepherding the people of God
3. Designing a God-centered format
4. Facilitating activities that involve participants
John Franklin's book is a reasonable "how-to" manuscript for reinvigorating the church prayer meeting and making it an effective kingdom activity. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking to establish vibrant prayer meetings.
Franklin has also written a 26-week study guide designed to be used in conjunction with his book. http://files.stablerack.com/webfiles/70168/andtheplacewasshakinprayerguide.pdf
Broadman & Holman Publishers Copyright 2005
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ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
By Richard Lieske
This book is one of the DISCIPLESHIP SERIES Bible studies produced by Concordia Publishing House.
The four sixty minute sessions on how to pray help the Christian dig into Scripture and explore some of the primary teachings on the topic of prayer.
Session 1 – The Power to Pray
Session 2 – Trusting His Answer
Session 3 – Praying with One Will
Session 4 – Your Prayers Matter
A very helpful addition is the Leader’s Guide which provides suggestions for directing the lesson. A focus, goals, a central truth, key scriptures, and other practical suggestions are presented for each session. These four guided lessons can be a beginning stage for learning how to carry on a lifetime of loving conversations with God through thoughts and words.
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By Richard Lieske
This book is one of the DISCIPLESHIP SERIES Bible studies produced by Concordia Publishing House.
The four sixty minute sessions on how to pray help the Christian dig into Scripture and explore some of the primary teachings on the topic of prayer.
Session 1 – The Power to Pray
Session 2 – Trusting His Answer
Session 3 – Praying with One Will
Session 4 – Your Prayers Matter
A very helpful addition is the Leader’s Guide which provides suggestions for directing the lesson. A focus, goals, a central truth, key scriptures, and other practical suggestions are presented for each session. These four guided lessons can be a beginning stage for learning how to carry on a lifetime of loving conversations with God through thoughts and words.
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MEETING ANANIAS
By Jim Tino
“For more than 25 years, Pastor James Tine has been inspiring people in congregations and classrooms around the world with real life examples of God’s grace and power at work! Here, Rev. Tino shares ten of his favorite stories in one volume, filled with lessons from God that he learned while serving as a missionary in Venezuela. Sometimes heartwarming, sometimes challenging, these true stories will encourage and inspire you to know God more deeply, and will open the eyes of your heart to understand the Word of God in a way that is fresh and invigorating.”
My wife and I personally recommend purchasing this book from Tri-Pillar Publishing Anaheim Hills, California.
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By Jim Tino
“For more than 25 years, Pastor James Tine has been inspiring people in congregations and classrooms around the world with real life examples of God’s grace and power at work! Here, Rev. Tino shares ten of his favorite stories in one volume, filled with lessons from God that he learned while serving as a missionary in Venezuela. Sometimes heartwarming, sometimes challenging, these true stories will encourage and inspire you to know God more deeply, and will open the eyes of your heart to understand the Word of God in a way that is fresh and invigorating.”
My wife and I personally recommend purchasing this book from Tri-Pillar Publishing Anaheim Hills, California.
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5 Things You Can Do To Have A Faithful Prayer Life
By Robert H. Hiller
This book is part of “The You Can Do It Series published by Concordia Publishing House. This series encourages and equips believers to live out life as a disciple of Jesus Christ, being formed and shaped by God’s Word. Written in a clear and encouraging style, each of these topical books gives Christians achievable goals for strengthening their faith and relationships. Each book features a consistent presentation of a topic in five parts with each part consisting of a presentation, summary, discussion questions, and several action steps.
About This Volume:
“We want to be faithful in our prayers, but even if we know how to pray, how can we make time to pray? How can we be faithful in our prayers? How often should we pray? For whom should we pray?
This volume will equip you to:
• See regular church attendance as the best foundation for a faithful prayer life
• Make time to pray
• Prepare to pray
• Use God's own Word to shape your prayers
• Meet the struggle that leads to a faithful and regular prayer life.”
Hiller provides throughout this small book very practical suggestions how one’s prayer life can grow and mature. I especially appreciate the first chapter concerning church attendance. The Law and Gospel is explained well and delivers an excellent explanation of how they are tied with prayer.
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By Robert H. Hiller
This book is part of “The You Can Do It Series published by Concordia Publishing House. This series encourages and equips believers to live out life as a disciple of Jesus Christ, being formed and shaped by God’s Word. Written in a clear and encouraging style, each of these topical books gives Christians achievable goals for strengthening their faith and relationships. Each book features a consistent presentation of a topic in five parts with each part consisting of a presentation, summary, discussion questions, and several action steps.
About This Volume:
“We want to be faithful in our prayers, but even if we know how to pray, how can we make time to pray? How can we be faithful in our prayers? How often should we pray? For whom should we pray?
This volume will equip you to:
• See regular church attendance as the best foundation for a faithful prayer life
• Make time to pray
• Prepare to pray
• Use God's own Word to shape your prayers
• Meet the struggle that leads to a faithful and regular prayer life.”
Hiller provides throughout this small book very practical suggestions how one’s prayer life can grow and mature. I especially appreciate the first chapter concerning church attendance. The Law and Gospel is explained well and delivers an excellent explanation of how they are tied with prayer.
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Prayer: We Speak to God
Concordia Publishing House
By John Kleinig
The Reverend Dr. John Kleinig, dean of chapel and head of biblical studies at Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide, is a respected teacher, author and lecturer in the areas of worship, biblical studies, and Christian spirituality. This small Bible study book on the topic of prayer one encourages to understand that through His word God trains us to become people of prayer. The author believes; “If we stop praying we fall asleep spiritually.”
The book is divided into two sections. The participant’s guide is presented first and consists of six lessons:
The format for each lesson begins with introductory remarks. It continues with the body of information directing the reader to review Bible texts that pertain to prayer. The open-ended questions stimulate discussion of the prayer focus to take place. Each lesson ends with suggested “Spiritual Exercises” and a “Point to Remember.”
The second section of the book is the Leader Guide. It includes the lesson in addition to objectives and opening worship suggestions. The author provides suggested answers to all 55 questions found in the lessons with plenty of supplementary material. Below are a few quotes I feel are worth remembering.
I recommend this book for your studies on prayer.
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By John Kleinig
The Reverend Dr. John Kleinig, dean of chapel and head of biblical studies at Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide, is a respected teacher, author and lecturer in the areas of worship, biblical studies, and Christian spirituality. This small Bible study book on the topic of prayer one encourages to understand that through His word God trains us to become people of prayer. The author believes; “If we stop praying we fall asleep spiritually.”
The book is divided into two sections. The participant’s guide is presented first and consists of six lessons:
- Our Secret Vocation
- The Intercession of Jesus
- The Gift of Prayer
- Praying with Jesus
- Complaining
- Praying Together
The format for each lesson begins with introductory remarks. It continues with the body of information directing the reader to review Bible texts that pertain to prayer. The open-ended questions stimulate discussion of the prayer focus to take place. Each lesson ends with suggested “Spiritual Exercises” and a “Point to Remember.”
The second section of the book is the Leader Guide. It includes the lesson in addition to objectives and opening worship suggestions. The author provides suggested answers to all 55 questions found in the lessons with plenty of supplementary material. Below are a few quotes I feel are worth remembering.
- An early Christian teacher called Agathon said: “I think there is no labor greater than that of prayer to God. …”
- Oddly, our success in prayer comes from our personal failure and our willingness to let Jesus take over from us.
- The life of prayer that God requires is given to us by our union with Him in Baptism and our faith in Him as our high priest.
- We come to what is most unique about the Christian teaching and practice of prayer: its dependence on Jesus.
- Their (popular Christian literature and teaching on prayer) basic assumption is that prayer is something that we do for ourselves and by ourselves. They assume that success in prayer depends on our performance, our willpower, and our capacity for spiritual self-improvement. They disconnect prayer from Jesus and His atonement for us.
- So the best help that Jesus gives to us for our practice of prayer is His Holy Spirit. By prayer we receive the Holy Spirit who, in turn, makes us people of prayer.
- The most remarkable thing about this new way of praying is that it overcomes our anxiety about our performance and acceptability. God hears our prayers as if they come from the mouth of Jesus.
I recommend this book for your studies on prayer.
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My Prayer Book
Concordia Publishing House
My Prayer Book is exactly what the title says it is about. This is a book for those wanting to find a suitable written prayer for the situations and problems they face during life’s journey. Even if a person finds it easy to carry on extemporaneous conversations with God, these prayers provide thoughts and ideas that might otherwise be overlooked. The text offers expressions that individuals may have in their hearts.
Over 200 specific prayers are found in its 235 pages. The prayers are categorized under nine topic headings: Morning and Evening Prayers; Prayers for Christian Living; Prayers for Christian Worship; Prayers for the Family Life; Prayers for Various Occupations; Prayers Pertaining to National and International Life; Prayers in Time of Sickness; Table Prayers; The Benedictions of the Lord.
This is an excellent prayer book that could easily be used and tucked into your pocket as you travel the world.
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Over 200 specific prayers are found in its 235 pages. The prayers are categorized under nine topic headings: Morning and Evening Prayers; Prayers for Christian Living; Prayers for Christian Worship; Prayers for the Family Life; Prayers for Various Occupations; Prayers Pertaining to National and International Life; Prayers in Time of Sickness; Table Prayers; The Benedictions of the Lord.
This is an excellent prayer book that could easily be used and tucked into your pocket as you travel the world.
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Is God Listening?
Andrew E. Steinmann
Concordia Publishing House
Andrew Steinmann “examines several types of prayers from the Old and New Testaments. Using these prayers, he shows us a pattern for prayer we can use in our daily life. By understanding how and why people in the Bible prayed, we can learn to feel comfortable with our own prayers and realize that God is always listening.”
I especially appreciated his thorough analysis of the each prayer selected from the Bible. This led him to ask questions such as: Why was this prayer prayed? When was it prayed? How do the prayer’s various parts work together to bring the concerns of the person praying before God? He then followed up with summarizing the main beliefs he felt the prayer taught. Below are three examples of principles Steinmann presented.
Psalm 13 teaches: Prayer begins with God’s promise of mercy toward us. Prayer does not begin with a human effort to pester God until He listens.
Psalm 77 teaches: Prayer is designed to help us transcend our problems and troubles by focusing on God Himself. Prayer is not a way to manipulate God into answering all our questions or solving our problems in the ways we want them solved.
Psalm 32 teaches: Prayers of confession should neither be prayed as an easy way out of our guilt nor as a way to escape the negative consequences of sin. Prayers of confession should be prayed because we trust God’s promise of forgiveness.
The book is well worth the time and effort to read.
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I especially appreciated his thorough analysis of the each prayer selected from the Bible. This led him to ask questions such as: Why was this prayer prayed? When was it prayed? How do the prayer’s various parts work together to bring the concerns of the person praying before God? He then followed up with summarizing the main beliefs he felt the prayer taught. Below are three examples of principles Steinmann presented.
Psalm 13 teaches: Prayer begins with God’s promise of mercy toward us. Prayer does not begin with a human effort to pester God until He listens.
Psalm 77 teaches: Prayer is designed to help us transcend our problems and troubles by focusing on God Himself. Prayer is not a way to manipulate God into answering all our questions or solving our problems in the ways we want them solved.
Psalm 32 teaches: Prayers of confession should neither be prayed as an easy way out of our guilt nor as a way to escape the negative consequences of sin. Prayers of confession should be prayed because we trust God’s promise of forgiveness.
The book is well worth the time and effort to read.
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Treasury of Daily Prayer
Concordia Publishing House
A promotional paragraph for this book: “Cultivate an enriching devotional life with a book that nourishes your time with God. This comprehensive Lutheran resource brings together Scripture readings, prayers, psalms, hymns, and devotional reading from the church fathers to guide daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word.”
This book caught me off guard. At first I resisted using it, as it seemed like the book would be more than I could handle. It seemed like it was more than I could handle. I wanted to spend more time with personal and intercessory prayer concerns. Finally I became aware that this was a great introduction to my personal conversations with God. Put this book in your prayer library.
It is organized around the Christian Church Year. Treasury of Daily Prayer is designed to be an all-in-one resource for daily devotions for individuals, families, and small groups.
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This book caught me off guard. At first I resisted using it, as it seemed like the book would be more than I could handle. It seemed like it was more than I could handle. I wanted to spend more time with personal and intercessory prayer concerns. Finally I became aware that this was a great introduction to my personal conversations with God. Put this book in your prayer library.
It is organized around the Christian Church Year. Treasury of Daily Prayer is designed to be an all-in-one resource for daily devotions for individuals, families, and small groups.
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The Power of Crying Out
By Bill Gothard
The Power of Crying Out is a short, quick-read book that encourages the reader to vocalize prayers with fervency and sincerity of the heart. The message reminds us that our true source of strength and wisdom lies in humbling ourselves as we cry out to the Lord. Gothard is not suggesting it needs to be a rule or regulation. God can certainly knows our silent prayers thoughts. Below are seven quotes from this book:
1. The prayers of biblical saints were much more often spoken out loud – with corresponding fervency.
2. Praying aloud was no mechanical formula or gimmick or “lucky rabbit’s foot” with David. It was a natural outflow of a love relationship with his listening Lord.
3. Like fasting or kneeling, crying out is a Scripture-sanctioned way to pray with intensity and commitment.
4. As we call aloud our prayers, we can more easily recognize our heart’s condition before God. Hearing our own spoken words, we quickly detect any lack of fervency or humility or reverence. Listening to ourselves, we’re forced to examine our hearts. And this is good.
5. Pride tries to project a polished image of competence and confidence… with the cry of humility, we show our dependence on what God does for us and through us.
6. Our true, absolute surrender will include obedience to God’s command to be His loving ambassadors in humble service to those around us, especially to those in great need.
7. “The best prayer,” wrote Thomas Watson, the seventeenth-century Puritan, “is when the heart and tongue join together in concert, when they are zealous and fervent… Fervency is to prayer as fire to incense, which makes it ascend to heaven as sweet perfume.”
1. The prayers of biblical saints were much more often spoken out loud – with corresponding fervency.
2. Praying aloud was no mechanical formula or gimmick or “lucky rabbit’s foot” with David. It was a natural outflow of a love relationship with his listening Lord.
3. Like fasting or kneeling, crying out is a Scripture-sanctioned way to pray with intensity and commitment.
4. As we call aloud our prayers, we can more easily recognize our heart’s condition before God. Hearing our own spoken words, we quickly detect any lack of fervency or humility or reverence. Listening to ourselves, we’re forced to examine our hearts. And this is good.
5. Pride tries to project a polished image of competence and confidence… with the cry of humility, we show our dependence on what God does for us and through us.
6. Our true, absolute surrender will include obedience to God’s command to be His loving ambassadors in humble service to those around us, especially to those in great need.
7. “The best prayer,” wrote Thomas Watson, the seventeenth-century Puritan, “is when the heart and tongue join together in concert, when they are zealous and fervent… Fervency is to prayer as fire to incense, which makes it ascend to heaven as sweet perfume.”
