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Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith
How would life be different if we could think, see, and do all things in light of the person and work of Jesus? With this inspiring collection of 365 Scripture-centered prayers, Scotty Smith helps readers pray the Scriptures through the lens of the gospel, mining the resources of God's grace and applying them in every season of life. He frees readers to abandon any posing or pretending in favor of an honest, no-spin relationship with a God who claims them as his own.
Each day includes a Scripture reference and an inspirational original prayer, born from both moments of great faith and moments of crisis. Like a modern-day book of Psalms, Everyday Prayers is a year's worth of growing in grace that readers will lean on year after year.
Each day includes a Scripture reference and an inspirational original prayer, born from both moments of great faith and moments of crisis. Like a modern-day book of Psalms, Everyday Prayers is a year's worth of growing in grace that readers will lean on year after year.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
267 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Scotty Smith
32 books29 followersScotty Smith is founding pastor of Christ Community Church (PCA) in Franklin, Tennessee. He is now teacher in residence at West End Community Church (PCA) in Nashville, a daughter church of CCC. Scotty also serves as an adjunct professor at five seminaries, including Covenant, Westminster, Redeemer, RTS Orlando, and Western Seminary in Portland. He is the author of several books, including Everyday Prayers, as well as Unveiled Hope with Michael Card and Speechless and Restoring Broken Things with Steven Curtis Chapman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 31, 2016
I'm enjoying this book! I will add it to The Quiet Place, Jesus Calling and 1000 Gifts as a yearly read.
January 1, 2014
One of my 2013 resolutions was to read some of the Bible and to pray more. I did read more of the Bible and I highly recommend the Laudate app for anyone who wants to do this - the whole Bible, plus daily readings, prayers, etc. I thought this book would be encouragement for me to pray, but sadly, it was not.
I hate to say anything bad about this book because it is someone's personal prayers, but he published them as something that could help others and, though some of them were beautiful, not a lot of them are relatable - and the writing is just not engaging, doesn't keep you interested. He actually talks like he was alive back when the Bible was originally written, which is tedious at times and I spent a lot of time looking up old words in the dictionary (and I'm a very articulate person who uses big words a lot).
As I said, some were very beautifully written and some did make me think, but after awhile I found myself skipping some - or missing out for a month and having to go back and skim to catch up. Not what I wanted and, honestly, wonderful that he wrote these and that they helped him - but disappointing because they were not helpful to me.
I hate to say anything bad about this book because it is someone's personal prayers, but he published them as something that could help others and, though some of them were beautiful, not a lot of them are relatable - and the writing is just not engaging, doesn't keep you interested. He actually talks like he was alive back when the Bible was originally written, which is tedious at times and I spent a lot of time looking up old words in the dictionary (and I'm a very articulate person who uses big words a lot).
As I said, some were very beautifully written and some did make me think, but after awhile I found myself skipping some - or missing out for a month and having to go back and skim to catch up. Not what I wanted and, honestly, wonderful that he wrote these and that they helped him - but disappointing because they were not helpful to me.
September 30, 2016
I've been in a season of appreciating other peoples prayers and this book of 365 prayers (1 for each day of the year) is a beauty. Smith began praying over particular verses of Scripture and then decided to write them down. I'm so pleased he did. Written in everyday language but often with a clever turn of phrase, Smith's prayers cover a range of topics that are rooted in the application of Scripture. Rooted in confession, a spirit of repentance and the glory of grace these prayers have helped me focus my time with the Lord. One day's prayer may focus on the beauty of creation, the next on friends in need, to days confessing his own sinfulness, but at all times Smith brings us back to the awesome love of the Lord.
I've loved starting my day meditating on these prayers and plan to continue to do so. I've found that I've reflected often during the course of the day on a particular prayer and also been stimulated in praying my own prayers about a day's topic.
Highly recommended.
I've loved starting my day meditating on these prayers and plan to continue to do so. I've found that I've reflected often during the course of the day on a particular prayer and also been stimulated in praying my own prayers about a day's topic.
Highly recommended.
September 16, 2011
On the surface, this is a devotional prayer book which has one prayer for each day of the year. However, you do not have to read very far to find out that Scotty Smith intends to communicate far more than this. Through these prayers, Smith desired to find Jesus in every part of the bible, bring the gospel to bear on every part of his life, and help the reader to do these same things. He seeks to engage Jesus as prophet, priest, and king (a popular reformed rubric these days, and certainly not a bad one), as well as to continually return to basics of the gospel within the grand metanarrative of scripture.
As you read these prayers you will find that they truly are everyday prayers. They range from poetic to personal in style, grand to minute in scope, and topically they are all over the place. This is, in my opinion, a good reflection of everyday life.
My first problem with this book is not in reading it, but in reviewing it. One minor problem is that I didn't read it over the course of a year, and thus I experienced it differently than intended. A much more major problem is the question of how you review someone else's prayers? Smith is vulnerable, real, and personal. The prayers are clearly centered on Christ and on Scripture and other than some theological disagreements here and there (he is, after all, a reformed thinker; anyone who has read much of what I post knows I am not) these are solid prayers.
In terms of production, this book was put together from Smith's blogging/facebooking/posting prayers elsewhere on the net for quite some time. I think that is a great thing to do; to engage, within a community, in praying together, learning to pray, sharing our prayers, and growing together. By the time it becomes a book, all those elements of community have been removed. Thus, as I come to my conclusion in reviewing this book, I have to say this: I have a second problem with this book. It is not that it is a bad book; rather, it is superfluous. If you want to learn to pray, if you desire to pray more, to centre your prayers on Christ, and so on, these are great things. Do them within your Christian community. If this book can help, wonderful. But you certainly do not need a book for that. Instead go out and pray. There is no substitute for the act itself.
Conclusion: 3.5 Stars. Not Recommended. It is a decent book, but not one you really need to read.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
As you read these prayers you will find that they truly are everyday prayers. They range from poetic to personal in style, grand to minute in scope, and topically they are all over the place. This is, in my opinion, a good reflection of everyday life.
My first problem with this book is not in reading it, but in reviewing it. One minor problem is that I didn't read it over the course of a year, and thus I experienced it differently than intended. A much more major problem is the question of how you review someone else's prayers? Smith is vulnerable, real, and personal. The prayers are clearly centered on Christ and on Scripture and other than some theological disagreements here and there (he is, after all, a reformed thinker; anyone who has read much of what I post knows I am not) these are solid prayers.
In terms of production, this book was put together from Smith's blogging/facebooking/posting prayers elsewhere on the net for quite some time. I think that is a great thing to do; to engage, within a community, in praying together, learning to pray, sharing our prayers, and growing together. By the time it becomes a book, all those elements of community have been removed. Thus, as I come to my conclusion in reviewing this book, I have to say this: I have a second problem with this book. It is not that it is a bad book; rather, it is superfluous. If you want to learn to pray, if you desire to pray more, to centre your prayers on Christ, and so on, these are great things. Do them within your Christian community. If this book can help, wonderful. But you certainly do not need a book for that. Instead go out and pray. There is no substitute for the act itself.
Conclusion: 3.5 Stars. Not Recommended. It is a decent book, but not one you really need to read.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
June 3, 2024
I used this as a devotional and it is excellent. It is 365 gospel-centered prayers, one for every day of the year. I found the prayers both deeply comforting and convicting. It took me over a year to finish it, but I will definitely read through this one again in the future!
December 29, 2019
I’ve enjoyed the writings of Scotty Smith since reading his first book Objects of His Affection. I was blessed to have two classes with him at Covenant Theological Seminary a few years ago. Since its release, this book and his daily prayers you can receive via email have been an encouragement to me.
He writes that this is a book that had been writing him, as he documented an entire year’s worth of his longings, struggles, and hopes. He tells us that he started by opening up his Bible, turning on his laptop, and began praying through a few of his favorite verses. Writing his words as he prayed forced him into a slower pace and helped his concentration. After a few weeks this became a new discipline for him that he continues to this day as he “prays the gospel”.
He began to share some of his prayers with friends who were going through some of the same heartaches and difficulties as he was. As the word got out, others began asking for the prayers. He then starting sharing with his church, and started a small distribution list, which has now grown to thousands of people around the world.
He writes that the book is “a whole year’s worth of groaning and growing in grace—365 prayers that reflect a lot of gospel lived through a lot of stories and circumstances, joys and sorrows, theological propositions and ongoing questions.”
One of my final assignments in seminary was to revisit some of my previous classes and assignments. My favorite class in seminary was Scotty’s “Disciplines of Grace”. One evening in early 2014 we enjoyed a wonderful phone call looking back at the class. As our time was ending, Scotty asked “Can I pray for us?” So I was able to hear him pray just as you will through this wonderful book. Why not join me in making this book part of your daily devotional reading in 2019? Each reading/prayer takes only a few minutes, and you will be amazed how many times they address something that you too have been dealing with.
He writes that this is a book that had been writing him, as he documented an entire year’s worth of his longings, struggles, and hopes. He tells us that he started by opening up his Bible, turning on his laptop, and began praying through a few of his favorite verses. Writing his words as he prayed forced him into a slower pace and helped his concentration. After a few weeks this became a new discipline for him that he continues to this day as he “prays the gospel”.
He began to share some of his prayers with friends who were going through some of the same heartaches and difficulties as he was. As the word got out, others began asking for the prayers. He then starting sharing with his church, and started a small distribution list, which has now grown to thousands of people around the world.
He writes that the book is “a whole year’s worth of groaning and growing in grace—365 prayers that reflect a lot of gospel lived through a lot of stories and circumstances, joys and sorrows, theological propositions and ongoing questions.”
One of my final assignments in seminary was to revisit some of my previous classes and assignments. My favorite class in seminary was Scotty’s “Disciplines of Grace”. One evening in early 2014 we enjoyed a wonderful phone call looking back at the class. As our time was ending, Scotty asked “Can I pray for us?” So I was able to hear him pray just as you will through this wonderful book. Why not join me in making this book part of your daily devotional reading in 2019? Each reading/prayer takes only a few minutes, and you will be amazed how many times they address something that you too have been dealing with.
August 13, 2015
Scotty Smith has a gift for applying the gospel to everyday life in a powerful, honest and helpful way. Very often, as I read through this book, I was reminded of the difference Jesus makes in all sorts of everyday ways, and prompted to respond to him in heartfelt prayer. That makes for a good book! Having said that, this is a unique book. Because I didn't commit to it daily, it took me 3 or 4 years to get through it - 365 prayers is a lot! It's tricky to engage with someone else's prayers, especially when they are very personal as some of these are. Sometimes I was able to "pray along" and other times I was really just reading and reflecting, which was great. Pretty clearly he's a preacher, and plenty of these prayers were sermons! But they were really good sermons, so I don't mind that. A few times he became a little too reflective, a little too personal, a little too quirky, but 50 or so misfires out of 365 prayers is a pretty good ratio. One thing: I REALLY wish there was a scripture index. As a preacher, this is a fantastic resource (and it helped shape my sermons on multiple occasions), but the lack of an index really limits that. If someone has compiled one on the internet, please comment and let me know!
June 1, 2013
"I simply write as I pray, trying very hard not to teach under the guise of praying. Some days I feel I do a better job of this than other days." (From the Preface).
I've been reading this book as part of my daily devotional since the beginning of the year. I'm now putting it away. The chief reason for this is that on most days I feel as if I'm being taught to and not actually being lead in or into prayer. It's not that what the author has to say is not of good value. It is. If you're among the restless and reformed you'll love the fact it's so 'gospel-centric.' Perhaps it's just me but I find it annoying when in public someone begins to teach a lesson under the guise of prayer. It's no different here. I think in some sense this actually diminishes prayer. Perhaps Jesus had something like this in mind when he said, "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door...do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do...".
I've been reading this book as part of my daily devotional since the beginning of the year. I'm now putting it away. The chief reason for this is that on most days I feel as if I'm being taught to and not actually being lead in or into prayer. It's not that what the author has to say is not of good value. It is. If you're among the restless and reformed you'll love the fact it's so 'gospel-centric.' Perhaps it's just me but I find it annoying when in public someone begins to teach a lesson under the guise of prayer. It's no different here. I think in some sense this actually diminishes prayer. Perhaps Jesus had something like this in mind when he said, "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door...do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do...".
August 22, 2014
This was an unusual devotional. The author recorded 365 prayers for each day of the year and compiled them into book format. While an intriguing concept, it left me sometimes feeling a little out-of-sorts, because he was referencing things that only he understood. It was like being invited to an inside joke when you're not one of the insiders. I did appreciate his zeal though, and found many truths that I could wholeheartedly answer 'amen' to.
January 4, 2014
I used this "one prayer a day" for part of my daily devotionals for the year. It was difficult to get a whole lot out of them because each prayer was very personal to the author and came from his experience and more often than not, hard to identify with. There were a few that touched me but they were more devotional in nature rather than prayers could actually pray.
December 31, 2014
I have thoroughly enjoyed this daily devotional of prayers this year 2014. Each prayer covers a different topic with scripture references. Each prayer is a model that even a seasoned prayer warrior would be blest reading and praying! Truly God inspired and will resonate within your heart and soul! I highly recommend this devotional of prayer!
January 1, 2015
wonderful gospel daily devotional
Great devotional that has kept me focused on the gospel throughout 2014. So grateful for this grace filled and scripture centered devotional. Really keeps the beauty and wonder of the gospel front and center! This book deeply ministered to my soul this past year!
Great devotional that has kept me focused on the gospel throughout 2014. So grateful for this grace filled and scripture centered devotional. Really keeps the beauty and wonder of the gospel front and center! This book deeply ministered to my soul this past year!
January 7, 2017
Each day's devotional begins with a Bible scripture, followed by this pastor's thoughts related to it. He shares his experiences and challenges making it very personal. Use this devotional daily for a brief morning quiet time. The readings only take a few minutes but provide good food for thought and direction for personal prayers.
December 25, 2020
3rd time through
This has been my 3rd time reading this wonderful book.
I enjoy it for many reasons , but one of the reasons is to help teach me how to pray.
Everyday as I read a section it’s like Pastor Smith is sitting right there praying to God with me and helps me in turn pray.
Thankful for this book!
This has been my 3rd time reading this wonderful book.
I enjoy it for many reasons , but one of the reasons is to help teach me how to pray.
Everyday as I read a section it’s like Pastor Smith is sitting right there praying to God with me and helps me in turn pray.
Thankful for this book!
July 13, 2013
This devotional was just what I needed this year! We are all at different points in our walk with God. Sometimes it takes a friend delivering a word from God to you to effect change. Scotty Smith was this friend for me.
December 31, 2015
A good start
I found this book helpful as a jump start and reminder for my own time of prayer. Scriptural and Christ-centered. But definitely not meant to take the place of personal prayer time.
I found this book helpful as a jump start and reminder for my own time of prayer. Scriptural and Christ-centered. But definitely not meant to take the place of personal prayer time.
December 31, 2016
Awesome prayers
This book keeps the faith going through struggles and good times. It's inspiring words that keep you reading daily.
These prayers solidify my joy in communicating with God.
This book keeps the faith going through struggles and good times. It's inspiring words that keep you reading daily.
These prayers solidify my joy in communicating with God.
December 31, 2016
A great year of devotions
I used this book as one of my daily devotions this year. I was inspired by how real Scotty is. He shared his emotions, rather up or d ok an, which touched my heart. I hope I can find another book by him.
I used this book as one of my daily devotions this year. I was inspired by how real Scotty is. He shared his emotions, rather up or d ok an, which touched my heart. I hope I can find another book by him.
December 5, 2017
I have really enjoyed reading Scotty's book. I moved away from reading it as a devotional because I moved past a time of numbness and needing help with my prayers and back to my own prayers. However, I have appreciated Scotty's thoughts and constant pointing me back to Christ.
January 2, 2018
A few high points...
First of all it’s obvious Scotty Smith loves the Lord and loves the Gospel. No doubt about that.
But around June this book of prayers became somewhat repetitious. So much so that I had to make myself finish it.
First of all it’s obvious Scotty Smith loves the Lord and loves the Gospel. No doubt about that.
But around June this book of prayers became somewhat repetitious. So much so that I had to make myself finish it.
October 11, 2012
I am currently using this prayer book to read along with my Bible. There a lot of great gospel-centered prayers.
December 31, 2013
What a great devotional companion to encourage your prayer life!
April 28, 2013
This is a wonderful devotional book.
August 15, 2015
One of the best daily devotionals I've read.
January 1, 2015
highly recommend this book as a daily devotional. Short scripture followed by a prayer written out about that scripture. I journaled my own prayers each day.
February 14, 2015
I love this book. Real prayers from a real person. Great daily read. Did I mention how real this is?
Read
January 19, 2016Excellent devotional!
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January 1, 2016Great Daily Companion
Great daily companion. I found his God-centered and Gospel-focused approach refreshing and helpful to my daily walk. I recommend this daily devotional
Great daily companion. I found his God-centered and Gospel-focused approach refreshing and helpful to my daily walk. I recommend this daily devotional
January 2, 2017
Good devotional
Good devotional with good outline to help you with real life prayers. Perfect for people struggling to figure out how to pray
Good devotional with good outline to help you with real life prayers. Perfect for people struggling to figure out how to pray
January 1, 2018
A good devotional written in prayer form. Many of the prayers spoke to me in a profound way and helped verbalize the desires of my heart to God.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews