Prayers for the People


Book Description

A collection of timely, stirring, and witty prayers that give language to the full breadth of our everyday experiences—from joy to sorrow, and everything in between “This is the prayer book I need right now, full of humor and beauty, candor and holy longing.”—Jeff Chu, co-curator of Evolving Faith and author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? In his debut collection of short-form prayers (aka collects), Terry Stokes names many things we didn’t realize we could pray for, such as student loan debt cancellation, strength when we’re about to make small talk, and restraint when we have the opportunity to be petty. The collection features an impressive range of humor and inspiration, and spans lament and solidarity, including prayers for • when one dreads the thought of returning to work on Monday • when one has been left on read by a friend • before shooting one’s shot • after shooting one’s shot • before walking into Target • when one fears getting canceled • those working in retail • when one’s team is struggling These tender, moving, and entertaining prayers invite us to access the wonder and joy of God’s presence in every situation we encounter. By putting words to the emotions and needs that lie beneath our petitions, our celebrations, and our protests. Stokes’s prayers make for an engaging and heartfelt read that will delight and encourage any person of faith in the modern age.




Prayers for the People


Book Description

“Grieve well and you grow stronger.” Anthropologist Rebecca Louise Carter heard this wisdom over and over while living in post-Katrina New Orleans, where everyday violence disproportionately affects Black communities. What does it mean to grieve well? How does mourning strengthen survivors in the face of ongoing threats to Black life? Inspired by ministers and guided by grieving mothers who hold birthday parties for their deceased sons, Prayers for the People traces the emergence of a powerful new African American religious ideal at the intersection of urban life, death, and social and spiritual change. Carter frames this sensitive ethnography within the complex history of structural violence in America—from the legacies of slavery to free but unequal citizenship, from mass incarceration and overpolicing to social abandonment and the unequal distribution of goods and services. And yet Carter offers a vision of restorative kinship by which communities of faith work against the denial of Black personhood as well as the violent severing of social and familial bonds. A timely directive for human relations during a contentious time in America’s history, Prayers for the People is also a hopeful vision of what an inclusive, nonviolent, and just urban society could be.




When People Pray


Book Description

"God, don't take my little girl. Please don't take her. Please, God!" As Brian Alarid cried out on a hospital floor for his daughter's life in May of 2016, he had no idea God was about to use him to ignite an international prayer movement. Today, America Prays has mobilized 24/7 prayer in 1,200 churches in 17 states while World Prays has mobilized 24/7 prayer in 10 nations, in addition to tens of thousands of believers, families, businesses, and ministries, all partnered together in 24/7 prayer for global spiritual awakening. But through it all, Brian has learned that while following God's calling is the most fulfilling purpose there is, it is also the hardest battle. In truth, "Prayer is warfare." Join Brian on a journey through the depths of despair to the mountain tops of prayer, where the hard and painful questions are asked, and be inspired to pray and encounter Jesus like never before.




If My People Pray


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Stirrings of the Soul


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Shaping the Prayers of the People


Book Description

This book offers a model of profound and accessible congregational prayer. At once inspirational and practical, it will empower and equip laypeople and clergy alike to offer heartfelt, informed, and appropriate prayers on behalf of the people of God. As Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher say, "Interceding in public worship is a duty. This book is intended to make it a joy." Shaping the Prayers of the People begins by considering what public prayer is and offering practical guidelines for avoiding common pitfalls. It explores prayer as an integral part of worship and discusses the language we need (and don't need) to address God. Significantly, the book also provides an array of example prayers along with commentary.




The Prayers of Jesus


Book Description

"If your soul is dry and your prayers are dead, here is living water to revive and refresh you." — David Murray Jesus's ministry on earth as a human was marked by a devotion to prayer. Through his prayer life, we see what it means to truly depend on God. Examining all of Jesus's prayers recorded in the New Testament, this book reflects on the content and structure of the Son of God's words to his Father— helping us imitate his example as we commune with our heavenly Father as adopted sons and daughters in Christ.




5 Things to Pray for the People You Love


Book Description

Transform your prayer life with fresh prayer ideas for your friends and family, all taken from the Bible. We love our friends and family, and we long for God to be working in their lives. But when it comes to praying for them, often we don't quite know what to ask for. Or our requests to God on their behalf feel shallow, repetitive and stuck in a rut. That's where this little book is designed to help. It will equip you to pray powerful prayers for the people you love-prayers that really change things, because they're based on God's word. Each spread takes a passage of Scripture and suggests 5 things to pray for a person in your life. Because when we pray in line with God's priorities as found in his word, our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5 v 16)-and that's a truly thrilling prospect. Use this book in any number of ways: work through it as part of your daily quiet time, or pick it up whenever someone you know is in particular need of prayer.




Holiness


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Dangerous Prayers


Book Description

Be inspired to pray boldly, pray powerfully, pray with passion, and trade ineffective prayers and lukewarm faith for raw, daring prayers that will transform your daily life. Do you ever wonder if God answers your prayers? Do you wish you could see the evidence that prayer changes lives? Do you long for more than playing it safe in your faith? Join New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel as he helps you discover the power of authentically communicating with God, breaking out of the restrictive spiritual safety bubble, and expanding your ideas about what's possible with God. The Bible tells us that prayer has the power to move God's heart, but some prayers move him more than others. He wants more for us than a tepid faith and half-hearted routines at the dinner table. God called you to a life of courage, not comfort. In Dangerous Prayers, Groeschel will show you how to pray the prayers that search your soul, break your habits, and send you out to pursue the calling God has for you. But be warned: If you're fine with settling for what's easy, or if you're okay with staying on the sidelines, this book isn't for you. You'll be challenged. You'll be tested. You'll be moved to take a long, hard look at your heart. But you'll be inspired, too. Dangerous Prayers will give you the encouragement and tools you need to: Transform the patterns around your daily prayer life Truly embrace and believe in the power of intentional prayer Start to pray daring, faith-filled, God-honoring, life-changing, world-transforming prayers You'll discover the secret to overcoming fears of loss, rejection, failure, and the unknown, and you'll welcome the blessings God has for you on the other side. But best of all, you'll gain the courage it takes to pray dangerous prayers.