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Prayers of REST: Daily Prompts to Slow Down and Hear God's Voice
"Asheritah Ciuciu offers you a respite from your spiritual to-do list. She provides guided prayers that will focus your mind and heart on Scripture. Using a memorable acronym and daily Bible verses, this prayer devotional will guide you through worship, confession, stillness, and surrender"--
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
88 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Asheritah Ciuciu
17 books159 followersAsheritah Ciuciu is a writer and speaker who helps women find joy in Jesus in the midst of an overwhelming life. She and her husband, Flaviu, grew up in Romania but now raise their spunky children in northeast Ohio. Connect with her at www.OneThingAlone.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 17, 2023
Prayers of Rest has become a part of my daily morning quiet time. Each day there are guided prayers and Scripture using the REST acronym to focus your heart and mind leading you into a a time rest to grow deeper in your prayer life.
𝐑ecite God’s Goodness
𝐄xpress Your Neediness
𝐒eek His Stillness
𝐓rust His Faithfulness
It’s a beautiful hardcover book with a gold ribbon bookmark. The beginning starts with a helpful Let’s Get Started. There are several different themed sections and ending with Where Do We Go From Here? I highly recommend this for your own personal prayer time or it would also make an awesome gift.
• Christian living, spiritual growth, prayer
• Moody Publishers - May 17, 2022
Thank you Moody for sending me this wonderful book for my honest review.
𝐑ecite God’s Goodness
𝐄xpress Your Neediness
𝐒eek His Stillness
𝐓rust His Faithfulness
It’s a beautiful hardcover book with a gold ribbon bookmark. The beginning starts with a helpful Let’s Get Started. There are several different themed sections and ending with Where Do We Go From Here? I highly recommend this for your own personal prayer time or it would also make an awesome gift.
• Christian living, spiritual growth, prayer
• Moody Publishers - May 17, 2022
Thank you Moody for sending me this wonderful book for my honest review.
June 13, 2022
What can calm my spirit and help me slow down the most? Prayers of Rest reminds me that a focus on God's goodness and faithfulness will help me take that deep breath, stop fretting and striving, and cling to the truth that God is far better at handling what I face than I can. Asheritah Ciuiu gives the wonderful acronym of R.E.S.T to daily remind us of how to center our spirits on God's capacity to carry us through life. Her daily devotions are solidly based in Scripture and lead you into God's Word which is what a good devotion should do. I'm not very far into the book because I'm reading one devotion a day before I go to bed at night. Having fragments of reassuring Bible verses going through my head last thing at night has helped me sleep better and wake up not as anxious. This is a great resource to get you into the Bible, guide you in how to talk to God, and give you peace.
September 27, 2025
Let me just say that I needed this book. I saw it (and goodness is it beautiful!) at a women's retreat through my church, and I thought, "Now that looks like a devotional I would actually enjoy."
And I do!
Asheritah Ciuciu is a lovely speaker and human being. She has dedicated her life to helping women live lives that honor and glorify God through her writing and speaking. She is humble, relatable, and unassuming. I'm not saying she and I will become best friends simply because we live in the same part of Ohio and have similar goals in life, but I would enjoy sitting down with her and maybe reading each other's work.
Okay, now the book. I've read books about prayer, and they are great. But as Asheritah says, "We learn how to pray not by reading a book or sitting in a lecture, but by actually praying" (back of book). And she's right. I once did an hour-long Zoom meeting about prayer, and after talking for like ten minutes, the speaker led us in a guided prayer where I finally had all of this time to just be silent and talk with God. It was amazing. Because you know when you're in church and the pastor says, "let's take a moment to recognize how God has blessed you this week and how thankful you are to him," and then he gives you just enough time to really think of some things to thank God for, and then the band starts playing and he calls you to join them in worship? Yeah, so annoying, right? Like, I would just love it if I had like ten uninterrupted minutes every Sunday to just sit with God and reflect on the message and what it means to me in the safe space of a worship hall. Is there a church that offers that kind of actual spiritual practice? Because I'd like to go to that church.
Anyway, back to the book. So basically, it guides you through prayer using Asheritah's four-step process (which is similar to how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer model that many of us walking-with-the-Lord Christians follow), but each page has a specific focus. Wanting to know more about Jesus? There's a few sections about that! Want to know who you are in Christ? Bam! Another section! Want to pray through your strong emotions? Check! Want to pray for God's peace, love, and power for yourself? You can do that, too! And have you graduated from praying for yourself to praying for others (while also recognizing that you need some serious prayer because, like me, you are still very much in the habit of sinning and pushing God away daily)? There is a whole section on praying for others, too! So basically, you have all of these lovely, structured, guided prayer devotionals, and you can work through a page at your own pace... without a band or pastor interrupting you and telling you it's time to move on. Wonderful!
I have gone through a lot of the prayers in this book and feel like I haven't even made a dent in it, so it will give guidance and structure to my prayers for a long time. And you may look at the sticker price and say, "Wow! That's a little more than I tend to spend on devotionals..." But the binding and cover are of very high quality AND it comes with a bookmark, so it will undoubtably last longer than the Women's Devotional Bible that you got as a gift a few years ago and is starting to drop pages like leaves. In other words, it's worth every penny.
I can't say enough good things about this book, so I'll stop here, but let me simplify in a few words: If you want to grow in your spiritual practice of prayer, or you want to just grow closer to God in general, buy this book. You won't regret it.
And I do!
Asheritah Ciuciu is a lovely speaker and human being. She has dedicated her life to helping women live lives that honor and glorify God through her writing and speaking. She is humble, relatable, and unassuming. I'm not saying she and I will become best friends simply because we live in the same part of Ohio and have similar goals in life, but I would enjoy sitting down with her and maybe reading each other's work.
Okay, now the book. I've read books about prayer, and they are great. But as Asheritah says, "We learn how to pray not by reading a book or sitting in a lecture, but by actually praying" (back of book). And she's right. I once did an hour-long Zoom meeting about prayer, and after talking for like ten minutes, the speaker led us in a guided prayer where I finally had all of this time to just be silent and talk with God. It was amazing. Because you know when you're in church and the pastor says, "let's take a moment to recognize how God has blessed you this week and how thankful you are to him," and then he gives you just enough time to really think of some things to thank God for, and then the band starts playing and he calls you to join them in worship? Yeah, so annoying, right? Like, I would just love it if I had like ten uninterrupted minutes every Sunday to just sit with God and reflect on the message and what it means to me in the safe space of a worship hall. Is there a church that offers that kind of actual spiritual practice? Because I'd like to go to that church.
Anyway, back to the book. So basically, it guides you through prayer using Asheritah's four-step process (which is similar to how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer model that many of us walking-with-the-Lord Christians follow), but each page has a specific focus. Wanting to know more about Jesus? There's a few sections about that! Want to know who you are in Christ? Bam! Another section! Want to pray through your strong emotions? Check! Want to pray for God's peace, love, and power for yourself? You can do that, too! And have you graduated from praying for yourself to praying for others (while also recognizing that you need some serious prayer because, like me, you are still very much in the habit of sinning and pushing God away daily)? There is a whole section on praying for others, too! So basically, you have all of these lovely, structured, guided prayer devotionals, and you can work through a page at your own pace... without a band or pastor interrupting you and telling you it's time to move on. Wonderful!
I have gone through a lot of the prayers in this book and feel like I haven't even made a dent in it, so it will give guidance and structure to my prayers for a long time. And you may look at the sticker price and say, "Wow! That's a little more than I tend to spend on devotionals..." But the binding and cover are of very high quality AND it comes with a bookmark, so it will undoubtably last longer than the Women's Devotional Bible that you got as a gift a few years ago and is starting to drop pages like leaves. In other words, it's worth every penny.
I can't say enough good things about this book, so I'll stop here, but let me simplify in a few words: If you want to grow in your spiritual practice of prayer, or you want to just grow closer to God in general, buy this book. You won't regret it.
August 8, 2025
I have received this book compliments of Moody Publishers to review. I am not paid to do this, and all opinions are my own.
The circumstances of life drew me away from prayer, but not from God. I found myself clinging to his word and even speaking to him throughout the day, but only praying for survival. “Prayers of rest” brought me back to the mindset needed to resume praying with intention again.
This daily devotional is also great for deeper journaling. The daily prompts are thought-provoking and heart-searching. On more than one occasion, I’ve pulled out my journal to write as a result of what I’d read. Each devotion for the day encourages the reader to be still before God, which is a lovely reminder.
Having said that, I find that “Prayers of rest” wanes in depth the further you read. Not every page is filled with the richness of hope as the introduction and first few pages are. For example, in one daily reading entitled “Called by the Resurrected One” (pg.80), I read through it and was not deeply moved.
Overall, I find the book to be a good addition to anyone seeking to add variety to their morning bible routine.
The author Asheritah Ciuciu is a bestselling author, national speaker, and host of the Prayers of REST podcast. Asheritah is the author of many books, including Full, Prayers of Rest, and Unwrapping the Names of Jesus. A Romanian missionary kid, she's passionate about helping people around the world enjoy Jesus through creative spiritual habits. Asheritah is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three spunky kiddos in NE Ohio.
The circumstances of life drew me away from prayer, but not from God. I found myself clinging to his word and even speaking to him throughout the day, but only praying for survival. “Prayers of rest” brought me back to the mindset needed to resume praying with intention again.
This daily devotional is also great for deeper journaling. The daily prompts are thought-provoking and heart-searching. On more than one occasion, I’ve pulled out my journal to write as a result of what I’d read. Each devotion for the day encourages the reader to be still before God, which is a lovely reminder.
Having said that, I find that “Prayers of rest” wanes in depth the further you read. Not every page is filled with the richness of hope as the introduction and first few pages are. For example, in one daily reading entitled “Called by the Resurrected One” (pg.80), I read through it and was not deeply moved.
Overall, I find the book to be a good addition to anyone seeking to add variety to their morning bible routine.
The author Asheritah Ciuciu is a bestselling author, national speaker, and host of the Prayers of REST podcast. Asheritah is the author of many books, including Full, Prayers of Rest, and Unwrapping the Names of Jesus. A Romanian missionary kid, she's passionate about helping people around the world enjoy Jesus through creative spiritual habits. Asheritah is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three spunky kiddos in NE Ohio.
September 9, 2023
'Prayers of Rest' by @asheritah Ciuciu
5🌟/5🌟
This book is a collection of themed prayers paired with Bible verses and thoughtful prompts for meditation, reflection, and praise. Now, as it is a collection of prayers, I haven't gone thru every page. But I am working my way thru it, and I'm so thankful for this resource.
This collection will be what you make of it. Some days, I will read and pray a single prayer. Or, I might spend a week on the same prayer. There is additional reading suggested for each prayer, so you can dive deeping into Scripture. There are many ways to read these prayers, you could go straight thru, or go by theme (for example: prayers for others, prayers for sadness, the people of Jesus) or pray thru the Bible and do 1 verse/book per day for 66 days. The many options are what makes this book a useful tool when you are sitting at home or your car or at work and think, "I dont know what to pray."
I received this as a gift from a dear friend, and it came at a perfect time in my life where I wanted to intentionally rest and explore my faith. I hope you consider ordering this book, especially if you are feeling you don't know what to pray or feel you don't have time for prayer or time with God.
5🌟/5🌟
This book is a collection of themed prayers paired with Bible verses and thoughtful prompts for meditation, reflection, and praise. Now, as it is a collection of prayers, I haven't gone thru every page. But I am working my way thru it, and I'm so thankful for this resource.
This collection will be what you make of it. Some days, I will read and pray a single prayer. Or, I might spend a week on the same prayer. There is additional reading suggested for each prayer, so you can dive deeping into Scripture. There are many ways to read these prayers, you could go straight thru, or go by theme (for example: prayers for others, prayers for sadness, the people of Jesus) or pray thru the Bible and do 1 verse/book per day for 66 days. The many options are what makes this book a useful tool when you are sitting at home or your car or at work and think, "I dont know what to pray."
I received this as a gift from a dear friend, and it came at a perfect time in my life where I wanted to intentionally rest and explore my faith. I hope you consider ordering this book, especially if you are feeling you don't know what to pray or feel you don't have time for prayer or time with God.
May 19, 2023
This is my top book hands down! I have found it so spiritually enriching and grace filled! I love how it teaches us to pray through scripture. I love the REST method of reciting God’s goodness, Expressing our neediness, Seeking His stillness, and Trusting in God’s faithfulness. I love it so much more than all the other Christian prayer methods like ACTS. It leads to such quietness of soul before the Lord, guides us in listening to Him, which is a deeply neglected part of prayer, and builds trust and rest rather than anxiety. I can’t recommend this enough!
July 24, 2024
I’ve long loved prayer books to help me better pray and express the deepest longings of my heart. This prayer book is special in that while it gives you guided prayers to pray using verses of Scripture as inspiration, it also guides the reader in learning how to pray through practicing prayer using the REST acronym: Recite God’s goodness, Express my neediness, Seek his stillness, Trust his faithfulness. It’s a beautiful book that is thematically arranged to find prayers for many moments in our days.
June 22, 2022
Although I have only read a portion of this book, it is exactly what I needed. This book inspired me to spend my time with the Lord in a way that reminds me of His promises and builds my trust in Him because of them. I love the daily prayers and the option to read more on the subject using the additional scriptures at the bottom of the page.
February 22, 2023
After I read it, I bought copies for each of my busy daughters-in-law. Deep thoughts but not a lot of time spent in a day filled with chores, children, and work.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews