Our conversations with God are paramount to maintaining a healthy relationship with Jesus. Prayer is such a vital spiritual discipline. So how do we make prayer a part of our ordinary routines? How do we talk to the Creator of the universe? How do we carve out time each day for that all-important dialogue? Three of your favorite Christian artists have some ideas! While they’re still admittedly refining their respective prayer lives, they are also sharing tips, insights and observations into the continual custom of prayer and how you can integrate this life-changing habit into your everyday life. Here are three books to help you practice prayer year-round.
“On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living Boldly in Prayer” by Phil Wickham
Presented in an easily digestible format primed for quick daily encouragement, Phil Wickham’s debut devotional finds him reflecting on 40 different passages of Scripture that offer new approaches to prayer, fresh perspectives on the essential spiritual practice and easy ways to converse with the Father. In “On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living Boldly in Prayer,” the chart-topping singer, songwriter and worship leader looks at the way Jesus taught the disciples to pray and how the early church wove this critical ritual into the fabric of their communities. In addition, he explores the stories of key heroes of faith like Moses, David, Joshua, Nehemiah, Solomon and Paul, among many others, to glean wisdom from their personal experiences with prayer. Furthermore, Wickham observes how each of these biblical figures approached God in prayer and then carefully watches how God answered each of their humble requests. All the while, he leans into the truth of Ephesians 3:20: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Learn more about “On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living Boldly in Prayer” by Phil Wickham.
“Walking Free: Taking Small Steps to a Big God” by Micah Tyler
In his first book, “Walking Free: Taking Small Steps to a Big God,” Micah Tyler uses his experience as a former youth pastor to break down Scripture-backed principles into bite-size doses of truth. Forty-two chapters encompass this devotional-style offering that allows for six weeks of thoughtful daily study. Inspired by the theme of his hit song, “Walking Free,” the singer/songwriter fuses Bible passages, personal anecdotes and snackable truths to present an easy-to-read odyssey that, at every turn, leads to Jesus. Page by page, Tyler points to the truth of the Gospel with a pastor’s heart and gently guides readers through discussion questions at the end of each chapter as he navigates a road paved with our own depravity and God’s immeasurable grace.
Learn more about “Walking Free: Taking Small Steps to a Big God” by Micah Tyler.
“inhale (exhale): A 40-Day Journey Breathing in Grace and Living Out Hope” by MercyMe
MercyMe’s “inhale (exhale): A 40-Day Journey Breathing in Grace and Living Out Hope” is a companion to 2021’s “inhale (exhale),” the four-time K-LOVE Fan Award-winning band’s tenth studio recording. Chapter by chapter, the devotional lives up to its name allowing readers to experience both sides of the coin — inhaling truth and exhaling gratitude with every page. While it’s meant to resource believers with a simple tool that encourages them to carve out daily time with God, “inhale (exhale): A 40-Day Journey Breathing in Grace and Living Out Hope” is a treasured keepsake for MercyMe fans interested in going behind the scenes of their beloved songs. Every daily dose of inspiration ends with a memory verse and a short prayer, giving readers a chance to sit down each day and take a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Meanwhile, the friendly “I Can Only Imagine” hitmakers are your guide, sharing personal insights from their own stories that allow fellow sojourners to inhale God’s grace and exhale His hope to the world around them.
