Prayer & Reflection

Standing on my  Knees
Establishing a lifeline of prayer
by Jeff Lucas

A revision of How not to Pray by the same author.  Jeff Lucas is open about his own struggles in prayer, as he offers suggestions to help Christians of all ages to develop a stronger relationship with God.
Published by Monarch.  Paperback.  174 pages.  £7.99

  Forbidden Faith compiled by Mervyn Thomas (CWR)

This is a compilation of Bible readings and inspiring stories of people who suffer for their faith, presented as an eight-week devotional to challenge readers to pray for persecuted Christians.  The book examines what the Bible teaches about persecution with notes by Jonathan Aitken, Lyndon Bowring, David Coffey and others.  Forbidden Faith is published by CWR in association with Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Prayer – does it make any difference? by Philip Yancey 

“I’m an authority on the struggles in prayer” - These were the humble and honest words of Philip Yancey at the launch of Prayer – does it make a difference. 

Philip Yancey, a former journalist, says “I choose to write about subjects I don’t know the answer to.”   His books are the result of time spent researching these subjects: “my readers can’t afford to spend ten months in the library reading books on prayer” he says.

Prayer – does it make any difference? is not another self-help guide to prayer, nor a book aimed to guilt-trip us about our lack of prayer or failure in prayer.   It is a journey into prayer with one of the most popular inspirational writers of our age.    The author devotes chapters to the question “Does prayer change God?”, the “Ask, seek, knock” conundrum, the problem of unanswered prayer and the issue of prayer for healing.  Don't just expect answers - but expect to have your perspective changed.

The God I love by Joni Eareckson Tada

In this heartwarming, yet challenging, book Joni looks back over many of the events in her life, both large and seemingly insignificant.  She shares her  thoughts and feelings about her life this far…..and is grateful, because she has discovered “a God who is so magnificent that no circumstance, no matter how terrible, can separate her – or you- from his fierce, tender and enduring love”.  Joni’s faith is not an easy thing, she has no special hotline to God,  but she reaches out to Him again and again and, in so doing, shows how God can be turned to and relied on again and again.

Jesus Safe, Tender, Extreme by Adrian Plass

In his preface to this book, John Ortberg describes it as “a book for honest, thoughtful people who would like to know Jesus better”.  Adrian Plass talks as an ordinary man who is learning about Jesus in his everyday life.  He reflects on his experiences and  offers those reflections to us as tools for reflecting on our own individual  journey with God.  He finishes the book with a selection of short ‘prayers for the journey’.

 In the Company of Jesus by Bill Donahue
(finding unconventional wisdom and unexpected hope)
BOOK AND SEPARATE STUDY GUIDES

Bill Donahue has written In the company of Jesus to enable us to encounter the ‘real-life dynamic Jesus’ in our everyday lives. The book has eight chapters covering various ways of encountering Jesus such as sacred friend, extreme forgiver, compassionate healer and relentless lover. Each chapter is divided into short sections ideal for daily reading, and has suggestions for further Bible reading, for personal response and for dialogue with God.

This book comes from Willow Creek Resources and is published by IVP. It is designed for contemplative reading and prayer and is full of stories to inspire and motivate. It comes highly recommended!

In the Company of Jesus has eight companion Jesus 101 Study Guides. Each kind of encounter with Jesus is expanded on in the Study Guide which runs parallel to the book. Each guide is divided into six sections and can be used on its own or in conjunction with the book. The studies probe more deeply into the subject matter than the book. They are strong on practical application and are designed for ‘personal transformation, group growth and living out God’s purposes in the world’. Each study follows the format of gathering to listen, encountering Jesus, joining the conversation, connecting our stories, finding our way, and praying together. It also contains practical, helpful notes for group leaders.

Wrestling the Light    Stories and Poems by Ted Loder 
(Ache and Awe in the Human-Divine Struggle)

These stories and poems explore the theme of grace – the expression of God’s initiatives towards us, our discernment and experiences of these comings, and our responses to them.

The author tells gripping, heart-warming stories that challenge the reader to look for God in the unexpected, and shares his heart in his prayer/poetry conversations with God.

Black and white drawings give added visual impact to this book.