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Everyday Prayer with John Calvin
Prayer is central to the Christian life, which is why John Calvin spends more time on prayer than on any other topic in his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Drawing from the Institutes and Calvin’s Old and New Testament commentaries, Donald K. McKim comments on Calvin’s biblical insights on prayer and intersperses his short readings with Calvin’s own prayers. Reflection questions and prayer points help you to meditate on Scripture, understand Calvin’s teaching, and strengthen your own prayer life.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2019
14 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Donald K. McKim
84 books12 followersDonald K. McKim is an American Presbyterian theologian and editor. He works as Academic and Reference Editor for Westminster John Knox Press.
McKim studied at Westminster College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught at Memphis Theological Seminary and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
McKim is known for his 1979 book The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible: An Historical Approach. Co-authored with Jack B. Rogers, it was Eternity magazine's "Book of the Year" in 1980. In the book, Rogers and McKim argued that the Bible was infallible but not inerrant.
Donald Keith McKim was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Keith Beatty and Mary Alisan (Leslie) McKim.
McKim studied at Westminster College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught at Memphis Theological Seminary and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
McKim is known for his 1979 book The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible: An Historical Approach. Co-authored with Jack B. Rogers, it was Eternity magazine's "Book of the Year" in 1980. In the book, Rogers and McKim argued that the Bible was infallible but not inerrant.
Donald Keith McKim was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Keith Beatty and Mary Alisan (Leslie) McKim.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 21, 2021
It was very good. These were short, single-page devotionals that featured a verse related to prayer and an excerpt from Calvin on prayer. It was very pastoral and well-put together. Part of me feels like it was often an arbitrary jumping off point but then I felt it was very beneficial too. At the end of each day's section was a prayer point to focus on (e.g., the Spirit's role, submitting to God's will, pondering a time when your prayer was answered) and these were particularly useful in guiding our family's prayers.
January 24, 2020
What topic did John Calvin spend the most time on in his Institutes of the Christian Religion? Was it election? Justification? Pastor and professor Donald K. McKim, who is also an award-winning author and editor, says that it is prayer where Calvin spends the most time.
For Meditation
In this book from P&R Publishing, McKim takes us into Calvin’s prayer closet with this first installment of a series on everyday prayer. Forthcoming titles include Everyday Prayer with the Puritans and Everyday Prayer with the Reformers. This title is an excellent first entry to place prayer as a priority in all of our lives.
This book provides a series of short devotional reflections on quotations from Calvin. All of them are drawn from the Institutes as well as his commentaries on Old and New Testament books. McKim then shares his reflections and takes us to the main theological point of what Calvin is saying.
For Understanding
But McKim does not simply want us to think about prayer. He wants us to take what we have learned from Calvin and apply it to our lives. Each devotion ends with a Prayer Point - a specific help as we pray to God and encouragement or challenge as we walk in His ways.
Each devotion is tastefully titled for clarity and remembrance. Scripture passages are referenced and the reader would do well to include it with each quiet time. While I believe this it meant to be used as a daily devotion, it is an excellent book to be read all the way through. It is also a purposeful reference tool for any Calvin enthusiast, as a Notes section gives the source for the quotations.
For Prayer
Reading Calvin’s prayers are powerful. His words are beautifully written and you can tell that he is praying from his heart. I am empowered for boldness in prayer. I am encouraged to pray with more affection. And I am drawn to the One who hears our prayers daily and answers them with lovingkindness, mercy, and grace.
I was provided a free copy of Everyday Prayer with John Calvin but was not required to write a positive review.
For Meditation
In this book from P&R Publishing, McKim takes us into Calvin’s prayer closet with this first installment of a series on everyday prayer. Forthcoming titles include Everyday Prayer with the Puritans and Everyday Prayer with the Reformers. This title is an excellent first entry to place prayer as a priority in all of our lives.
This book provides a series of short devotional reflections on quotations from Calvin. All of them are drawn from the Institutes as well as his commentaries on Old and New Testament books. McKim then shares his reflections and takes us to the main theological point of what Calvin is saying.
For Understanding
But McKim does not simply want us to think about prayer. He wants us to take what we have learned from Calvin and apply it to our lives. Each devotion ends with a Prayer Point - a specific help as we pray to God and encouragement or challenge as we walk in His ways.
Each devotion is tastefully titled for clarity and remembrance. Scripture passages are referenced and the reader would do well to include it with each quiet time. While I believe this it meant to be used as a daily devotion, it is an excellent book to be read all the way through. It is also a purposeful reference tool for any Calvin enthusiast, as a Notes section gives the source for the quotations.
For Prayer
Reading Calvin’s prayers are powerful. His words are beautifully written and you can tell that he is praying from his heart. I am empowered for boldness in prayer. I am encouraged to pray with more affection. And I am drawn to the One who hears our prayers daily and answers them with lovingkindness, mercy, and grace.
I was provided a free copy of Everyday Prayer with John Calvin but was not required to write a positive review.
October 11, 2020
This short book is a great daily devotion that focuses on John Calvin’s reflections on prayer. Each reflection is rooted in a biblical passage and is focused on increasing the faith of the one who is about to enter prayer. One of my favorite parts of the Institutes was the section on “Prayer” and McKim does a wonderful job of mining the treasures of Calvin’s teachings on this vital Christian discipline. A must have for those seeking to have their hearts warmed to God as they enter the throne room.
March 26, 2020
When you hear the word theologian what comes to mind? When you think about doctrine do you picture scholars in suits and ties studying 2000 page books full of 15-letter -isms and -ologies? Do you picture them solving problems and writing page after page on issues that have no little to no practical bearing on the lives of everyday, average people like us? As much as I hate to admit it, I have often felt that way as I've waded into depths of theological conundrums caused by the translation (or mis-translation) of a single Greek word.
I used to think John Calvin was one of these ivory tower theologians with all head and no heart. However, the more I read what he wrote and not what people say he wrote, I see that he had the heart of a lover of God and pastor. He was a man of strong devotion and zeal for God, and he puts this on display with the numerous prayers and references to seeking God in writings. Contrary to popular belief, he wrote more on other topics than did on election or predestination.
Everyday Prayer with John Calvin is one such example of his passion for God. It isn't a book that Calvin wrote, but it's jam-packed with quotes and excerpts of his writings on dwelling with Christ through prayer. Donald McKim has done an excellent job of pulling excerpts from Calvin's magnum opus, Institutes of the Christian Religion, as well as his numerous commentaries on the Old and New Testaments.
McKim suggests four steps to using this book in your prayer life:
1. Read the passage of Scripture at the top of each page. (Yes, this book is about the Word and the God Calvin wrote about, not Calvin himself!)
2. Meditate on the teaching and instruction from the passage and devotional writings of Calvin.
3. Pray in reflection on the Scripture and the devotional..
4. Act in light of what you've read and prayed about.
In the strange and scary days we are walking in right now, here is an excerpt of how Everyday Prayer with John Calvin and helps us pray in light of God's Word. In his writing on Psalm 18:1-6, Calvin said:
"It was a very evident proof of uncommon faith in David, when, being almost plunged into the gulf of death, he lifted up his heart to heaven by prayer. Let us therefore learn, that such an example is set before our eyes, that no calamities, however great and oppressive, may hinder us from praying, or create an aversion to it." (p. 27; emphasis added)
With prayer points and reflection questions each day, Everyday Prayer with John Calvin is an excellent supplement to your devotional life. Whether you're looking for a quick and simple tool for your quiet times or you're planning to spend time with a friend, spouse, or family member, this is a great option for you!
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Image Credit: Amazon
I used to think John Calvin was one of these ivory tower theologians with all head and no heart. However, the more I read what he wrote and not what people say he wrote, I see that he had the heart of a lover of God and pastor. He was a man of strong devotion and zeal for God, and he puts this on display with the numerous prayers and references to seeking God in writings. Contrary to popular belief, he wrote more on other topics than did on election or predestination.
Everyday Prayer with John Calvin is one such example of his passion for God. It isn't a book that Calvin wrote, but it's jam-packed with quotes and excerpts of his writings on dwelling with Christ through prayer. Donald McKim has done an excellent job of pulling excerpts from Calvin's magnum opus, Institutes of the Christian Religion, as well as his numerous commentaries on the Old and New Testaments.
McKim suggests four steps to using this book in your prayer life:
1. Read the passage of Scripture at the top of each page. (Yes, this book is about the Word and the God Calvin wrote about, not Calvin himself!)
2. Meditate on the teaching and instruction from the passage and devotional writings of Calvin.
3. Pray in reflection on the Scripture and the devotional..
4. Act in light of what you've read and prayed about.
In the strange and scary days we are walking in right now, here is an excerpt of how Everyday Prayer with John Calvin and helps us pray in light of God's Word. In his writing on Psalm 18:1-6, Calvin said:
"It was a very evident proof of uncommon faith in David, when, being almost plunged into the gulf of death, he lifted up his heart to heaven by prayer. Let us therefore learn, that such an example is set before our eyes, that no calamities, however great and oppressive, may hinder us from praying, or create an aversion to it." (p. 27; emphasis added)
With prayer points and reflection questions each day, Everyday Prayer with John Calvin is an excellent supplement to your devotional life. Whether you're looking for a quick and simple tool for your quiet times or you're planning to spend time with a friend, spouse, or family member, this is a great option for you!
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Image Credit: Amazon
March 31, 2020
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Let's get this out of the way at the beginning: I do not like devotionals. Morning and Evening, Our Daily Bread, Ligonier's Tabletalk...or any number of other daily helps that millions find helpful. They're too brief, too...I don't want to say shallow, but introductory, I guess. The instant they get near depth, they have to wrap up because they're about to get too long for the format. And I understand why, but I just find them frustrating.
Which is just to say that I should never have bought this book. And so you know that my lack of enthusiasm isn't necessarily a criticism. This was never going to be a book I really liked.
The term devotional shows up nowhere in the blurb, title, anywhere—"Everyday" was the only clue I overlooked (but I thought the term suggested "ordinary," "regular," non-pulpit prayer).
The ninety readings start with a scripture reference, give a paragraph or so of introduction to the topic, a quotation from one of Calvin's commentaries or the Institutes—the quotation will be a sentence fragment to a paragraph or so—then some application, a reflection question or a particular thing to pray about. There was nothing wrong in the readings, but they....lacked any real depth or insight. I think it could be helpful for some people, or maybe a useful review of some ideas.
These readings are separated by the occasional longer prayer from a commentary. which are just great—the best part of the book.
It's based on Calvin—there's good stuff throughout. But you're better off reading the source material (the section from the Institutes on Prayer alone is better than this book, never mind the helpful things referred to in the commentaries). If you like devotionals, you may find this of some help. At the least, it's worth a look.
---
Let's get this out of the way at the beginning: I do not like devotionals. Morning and Evening, Our Daily Bread, Ligonier's Tabletalk...or any number of other daily helps that millions find helpful. They're too brief, too...I don't want to say shallow, but introductory, I guess. The instant they get near depth, they have to wrap up because they're about to get too long for the format. And I understand why, but I just find them frustrating.
Which is just to say that I should never have bought this book. And so you know that my lack of enthusiasm isn't necessarily a criticism. This was never going to be a book I really liked.
The term devotional shows up nowhere in the blurb, title, anywhere—"Everyday" was the only clue I overlooked (but I thought the term suggested "ordinary," "regular," non-pulpit prayer).
Prayer is central to the Christian life, which is why John Calvin spends more time on prayer than on any other topic in his Institutes of the Christian Religion.
Drawing from the Institutes and Calvin’s Old and New Testament commentaries, Donald K. McKim comments on Calvin’s biblical insights on prayer and intersperses his short readings with Calvin’s own prayers. Reflection questions and prayer points help you to meditate on Scripture, understand Calvin’s teaching, and strengthen your own prayer life.
The ninety readings start with a scripture reference, give a paragraph or so of introduction to the topic, a quotation from one of Calvin's commentaries or the Institutes—the quotation will be a sentence fragment to a paragraph or so—then some application, a reflection question or a particular thing to pray about. There was nothing wrong in the readings, but they....lacked any real depth or insight. I think it could be helpful for some people, or maybe a useful review of some ideas.
These readings are separated by the occasional longer prayer from a commentary. which are just great—the best part of the book.
It's based on Calvin—there's good stuff throughout. But you're better off reading the source material (the section from the Institutes on Prayer alone is better than this book, never mind the helpful things referred to in the commentaries). If you like devotionals, you may find this of some help. At the least, it's worth a look.
April 14, 2020
Really good, short book on prayer. I will admit I expected this to be a book of Calvin's prayers, but instead it is more like a devotional on prayer. Each reading is one page, suitable for part of a daily discipline. The reading includes a scriptural reference to a biblical prayer, followed by a devotional based on Calvin's writings on that passage. Each reading closes with a short reflective question to prompt prayer and or journaling. Interspersed through the book are short prayers of Calvin.
If you are looking for a well designed, nice to look at prayer devotional this is it. Don't expect a Valley of Vision type book of prayers like I did, but instead be encouraged by solid teaching on prayer and prompts to move from reading about to participating in prayer.
If you are looking for a well designed, nice to look at prayer devotional this is it. Don't expect a Valley of Vision type book of prayers like I did, but instead be encouraged by solid teaching on prayer and prompts to move from reading about to participating in prayer.
April 16, 2020
Meh. Not that great. The best part are Calvin’s prayers interspersed throughout the book. I didn’t realize it was a devotional book when I bought it. Not a huge fan. Just go read Calvin and you’ll be far better off.
December 19, 2019
This is mostly Donald McKim with a brief quote from Calvin on each day. I did enjoy it.
April 9, 2020
Not a book to rush through. This is a wonderful guide to prayer; rich and deep, full of reverence yet edifying and uplifting. Take a page each day and put it into your daily activity.
April 27, 2021
Nothing earth-shattering in here but the Calvin quotes and McKim's commentary are really worthwhile.
November 20, 2024
Good devotional
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews