5 Books That Taught Me Prayer by Andy FreemanAndy Freeman - 11 Apr 2014

"Five great books that have taught me about prayer..."

A little while ago a friend of mine challenged me to share the books that have most helped me to pray. I wanted to narrow it down to five and ended up with a list of closer to twenty five...  

I don’t know how much you enjoy reading or not but I do encourage you to explore some books both past and present on the subject of prayer. You see praying is something people have been doing for a while. You can find wisdom from people like Thomas Aquinas, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Brother Lawrence, Bill Hybels or Philip Yancey to name a few. But the following five books are the one’s that have most helped me. 

Richard Foster / Streams of Living Water  
I like any Richard Foster to be honest and he’s written one specifically on Prayer and another, the Celebration of Discipline which explores many spiritual practices. But this book is my favourite. In it, Foster explores the five great traditions of the Christian taking biblical, ancient and recent case studies of people who expressed them. The pages unsurprising flow with the spirit of prayer as saints old and new have their stories told and at the heart is a deep dependance on God. Inspiring. 

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community  
Used by many Prayer Rooms and Boiler Rooms as part of their daily cycle of prayer, we have continually found this a helpful resource. The prayers are beautiful, practical and simple to use. There’s great wisdom and the daily readings never cease to inspire me. There are, of course, other good prayer books on the scene too - and I’d recommend Common Prayer (by Shaine Claibourne and others) very much too.

Margaret Silf / The Inner Compass
I love the self reflection of Ignatian Spirituality and this lovely book explores it expertly and in a way you can apply it and understand it. Over time the Ignatian practice of the Examen has become a signpost in my life when I need to understand what’s influencing and affecting me. Take a look at our Ancient Paths area to find out more.  

The Jesus Prayer / Simon Barrington Ward
I met Simon nearly ten years ago and the meeting changed my life. He became a friend for a while and taught me the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.” This prayer which is repeated often as a way of focusing on God has had a deep effect on me and it’s where I go when I don’t know what to pray or say. Maybe try it sometime.  

God on Mute / Pete Greig
This is a profound book. Pete explores the pain of unanswered prayer in a vulnerable and challenging way and finds comfort in the journey of Jesus through Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Many of you might have read Pete’s other books but if God on Mute hasn’t made it into your bookshelf I recommend it.  

Maybe you could comment or tweet us and tell us of any books have made an impact on you? 
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