Guide to Prayer: For Ministers & Other Servants

Job 5:8 "But as for me, I would seek God,And I would place my cause before God." Psalm 9:10 "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 14:2 "The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of menTo see if there are any who understand,Who seek after God." Psalm 22:26b "Those who seek Him will praise the LORD Let your heart live forever!" Psalm 70:4 "Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;And let those who love Your salvation say continually,"Let God be magnified." If you seek an ardent devotional life, if you want to have a life of prayer, if you are looking for a guide on how to dwelve in the Word and reap the benefits of the Bille's wisdom, than look no more. Here is what I wrote my relatives and friends as a result of one morning's Bible reading of 2 Tim. 1:1-14 (suggested reading for that day). "I'm not here to push this book, but I want to say that my spiritual walk with God, on a day to day basis, starting the day and ending the day, has been very enriched as a result of reading the Scripture passages, meditating on the excerpts from spiritual writings and poems, and praying, with the help of this devotional book." The structure of the book is fairly simple. Week by week (according to the Christian calendar). Each week's daily devotions and texts are broken up in the following 8 categories: I. Invocation (written), II. One of the Psalms (as a prayerful reading material) III. Reading for Reflection (various numbers of little excerpts from spiritual writing from the whole rich treasure chest of Christian history and from all various denominational and traditional Christian faiths), IV. Daily Scripture Readings (Mon.-Sunday.; some of them are long like a whole chapter; others very short) V. Reflection: Silent and Written VI. Prayers: For the Church, for Others, and Myself (no prayers provided but one is asked to pray for these three areas) VII. Hymn (written) VIII. Benediction (written). You will not be sorry you invested the money in this book. The challenge is making the time to devote your life, heart, mind, soul to God and reap the benefits of your closeness to the divine. Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox - friendly. The authors come from the Methodist tradition but are very ecumenically minded.

December 1986 my family presented me with this book. I enjoy readings of William Barclay, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Carlo Carretto, Richard Foster, Carl Jung, C. S. Lewis, Henri J. Nouwen, Mother Teresa, Elton Trueblood, John Wesley, to name a few. But to have writings by these great authors compiled in one book is unimaginable. On top of that there are the lyrics of some of the most well known and loved hymns included in this book. There are monthly retreat models that can be done individually or with a group. The story "A Doll of Salt" by Anthony Bloom is a wonderful simile of our developing relationship with God. I have highlighted, written in the margins, and dogeared so many pages that I had to get a second copy because the first one is falling apart (and it was the leather bound copy). The readings are so inspiring and uplifting as well as thought provoking for the layperson as well as the ordained minister. If you are going to get this book I encourage you to get the leather bound for you will discover you will use it on a daily basis along with your Bible.

This book is an excellent guide for an individual's daily devotionals. It includes prayers, selected readings from great writers, as well as a daily scripture passage to lead you to the Sunday selections from the Common Lectionary. By using this guide I find myself mentally and emotionally prepared to hear the message my pastor has to share with us on the Sunday following a week of devotionals. Each week also includes a psalm and a hymn selection, adding richness to the worship experience. All in all, I find this guide a wonderful way to begin my day with praise, petition, reflection, and worship.

This devotional guide has changed my walk with God. Whether you are in Christian leadership or not, this humble yet sublime offering of deeply honest and contemplative readings will stir your soul and renew your life. I am buying 8 copies online to give to my colleagues and friends.

I have studied under Dr. Norman Shawchuck and I know this work to be a valid personal testimony of his spiritual journey. This is one of the best devotional guides ever printed. It includes daily lectionary readings, deeply moving meditative excerpts from many great theologians, and monthly retreat models. The retreat models have been a Godsend to my wife and I. We find much healing and renewal in these retreats. The passion of the writer's own spiritual growth is clearly evidenced in these pages. This is a vital tool for all clergy. No pastor should be without the benefit of this kind of refreshing and renewal. This guide is a daily trip to the well.