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A Liturgy
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship
Every Christian knows the importance of a daily quiet time with the Lord. But anyone who’s been a believer long enough has likely experienced seasons that feel more mundane or routine, leading to aimlessly skimming a couple of Bible verses or praying the same prayer over and over.
In Be Thou My Vision, Jonathan Gibson has created a 31-day liturgical guide designed to provide structure to the daily worship of individuals and families. Each daily reading includes a call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance, creed and catechism, the Gloria Patri, a prayer of illumination, Bible reading, intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. Designed to be read in 15–20 minutes a day, this beautifully produced liturgy will give readers focus and purpose to their daily quiet time while teaching them historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that point them to Christ.
In Be Thou My Vision, Jonathan Gibson has created a 31-day liturgical guide designed to provide structure to the daily worship of individuals and families. Each daily reading includes a call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance, creed and catechism, the Gloria Patri, a prayer of illumination, Bible reading, intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. Designed to be read in 15–20 minutes a day, this beautifully produced liturgy will give readers focus and purpose to their daily quiet time while teaching them historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that point them to Christ.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2021
394 people are currently reading
1711 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Gibson
28 books47 followersRev. Dr. Jonathan Gibson (PhD, Cambridge University) is associate professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Gibson previously served as associate minister at Cambridge Presbyterian Church in England.
He is a contributor to and co-editor (with David Gibson) of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective. He is also the author of historical and biblical articles in Themelios, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Tyndale Bulletin, as well as “Obadiah” in the NIV Proclamation Bible. His PhD was published as Covenant Continuity and Fidelity: A Study of Inner-Biblical Allusion and Exegesis in Malachi (Bloomsbury).
Dr. Gibson’s academic interests include biblical theology, covenant theology, Genesis chapters 1–3, inner-biblical allusion and exegesis within the Old Testament, Pauline soteriology, and the doctrines of grace.
He is a contributor to and co-editor (with David Gibson) of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective. He is also the author of historical and biblical articles in Themelios, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Tyndale Bulletin, as well as “Obadiah” in the NIV Proclamation Bible. His PhD was published as Covenant Continuity and Fidelity: A Study of Inner-Biblical Allusion and Exegesis in Malachi (Bloomsbury).
Dr. Gibson’s academic interests include biblical theology, covenant theology, Genesis chapters 1–3, inner-biblical allusion and exegesis within the Old Testament, Pauline soteriology, and the doctrines of grace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
February 13, 2025
I just finished going through this book for the first time. It is a 31 day cycle of worship like a prayer book. I was only a few days in when I bought Gibson’s Easter volume also.
So much to love here. The selections by Christians from the past and church fathers are deeply encouraging. I also make it a point to sing aloud the Gloria Patri and Doxology when they appear.
This book is just perfect for daily worship and you can use the McCheyne plan in the back or whatever Bible reading plan you are using.
I also loved the daily catechism selections from either Heidelberg or Westminster.
So much to love here. The selections by Christians from the past and church fathers are deeply encouraging. I also make it a point to sing aloud the Gloria Patri and Doxology when they appear.
This book is just perfect for daily worship and you can use the McCheyne plan in the back or whatever Bible reading plan you are using.
I also loved the daily catechism selections from either Heidelberg or Westminster.
February 3, 2023
First sentence: It may come as a surprise, but there is no explicit command in Scripture to have a time of worship each day, either as an individual or as a family. And yet it is a habit that every Christian believer or Christian family is encouraged to practice. The name of the habit may vary depending on one's Christian tradition or background--"devotion," "quiet time," or "personal or family worship"--but the basic elements of Bible reading and prayer are usually present.
What you see is what you get. This is a LITURGY for DAILY WORSHIP. Thirty-one days of liturgical worship that can be repeated to infinity (and beyond).
The structure of the liturgy for daily worship is:
CALL TO WORSHIP (thirty-one Scripture readings, these are taken from both Old and New Testaments)
ADORATION (thirty-one prayers--all focused on praise and adoration--taken from church history; I believe the doxology is included under this heading as well)
READING OF THE LAW (seven readings taken from Scripture--from both Old and New Testaments--regarding the law)
CONFESSION OF SIN (thirty-one prayers--all focused on confessing sin--taken from church history)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (thirty-one Scripture readings--focusing on assurance of forgiveness of sins--taken from both the Old and New Testaments)
CREED (alternates three creeds, but one of the three creeds is divided into three; Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed)
PRAISE (Gloria Patri, two versions alternating weekly)
CATECHISM (refers you to an appendix where you'll read from the Heidelberg Catechism or the Westminster Shorter Catechism. These are undated; you are encouraged to read one question a day.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (seven prayers from church history, repeated weekly)
SCRIPTURE READING (refers you to an appendix where they share the M'Cheyne reading plan. Here's where it gets confusing, the plan clearly has you reading FOUR chapters a day, but the book has you just reading one chapter a day????)
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION (thirty-one prayers from church history; you are also encouraged to pray on your own for personal, church, world needs)
LORD'S PRAYER (daily)
The book has five appendices: musical tunes for the Doxology and Gloria Patri, the two catechisms, the M'Cheyne reading plan, and the collects from the Book of Common Prayer, and author index.
The book pulls in sources from all over--including the Book of Common Prayer. The structure is different from that of the Book of Common Prayer, and yet there are similarities to a certain degree. It does offer more variety in some ways.
I think you could definitely improvise with this as well. You wouldn't have to read just one chapter from a daily reading plan that clearly and obviously has four readings. You wouldn't have to follow this reading plan at all.
I do wish that one of the sections was focused on the PSALMS and taking you through the Psalms each month. That's one of my favorite, favorite, favorite things about doing the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer.
There are some things I'd definitely consider 'borrowing' and working into my daily devotions.
ETA: I first read this one in 2021. I liked--really liked quite a few things about it. I mentioned at the time that I wanted to give it a 'proper' go. To use it for a month--or two, or three--to see how well I liked it--or not.
I started using the Be Thou My Vision devotional in December 2022. I also continued using it in January 2023. Now that I've read through it three times, I can now say that I definitely enjoy it. I do think it is solid and steady.
What you see is what you get. This is a LITURGY for DAILY WORSHIP. Thirty-one days of liturgical worship that can be repeated to infinity (and beyond).
The structure of the liturgy for daily worship is:
CALL TO WORSHIP (thirty-one Scripture readings, these are taken from both Old and New Testaments)
ADORATION (thirty-one prayers--all focused on praise and adoration--taken from church history; I believe the doxology is included under this heading as well)
READING OF THE LAW (seven readings taken from Scripture--from both Old and New Testaments--regarding the law)
CONFESSION OF SIN (thirty-one prayers--all focused on confessing sin--taken from church history)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (thirty-one Scripture readings--focusing on assurance of forgiveness of sins--taken from both the Old and New Testaments)
CREED (alternates three creeds, but one of the three creeds is divided into three; Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed)
PRAISE (Gloria Patri, two versions alternating weekly)
CATECHISM (refers you to an appendix where you'll read from the Heidelberg Catechism or the Westminster Shorter Catechism. These are undated; you are encouraged to read one question a day.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (seven prayers from church history, repeated weekly)
SCRIPTURE READING (refers you to an appendix where they share the M'Cheyne reading plan. Here's where it gets confusing, the plan clearly has you reading FOUR chapters a day, but the book has you just reading one chapter a day????)
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION (thirty-one prayers from church history; you are also encouraged to pray on your own for personal, church, world needs)
LORD'S PRAYER (daily)
The book has five appendices: musical tunes for the Doxology and Gloria Patri, the two catechisms, the M'Cheyne reading plan, and the collects from the Book of Common Prayer, and author index.
The book pulls in sources from all over--including the Book of Common Prayer. The structure is different from that of the Book of Common Prayer, and yet there are similarities to a certain degree. It does offer more variety in some ways.
I think you could definitely improvise with this as well. You wouldn't have to read just one chapter from a daily reading plan that clearly and obviously has four readings. You wouldn't have to follow this reading plan at all.
I do wish that one of the sections was focused on the PSALMS and taking you through the Psalms each month. That's one of my favorite, favorite, favorite things about doing the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer.
There are some things I'd definitely consider 'borrowing' and working into my daily devotions.
ETA: I first read this one in 2021. I liked--really liked quite a few things about it. I mentioned at the time that I wanted to give it a 'proper' go. To use it for a month--or two, or three--to see how well I liked it--or not.
I started using the Be Thou My Vision devotional in December 2022. I also continued using it in January 2023. Now that I've read through it three times, I can now say that I definitely enjoy it. I do think it is solid and steady.
March 11, 2022
Splendid!
We used this book for family devotional time after dinner and before bed! Saying prayers, reading law, confession, and singing songs. While my kids attention spans are only so long, it developed a wonderful routine.
Beautifully done liturgy and something I’ll be returning to.
We used this book for family devotional time after dinner and before bed! Saying prayers, reading law, confession, and singing songs. While my kids attention spans are only so long, it developed a wonderful routine.
Beautifully done liturgy and something I’ll be returning to.
May 31, 2023
I have never been a “devotional guy.” Or, really, more specifically, I’ve never had a devotional that stuck on me where I return time and time again. A 90-day devo on the reformation? Nope. Tony Dungy’s personal anecdotes as scripture applications? Interesting but no. Not even New Morning Mercies had me hooked.
It wasn’t until this book fell into my lap that I began to crave my devotional time. An artful mix of novelty and simplicity in your favorite Presbyterian flavor, Be Thou My Vision has daily shown me the beauty of Christ in a liturgical devotional format. I recommend purchasing two copies for when your first wears out after 30 years of use.
BONUS: The book looks cool or “splendid”
It wasn’t until this book fell into my lap that I began to crave my devotional time. An artful mix of novelty and simplicity in your favorite Presbyterian flavor, Be Thou My Vision has daily shown me the beauty of Christ in a liturgical devotional format. I recommend purchasing two copies for when your first wears out after 30 years of use.
BONUS: The book looks cool or “splendid”
October 13, 2025
This is a well-done liturgy for daily worship, either individual or family. I use it with my family with a small variation - instead of using the McCheyne plan in the back, we're just reading one chapter of the NT a day to help my little one stay focused.
March 3, 2023
Simply wonderful. Certainly one of the best devotional guides I have ever seen.
May 4, 2023
Fantastic devotional. Best one I’ve ever used. 100% recommend. Lovely for anyone who loves liturgy or thrives on high given structure. Cannot say enough good things about it.
March 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this departure from my normal devotions. It can feel a little odd at first holding a private liturgy, often in early morning or late night, but although it is not a replacement for corporate worship, I found it very encouraging and rich with wisdom from scripture and earlier Christians.
September 6, 2022
J’utilise désormais couramment sa structure de culte privé, la récitation quotidienne d’un crédo et la logique liturgique du déroulé sont savoureuses.
August 4, 2024
This 31-day devotional provides a structured approach to daily worship, integrating Scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and theological reflections. Over the course of 15-20 minutes it guides readers through a liturgical routine designed to deepen their spiritual life, offering a rich blend of historical and Reformed traditions to cultivate consistent and meaningful personal or family worship practices.
Let me begin by saying: I’ve already begun reading this devotional again. Scratch that. It’s not simply a devotional; it’s a worship practice incorporating both reflection and examination. I walked away each morning with a greater appreciation for the historical church and a fuller understanding of how to infuse my life with worship. Each day when I finished the practice, I didn’t simply feel comforting butterflies, ready to begin my day. Rather, my heart and mind relentlessly longed to profoundly study the nature of God.
This daily liturgical structure includes:
Call to Worship
Confession of Sin
Creed
Psalm or Hymn
Scripture reading
Prayer of Intercession
Catechism
The Lord’s Prayer
I was surprised but excited to see this is also available via audio! Thank you @crosswaybooks for the gifted book What a special resource.
Perfect for you if you like:
Deep theological reflections
Integrating worship into daily life
Guided prayers and Scripture readings
Rich and comprehensive spiritual routines
Similar to:
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro
My Utmost for his Highest by Oswald Chambers
The Worship Architect by Constance M. Cherry
Let me begin by saying: I’ve already begun reading this devotional again. Scratch that. It’s not simply a devotional; it’s a worship practice incorporating both reflection and examination. I walked away each morning with a greater appreciation for the historical church and a fuller understanding of how to infuse my life with worship. Each day when I finished the practice, I didn’t simply feel comforting butterflies, ready to begin my day. Rather, my heart and mind relentlessly longed to profoundly study the nature of God.
This daily liturgical structure includes:
Call to Worship
Confession of Sin
Creed
Psalm or Hymn
Scripture reading
Prayer of Intercession
Catechism
The Lord’s Prayer
I was surprised but excited to see this is also available via audio! Thank you @crosswaybooks for the gifted book What a special resource.
Perfect for you if you like:
Deep theological reflections
Integrating worship into daily life
Guided prayers and Scripture readings
Rich and comprehensive spiritual routines
Similar to:
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro
My Utmost for his Highest by Oswald Chambers
The Worship Architect by Constance M. Cherry
January 2, 2024
Gibson's "Be Thou My Vision" is a unique devotional book that follows a framework similar to the liturgy in a Reformed Church. The purpose of the organization of the book is to provide the reader with an order to worship to guide them during their personal our group times of worship. The book is organized into 31 days of devotion that you can choose to repeat over the course of a year. Each day contains rich passages from Scripture as well as historical prayers to guide the reader in worship, confession, adoration, and the reading of God's Word and historical catechisms. I found each day to be especially uplifting for my soul as the readings assisted me in focusing in on Christ and His Word as I was able to set aside this time for prayer and meditation on the Bible. For anyone looking for a new devotional that doesn't follow the standard organization of a devotional book and for one looking for a deeply Reformed and Scriptural focused devotion, I highly recommend finding a copy of this book!
November 5, 2025
Great devotional companion. I loved how starting each morning with this book helped warm me up for deeper prayer and scripture reading. Rather than a cold start right into a prayer, the liturgies Gibson prepared drew on beautiful Christian traditions and the substantial history of the faith.
November 22, 2021
How can you find a fresh way to experience your daily quiet times with God? In Be Thou My Vision, Jonathan Gibson gives a liturgy for daily worship.
Spend Time with God
Purposefully planned in 31-day readings, this liturgical guide is designed to provide structure to the daily worship of your personal devotions or family worship times. Each daily reading includes a call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance, creed and catechism, the Gloria Patri, a prayer of illumination, Bible reading, intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.
You can read each entry in 15–20 minutes. The entire book is just over 300 pages, and it will help you find focus and purpose, using historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that have historically helped saints from the past be pointed to Christ. The beautiful cloth-over-board book is housed in an attractive slipcase, and you will want to take it off your shelf as you spend time with God.
Eager to Read, Enjoy the Moment
What I discovered when I was using this book was how it helped my concentration and focus. The structured format allowed for my mind to anticipate what was next, and it allowed my heart to hold fast to God. Because of the separate components, the devotions did not seem boring. Instead, I found myself eager to read and enjoy the moment.
While I enjoyed all of the Scriptural selections in the liturgy, my favorites were the “Assurance of Pardon” sections. Gibson prompts us to “Receive these words of comfort from God,” and each verse seemed like a fresh Word from the Lord. Daily meditating on God’s forgiveness and the comfort of Christ brought a new dimension to my relationship with Him.
See and Treasure God
These devotions will soften your heart, bring renewed energy, and engage your mind. In a steady stream of daily mediation, by day or by night, they will help you see and treasure God.
I received a media copy of Be Thou My Vision and this is my honest review.
Spend Time with God
Purposefully planned in 31-day readings, this liturgical guide is designed to provide structure to the daily worship of your personal devotions or family worship times. Each daily reading includes a call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance, creed and catechism, the Gloria Patri, a prayer of illumination, Bible reading, intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.
You can read each entry in 15–20 minutes. The entire book is just over 300 pages, and it will help you find focus and purpose, using historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that have historically helped saints from the past be pointed to Christ. The beautiful cloth-over-board book is housed in an attractive slipcase, and you will want to take it off your shelf as you spend time with God.
Eager to Read, Enjoy the Moment
What I discovered when I was using this book was how it helped my concentration and focus. The structured format allowed for my mind to anticipate what was next, and it allowed my heart to hold fast to God. Because of the separate components, the devotions did not seem boring. Instead, I found myself eager to read and enjoy the moment.
While I enjoyed all of the Scriptural selections in the liturgy, my favorites were the “Assurance of Pardon” sections. Gibson prompts us to “Receive these words of comfort from God,” and each verse seemed like a fresh Word from the Lord. Daily meditating on God’s forgiveness and the comfort of Christ brought a new dimension to my relationship with Him.
See and Treasure God
These devotions will soften your heart, bring renewed energy, and engage your mind. In a steady stream of daily mediation, by day or by night, they will help you see and treasure God.
I received a media copy of Be Thou My Vision and this is my honest review.
November 18, 2021
In some Christian traditions, a liturgy guides the order of corporate worship. There's a structure followed including prayer, scripture reading and recitation of the creeds; most often deeply founded in history.
As I grew up in the church, we had some traditions when it came to celebrating communion, child dedication or baptism, and there was a structure to the worship service with many similarities, while much less historical (my first recitation of the Apostle's Creed was in Swahili during our first worship service in East Africa).
Patterns of worship lead us to adore Christ for who He is, provide us opportunity to confess our sin and humanity, to recall the core beliefs of our faith and seek Him in prayer. Just as our corporate worship has a structure, so does our personal worship.
The typical devotional used is - hopefully - based on scripture, leads us in a prayer and guides into a practical response.
In Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship by Jonathan Gibson, we have a 31 day guide to our daily worship, using historic prayer, creeds and catechism; this plan helps root our time in truth, inviting us to discover the foundational and historic aspects of our Christian faith.
What we know and believe about God significantly impacts our worldview, the choices we make, how we relate to others and informs how we think about cultural issues. So, if you're looking for a resource to take you deeper, I'd highly recommend this one!
(Added bonus, it looks beautiful!)
Quick Stats
# of pages: 352 pages (designed for 31 days of worship)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars!
What are your patterns of daily worship?
*A big thanks to Crossway for the complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to post an honest review!
As I grew up in the church, we had some traditions when it came to celebrating communion, child dedication or baptism, and there was a structure to the worship service with many similarities, while much less historical (my first recitation of the Apostle's Creed was in Swahili during our first worship service in East Africa).
Patterns of worship lead us to adore Christ for who He is, provide us opportunity to confess our sin and humanity, to recall the core beliefs of our faith and seek Him in prayer. Just as our corporate worship has a structure, so does our personal worship.
The typical devotional used is - hopefully - based on scripture, leads us in a prayer and guides into a practical response.
In Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship by Jonathan Gibson, we have a 31 day guide to our daily worship, using historic prayer, creeds and catechism; this plan helps root our time in truth, inviting us to discover the foundational and historic aspects of our Christian faith.
What we know and believe about God significantly impacts our worldview, the choices we make, how we relate to others and informs how we think about cultural issues. So, if you're looking for a resource to take you deeper, I'd highly recommend this one!
(Added bonus, it looks beautiful!)
Quick Stats
# of pages: 352 pages (designed for 31 days of worship)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars!
What are your patterns of daily worship?
*A big thanks to Crossway for the complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to post an honest review!
August 15, 2022
Best daily devotional/liturgy I’ve ever used. Will be using it for years to come. I love the creed and catechism being included daily. Has helps me seek God’s face daily and I couldn’t be more thankful for it!
Do yourself a favor and get it, use it, and find Jesus more beautiful!
Do yourself a favor and get it, use it, and find Jesus more beautiful!
March 19, 2022
I love liturgy and I loved this book. It made me really want a book that combined the Daily Office and BCP with this format cause it is beautiful.
November 19, 2022
Excellent— lends depth and structure to personal or family devotions, while offering a systematic way to review the creeds and catechisms.
April 21, 2025
This might be my personal Christian living BOTY for 2025. I have had zero experience with daily liturgy type books, but this one has been sweet for my soul. Each day reminds you of Scripture's commands to praise and worship our incredible God. It then moves to reciting bits and pieces of the Law, to remind us of our incapabilities of accessing God apart from His intervention. Next, Gibson includes various prayers from antiquity that lead the reader in the confession of sin. The end of each day concludes with excerpts from various catechisms, the Lord's Prayer (or, the Doxology), and a prayer of illumination from antiquity. Past that, Gibson encourages the reader to meditate on Scripture and study it diligently.
The book intends to spur readers on towards a life of habitual, daily, and intentional worship. While this book is not the only way to pursue that discipline, it sure is a priceless resource that can help anyone get started (or, further mature in that pursuit).
Give it a try for 30 days! Best case scenario, it is used in your life as a tool each day past then. Worst case? You praised God daily in a way that was different from your normal. Win win!
The book intends to spur readers on towards a life of habitual, daily, and intentional worship. While this book is not the only way to pursue that discipline, it sure is a priceless resource that can help anyone get started (or, further mature in that pursuit).
Give it a try for 30 days! Best case scenario, it is used in your life as a tool each day past then. Worst case? You praised God daily in a way that was different from your normal. Win win!
May 20, 2025
"Be Thou My Vision" offers a gentle introduction to a liturgical worship style steeped in history. As someone from a non-liturgical background, I initially found the scripted prayers unfamiliar. But I decided to stick with the plan for a month.
At the outset, I wondered if the approach would feel too dry and stilted. However, I discovered a flow in allowing the prayers to guide my thoughts, almost a passive assent that, at times, felt like a welcome rest.
There was also a profound sense of connection to the theologians and poets of the past, learning how they approached God. “Be Thou My Vision” provides 30 days of material, paired with a Bible reading plan by Robert Murray M'Cheyne, promising a full Bible read-through in a few years.
At roughly 30 minutes a day, I can see how this could become a deeply ingrained and enriching practice for long-term use. I am ready for a fresh approach this next month—something different and less scripted, but I am sure there will be times in my life that I will return to "Be Thou My Vision" as a welcome variation.
~Jen
At the outset, I wondered if the approach would feel too dry and stilted. However, I discovered a flow in allowing the prayers to guide my thoughts, almost a passive assent that, at times, felt like a welcome rest.
There was also a profound sense of connection to the theologians and poets of the past, learning how they approached God. “Be Thou My Vision” provides 30 days of material, paired with a Bible reading plan by Robert Murray M'Cheyne, promising a full Bible read-through in a few years.
At roughly 30 minutes a day, I can see how this could become a deeply ingrained and enriching practice for long-term use. I am ready for a fresh approach this next month—something different and less scripted, but I am sure there will be times in my life that I will return to "Be Thou My Vision" as a welcome variation.
~Jen
February 4, 2024
Be Thou My Vision is a wonderful resource for those who are looking for some structure to their devotional time. Based on a "prayerbook" style of worship, Jonathan Gibson has collected a month's worth of daily resources, taking people through adoration, confession, and other prayers written by great christians throughout the centuries.
What I particularly liked was the linked catechisms that the reader can work through day-by-day as McCheyne's bible reading plan. I used my own bible reading plan, but it's nice to have the option. Gibson also has a section for personal prayers for ourselves, our church & the world, that, in combination with a prayer diary from a mission agency I support, builds a great habit for both prayer and bible reading. A month in and I'm loving it!
Like anything, one can read stuff on a page whist one's brain is disengaged, but with a commitment to attentiveness and thinking through one's reading, this is a wonderful and uplifting resource!
What I particularly liked was the linked catechisms that the reader can work through day-by-day as McCheyne's bible reading plan. I used my own bible reading plan, but it's nice to have the option. Gibson also has a section for personal prayers for ourselves, our church & the world, that, in combination with a prayer diary from a mission agency I support, builds a great habit for both prayer and bible reading. A month in and I'm loving it!
Like anything, one can read stuff on a page whist one's brain is disengaged, but with a commitment to attentiveness and thinking through one's reading, this is a wonderful and uplifting resource!
March 23, 2025
Wonderful. I absolutely loved both the liturgical format and the way Gibson draws deeply from the wells of Scripture and church history. A fantastic devotional that encourages Christians to see themselves as members of an ancient faith while still communing directly with the triune God through Word and prayer.
July 11, 2024
“Be Thou My Vision” is a gem. This book has been edifying to my daily reading and its structure is much richer than any other devotional material I have used. Gibson’s exhibit of prayers from great saints, ancient creeds, and catechisms was great, and I grew through the repitition of this liturgy. I will be using this book and ones like it for a long time.
November 25, 2022
Beautiful to look at. Beautiful to hold. Beautiful to read. Beautiful prayers, creeds, confessions and catechisms.
February 11, 2025
I ❤️ liturgy. Unlike most devotionals, this is infinitely repeatable which makes it even better. Def recommend
August 31, 2022
My morning routine. Full of Scripture, prayer, instruction, and confession. I have really enjoyed my first month through it.
April 9, 2023
I love so many things about this book.
- It’s a book on liturgy! #geek
- It takes its name from my favorite hymn, “Be Thou My Vision”!
- It includes reviews from and acknowledgements to some of my favorite authors!
- It references one of my fave Augustine quotes right at the beginning! (“You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”)
- It brings liturgy into one’s personal (or communal, as desired) devotional time–so combines something I love with something I know I need to do (and can sometimes, frankly, have both mountains and valleys).
… and ironically, the author wrote this devotional during a bit of a devotional valley/desert of his own, as he notes it felt a bit lackluster during (what else?) the COVID-19 pandemic. As I wind down a year with a couple (fantastic, granted!) devotionals and start looking ahead to the next year-in-devotions, this came right at the perfect time. We’re down to the final week-ish of 2021, and it’s a bit hard to not just say “50 weeks has been enough with these two devos; next, please?” Run the race, Meagan–you’re almost there!
The book does a great job at setting the stage for both “devotions in light of Scripture” and providing a format for daily worship. The ending appendices flesh out the devotionals (and I love that they incorporate prayers from church history, as just one example). Gibson’s emphasis on repetition “encourages familiarity and memorization) (eARC loc 286), something I love not only because it (innocuously) channels one of my favorite workout-app trainers, who constantly tells me “Patience and repetition” are keys to success in boxing, but also because, frankly, it’s true, lol.
The goal of deep acquaintance with ancient creeds and historic prayers reminds me of the grand story of the faith and sets me in its overarching theme. Love it!
And, the combination of elements from the Book of Common Prayer, Middelburg Liturgy, etc., into one book nixes my excuses/whines, doing the external compilation/organization work for me and allowing me to dive right in. Kind of like setting out my exercise clothes the night before … it makes doing devotions easy and helps to set me up for success in deepening my walk with God.
A fantastic resource, whatever the reader’s denomination (or none!). 5/5 stars.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
- It’s a book on liturgy! #geek
- It takes its name from my favorite hymn, “Be Thou My Vision”!
- It includes reviews from and acknowledgements to some of my favorite authors!
- It references one of my fave Augustine quotes right at the beginning! (“You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”)
- It brings liturgy into one’s personal (or communal, as desired) devotional time–so combines something I love with something I know I need to do (and can sometimes, frankly, have both mountains and valleys).
… and ironically, the author wrote this devotional during a bit of a devotional valley/desert of his own, as he notes it felt a bit lackluster during (what else?) the COVID-19 pandemic. As I wind down a year with a couple (fantastic, granted!) devotionals and start looking ahead to the next year-in-devotions, this came right at the perfect time. We’re down to the final week-ish of 2021, and it’s a bit hard to not just say “50 weeks has been enough with these two devos; next, please?” Run the race, Meagan–you’re almost there!
The book does a great job at setting the stage for both “devotions in light of Scripture” and providing a format for daily worship. The ending appendices flesh out the devotionals (and I love that they incorporate prayers from church history, as just one example). Gibson’s emphasis on repetition “encourages familiarity and memorization) (eARC loc 286), something I love not only because it (innocuously) channels one of my favorite workout-app trainers, who constantly tells me “Patience and repetition” are keys to success in boxing, but also because, frankly, it’s true, lol.
The goal of deep acquaintance with ancient creeds and historic prayers reminds me of the grand story of the faith and sets me in its overarching theme. Love it!
And, the combination of elements from the Book of Common Prayer, Middelburg Liturgy, etc., into one book nixes my excuses/whines, doing the external compilation/organization work for me and allowing me to dive right in. Kind of like setting out my exercise clothes the night before … it makes doing devotions easy and helps to set me up for success in deepening my walk with God.
A fantastic resource, whatever the reader’s denomination (or none!). 5/5 stars.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2023
Adoration:
“Kindness flows from you, Lord, pure and continual. You had cast us off, as was only just, but mercifully you forgave us; you hated us and you were reconciled to us, you cursed us and you blessed us; you banished us from paradise, and you called us back again, you took from us the fig leaves that had made us so unseemly a garment, and you put on us a cloak of great value; you opened the prison gates and gave the condemned a pardon; you sprinkled us with clean water and washed away the dirt.
Never again, after all this, will Adam blush when you call him, never will he try to hide because his conscience reproaches him, never will he seek concealment under the trees in the garden. The flaming sword will nevermore whirl about the walls of paradise and cut off the entrance from those who approach it.
For us that were heirs to his sin, all has been changed to rejoicing, for man now has access to paradise and even to heaven itself. The whole creation, heaven and earth, is at one again in friendship, its former differences forgotten; men join their voices with the angels and echo the angels' praise of God. ...
There is no doubt who it is that dresses the bride in her finery: it is, of course, Christ- he that is and was and will be.
Blessed is he, now and throughout the ages. Amen.”
Gregory of Nyssa
Prayer for Illumination:
“Almighty God, and most merciful Father, we humbly submit ourselves, and fall down before your Majesty, asking you from the bottom of our hearts, that this seed of your Word now sown among us, may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to wither, nor the thorny cares of this life choke it. But that, as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold, as your heavenly wisdom has appointed. Amen.”
Middleburg Liturgy
“Kindness flows from you, Lord, pure and continual. You had cast us off, as was only just, but mercifully you forgave us; you hated us and you were reconciled to us, you cursed us and you blessed us; you banished us from paradise, and you called us back again, you took from us the fig leaves that had made us so unseemly a garment, and you put on us a cloak of great value; you opened the prison gates and gave the condemned a pardon; you sprinkled us with clean water and washed away the dirt.
Never again, after all this, will Adam blush when you call him, never will he try to hide because his conscience reproaches him, never will he seek concealment under the trees in the garden. The flaming sword will nevermore whirl about the walls of paradise and cut off the entrance from those who approach it.
For us that were heirs to his sin, all has been changed to rejoicing, for man now has access to paradise and even to heaven itself. The whole creation, heaven and earth, is at one again in friendship, its former differences forgotten; men join their voices with the angels and echo the angels' praise of God. ...
There is no doubt who it is that dresses the bride in her finery: it is, of course, Christ- he that is and was and will be.
Blessed is he, now and throughout the ages. Amen.”
Gregory of Nyssa
Prayer for Illumination:
“Almighty God, and most merciful Father, we humbly submit ourselves, and fall down before your Majesty, asking you from the bottom of our hearts, that this seed of your Word now sown among us, may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to wither, nor the thorny cares of this life choke it. But that, as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold, as your heavenly wisdom has appointed. Amen.”
Middleburg Liturgy
August 28, 2022
This is not a bad book. How can it be when it's full of Scripture and prayers from church history? I enjoyed reading the Heidelberg and Westminster Shorter Catechisms, the Apostles' Creed (9x), the Nicene Creed (9x), and the Athanasian Creed (4x). And it's just a beautiful book (binding, font, paper).
However, I'm unconvinced of the value (much less necessity) of using a liturgy like this in corporate worship (much less personal worship). I praise God for gospel Anglicanism today, but it's not my denominational background. So I was a bit lost in the repetitions, confused by their use of the law, and put off by references to infant baptism, covenant theology, and sabbatarianism.
Instead of this book, I would recommend The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions or Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans.
However, I'm unconvinced of the value (much less necessity) of using a liturgy like this in corporate worship (much less personal worship). I praise God for gospel Anglicanism today, but it's not my denominational background. So I was a bit lost in the repetitions, confused by their use of the law, and put off by references to infant baptism, covenant theology, and sabbatarianism.
Instead of this book, I would recommend The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions or Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans.
September 5, 2022
I appreciate the effort here, and there is some solid content in this volume. The inclusion of the Heidelberg and Westminster Shorter Catechisms are a particularly welcome addition. However, the pure repetition of particular prayers and collects, as well as the unfortunate fact that the cycle is only 31 days, makes this volume less than what it could be. I was particularly struck by the inclusion of the 100th psalm (Myles Coverdale trans.) that was cited as the “Book of Common Prayer (1552)”. It is in the BCP, but it’s just the 100th psalm, which makes the citation rather strange.
What may be a good side effect of this book is that it perhaps will be the gateway into the rich and historic liturgies that it draws from. But I think I’ll stick with my 1662 Book of Common Prayer. :)
What may be a good side effect of this book is that it perhaps will be the gateway into the rich and historic liturgies that it draws from. But I think I’ll stick with my 1662 Book of Common Prayer. :)
February 23, 2024
This was a decent devotional. However it was less dependent on Scripture than I personally think devotionals should be, and it also became repetitive with particular readings being on a loop schedule to reread every day. Gloria Patri and several others seemed overdone.
Also, it seemed that the readings were overly complicated - leading to a major focus on these readings rather than on Scripture. Just by the nature of these being large complex sections each day it necessarily makes for less time and focus on Scripture - at least for the average person.
This was a decent devotional, but maybe better if read at a slower pace than the author recommends.
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Also, it seemed that the readings were overly complicated - leading to a major focus on these readings rather than on Scripture. Just by the nature of these being large complex sections each day it necessarily makes for less time and focus on Scripture - at least for the average person.
This was a decent devotional, but maybe better if read at a slower pace than the author recommends.
Top Devotionals by Algorithm List
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