A Pastor Prays for His People

Few books appeal to me more than a book of well-written, well-prayed prayers. This is that.

A Pastor Prays for His People (A Collection of Wise and Loving Prayers to Help You through Life's Journey) by pastor Dr. Wendell C. Hawley arranges dozens of pastoral prayers by month and occasion. In addition to the usual holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc.), there are prayers for a church business meeting, prayer for a new pastor, weddings, funerals--even a Christian prayer for Ramadan.

Drawing upon years of experience composing prayers for public worship, Hawley eloquently helps the people of God bring joys and struggles, problems and praises, hopes and fears before God. A Pastor Prays for His People is a gold mine for pastors and church leaders, and a solid theological model for anyone. An example is Prayer Number Thirty-Seven:

Most glorious God, God of compassion, God of forgiveness,
I need your presence.
Great Physician, I need healing.
I am spiritually lukewarm
and unbelief mars my confidence in trusting you--
brokenness and repeated failures occupy my attention.
It astounds me that I continually try to battle life's issues on my own.
Sin makes me forget you.
Too long I have neglected the closet of prayer...
Too long I have forsaken the refreshment of your Word...
The cobwebs of indifference and the dust of life's cares choke my soul.
Broken relationships and shattered trust have prevented the health and healing of your Word.

But now--this moment,
I turn from absenteeism to the mercy seat.
I praise you for permission to approach the throne of grace.
Here, I pour out my confession of sin:
neglect,
pride,
willfulness,
arrogance,
self-sufficiency,
foolishly questioning your providence.
Divinely sweep away my soul's clutter.
Pour down upon me streams of needful grace.
Engage my heart to live more faithfully for you.
Your presence alone can make me holy,
devout,
strong,
happy.
I praise you for forgiveness--
real,
comprehensive,
enabling.
Accomplish in me your eternal purposes, through Jesus Christ, my only hope, my only Savior.

Because most of the prayers employ corporate language ("we," "us," etc.), however, they are not as personal or intimate as, say, John Baillie's A Diary of Private Prayer, but this volume deserves a place alongside that classic, among others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”