Prayer Books

I have two Prayer books that I like to reference and read from regularly. I know what you are going to say. If I read it vs. just saying it does it really make it my prayer. The answer in my mind is yes. You can mean every word that you read, and saying the prayer out loud aids in that association. Having prayer books also helps you in your prayer life. If gives you a chance to read and ponder a prayer vs. just hearing one from someone else. It will help you in your prayers as well, as you start to put some logic behind your prayers and hopefully aid in your relationship with our Lord which is the full meaning of prayer.

Here are two examples from my books (yes they may seem a bit old fashion, but I love the way we used to say prayers in older language and it helps me feel closer to God with this language for some reason)

The first one is from a book called simply "My Prayer Book" it was printed in 1957 from Concordia press. The prayer is for expecting mothers as said by the expecting mother (my daughter, Bethany, is in the camp)

Lord, "I praise Thee, for Thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are Thy works! Thou knowest me right well. "I am filled with astonishment when I think of Your creation and when I think that You are also using me to take part in the creation of a child. I humbly thank You for that privelage, and I pray you, make of me the kind of mother You want for every child. Keep me strong and healthy during my pregnancy. Help me to live moderately and wisely, avoiding sin and everything that might be harmful to my unborn child. Give me a cheerful outlook and help both my husband and me to regard the present period as a joyous one. O God, help us even now to prepare for the responsibilities of parenthood, and grant that we may never do anything to harm our child bodily or spiritually. When the time comes make our present joy complete through the birth of a healthy child, and grant us the grace that we may receive the child as a precious gift from You. Help us always to regard and treat that child as Your blessing. When the baby is born, give us wisdom to train our child right. May we and our child always be a joy to You and the holy angels, and may we together praise You in all eternity; through Jesus Christ. Amen

My second prayer book is older still - "The Valley of Vision" - a collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Most of the prayers were written in the 16 and 17th centuries. Although the jobs may have changed the feelings have not. The book deals with more personal issues. I will have that on my blog tomorrow from Happiness

I recommend you consider getting a prayer book and if time take the time to right one yourself and pass it down generation to generation.