Everyday Prayer with the Reformers

by Donald K. McKim

When God's children pray, we talk to a God familiar with the requests, praise, and longings of generations of his people. We have much to learn from those who went before us. In this devotional, Donald McKim takes us back to the wisdom of more than thirty Protestant Reformers—including John Calvin, Martin Luther, and Philip Melanchthon. As McKim draws from the insightful writings and prayers of the Reformers of yesteryear, he provides brief, meditative readings, along with reflection questions and prayer points, to nourish our prayer lives today.

Genres: Prayer

136 pages, Hardcover

Published August 19, 2020

About the author

Donald 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.

Reviews

[Josh Issa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jesus prayed for those who crucified him. We must pray for the Spirit to give us this enemy-forgiving love. We pray for those who do us harm and then forgive them for even the deepest wounds.

An okay set of meditations on Scripture supplemented by quotations from a wide array of the early generations of the Reformed, Lutheran, and Anglican traditions. I had gone into this assuming it would be a reflection on the prayers of the Reformers themselves, so that was a bit of a let down. But, this was a fine mediation for my restless early morning of failing to fall asleep again.

O LORD God, I do from henceforth resolve to love my Neighbour as myself, and to love him not in Word only, but in Deed and in Truth (1 John 3:18).
I do from my Heart forgive all Men their Trespasses; do Thou, Lord, forgive them also.
Lord, bless them that hate me, and do good to them that have any way despitefully used me: O repay them Good for Evil.
O my God, bless all those that I have any way wronged; have Mercy on all those to whose Sins I have been [in] any way accessory, and give them all Grace to forgive me. Amen, Amen.
- Thomas Ken

I also learned of my new favourite Reformer by his name alone: Wolfgang Musculus 🐺💪.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having previously read another in this series, I wasn’t taken by surprise that the quantity from the Reformers in each reading is often quite small. I do appreciate the thoughts and direction of the author, and this is a good addition to anyone’s devotional time. I would just appreciate more focus on the Reformers ;-)

I did like the references that are included.

Worth adding to your daily devotional time :)