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ESV Prayer Bible
"A triumph of scholarship." ―Leland Ryken, Emeritus Professor of English, Wheaton College The ESV Prayer Bible was created to help you reflect on God’s Word through prayer. With 400+ historical prayers linked to key passages throughout the biblical text, this volume demonstrates the connection between the words God has spoken to us in the Bible and the words we speak back to him in prayer. Featuring the prayers of the early church fathers, Puritans, Protestant Reformers, and more, along with an introductory essay by Donald Whitney and prayer-related book introductions, this edition helps readers pursue a deeper communion with God as they combine their personal Bible reading with prayer.
1920 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2019
86 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 25, 2020
————A snippet of my review on my blog.————
Like most things put out by Crossway, it has a slick design and is a tactile pleasure in my hands. It’s the Bible my wife and I read from at night before bed. And while I appreciate all of the features the ESV Prayer Bible does contain, it seems like a missed opportunity.
Prayer is such an important topic that the Bible says so much about and the Bible is the quintessential tool for shaping our prayers. What this edition of the Bible does contain is useful, but with more effort this edition could have been an unbelievable resource.
Why didn’t editors include study notes and prayer pointers throughout, especially for important sections like Jesus’ teaching on prayer or the prayers of Paul or the intercessions of Moses? They could have included commentary and short prayers of reflection after each chapter of Scripture. Gathering essays on topics like “How to Pray the Psalms” or “Should We Pray the Imprecatory Psalms” or “A Biblical Theology of Prayer” or “An Introduction to Fasting and Prayer” would have made this an incredible resource. (I would love to edit something like that one day!) Instead, the main feature is random prayers scattered throughout. Perhaps I’m somewhat missing the point of this resource, and maybe my expectations on special edition Bibles is shaped too much by resources like the ESV Study Bible, which I consider one of the greatest resources in human history.
For what it is, the ESV Prayer Bible is a somewhat helpful resource and certainly provides more value than a standard Bible with no features. But oh, what this could have been!
Like most things put out by Crossway, it has a slick design and is a tactile pleasure in my hands. It’s the Bible my wife and I read from at night before bed. And while I appreciate all of the features the ESV Prayer Bible does contain, it seems like a missed opportunity.
Prayer is such an important topic that the Bible says so much about and the Bible is the quintessential tool for shaping our prayers. What this edition of the Bible does contain is useful, but with more effort this edition could have been an unbelievable resource.
Why didn’t editors include study notes and prayer pointers throughout, especially for important sections like Jesus’ teaching on prayer or the prayers of Paul or the intercessions of Moses? They could have included commentary and short prayers of reflection after each chapter of Scripture. Gathering essays on topics like “How to Pray the Psalms” or “Should We Pray the Imprecatory Psalms” or “A Biblical Theology of Prayer” or “An Introduction to Fasting and Prayer” would have made this an incredible resource. (I would love to edit something like that one day!) Instead, the main feature is random prayers scattered throughout. Perhaps I’m somewhat missing the point of this resource, and maybe my expectations on special edition Bibles is shaped too much by resources like the ESV Study Bible, which I consider one of the greatest resources in human history.
For what it is, the ESV Prayer Bible is a somewhat helpful resource and certainly provides more value than a standard Bible with no features. But oh, what this could have been!
June 25, 2019
My initial impression of this Bible was that I love the size...it's a bit narrower in width than standard Bibles, which makes it easier and more comfortable to hold.
This Bible has a very classic look...the cover is navy blue with gold lettering and a circle emblem featuring praying hands. It includes one ribbon bookmark, which is a downside for me as I like numerous bookmarks.The end papers are a very pretty gold color and the presentation page is simple but works with the overall looks of the Bible.
What is unique about this Bible is that it has prayers from many church reformers, puritans, authors, and more dispersed throughout the text where the person used scripture to pray. Prayer is something that I have wanted and needed to improve upon and I love the idea of "praying the scriptures". This Bible shows the reader how to do that and through doing so, their relationship with the Lord will grow.
The margins of the book range from about 1/2" to 1 1/2", so journaling in this Bible could sometimes be challenging but it is possible.
The Bible has some nice extra features which include:
A prayer index that directs the reader to each prayer that's included in the book
An author index that explains each author of the prayers, when they lived and who they were in life
A concordance
A reading plan for reading the Bible in a year
Overall, I really like this Bible and I think it will really enhance my prayer life. I highly recommend it!
My Rating
I received this to review from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This Bible has a very classic look...the cover is navy blue with gold lettering and a circle emblem featuring praying hands. It includes one ribbon bookmark, which is a downside for me as I like numerous bookmarks.The end papers are a very pretty gold color and the presentation page is simple but works with the overall looks of the Bible.
What is unique about this Bible is that it has prayers from many church reformers, puritans, authors, and more dispersed throughout the text where the person used scripture to pray. Prayer is something that I have wanted and needed to improve upon and I love the idea of "praying the scriptures". This Bible shows the reader how to do that and through doing so, their relationship with the Lord will grow.
The margins of the book range from about 1/2" to 1 1/2", so journaling in this Bible could sometimes be challenging but it is possible.
The Bible has some nice extra features which include:
A prayer index that directs the reader to each prayer that's included in the book
An author index that explains each author of the prayers, when they lived and who they were in life
A concordance
A reading plan for reading the Bible in a year
Overall, I really like this Bible and I think it will really enhance my prayer life. I highly recommend it!
My Rating
I received this to review from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 13, 2019
I was so excited to be able to review one of Crossway's newest Bibles, the ESV Prayer Bible.
What makes this one unique? It includes over four hundred prayers--spanning the centuries of Christian thought--linked to specific passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. It also includes an introductory essay by Donald Whitney. (I absolutely loved, loved, loved his book How To Pray the Bible.)
I found the quality of the quotes--the prayers--to be excellent. This would be a GREAT way for readers to learn about new theologians. I love that there's a resource at the back that gives you a bit more information about each author/theologian included.
The size of this one mostly worked for me. I found it small enough and light enough to read in bed. The font of the Scripture text allowed comfortably for this. The font of the quotes--or the prayers--was a bit too tiny.
It was also light enough that one could read it while sitting in a chair--and having tea. But I found myself squinting more when I read this way. (I still did it. I love, love, love having tea and reading the Word.)
As I mentioned before, the font size of the quotes--or the prayers--was small (7.25). They were also printed in GRAY. I think both the smaller size and the lighter font made it more difficult on my eyes for long periods of time. The text of the Word itself was 9.25. (And, of course, it was printed in black.)
The ESV Prayer Bible is single column paragraph.
There is ghosting or bleed-through. I found this to be most noticeable in the wisdom books--like Psalms--where you could "read" several psalms without ever turning the page. It was also more noticeable with the quotes--or prayers. Sadly this is because the prayers are in gray--as is the ghosted text.
If the pages had been thicker, if the the font size of the prayers had been slightly bigger, if the the color of the prayers had been slightly darker, then I think I would have absolutely loved this one. It is oh-so-close to being ideal.
I would recommend this one. Many people have better eyesight than I do and don't struggle with strained eyes. The quality of the quotes--as I mentioned--is absolutely wonderful! So there's definitely substance here.
What makes this one unique? It includes over four hundred prayers--spanning the centuries of Christian thought--linked to specific passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. It also includes an introductory essay by Donald Whitney. (I absolutely loved, loved, loved his book How To Pray the Bible.)
I found the quality of the quotes--the prayers--to be excellent. This would be a GREAT way for readers to learn about new theologians. I love that there's a resource at the back that gives you a bit more information about each author/theologian included.
The size of this one mostly worked for me. I found it small enough and light enough to read in bed. The font of the Scripture text allowed comfortably for this. The font of the quotes--or the prayers--was a bit too tiny.
It was also light enough that one could read it while sitting in a chair--and having tea. But I found myself squinting more when I read this way. (I still did it. I love, love, love having tea and reading the Word.)
As I mentioned before, the font size of the quotes--or the prayers--was small (7.25). They were also printed in GRAY. I think both the smaller size and the lighter font made it more difficult on my eyes for long periods of time. The text of the Word itself was 9.25. (And, of course, it was printed in black.)
The ESV Prayer Bible is single column paragraph.
There is ghosting or bleed-through. I found this to be most noticeable in the wisdom books--like Psalms--where you could "read" several psalms without ever turning the page. It was also more noticeable with the quotes--or prayers. Sadly this is because the prayers are in gray--as is the ghosted text.
If the pages had been thicker, if the the font size of the prayers had been slightly bigger, if the the color of the prayers had been slightly darker, then I think I would have absolutely loved this one. It is oh-so-close to being ideal.
I would recommend this one. Many people have better eyesight than I do and don't struggle with strained eyes. The quality of the quotes--as I mentioned--is absolutely wonderful! So there's definitely substance here.
June 22, 2019
The ESV Prayer Bible from Crossway publishers has quickly become one of my favourite Bibles. It’s not a study Bible per se. By this I mean it does not contain verse-by-verse study notes or long essays. What it does contain is many prayers throughout the scriptures by insightful men and women of God.
From the publisher’s description:
Single-column, paragraph format
400+ historical prayers interspersed throughout the Bible text
Prayer-related book introductions providing insight into how to use each specific book in prayer
Introductory essay by professor Donald S. Whitney, author of Praying the Bible, explaining how and why to pray the Bible
User guide
Author index featuring bios of historical contributors and relevant page numbers
Comprehensive index featuring every time prayer is mentioned in the entire Bible
Concordance
Reading plans
As the publisher’s description states, there are short introductions to each book of the Bible and an article which will aid the reader in praying through the scriptures. There are also over 400 prayers from various figures throughout church history. These figures are made up of both men and women, from multiple denominational backgrounds while still maintaining solidity and trustworthiness. There are some well-known figures such as Jane Austen, Anselm of Canterbury, and John Calvin, but there are also men and women that many readers will perhaps be introduced to for the first time such as Wilhelm Loehe, Christina Rossetti, and Gerhard Tersteegan.
As can be seen from the pictures included, the length of the prayers vary significantly, sometimes a short but meaningful prayer, other times a prayer significant in length and depth. Both are often helpful or thought-provoking.
In the back of this Bible can be found an index of all the authors of the prayers used as well as portraits illustrated by the talented Peter Voth and short biographies. Much like a child, I was actually rather disappointed upon my discovery that the only illustrations were the portraits as I had hoped to see Voth’s talent displayed throughout the Bible itself. Nonetheless, Voth does a beautiful job as always.
In addition to the added content that makes the “ESV Prayer Bible” is the translation of the Bible. The English Standard Version is one of the most trustworthy modern translations of scripture. It is clear and readable, yet faithful to original languages. By far, the ESV is one of my favourite translations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Bible from the tranlsation of the text to the selection of prayers. I appreciate the historical voices used. Modern-day men and women of faith have much to contribute, but there is a certain appeal and aesthetic of including poets and centuries-old theologians. I intend to continue to use the “ESV Prayer Bible” for personal devotion and reading of scripture.
I received a copy of this Bible in exchange for my fair and honest review.
From the publisher’s description:
Single-column, paragraph format
400+ historical prayers interspersed throughout the Bible text
Prayer-related book introductions providing insight into how to use each specific book in prayer
Introductory essay by professor Donald S. Whitney, author of Praying the Bible, explaining how and why to pray the Bible
User guide
Author index featuring bios of historical contributors and relevant page numbers
Comprehensive index featuring every time prayer is mentioned in the entire Bible
Concordance
Reading plans
As the publisher’s description states, there are short introductions to each book of the Bible and an article which will aid the reader in praying through the scriptures. There are also over 400 prayers from various figures throughout church history. These figures are made up of both men and women, from multiple denominational backgrounds while still maintaining solidity and trustworthiness. There are some well-known figures such as Jane Austen, Anselm of Canterbury, and John Calvin, but there are also men and women that many readers will perhaps be introduced to for the first time such as Wilhelm Loehe, Christina Rossetti, and Gerhard Tersteegan.
As can be seen from the pictures included, the length of the prayers vary significantly, sometimes a short but meaningful prayer, other times a prayer significant in length and depth. Both are often helpful or thought-provoking.
In the back of this Bible can be found an index of all the authors of the prayers used as well as portraits illustrated by the talented Peter Voth and short biographies. Much like a child, I was actually rather disappointed upon my discovery that the only illustrations were the portraits as I had hoped to see Voth’s talent displayed throughout the Bible itself. Nonetheless, Voth does a beautiful job as always.
In addition to the added content that makes the “ESV Prayer Bible” is the translation of the Bible. The English Standard Version is one of the most trustworthy modern translations of scripture. It is clear and readable, yet faithful to original languages. By far, the ESV is one of my favourite translations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Bible from the tranlsation of the text to the selection of prayers. I appreciate the historical voices used. Modern-day men and women of faith have much to contribute, but there is a certain appeal and aesthetic of including poets and centuries-old theologians. I intend to continue to use the “ESV Prayer Bible” for personal devotion and reading of scripture.
I received a copy of this Bible in exchange for my fair and honest review.
December 30, 2022
This Prayer Bible by Crossway was compiled in order to aid believers in their prayer life. Throughout the Bible are interspersed prayers of the saints from Clement of Rome to Henry Witherspoon. Some other saints represented are Jane Austen, Martin Luther, Christina Rosetti, and Augustine. The prayers are located in the Bible after Scripture which the prayers are applicable to. Each introduction to the books of the Bible, discuss how prayer is central to that particular book. These introductions may cast a different light on the books of the Bible than an introduction, say in a study Bible, and should lead to reflecting on prayer and aiding in prayer as one meditates on Scripture. Two indexes in particular should be noted; one is an author index with a short biography of each author represented as well as where their prayers are found in the Bible, the other is a prayer index which lists the Scripture, the prayer that is inserted there, and the author of the prayer. I found this Bible to be a very useful aid in prayer and a benefit to the Christian community.
December 29, 2020
Besides being a highly readable, accurate, and fresh English translation (ESV), this edition of the Bible includes related prayers from church history at key points throughout the book. These prayers are well chosen, expounding and applying biblical truths found in the surrounding passages. It is also formatted as a "reader" (i.e., in a single column like a typical book). I was greatly blessed by this edition of the Word of God. I highly recommend it to you!
June 10, 2019
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Is your prayer life anemic and in need of a spark? I feel that way more often than I’d like to admit. When I don’t use my Bible and notebook to pray, I end up rambling and chasing squirrels for 15 or 20 minutes—if I can last that long. Even when I use the Bible, some portions lend themselves easily to prayer while others prove more challenging.
The new ESV Prayer Bible from Crossway lends us a hand in our prayer lives, providing us with some helpful features sure to stir us to deeper prayer lives as we spend our devotional time in God’s Word. If you want to grow in prayer, here are a few features that are sure to be a blessing to your prayer life:
1. An introduction to praying the Bible from Don Whitney, author of Pray the Bible. He offers “a simple, permanent, biblical solution” to our struggles with prayer, calling us to “speak to (God) about what we read, verse by verse, in the Bible”.
2. Nearly 400 prayers from theologians, pastors, and Christian writers throughout history have been weaved throughout this Bible. The prayers are easily distinguishable from the biblical text with a smaller and lighter font. This is my most favorite feature because I am encouraged by Spurgeon to pray in light of the truths in Numbers 13 or John Wesley in Proverbs 3. Our most favorite theologians, preachers, and writers were first men and women of prayer and we get a glimpse into the intimacy some of them had with God to stir us to more fervent and biblical prayer.
3. The author index features a skillfully illustrated portrait of each featured author with a brief biography of their lives and impacts. You’ll find writers and preachers such as Augustine, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Newton, Blaise Pascal, Richard Sibbes, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, George Whitfield, and many more!*
4. The prayer index lists the scripture passages where prayers are found. What’s so cool about this index is that Crossway provides readers with the source of each prayer. For hungry or interested readers, this will be a great way to beef up your library with some excellent resources to spur on your prayer life!
The ESV Prayer Bible is a much-welcomed addition to my library and has already stirred up my prayer life. Seeing prayers in Numbers and Leviticus pushes me to read prayerfully, even in sections that don’t seem to be easily prayed through.
Grab a couple of copies and start praying through the Bible with someone!
*I noticed that some of the authors with featured prayers include post-Reformation Catholics, Anglo-Catholics, mystics, and others with whom you and I might disagree. For me, this doesn’t take away from the quality of this Bible because the majority of the prayers come from writers and preachers with whom I consider to have sound doctrine.
Is your prayer life anemic and in need of a spark? I feel that way more often than I’d like to admit. When I don’t use my Bible and notebook to pray, I end up rambling and chasing squirrels for 15 or 20 minutes—if I can last that long. Even when I use the Bible, some portions lend themselves easily to prayer while others prove more challenging.
The new ESV Prayer Bible from Crossway lends us a hand in our prayer lives, providing us with some helpful features sure to stir us to deeper prayer lives as we spend our devotional time in God’s Word. If you want to grow in prayer, here are a few features that are sure to be a blessing to your prayer life:
1. An introduction to praying the Bible from Don Whitney, author of Pray the Bible. He offers “a simple, permanent, biblical solution” to our struggles with prayer, calling us to “speak to (God) about what we read, verse by verse, in the Bible”.
2. Nearly 400 prayers from theologians, pastors, and Christian writers throughout history have been weaved throughout this Bible. The prayers are easily distinguishable from the biblical text with a smaller and lighter font. This is my most favorite feature because I am encouraged by Spurgeon to pray in light of the truths in Numbers 13 or John Wesley in Proverbs 3. Our most favorite theologians, preachers, and writers were first men and women of prayer and we get a glimpse into the intimacy some of them had with God to stir us to more fervent and biblical prayer.
3. The author index features a skillfully illustrated portrait of each featured author with a brief biography of their lives and impacts. You’ll find writers and preachers such as Augustine, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Newton, Blaise Pascal, Richard Sibbes, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, George Whitfield, and many more!*
4. The prayer index lists the scripture passages where prayers are found. What’s so cool about this index is that Crossway provides readers with the source of each prayer. For hungry or interested readers, this will be a great way to beef up your library with some excellent resources to spur on your prayer life!
The ESV Prayer Bible is a much-welcomed addition to my library and has already stirred up my prayer life. Seeing prayers in Numbers and Leviticus pushes me to read prayerfully, even in sections that don’t seem to be easily prayed through.
Grab a couple of copies and start praying through the Bible with someone!
*I noticed that some of the authors with featured prayers include post-Reformation Catholics, Anglo-Catholics, mystics, and others with whom you and I might disagree. For me, this doesn’t take away from the quality of this Bible because the majority of the prayers come from writers and preachers with whom I consider to have sound doctrine.
May 17, 2019
This is a wonderful Bible that is different than any other Bible I have - and I have a lot!
The first thing I really like about it is the text that isn't so small you can't read it. The text in this Bible is a little larger than most and is really easy on my eyes and I'm reading it. I wasn't struggling to keep my place because my eyes didn't get strained. This is a huge plus for me!
I also love the prayers throughout this Bible. Each prayer correlates with the section of Scripture where it's placed. There are beautiful prayers like this one throughout:
Lord, open my mouth, that I may henceforth speak more boldly and explicitly , as I ought to speak.
-George Whitefield
I love the prayers because they help me to stop and really focus on the Scripture and pray to God with a quiet heart. These prayers are beautifully worded and gave me a starting place for my own prayers.
There is an author index that lets us get to know the authors of these prayers better. I really enjoyed this!
The concordance, weight and measures table, and a reading plan are an extra added bonus to this wonderful Bible. I also love that even though this Bible is hardback, it's not heavy. This is important to me as I can't really handle heavy Bible's anymore.
This is a wonderful Bible that is a must-have for your Bible reading and quiet time. I really like it and it's become a part of my daily Bible time. I give it 5 stars.
*This Bible was provided to me by Crossway. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
The first thing I really like about it is the text that isn't so small you can't read it. The text in this Bible is a little larger than most and is really easy on my eyes and I'm reading it. I wasn't struggling to keep my place because my eyes didn't get strained. This is a huge plus for me!
I also love the prayers throughout this Bible. Each prayer correlates with the section of Scripture where it's placed. There are beautiful prayers like this one throughout:
Lord, open my mouth, that I may henceforth speak more boldly and explicitly , as I ought to speak.
-George Whitefield
I love the prayers because they help me to stop and really focus on the Scripture and pray to God with a quiet heart. These prayers are beautifully worded and gave me a starting place for my own prayers.
There is an author index that lets us get to know the authors of these prayers better. I really enjoyed this!
The concordance, weight and measures table, and a reading plan are an extra added bonus to this wonderful Bible. I also love that even though this Bible is hardback, it's not heavy. This is important to me as I can't really handle heavy Bible's anymore.
This is a wonderful Bible that is a must-have for your Bible reading and quiet time. I really like it and it's become a part of my daily Bible time. I give it 5 stars.
*This Bible was provided to me by Crossway. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
May 22, 2019
The ESV Prayer Bible is a beautiful product for either personal devotions or to present as a gift. It includes over 400 prayers from leading authors and preachers throughout church history as they reflect on particular passages of Scripture. Donald Whitney, author of Praying the Bible, provides the introduction explaining why and how to pray the Bible. Readers can then choose to be surprised as prayers spring from the text or they can use the Prayer Index in the back to read the prayers consecutively. Prayers are indented from the left margin, stating the name of the author and the passage of Scripture for meditation. For example, Gregory of Nazianzus presents a prayer for Genesis 3:1-7 and Jane Austen from Psalm 121:3-4.
“The Prayer Index provides full bibliographic information for each prayer, allowing the reader to trace each prayer to its original source. . . . The Author Index . . . allows the user to learn more about each author and also to locate each author’s prayers across the ESV Prayer Bible.” The cloth binding is comfortable to hold and the bookmark ribbon is helpful for daily devotional reading. A brief introduction for each book of the Bible shows how that book teaches on prayer. The ESV Prayer Bible will surely bring the blessings of past saints into the lives of many present and future saints.
* Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through the Blog Review Program.
“The Prayer Index provides full bibliographic information for each prayer, allowing the reader to trace each prayer to its original source. . . . The Author Index . . . allows the user to learn more about each author and also to locate each author’s prayers across the ESV Prayer Bible.” The cloth binding is comfortable to hold and the bookmark ribbon is helpful for daily devotional reading. A brief introduction for each book of the Bible shows how that book teaches on prayer. The ESV Prayer Bible will surely bring the blessings of past saints into the lives of many present and future saints.
* Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through the Blog Review Program.
April 29, 2019
Prayer changes things. Namely, prayer has a profound and supernatural way of changing us. Prayer can be incredibly simple, but given the nature of it, can be hard to understand or master. That’s why I’m so excited about The ESV Prayer Bible from Crossway.
If you feel as though you just don’t understand prayer or you need a boost in your prayer life, this is an excellent resource. You’ll find a an introductory essay by Donald Whitney who wrote the book, Praying the Bible, that explains the how and why to pray the Bible. Throughout the Bible, you will discover over 400 prayers from the likes of the early church fathers, Puritans, Protestant Reformers, and more. Each book has a prayer-related introduction that explains how to use each specific book in prayer. At the end you’ll find an author index featuring short bios of historic contributors and the page numbers of where to find their prayers. You’ll also find a comprehensive index of every time prayer is mentioned in the entire Bible. This truly is an incredible resource.
I’m reviewing the hardcover version of this Bible and I really like the design of it. It looks a lot like a pew Bible that you’d find in your church. The blue cover with the simple design is really aesthetically pleasing. It features one ribbon bookmark. It’s single column (which is my preference) and the font is an incredibly readable 9.25 while the prayers are a bit smaller coming in at 7.5. I personally don’t find this smaller font too small. It sets the prayers apart and keeps the Bible at a very affordable price, but I know some will find it pretty small and might argue that instead of a smaller font, a different color could’ve been used to distinguish the prayers. I could certainly see the merit of this argument for those who may struggle to see smaller fonts—and I prefer a larger font myself (however, you can purchase it for Kindle and magnify the font).
I’ve mentioned Peter Voth in relation to artwork before and he is again featured in this Bible. You’ll notice his art on the cover with the praying hands as well as on the slip cover, dust jacket like wrap that comes on the outside of this Bible. If you appreciate his art, you’ll also notice that it’s featured in the author biographies where he has contributed his work to the likenesses of those whose prayers are featured in the Bible.
In using this Bible, I really enjoy getting to read the prayers of those who have gone before us in the Christian faith. Reading their prayers inspire my own and at times I even use their prayers as my own. I also love the fact that this Bible teaches you how to pray in each book of the Bible. I believe that praying Scripture is incredibly powerful and can really revolutionize our prayer lives and this Bible is such a great tool to further us in knowing and understanding how to use Scripture powerfully in our lives.
You can pick up the hardcover version of this Bible for about $20.00 on Amazon. At that price, it’s a steal. I don’t think you will regret the purchase and I truly believe it will benefit you as you enjoy the grace of talking with God.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from Crossway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
If you feel as though you just don’t understand prayer or you need a boost in your prayer life, this is an excellent resource. You’ll find a an introductory essay by Donald Whitney who wrote the book, Praying the Bible, that explains the how and why to pray the Bible. Throughout the Bible, you will discover over 400 prayers from the likes of the early church fathers, Puritans, Protestant Reformers, and more. Each book has a prayer-related introduction that explains how to use each specific book in prayer. At the end you’ll find an author index featuring short bios of historic contributors and the page numbers of where to find their prayers. You’ll also find a comprehensive index of every time prayer is mentioned in the entire Bible. This truly is an incredible resource.
I’m reviewing the hardcover version of this Bible and I really like the design of it. It looks a lot like a pew Bible that you’d find in your church. The blue cover with the simple design is really aesthetically pleasing. It features one ribbon bookmark. It’s single column (which is my preference) and the font is an incredibly readable 9.25 while the prayers are a bit smaller coming in at 7.5. I personally don’t find this smaller font too small. It sets the prayers apart and keeps the Bible at a very affordable price, but I know some will find it pretty small and might argue that instead of a smaller font, a different color could’ve been used to distinguish the prayers. I could certainly see the merit of this argument for those who may struggle to see smaller fonts—and I prefer a larger font myself (however, you can purchase it for Kindle and magnify the font).
I’ve mentioned Peter Voth in relation to artwork before and he is again featured in this Bible. You’ll notice his art on the cover with the praying hands as well as on the slip cover, dust jacket like wrap that comes on the outside of this Bible. If you appreciate his art, you’ll also notice that it’s featured in the author biographies where he has contributed his work to the likenesses of those whose prayers are featured in the Bible.
In using this Bible, I really enjoy getting to read the prayers of those who have gone before us in the Christian faith. Reading their prayers inspire my own and at times I even use their prayers as my own. I also love the fact that this Bible teaches you how to pray in each book of the Bible. I believe that praying Scripture is incredibly powerful and can really revolutionize our prayer lives and this Bible is such a great tool to further us in knowing and understanding how to use Scripture powerfully in our lives.
You can pick up the hardcover version of this Bible for about $20.00 on Amazon. At that price, it’s a steal. I don’t think you will regret the purchase and I truly believe it will benefit you as you enjoy the grace of talking with God.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from Crossway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 28, 2019
Once when I was on the razors edge of adolescence, my father explained to me that one of the reasons he couldn't become Roman Catholic is because they used "canned prayers." Like canned meat (which we ate on occasion), canned prayers were pre-packaged prayers by someone else and didn't come from the heart (so he said). Since those years he has passed on, and I have gone further down the pilgrim way. And since that father-son talk I have come to find that "canned prayers" can be a great aid, especially in seasons when I am stumbling my way through a dry and weary land where there is no water. Crossway has compiled a brand new, handy sized, single-column edition of the English Standard Version, the "ESV Prayer Bible," that is peppered with four hundred prayers from men and women throughout the ages.
The prayers are not on every page, but show up in places that fit particular Scripture selections and break up the passage. The way you know you have moved from the Bible to a prayer is that (1) the 9.25-point font of the sacred text changes to 7.5-point font for the prayer; and (2) a Scripture reference tags the prayer. Throughout the Old Testament there is a greater distance between where the prayers show up, than in the New. For example, the fourteen chapter prophet, Zechariah, has only three invocations interjected, whereas the six chapter epistle, Ephesians, has six supplications.
The prayers are drawn from 54 disciples across the ages. There's Clement of Rome in the first Century all the way to Richard Brooke in the early twentieth Century. Not only are the ages crisscrossed, but also sex, region, and ecclesiology: men and women; Constantinople, South Africa, North Africa, Europe; Congregationalists, Lutherans, Reformed, Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Wesleyan; clerics, mystics and lay people.
The "ESV Prayer Bible" is introduced by Donald Whitney, who explains why praying the Scriptures is so valuable. As Whitney notes, instead of being stumped by making petitions about the same old things, "when we pray, we ought to pray the Bible. When we pray, instead of trying to think of new things to say to God every day about the same things, we can speak to him about what we read, verse by verse, in the Bible" (viii). His introduction follows the thoughts of his book "Praying the Bible." At the tale-end are some helpful tools peculiar to this prayer Bible. In one section, each person from whom the prayers are culled is given a brief bibliography, and where their prayers pop up. The next section is an index showing which passages of holy writ are tied to a particular entreaty. Finally, there is an index that locates every prayer, or references to prayer, in the Bible.
The "ESV Prayer Bible" is a devotional treasure trove. The text is clear; the prayers are easy to spot and use. This edition of Scripture would make a super graduation gift, and a nice accessory to your own library. I highly recommend this volume.
My thanks to Crossway for sending me a copy of this Bible at my request. They put no stipulations on me other than that I do a review. My remarks are mine and freely given.
The prayers are not on every page, but show up in places that fit particular Scripture selections and break up the passage. The way you know you have moved from the Bible to a prayer is that (1) the 9.25-point font of the sacred text changes to 7.5-point font for the prayer; and (2) a Scripture reference tags the prayer. Throughout the Old Testament there is a greater distance between where the prayers show up, than in the New. For example, the fourteen chapter prophet, Zechariah, has only three invocations interjected, whereas the six chapter epistle, Ephesians, has six supplications.
The prayers are drawn from 54 disciples across the ages. There's Clement of Rome in the first Century all the way to Richard Brooke in the early twentieth Century. Not only are the ages crisscrossed, but also sex, region, and ecclesiology: men and women; Constantinople, South Africa, North Africa, Europe; Congregationalists, Lutherans, Reformed, Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Wesleyan; clerics, mystics and lay people.
The "ESV Prayer Bible" is introduced by Donald Whitney, who explains why praying the Scriptures is so valuable. As Whitney notes, instead of being stumped by making petitions about the same old things, "when we pray, we ought to pray the Bible. When we pray, instead of trying to think of new things to say to God every day about the same things, we can speak to him about what we read, verse by verse, in the Bible" (viii). His introduction follows the thoughts of his book "Praying the Bible." At the tale-end are some helpful tools peculiar to this prayer Bible. In one section, each person from whom the prayers are culled is given a brief bibliography, and where their prayers pop up. The next section is an index showing which passages of holy writ are tied to a particular entreaty. Finally, there is an index that locates every prayer, or references to prayer, in the Bible.
The "ESV Prayer Bible" is a devotional treasure trove. The text is clear; the prayers are easy to spot and use. This edition of Scripture would make a super graduation gift, and a nice accessory to your own library. I highly recommend this volume.
My thanks to Crossway for sending me a copy of this Bible at my request. They put no stipulations on me other than that I do a review. My remarks are mine and freely given.
May 6, 2019
Long story short: Donald Whitney wrote an excellent book on praying the Bible, aptly titled Praying the Bible, that has revitalized my prayer life, and I highly recommend it. The ESV Prayer Bible shortens that 128-page book into a 3-page essay and hopes that is sufficient for readers to begin praying the Scriptures. That might be enough for some people, but I recommend reading Praying the Bible if you’re not already familiar with the method. The unique features of the Bible are good for developing your prayer life, and I find it useful for praying the Scriptures.
Full review: I had never heard of a “prayer Bible” before seeing the ESV Prayer Bible. As it turns out, there is really nothing else like it for sale (at the time of my writing). The idea stems from a book written by Donald Whitney titled Praying the Bible. It is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. I can testify that it enabled me to pray for well over an hour for the first time in my life without my mind wandering or getting bored.
The ESV Prayer Bible boils that 128-page book into a 3-page essay. Some people may be able to pick it up from that. It is pretty intuitive, and Whitney did not invent the practice. But I think most people should read Praying the Bible before picking up this Bible and expecting to see a big change in their prayer life.
The unique features of this Bible are helpful for developing your prayer life. The most important feature for praying scripture is the biblical text itself. The font is readable (9.25 pt), it has a single-column layout, and there aren’t a bunch of notes and cross-references in the margin to distract you when your focus is on praying. Additionally, each book of the Bible has a brief, one-paragraph introduction focusing on how the book relates to prayer, which can give focus to both your reading and praying scripture. Finally, there’s a comprehensive index of every mention of prayer in the Bible, which could help you study all that God has to say about it and incorporate those passages into your practice of prayer.
Beyond the text of scripture itself, Whitney pulled together over 400 recorded prayers from historical figures from the early church through the Protestant Reformation and beyond. They are also indexed so you can find them easier, along with a brief bio of the individual and the source of the prayer if you want to learn more. The prayers are inspiring and may help you learn the method of praying the scriptures if you learn better by example.
I received a copy of this Bible from the publisher for the purpose of providing a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Full review: I had never heard of a “prayer Bible” before seeing the ESV Prayer Bible. As it turns out, there is really nothing else like it for sale (at the time of my writing). The idea stems from a book written by Donald Whitney titled Praying the Bible. It is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. I can testify that it enabled me to pray for well over an hour for the first time in my life without my mind wandering or getting bored.
The ESV Prayer Bible boils that 128-page book into a 3-page essay. Some people may be able to pick it up from that. It is pretty intuitive, and Whitney did not invent the practice. But I think most people should read Praying the Bible before picking up this Bible and expecting to see a big change in their prayer life.
The unique features of this Bible are helpful for developing your prayer life. The most important feature for praying scripture is the biblical text itself. The font is readable (9.25 pt), it has a single-column layout, and there aren’t a bunch of notes and cross-references in the margin to distract you when your focus is on praying. Additionally, each book of the Bible has a brief, one-paragraph introduction focusing on how the book relates to prayer, which can give focus to both your reading and praying scripture. Finally, there’s a comprehensive index of every mention of prayer in the Bible, which could help you study all that God has to say about it and incorporate those passages into your practice of prayer.
Beyond the text of scripture itself, Whitney pulled together over 400 recorded prayers from historical figures from the early church through the Protestant Reformation and beyond. They are also indexed so you can find them easier, along with a brief bio of the individual and the source of the prayer if you want to learn more. The prayers are inspiring and may help you learn the method of praying the scriptures if you learn better by example.
I received a copy of this Bible from the publisher for the purpose of providing a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2019
I truly appreciate the intent Crossway had in putting this Bible together. Sadly, however, I think it kinda missed the mark. Rather than providing a host of insightful prayers inspired by following the text of scripture that teach people how to pray scripture, it mostly contained numerous prayers that simply seemed to fit a particular text of scripture. That said, there are still good things to take away from this Bible.
First and foremost of helpfulness is the short section in the introduction that discuss “The Problem with Prayer”, “The Solution”, “How to Pray the Bible”, and “Who Has Prayed the Bible?” I learned years ago from Dr. Charles Swindoll how to pray the Bible and make it personal, and that’s what the short section, “How to Pray the Bible”, addresses.
Next in helpfulness is the “Author Index”. If you have a particular theologian you’re looking for, or a favorite perhaps, this is a helpful section that directs the reader to the prayers written/spoken by those persons.
Another helpful section is the “Prayer Index”. Basically, this is the converse of the Author Index in that if you’re looking for a prayer for a particular passage of scripture, not concerned who the author of the prayer is, then this section will fly you right in.
Finally, the prayers contained within this Bible are truly rich in depth, and many believers would do well to learn how great leaders of the faith have prayed in ages past. It seems too often prayer times are saturated with requests for Aunt Betty’s big toe or Uncle Joe’s persistent cough. I’m being facetious, but I think you get the point 😉. These great leaders of the faith have prayed prayers than span the ages.
Overall, I guess I expected more from this Bible. I fully hope to use it in developing liturgies and prayers for our Sunday morning worship gatherings, but I can still say I was slightly disappointed with it.
Rating: I give the Prayer Bible just 3 stars out of 5.
Disclaimer: I received this Bible free of charge from Crossway in exchange for my unbiased review of it. All opinions are mine, and I was not required to provide a positive review of it.
First and foremost of helpfulness is the short section in the introduction that discuss “The Problem with Prayer”, “The Solution”, “How to Pray the Bible”, and “Who Has Prayed the Bible?” I learned years ago from Dr. Charles Swindoll how to pray the Bible and make it personal, and that’s what the short section, “How to Pray the Bible”, addresses.
Next in helpfulness is the “Author Index”. If you have a particular theologian you’re looking for, or a favorite perhaps, this is a helpful section that directs the reader to the prayers written/spoken by those persons.
Another helpful section is the “Prayer Index”. Basically, this is the converse of the Author Index in that if you’re looking for a prayer for a particular passage of scripture, not concerned who the author of the prayer is, then this section will fly you right in.
Finally, the prayers contained within this Bible are truly rich in depth, and many believers would do well to learn how great leaders of the faith have prayed in ages past. It seems too often prayer times are saturated with requests for Aunt Betty’s big toe or Uncle Joe’s persistent cough. I’m being facetious, but I think you get the point 😉. These great leaders of the faith have prayed prayers than span the ages.
Overall, I guess I expected more from this Bible. I fully hope to use it in developing liturgies and prayers for our Sunday morning worship gatherings, but I can still say I was slightly disappointed with it.
Rating: I give the Prayer Bible just 3 stars out of 5.
Disclaimer: I received this Bible free of charge from Crossway in exchange for my unbiased review of it. All opinions are mine, and I was not required to provide a positive review of it.
May 16, 2019
The ESV (English Standard Version) version of the Bible is a favorite among many of my friends and family members. It is easy to read while being trustworthy in its' translation.
This Bible is unique in that it includes prayers from many well known Christians from history embedded within the text in appropriate places. It also contains a short Introductory essay about Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney, an Author Index featuring short bios of the people whose prayers are featured, and an index of prayers and reference to prayers in the Bible.
While all of the above makes this a Bible worth owning, what I absolutely loved about this edition is the size of the hardback version I received and how easy it is to read through the one column text. If you are looking for a good reading Bible, the kind you can pick up just to read and enjoy, this is such a Bible. It can function as your primary Bible to use for study as well.
While the size is compact, the font is large enough that anyone not needing a large print Bible should be able to easily read it, although the embedded prayers are in a smaller (but not tiny) font. I highly recommend the ESV Prayer Bible.
The ESV Prayer Bible was provided by Crossway for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.
This Bible is unique in that it includes prayers from many well known Christians from history embedded within the text in appropriate places. It also contains a short Introductory essay about Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney, an Author Index featuring short bios of the people whose prayers are featured, and an index of prayers and reference to prayers in the Bible.
While all of the above makes this a Bible worth owning, what I absolutely loved about this edition is the size of the hardback version I received and how easy it is to read through the one column text. If you are looking for a good reading Bible, the kind you can pick up just to read and enjoy, this is such a Bible. It can function as your primary Bible to use for study as well.
While the size is compact, the font is large enough that anyone not needing a large print Bible should be able to easily read it, although the embedded prayers are in a smaller (but not tiny) font. I highly recommend the ESV Prayer Bible.
The ESV Prayer Bible was provided by Crossway for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.
July 4, 2019
Prayer is a topic that has volumes upon volumes written on it. From how to pray, to prayerbooks, and even certain prayers in the Bible, prayer is a subject that has perplexed and challenged many over the centuries.
The ESV Prayer Bible was developed with end goal of the reader having a better understanding of prayer by reading prayers from various people. Some prayers are brief and others more lengthy. Some from known readers and some from not so well known. Either way, with more than 400 prayers, this Bible has prayers that will encourage and potentially mature those who are looking for a stronger prayer life by reading the prayers of those who have gone before.
It is has a 9.25 font for the main text with a 7.25 font for the prayers. It weights just over two pounds and is slightly over five inches in width and eight inches in height. It is in single column format which not something I typically use but it works well with the prayers versus a double column format. Presently, it comes in hardback (which is what i have) and Trutone.
*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest assessment.
The ESV Prayer Bible was developed with end goal of the reader having a better understanding of prayer by reading prayers from various people. Some prayers are brief and others more lengthy. Some from known readers and some from not so well known. Either way, with more than 400 prayers, this Bible has prayers that will encourage and potentially mature those who are looking for a stronger prayer life by reading the prayers of those who have gone before.
It is has a 9.25 font for the main text with a 7.25 font for the prayers. It weights just over two pounds and is slightly over five inches in width and eight inches in height. It is in single column format which not something I typically use but it works well with the prayers versus a double column format. Presently, it comes in hardback (which is what i have) and Trutone.
*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest assessment.
May 24, 2019
Received a copy for review.
This Bible is interesting. I was expecting a lot more from it then what I see inside. As much as I wanted to give this a great rating of at least 4 stars, I had to go with a 3 star rating. This Bible is great for those looking to grow in prayer, but it's not extremely prayer packed. There are prayers thrown in between a few verses, but nothing in-depth.
I think the prayers are great as prompts -- especially for journaling. They are scripture-based prayers and they are done by great Christians from church history. There is an author index that helps with knowing more about those who give the prayers within the Bible. There's a prayer index to help you find the prayers within each book. The scripture index and concordance are also good.
Do I think this is an essential Bible? Nope. Do I think it has its good merits? Yes.
Overall, I think you can go without. If you're looking for something focused on scripture this could be of good use, but it would have to do with your preference in Bible.
This Bible is interesting. I was expecting a lot more from it then what I see inside. As much as I wanted to give this a great rating of at least 4 stars, I had to go with a 3 star rating. This Bible is great for those looking to grow in prayer, but it's not extremely prayer packed. There are prayers thrown in between a few verses, but nothing in-depth.
I think the prayers are great as prompts -- especially for journaling. They are scripture-based prayers and they are done by great Christians from church history. There is an author index that helps with knowing more about those who give the prayers within the Bible. There's a prayer index to help you find the prayers within each book. The scripture index and concordance are also good.
Do I think this is an essential Bible? Nope. Do I think it has its good merits? Yes.
Overall, I think you can go without. If you're looking for something focused on scripture this could be of good use, but it would have to do with your preference in Bible.
June 1, 2019
Initially, I thought that this Bible would have one prayer at the beginning of each book in the introduction or maybe if it was a long book mid-way through. I was pleasantly surprised to see prayers scattered throughout by Puritans, theologians and spiritual mentors. In fact, there are 400+ prayers scattered throughout in a way that is useful and doesn’t distract from the text. Included is an author index that explains about each individual prayer writer.
This Bible is laid out in a single-column, paragraph format so perfect for devotional reading. There are also tips and insights in the introduction on how to use each book in prayer.
I think that this Bible is extremely well done, especially if you are like me and appreciate books like 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯. Now, I just need to look into getting the prettier, leather-bound version for myself.
Thank you Crossway for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This Bible is laid out in a single-column, paragraph format so perfect for devotional reading. There are also tips and insights in the introduction on how to use each book in prayer.
I think that this Bible is extremely well done, especially if you are like me and appreciate books like 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯. Now, I just need to look into getting the prettier, leather-bound version for myself.
Thank you Crossway for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 6, 2020
In seasons of waiting and uncertainty, the words of another often bring the most comfort to a heart that can feel adrift.
In this past year I have found the truth of that in reading the Puritans. Not only have I purposefully begun to pray through the Valley of Vision, but I have pressed into the writing of Thomas Goodwin, John Flavel, and Ralph Venning
And then, Crossway offered a physical copy of the ESV Prayer Bible almost a year ago, and I had the privilege of receiving one to review.
As soon as I opened the wrapping, it found a place beside my kitchen sink opened to the passage I was memorizing.
Plain, like the dress of the Puritans, it’s covering belies the beauty of the truth inside. Not only is the Word of God presented beautifully, the added prayers of men and women of old who were passionately in love with the God they served and worshiped, only enhance, and not take away. Hundreds of years have not diminished the prayers prayed, or the truth of Scripture.
In this past year I have found the truth of that in reading the Puritans. Not only have I purposefully begun to pray through the Valley of Vision, but I have pressed into the writing of Thomas Goodwin, John Flavel, and Ralph Venning
And then, Crossway offered a physical copy of the ESV Prayer Bible almost a year ago, and I had the privilege of receiving one to review.
As soon as I opened the wrapping, it found a place beside my kitchen sink opened to the passage I was memorizing.
Plain, like the dress of the Puritans, it’s covering belies the beauty of the truth inside. Not only is the Word of God presented beautifully, the added prayers of men and women of old who were passionately in love with the God they served and worshiped, only enhance, and not take away. Hundreds of years have not diminished the prayers prayed, or the truth of Scripture.
April 26, 2022
This Bible is actually quite nice. It makes for a great reading Bible, not quite to study from (there are no cross references or foot notes). But it’s reading for morning devotions and leisure reading. It’s formatted in such a way for the emphasis to simply be on the text. The font is very well sized, not too big that the Bible is a behemoth but not too small that you end up with a headache. Then there are prayers from different prominent Christians interspersed throughout the Bible.
All in all, I’d recommend this Bible to someone who wants prayer prompts to pray the Word of God. This is a good starting point.
FYI: I received a copy of this Bible from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
All in all, I’d recommend this Bible to someone who wants prayer prompts to pray the Word of God. This is a good starting point.
FYI: I received a copy of this Bible from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
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