A Brief Book Notice from Books At a Glance
We want to highlight two great works on prayer from Lexham Press. Both works are edited by Robert Elmer.
The first book, Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans, was released in 2019. There are prayers from Puritans such as Richard Baxter, Thomas Brooks, George Herbert, John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and more. Lexham Press gives this description:
For the Puritans, prayer was neither casual nor dull. Their prayers were passionate affairs, from earnestly pleading for mercy to joyful praise. These rich expressions of deep Christian faith are a shining example of holy living.
The Puritan combination of warm piety and careful intellect have fueled a renaissance of interest in their movement. This combination is on display in Piercing Heaven, a collection of carefully selected prayers from leading Puritans. The language in these prayers has been slightly updated for a modern audience while retaining the elevated tone of the Puritans. With prayers from Richard Baxter, Thomas Brooks, John Owen, and many more, each entry reminds us that heartfelt prayer is central to the Christian life.
Endorsements for Piercing Heaven
“If anything reflects the depth of spiritual knowledge and wisdom possessed by the Puritans it is their prayers. Never did they speak more profoundly, purely, humbly, richly, fearfully, lovingly and beautifully then when addressing God. This book is a collection of those profound prayers, providing much needed rich new and deep expressions for our prayers.”
–John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California
“It might be said that prayer is theology with wings to reach heaven. If anyone’s theology had wings, it was the Puritans. The prayers of this outstanding book, adapted from the writings of the Puritans and other highly esteemed devotional writers, will be a great help for those longing to seek God with all their heart and all their mind.”
–Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and author of several books on the Puritans
The second book, Fount of Heaven: Prayers of the Early Church, was released in 2022. Here is what Lexham Press has to say about the work:
The hearts of the first Christians beat with praise for Christ. The strength of their devotion is remarkable, considering the times of uncertainty and persecution in which they lived. Despite all of this, the early church flourished, sustained by the God to whom they prayed.
Christians today have a lot to learn from the devotional life of the early church. In Fount of Heaven, a collection of carefully selected prayers from the first six centuries of the church, we can pray with our spiritual forefathers. Prayers from luminaries such as Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, and Augustine are arranged by theme to reveal the right prayer for the moment. The prayers have been slightly updated to read more easily, but they retain their joy and mystery. As we turn to the prayers of the first Christians, we can return to the foundations of our own faith.
Endorsements for Fount of Heaven
“The Church is a body of men and women who are in a personal relationship with God. Nowhere is that clearer than in our prayer life, where the common themes of that relationship resonate across the ages. Praise, thanksgiving, petition — the basic pattern has not changed over time. In reading these prayers of the early Christians we are connecting with our brothers and sisters who have fought the good fight and who bid us to follow in their footsteps as we make our way to the heavenly rest they now enjoy.”
–Gerald Bray, Research Professor, Beeson Divinity School
“Having long been convinced of the need for written prayers in the Christian life, I am thrilled to recommend this volume of prayers from the earliest centuries of the Church’s history. What a joy to pray along with those believers from long ago, whose circumstances were widely different from ours, but whose prayers still resonate powerfully within our hearts today. Use this book as a daily guide in your walk with God and it will enrich you in a multitude of ways. In sum, it is a joy to recommend this fine collection that displays the heart of what it means to be a Christian.”
—Michael A G Haykin, chair and professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary