A Praying Life

Whilst we are in this strange time we want to keep being community as a church, and we want to keep learning together. With that in mind, we would love the church family to join together in reading a book of the month.

This month we’re focusing on the subject of Prayer and are recommending three books that we would encourage you to read in lockdown.

Our main focus book will be by Paul Miller ‘A Praying Life

PRAYER is simply you–a child of a good Father–making conversation with him a rhythm of your life.

For most of us, prayer is so hard that unless circumstances demand it, we simply do not pray. Prayerlessness is rooted in unbelief. Because of prayerlessness, our lives are often marked by fear, anxiety, joylessness, and spiritual lethargy.

If prayerlessness marks your life more often than not, A Praying Life is for you. Now with added chapters on prayers of lament and further guidance for using prayer cards, Paul Miller introduces us to prayer that regularly and consistently hopes, trusts, and expects God to act.

Our hope is that we can then discuss it in our life groups, talk about what we are learning and how God is encouraging us at this time. You can get this book at the following places online:

10ofthose https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/23265/a-praying-life (£8.99 +postage)

ICM https://www.icmbooksdirect.co.uk/product/11904/a-praying-life  (£9.99 inc. postage)

The Good Book Company https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/a-praying-life-1 (£9.09 +postage)

Amazon Kindle https://www.amazon.co.uk/Praying-Life-Connecting-Distracting-World-ebook/dp/B06Y195TG9/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+praying+life&qid=1587548490&sr=8-1 (£9.64)

Available on Audible too

Enjoy Your Prayer Life

If you would like something slightly shorter, we’re recommending “Enjoy Your Prayer Life” by Michael Reeves. It’s broken down into sections that you could read all at once or use as a daily devotional. This book is particularly good for teenagers looking for something easy to read.

Sadly, most of us struggle to set aside time to pray. But, fear not, this is not another book that will pile on the guilt, simply saying pray better and more often. Instead, Michael Reeves shows us not only why prayer is so essential, but also how we can enjoy it too.

Taking his cue from Calvin’s definition that prayer is ‘the chief exercise of faith,’ Reeves helps us understand that prayer should be a natural expression of our faith. Just as faith is awakened as we grasp the wonders of the gospel, so prayer follows as our hearts respond to these glorious truths.

A number of copies are available from Ben Horrex (send him an email to request one) or can be purchased from 10ofThose (£2.99 +postage).

https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/16870/enjoy-your-prayer-life

What Every Child Should Know About Prayer

As you learn more about prayer, why not help your children to join you on that journey too? Nancy explains in child-friendly language what prayer is, how and why we should pray, and the things we can pray about. There is a Bible verse for each topic, and a prayer for children to make their own. 

This book will introduce children to the gift of prayer and will encourage them to enjoy speaking to their father God. 

Available to order from 10ofthose (£6.99 +postage): https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/23258/what-every-child-should-know