Guerrillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle

by Ted Loder

For nearly two decades, this classic collection of tough, beautiful, and earthy prayers has lightened hearts and dared spirits to soar.

Genres: Poetry, Prayer, Christianity, Spirituality, Devotional, Theology, Christian

136 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1984

Reviews

[Rachel | All the RAD Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah. Poetry. Worship. Honesty. Vulnerability. Prayer. I love it all. This book is all of that together. It's beautiful. Our worship leader Paige shared one of Loder's poems during a recent worship set at church and I absolutely fell in love with it, and texted her right afterward to find out what it was. I didn't adore every poem of his (and I wouldn't expect that) but there were a good handful that I starred and marked and even copied into my journal to remember forever. If you're a Christian looking for heartfelt, earnest prayers in the form of poems, you will absolutely love this collection.

These poems (like many others) are worth reading out loud. Even just to yourself...hearing the words spoken just gives them a powerful richness that you can't always get from reading them on the page. Plus, it slows you down and makes you savor it all a little more. Just try it!

[Jdshankles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best book of prayers I've read.

[Brook Maturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time with this book - beautiful poems of devotion, anguish, pleading, grace. I especially appreciated Loder's outward perspective. The poems weren't all about himself but the suffering world, the refreshing truths of God and yet he comes off as honest and raw. Great collection.

[Roger Butts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from my CPE supervisor because she thought that some of my writings resembled Ted Loder's writings. It is quite a compliment as far as I'm concerned. This guy writes from a deep place of the spirit, but with high energy.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many, many of the individual poems are powerful and personally challenging enough to earn five stars for the entire book.

[Audrey Marcusen McMacken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a friend and anything she recommends is great and when she gives a book as a gift? Perfection. This was no exception. I wanted to savor but I'm accepting just not that sort of person. I'm a "these words are so good I need more NOW" person who remembers and rereads and comes back to the good stuff. This is the good stuff.

[Jonathan Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solace for a wandering, wounded, joyful, whimsical or hopeful heart built out of a myriad of word shelters each with its own unique questions, concerns, and soul space. A delightful companion to keep bedside for any of life's grasping moments.

[Nick Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poetry is not very good poetry, but as prayers, they are often quite helpful.

[Lacey Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I think I want to own this book. Strong, real, intimate poetry prayers. A beautiful devotional book that helped me express my heart to Jesus

[Melvin Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read all these prayers yet but I haven't found any modern written prayers that touch me quite as deeply. While I love "Every Moment Holy" for specific events or moments, Loder's prayers are more universally applicable and yet highly relevant to moments in time. Perhaps a little more gritty and real with the human experience and struggle too. Just my take... A 10/10 recommend to supplement your daily moments with God!

[Donna Schoening · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read for any battle you may be going through. I read this book from cover to cover, but it's definitely a book I'll go back to time and time again. It's uplifting and comforting to know that God is with us always. What a great feeling!

[bumblethunderbeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

faith meets lyrical, contemporary life; I read these poem/prayers over and over

[Joanna Lampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of prayers.

[Joel David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and beautiful prayers. Like the Psalms, there's a prayer in this book for every emotion and season. It took me a year and three months to get through this short book because I jumped around as I faced different emotions and life situations. I sang some of them aloud, I fiercely wrote other the others over and over again during some difficult times. I prayed some of them aloud with my house church, particularly those aligned with seasons of the church calendar. Overall, a great resource; I'd change nothing (except maybe make it longer!).

[Jaymee Pilarta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Facing the mystery, Lord,
grant me grace
to wrestle with it
until I name the fears and force them to set me free
to move on with whatever limp I'm left with; to wrestle with it

until the pain teach me
and I befriend it,
until the silence subdues me
into an awareness that it is holy
and I am healed by it;

to wrestle with it
until I go deeper in it
to gratitude
for all the shapes of wholeness
and of hope that bless me.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

His creative expression of faith, moving, emotional, and rich as his writing is, inspires the reader to look inward and to constantly seek God. We realize we cannot make sense of the world around us apart from God. We find ourselves constantly reaching for God. No other activity more clearly defines us, no matter who we are.

[Sean Nemecek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful poetic prayers from a heart truly seeking God. As a pastor, this book is a balm to my soul. Loder expresses the anguish of spiritual leadership through lament. His raw openness to the work of the Spirit stirs my heart.

[Barry V Kirkpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always the message I need to hear.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this beautiful collection of raw, real prayers.

[Jared Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry for reflection from a Methodist pastor.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of poetry. I didn't love his style initially but after I while some of his poems brought me to tears.

[Kevin Casto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prayers and poetry to help you seek Christ while you grow to create your own poetry through prayer.

[Philip S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry and meaningful prayers, I’ll return to this many times.

[Kristina Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book of prayers for many different seasons of life!

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Loder’s imagery and wordplay.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated the title, but loved the lyrical prayers.

[Marlo Schalesky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the depth and beauty of these prayers

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. I keep coming back to these prayers.

[Graydon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of prayers is beautiful. Each prayer is like poetry that stirred me up to walk with Jesus and live a Kingdom life.