The Word of God and Prayer

God speaks to us through his Word, the Bible. And we call out to God for help in prayer—asking, for example, for forgiveness, wisdom, and strength to do his will. But each of us has more to learn regarding how to read God’s Word and how to pray in ways that honor God.

I list two categories on this page (the Word of God and Prayer), not one category. Without confusing or merging the two, studying the Word of God and prayer belong together. You can’t do either one in a God-honoring way without the other, at least not for long. Listening to God through his Word and responding to God in prayer are at the core of Christian spirituality. I become highly suspicious, for example, when people claim to be Christians but consistently have no desire for God’s Word, for it is essential for our lives with God.

In the months and years to come, devote much of your time to studying resources like these and then passing along what you learn to others. By God’s grace, the following authors guide us well.

The Word of God

Before You Open Your Bible by Matt Smethurst (1): The author briefly explores nine ways we approach God’s Word, such as prayerfully, humbly, and desperately.

*Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin (2): Men and women alike will benefit from reading this book. She encourages us to read our Bibles with purpose, perspective, patience, process, and prayer. So clear.

Taking God At His Word by Kevin DeYoung (2 or 3): This book does not teach us how to study the Bible, at least not directly. Instead, it teaches us what the Bible says about itself. In highly-understandable language, DeYoung explains that the Bible is inspired, authoritative, without error, and sufficient to guide us in our relationship with God.

For detailed information about how to study the Bible, see Interpreting Bible Passages.

Prayer

Developing a Healthy Prayer Life by James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke (1): This book consists of thirty-one brief meditations on how to approach God in prayer. Clear, concise, and wise.

Pray Big by Alistair Begg (1 or 2): A warm, balanced survey of the apostle Paul’s prayers.

*You Can Pray by Tim Chester (2): This book might be the best place to start if you want an accessible introduction to prayer.

Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney (2): As I stated above, reading the Bible and prayer are separate activities, but in practice they often blend together. God speaks through his Word, and we respond in prayer. God speaks some more, and we respond again. Whitney explores one way to do this: to pray God’s Word back to God himself. In this way, the very language of the Bible shapes the way we talk to God.

Prayer by John Onwuchekwa (2): The author discusses the importance and nature of corporate prayer—praying in the gathered body of Christ. His writing is clear and practical. For example, he includes information on how to run a prayer meeting, a practice we must not lose.

*Praying with Paul by D. A. Carson (3 or 4): If God delays Jesus’s return, Christians will read this book for generations to come, precisely because it is tied so closely to Scripture. Carson explains the apostle Paul’s prayers and encourages us to adopt his priorities as we pray. It is worth reading slowly (a page or two a day if need be), reflectively, and with other Christians.

Prayer by Timothy Keller (3 or 4): To my knowledge, there is not a more comprehensive, contemporary book on prayer, for Keller teaches on the theological, experiential, and methodological aspects of prayer. At more than 300 pages, I wish the book was more concise, but that was not Keller’s goal. If you read this book, you might want to read it in small bits to process it thoroughly—two to four pages at a time. Then stop and pray.

The Prayers of Jesus by Mark Jones (3 or 4): This is not an easy book to read, for Jones writes with a reflective, intense style, but his insights are profound. He explains and explores the prayers of Jesus—revealing, in particular, what they teach us about Jesus himself and his ministries in the service of God.

Calling on the Name of the Lord by J. Gary Millar (4 or 5): This book outlines a biblical theology of prayer, explaining that prayer is calling on God’s name to deliver on his promises.