Pray Like This, a Devotional from Hosanna Revival written by Katie Noble
“CHRIST'S GUIDE TO PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES, This eight-week study traverses through the depths of the Lord’s Prayer, drawing us nearer to the foot of the cross while shaping the way we pray and commune with God. From an ancient practice to a Sunday school memory verse, the Lord’s Prayer holds some sort of sentiment for many different people. We encourage you to push past any assumptions you hold currently and take this deep dive with us into the depths of the Lord’s Prayer. Let it shape the way you pray, knowing that God has already initiated the conversation.”
Sacred Rhythms , a book written by Ruth Haley Barton
“Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it? Spiritual disciplines are activities that open us to God's transforming love and the changes that only God can bring about in our lives. Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a "rule of life" that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines, this book takes you more deeply into understanding seven key disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life. Each chapter includes exercises to help you begin the practices--individually and in a group context. The final chapter puts it all together in a way that will help you arrange your life for spiritual transformation. The choice to establish your own sacred rhythm is the most important choice you can make with your life.”
A Praying Life , a book written by Paul E. Miller
Prayer is hard. Often, unless circumstances demand it―such as an illness or saying grace before a meal―most of us simply do not pray. This kind of prayerlessness can leave us with a distressed spirit and practical unbelief characterized by fear, anxiety, joylessness, and spiritual depression. A Praying Life has encouraged thousands of Christians to pursue a vibrant prayer life full of joy and power. A life of prayer invites you to a life of connection to God. When Jesus describes the intimacy that He seeks with us, He talks about joining us for dinner (Revelation 3:20). This book reminds readers that prayer is simply making conversation with God a rhythm of life. Now with added chapters addressing prayers of lament and further guidance for using prayer cards, Paul Miller invites you to foster prayer that regularly hopes, trusts, and expects God to act. Learn to develop helpful habits and approaches to prayer that will enable you to return to a childlike faith and witness spiritual growth today!”
A Sacred Sorrow, a book written by Michael Card
“God desires for us to pour out our hearts to Him, whether in joy or pain. But many of us don’t feel right expressing our anger, frustration, and sadness in prayer. From Job to David to Christ, men and women of the Bible understood the importance of pouring one’s heart out to the Father. Examine their stories and expand your definition of worship. Also available: A Sacred Sorrow Experience Guide (sold separately), to help individuals or small groups get the most out of this book.”
Dark Clouds Deep Mercy , a book written by Mark Vroegop
“In his book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, pastor Mark Vroegop seeks to restore the lost art of lament by helping readers discover the power of honest wrestling with the questions that come with grief and suffering. He explores how the Bible―through the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations―invites believers to grieve, struggle, and tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in the darkest moments of their lives. The Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy Devotional Journal is an ideal companion for anyone wanting to apply the knowledge they gained about lament from the book and practice it in their own life. The journal features 15 devotions, with each one focused on one psalm of lament. Each devotion includes a quote from Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, guidance for how to outline the passage, space to write a personal lament, and a summary that includes five reflection questions and a brief prayer.”
Hurting with God , a book written by Glenn Pemberton
“Giving new hope to the weary, this book brings together scholarship and personal experience to understand the necessity of lament language through the exploration of the Psalms.Many writers have considered the question, ''Why do bad things happen to good people?'' Pemberton, however, sets this philosophical issue aside to consider the practical. How do believers live out faith in prolonged seasons of pain and loss? How can we live with God when it hurts - and continues to hurt? Drawing from his own daily struggle with chronic pain and years of reading and teaching the Psalms, Pemberton leads readers on a quest to recover a lost ancient resource for people of faith--the language of lament. The book of Psalms brings out the reality and presence of lament in ancient days, indeed laments make up a third of the Psalter. Through the exploration and study of imagery and language, Pemberton revitalizes this forgotten tool to rejuvenate those who seek to connect with God in times of struggle.”
Contemplating the Lord's Prayer, Missio Dei Blog Submitted by Matt Korte
“Depending on your church background the Lord’s Prayer may have played a central role in your spiritual development or played little to no role at all in your spiritual development. Matthew’s gospel places the Lord’s Prayer almost exactly in the middle of the most radical and counter-cultural sermon of all time, Jesus’ sermon on the mount. One of the many beautiful things about Jesus is the reality that he spoke like no one before him and no one since him. His instructions on prayer found in Matthew 6:5-15 are no exception to this. This prayer has been held in high regard by God’s people throughout church history. It’s powerful, and it’s well worth our time and energy to learn it, memorize it, and to pray and contemplate upon it regularly. ”
Prayer Practice , Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
“Prayer is the center-point of life with God. It should be woven into the fabric of our morning routine, our weekly schedule. We should make time for prayer every single day. Even if we have to stay up all night. It is here where we get to enjoy the Father’s company. Prayer is our opportunity to interact with the Creator God and participate in his work of bringing redemption to earth. This practice will explore areas of prayer like contemplation, intercession, lament, unanswered prayer, imaginative prayer, and listening prayer.”