I’ve been convicted that I need to be praying more. I need to be spending more time in prayer over this church that God has allowed me to minister to. I need to be spending more time in prayer over the leadership and other ministers that I partner with. I need to be spending more time in prayer over the family that God has blessed me with. I just need to be spending more time in prayer.
I’m also convicted that I need to be talking about prayer more from the pulpit and I need to be guiding this church through more prayer from the pulpit and in one-on-one situations.
I’m looking for some good books on prayer. Got any suggestions? Maybe some books that could give me a good structure for a sermon series? I’m currently reading through Hybel’s Too Busy Not To Pray. It has been really good so far, and I can’t believe I have never read this book. What else?
Praying With The Church by Scot McKnight
Seeing Is Believing by Greg Boyd
AE
Ok, I’m going to give my very typical, cliche Courtney answer and say that I love love love Richard Foster and although I have not read his book titled Prayer, I love his chapters and thoughts on prayer found throughout Celebration of Discipline and Streams of Living Water. And I have copies of both of those, but I’m sure you’ve probably read them before, but in the case that you have not and you would like to borrow them please let me know.
oh my goodness… I can’t believe you’ve never read that book…it’s awesome! And was also going to suggest Celebration of Discipline like CBuss did… 🙂
I’m hesitant to say this because I don’t know you personally, but your post makes it seem like you are quick to seek counsel from a book about prayer prior to actually praying about it. If you let the Holy Spirit guide you as you pray, it will get easier and you’ll find yourself praying more frequently when you let Him take the lead. The books cbuss mentions are great and can provide good insight, but let them be your commentary after you’ve studied and prayed about how the Christ prayed and spent time with God. I’m sorry if I offended you, but I know you want to serve God first, and that’s what I pray that myself and all ministers do as well.
Thanks, PurduePetty. I have been praying about this for for a while now and have been reading through different text concerning prayer. Asking for book suggestions was not my first reaction to this conviction. But you are right, books can used as a crutch. That is a welcomed reminder.
That is great to hear! Thanks for being understanding. You and your blog have been an encouragement to me, and I know there are many at Elmwood that feel the same way!
Great suggestions. Seems like Douglas Foster has a book on prayer that is pretty good.
My #1 resource on prayer is Richard Foster’s book titled simply Prayer. I’ve given away a bunch of them and always get good feedback. It energizes my prayer life every time I read it.