What Is Prayer?
Our relationship with God is the cornerstone of who we are as Christians. Connecting with God in a deliberate way can most readily be accomplished through prayer, simply having a conversation with God. That's really what prayer is all about - our personal conversation with God.
The more we are connected with God, the better we will be able to help others connect with God's abundant love!
For Christians who are newly focused on deliberate and intentional prayer, we often seek some prescribed formula for "doing prayer correctly". What are the rules, the right format, the best way to talk with God? It's always a good idea to start with examples from Jesus as we see in the Bible:
The more we are connected with God, the better we will be able to help others connect with God's abundant love!
For Christians who are newly focused on deliberate and intentional prayer, we often seek some prescribed formula for "doing prayer correctly". What are the rules, the right format, the best way to talk with God? It's always a good idea to start with examples from Jesus as we see in the Bible:
'But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."'
Matthew 6:6-13
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
Luke 11:1-4
As we think about prayer, we need to remember that other requirements and rituals we have built into prayer are man-made constructs. However, every rule or guideline has been intended to help us:
1. develop a habit of prayer,
2. refine the tools that can help us focus our wandering minds and intentionally focus on God, and
3. listen for and hear God's message for us.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."'
Matthew 6:6-13
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
Luke 11:1-4
As we think about prayer, we need to remember that other requirements and rituals we have built into prayer are man-made constructs. However, every rule or guideline has been intended to help us:
1. develop a habit of prayer,
2. refine the tools that can help us focus our wandering minds and intentionally focus on God, and
3. listen for and hear God's message for us.
Trinity Church - Contemplative Prayer Bibliography
Acquinas, Thomas. On Prayer and the Contemplative Life. (The Perfect Library)
Barry, William. Paying Attention to God
Bourgeault, Cynthia. Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
De Mello, Anthony. Sadhana, a Way to God: Christian Exercises in Eastern Form
Finley, James. Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God
Finelly, James. The Beginner's Guide to Contemplative Prayer: How to Pray in the Christian Mystical Tradition (audio book available)
Foster, Richard J. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home
Foster, Richard J. Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey Into Meditative Prayer
Hall, Thelma. Too Deep for Words
Hart, Thomas. The Art of Christian Listening.
Johnston, William, ed. The Cloud of Unknowing.
Keating, Thomas. Contemplative Prayer: Traditional Christian Meditations for Opening to Divine Union
Keating, Thomas. Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit
Keating, Thomas. Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer.
Keating, Thomas. Invitation to Love.
Keating, Thomas. Open Mind, Open Heart
Kelly, Thomas. A Testament of Devotion
Laird, Martin. A Sunlit Absence
Laird, Martin. Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation
Meninger, William. The Loving Search for God: Contemplative Prayer and the Cloud of Unknowing
Merton, Thomas (intro by Sue Monk Kidd), New Seeds of Contemplation.
Merton, Thomas (intro by Thich Nhat Hanh), Contemplative Prayer
Nouwen, Henry. The Way of the Heart
Pennington, Basil. Centered Living
Ramsey, NJ. Courage to Pray
Rohr, Richard. Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer
Rohr, Richard. The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See
Acquinas, Thomas. On Prayer and the Contemplative Life. (The Perfect Library)
Barry, William. Paying Attention to God
Bourgeault, Cynthia. Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
De Mello, Anthony. Sadhana, a Way to God: Christian Exercises in Eastern Form
Finley, James. Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God
Finelly, James. The Beginner's Guide to Contemplative Prayer: How to Pray in the Christian Mystical Tradition (audio book available)
Foster, Richard J. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home
Foster, Richard J. Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey Into Meditative Prayer
Hall, Thelma. Too Deep for Words
Hart, Thomas. The Art of Christian Listening.
Johnston, William, ed. The Cloud of Unknowing.
Keating, Thomas. Contemplative Prayer: Traditional Christian Meditations for Opening to Divine Union
Keating, Thomas. Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit
Keating, Thomas. Intimacy With God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer.
Keating, Thomas. Invitation to Love.
Keating, Thomas. Open Mind, Open Heart
Kelly, Thomas. A Testament of Devotion
Laird, Martin. A Sunlit Absence
Laird, Martin. Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation
Meninger, William. The Loving Search for God: Contemplative Prayer and the Cloud of Unknowing
Merton, Thomas (intro by Sue Monk Kidd), New Seeds of Contemplation.
Merton, Thomas (intro by Thich Nhat Hanh), Contemplative Prayer
Nouwen, Henry. The Way of the Heart
Pennington, Basil. Centered Living
Ramsey, NJ. Courage to Pray
Rohr, Richard. Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer
Rohr, Richard. The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See
VNational Center - Contemplative Prayer Bibliography
Allen, Charles L., All Things Are Possible through Prayer, Revell.
Alves, Elizabeth, Becoming a Prayer Warrior, Gospel Light.
Anglund, Joan Walsh, Prayer Is a Gentle Way of Being with God, Harold Shaw Publishers.
Bicket, Zenas J. and Brandt, Robert L., The Spirit Helps Us Pray, Logion Press.
Boa, Kenneth, The Heart of God, Baker.
Bounds, E. M., Bounds on Prayer, Whitaker.
Bounds, E. M., The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer, Baker.
Bounds, E. M., The Necessity of Prayer, Christian Focus Publications.
Bright, Bill, The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer, New Life.
Bright, Bill, Unleashing the Power of Prayer, Moody Press.
Butts, David, The Devil Goes to Church: Prayer as Spiritual Warfare, Covenant.
Carson, D. A., Teach Us To Pray: Prayer in the Bible and the World, Baker.
Chadwick, Harold J. and Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God, Bridge Logos Publications.
Chapell, Bryan, Praying Backwards, Baker.
Cho, Paul David Yonggi, Prayer: Key to Revival, Word, Inc.
Christiansen, Evelyn, The Journey into Prayer, Victor Books.
Cloninger, Claire, 101 Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible, Warner Faith.
Clopine, Sandra Goodwin, Moments of Intercession, Gospel Publishing House.
Cymbala, Jim, Breakthrough Prayer, Zondervan.
Dahlseng, Brent W., Grounded in Prayer: A Small Group Training Guide for Congregational Prayer, Augsburg Fortress.
Eastman, Dick, The Hour that Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer, Baker.
Eastman, Dick, Living and Praying in Jesus’ Name, Tyndale House.
Eastman, Dick, No Easy Road, Chosen Books.
Edwards, Jonathan, A Call to United, Extraordinary Prayer, Christian Focus Publications.
Franck, Leon, Helping the Church Become a House of Prayer, Valley Press.
Gaddis, Susan, Intercessors: God’s End-Time Vanguard, Pathway Press.
Graf, Jonathan, The Power of Personal Prayer, NAV Press.
Grenz, Stanley J., Prayer: The Cry for the Kingdom, Hendrickson Publishers.
Hayford, Jack, Prayer Is Invading the Impossible, Bridge Logos Publications.
Hayford, Jack, Prayerpath: Learning To Pray as Jesus Taught, Tyndale House.
Houston, James M., ed., A Life of Prayer, Bethany House.
Hybels, Bill, Too Busy Not To Pray: Slowing Down To Be with God, InterVarsity Press.
Jeremiah, David, The Prayer Matrix: Plugging into the Unseen Reality, Multnomah.
Jones, Timothy, The Art of Prayer, WaterBrook.
Kamstra, Douglas A., The Praying Church Idea Book, CRC Publications.
Lockyer, Herbert, All the Promises of the Bible, Zondervan.
Maxwell, John, Partners in Prayer, Thomas Nelson.
McHenry, Janet Holm, Prayer Changes Teens, WaterBrook.
Moody, Dwight L., Prevailing Prayer, Revell.
Moore, Beth, Praying God’s Word, Broadman & Holman.
Morgan, G. Campbel, The Practice of Prayer, Baker.
Murray, Andrew, Ministry of Intercessory Prayer, Bethany House.
Murray, Andrew, The Practice of God’s Presence, Whitaker.
Murray, Andrew, Waiting on God, Emerald House.
Murray, Andrew, With Christ in the School of Prayer, Revell.
Musgrove, Peggy, Praying Always, Gospel Publishing House.
Myers, Warren and Myers, Ruth, Pray: How To Be Effective in Prayer, The Navigators.
Nappa, Mike and Nappa, Amy, 52 Fun Family Prayer Adventures: Creative Ways To Pray Together, Augsburg Fortress.
Nee, Watchman, Let Us Pray, Regal Books.
Nordin, Don, Working at God's Altar, Wisdom House.
Omartian, Stormie, The Power of Praying Together, Bethany House.
Otis, George, Informed Intercession, Renew.
Packer, J. I., Keep in Step with the Spirit, Revell.
Packer, J. I. and Nystrom, Carolyn, Praying, InterVarsity Press.
Pink, Arthur, A Guide to Fervent Prayer, Baker.
Ravenhill, Leonard, Revival Praying, Bethany.
Richards, Larry, Every Prayer in the Bible, Nelson.
Rinker, Rosalind, Prayer: Conversing with God, Zondervan.
Rowlett, Martha Graybeal, Praying Together, Abingdon Press.
Russell, Bob, When God Answers Prayer, Howard Books.
Sheets, Dutch, Intercessory Prayer, Regal.
Smith, Eddie and Hennen, Michael L., Strategic Prayer: Applying the Power of Targeted Prayer, Bethany House.
Teykl, Terry, How To Pray After You’ve Kicked the Dog, Prayer Point Press.
Thomas, Lee E., Praying Effectively for the Lost, John the Baptist Printing Ministry.
Thrasher, Bill, A Journey to Victorious Praying, Moody Press.
Torrey, R. A., How To Pray, Moody Press.
Towns, Elmer, How To Pray When You Don’t Know What To Say, Regal.
Towns, Elmer, Praying the Psalms, Destiny Image Publications.
Tozer, A. W., The Pursuit of God, Wingspread Publishers.
Trask, Thomas E. and Womack, David A., Back to the Altar, Gospel Publishing House.
VanderGriend, Alvin, Love To Pray: A 40-Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life, Harvest Prayer Ministries.
Wood, George O., Core Values, Gospel Publishing House.
Wright, N. T., The Lord and His Prayer, Forward Movement Publications.
Yancey, Philip, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?, Zondervan.
Downloads: Download a PDF of the Prayer Bibliography
© 2016 National Prayer Center of the General Council of the Assemblies of God
Allen, Charles L., All Things Are Possible through Prayer, Revell.
Alves, Elizabeth, Becoming a Prayer Warrior, Gospel Light.
Anglund, Joan Walsh, Prayer Is a Gentle Way of Being with God, Harold Shaw Publishers.
Bicket, Zenas J. and Brandt, Robert L., The Spirit Helps Us Pray, Logion Press.
Boa, Kenneth, The Heart of God, Baker.
Bounds, E. M., Bounds on Prayer, Whitaker.
Bounds, E. M., The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer, Baker.
Bounds, E. M., The Necessity of Prayer, Christian Focus Publications.
Bright, Bill, The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer, New Life.
Bright, Bill, Unleashing the Power of Prayer, Moody Press.
Butts, David, The Devil Goes to Church: Prayer as Spiritual Warfare, Covenant.
Carson, D. A., Teach Us To Pray: Prayer in the Bible and the World, Baker.
Chadwick, Harold J. and Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God, Bridge Logos Publications.
Chapell, Bryan, Praying Backwards, Baker.
Cho, Paul David Yonggi, Prayer: Key to Revival, Word, Inc.
Christiansen, Evelyn, The Journey into Prayer, Victor Books.
Cloninger, Claire, 101 Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible, Warner Faith.
Clopine, Sandra Goodwin, Moments of Intercession, Gospel Publishing House.
Cymbala, Jim, Breakthrough Prayer, Zondervan.
Dahlseng, Brent W., Grounded in Prayer: A Small Group Training Guide for Congregational Prayer, Augsburg Fortress.
Eastman, Dick, The Hour that Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer, Baker.
Eastman, Dick, Living and Praying in Jesus’ Name, Tyndale House.
Eastman, Dick, No Easy Road, Chosen Books.
Edwards, Jonathan, A Call to United, Extraordinary Prayer, Christian Focus Publications.
Franck, Leon, Helping the Church Become a House of Prayer, Valley Press.
Gaddis, Susan, Intercessors: God’s End-Time Vanguard, Pathway Press.
Graf, Jonathan, The Power of Personal Prayer, NAV Press.
Grenz, Stanley J., Prayer: The Cry for the Kingdom, Hendrickson Publishers.
Hayford, Jack, Prayer Is Invading the Impossible, Bridge Logos Publications.
Hayford, Jack, Prayerpath: Learning To Pray as Jesus Taught, Tyndale House.
Houston, James M., ed., A Life of Prayer, Bethany House.
Hybels, Bill, Too Busy Not To Pray: Slowing Down To Be with God, InterVarsity Press.
Jeremiah, David, The Prayer Matrix: Plugging into the Unseen Reality, Multnomah.
Jones, Timothy, The Art of Prayer, WaterBrook.
Kamstra, Douglas A., The Praying Church Idea Book, CRC Publications.
Lockyer, Herbert, All the Promises of the Bible, Zondervan.
Maxwell, John, Partners in Prayer, Thomas Nelson.
McHenry, Janet Holm, Prayer Changes Teens, WaterBrook.
Moody, Dwight L., Prevailing Prayer, Revell.
Moore, Beth, Praying God’s Word, Broadman & Holman.
Morgan, G. Campbel, The Practice of Prayer, Baker.
Murray, Andrew, Ministry of Intercessory Prayer, Bethany House.
Murray, Andrew, The Practice of God’s Presence, Whitaker.
Murray, Andrew, Waiting on God, Emerald House.
Murray, Andrew, With Christ in the School of Prayer, Revell.
Musgrove, Peggy, Praying Always, Gospel Publishing House.
Myers, Warren and Myers, Ruth, Pray: How To Be Effective in Prayer, The Navigators.
Nappa, Mike and Nappa, Amy, 52 Fun Family Prayer Adventures: Creative Ways To Pray Together, Augsburg Fortress.
Nee, Watchman, Let Us Pray, Regal Books.
Nordin, Don, Working at God's Altar, Wisdom House.
Omartian, Stormie, The Power of Praying Together, Bethany House.
Otis, George, Informed Intercession, Renew.
Packer, J. I., Keep in Step with the Spirit, Revell.
Packer, J. I. and Nystrom, Carolyn, Praying, InterVarsity Press.
Pink, Arthur, A Guide to Fervent Prayer, Baker.
Ravenhill, Leonard, Revival Praying, Bethany.
Richards, Larry, Every Prayer in the Bible, Nelson.
Rinker, Rosalind, Prayer: Conversing with God, Zondervan.
Rowlett, Martha Graybeal, Praying Together, Abingdon Press.
Russell, Bob, When God Answers Prayer, Howard Books.
Sheets, Dutch, Intercessory Prayer, Regal.
Smith, Eddie and Hennen, Michael L., Strategic Prayer: Applying the Power of Targeted Prayer, Bethany House.
Teykl, Terry, How To Pray After You’ve Kicked the Dog, Prayer Point Press.
Thomas, Lee E., Praying Effectively for the Lost, John the Baptist Printing Ministry.
Thrasher, Bill, A Journey to Victorious Praying, Moody Press.
Torrey, R. A., How To Pray, Moody Press.
Towns, Elmer, How To Pray When You Don’t Know What To Say, Regal.
Towns, Elmer, Praying the Psalms, Destiny Image Publications.
Tozer, A. W., The Pursuit of God, Wingspread Publishers.
Trask, Thomas E. and Womack, David A., Back to the Altar, Gospel Publishing House.
VanderGriend, Alvin, Love To Pray: A 40-Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life, Harvest Prayer Ministries.
Wood, George O., Core Values, Gospel Publishing House.
Wright, N. T., The Lord and His Prayer, Forward Movement Publications.
Yancey, Philip, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?, Zondervan.
Downloads: Download a PDF of the Prayer Bibliography
© 2016 National Prayer Center of the General Council of the Assemblies of God