It’s difficult to develop a spiritual discipline such as prayer when you don’t know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you strengthen your prayer life. Below are six resources that Pastor J.D. and the Summit staff recommend to help you get started.
Daily Prayer Devotionals
The Valley of Vision. These are short—only a page each—and you can just pray them, personalizing them for where you are.
The strength of Puritan character and life lay in prayer and meditation. In this practice the spirit of prayer was regarded as of first importance and the best form of prayer, for living prayer is the characteristic of genuine spirituality. This book has been prepared not to ‘supply’ prayers but to prompt and encourage the Christian as he treads the path on which others have gone before.
The Songs of Jesus by Tim Keller. A Year of Daily Devotions in Psalms.
Two decades ago, Tim Keller began reading the entire Book of Psalms every month. The Songs of Jesus is based on his accumulated years of study, insight, and inspiration recorded in his prayer journals. Kathy Keller came to reading the psalms as a support during an extended illness. Together they have distilled the meaning of each verse, inviting readers into the vast wisdom of the psalms.
Daily Light by Anne Graham Lotz.
Anne Graham Lotz, a powerful Bible teacher in her own right, now takes this revered classic and includes some of her own favorite scripture verses and a new introduction. The book includes readings for every morning and evening of the year plus a topical index of 60 subjects.
Books on Prayer
A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul Miller.
In A Praying Life, author Paul Miller lays out a pattern for living in relationship with God and includes helpful habits and approaches to prayer that enable us to return to a childlike faith.
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Tim Keller.
Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act.
Praying the Bible by Don Whitney.
All Christians know they should pray, but sometimes it’s hard to know how—especially if the minutes start to drag and our minds start to wander. Offering readers hope, encouragement, and the practical advice they’re looking for, this concise book by professor Donald Whitney outlines a simple, time-tested method that can help transform our prayer lives: praying the words of the Bible.