Alone with the Lord: A Guide to a Personal Day of Prayer

by Gordon T. Smith

"A personal day of prayer is a wonderful opportunity to find two things: renewed focus and clarity to our lives and renewed joy and peace in Christ. It comes to us as a gift in the midst of the challenges, opportunities and perplexities of our lives. As opportunity and gift, the day of prayer enables us to find spiritual and emotional space for an intentional encounter with Christ. Through this encounter we come to a renewed experience of the presence of the Spirit in our lives." This small booklet is intended to teach Christians how to spend a full day in the presence of Christ. Readers are given the opportunity to practise various spiritual disciplines and then to journal what God is speaking to them. Gordon T. Smith is president of Overseas Council Canada, which works with other Overseas Council affiliates to support and enable excellence in theological education in the developing world. He previously served as the dean and associate professor of spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Genres: Christian, Prayer

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

Gordon T. Smith is the president of Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Alberta, where he also serves as professor of systematic and spiritual theology. He is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the author of many books, including Courage and Calling, Called to Be Saints, Spiritual Direction, and Consider Your Calling.

Reviews

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a small book intended to be used as a guide to one day of prayer, it is a good book for reading at other times as well. It has some great scripture verses related to praise and petition. If you are planning a day of prayer (and that is a good idea) or if you just want some help in the area of prayer it is a good little book to read. One thing that I appreciated was it was so God-focused while much of our prayer life seems to be people-focused. We ask God for things we want and think we need instead of focusing on God.

[Eleanor Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I did not have this in time to prepare for my own personal retreat, I do think it would be a useful tool. Such resources can be extremely useful, particularly for those who have not had a lot of opportunities to spend long periods of time in prayer.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone looking for a special sabbath, a complete day of prayer, and time with the Lord. It is very practical and is divided into different sections that help keep you on track all day long.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This book was a nice companion to have on a silent retreat weekend. I appreciated the scriptures Smith selected for meditation and the spacing out of the exercises into bite-size chunks was helpful.

[Sagely · Rating 5 out of 5]

During a season--a long season--of choppy waters in our congregation, I took a day away to pray. A friend and fellow pastor recommended the work of Gordon T. Smith. I took along Alone with the Lord as a prayer guide. I'm glad I did.

Smith led me through reflection on the Psalms, on the love of God, on my own sin, on Isaiah and Philippians, all toward a word for the way, guidance in my time of decision.

Smith's Listening to God in Times of Choice explains the theoretical/devotional foundations of the guidance he offers. Smith is rooted both in the Wesleyan and Ignatian traditions, drawing in Thomas Merton, Thomas Greene, and A W Tozer. The book reads both Evangelical and Catholic.

If you're in a time of decision or if you need to reconnect with God, please do take this book for a day alone with God.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice four session guide to a day of prayer, structured around Isaiah 55, leading people through exercises of thanksgiving, confession, meditation, and discernment.

[Kailey-Michelle Veenstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, yet easy to use tool for a day of personal reflection, and encountering Christ. I appreciated the prompts and pointers, while still leaving room for personal application and interpretation.

I used this for my very 1st silent retreat- I didn't know what to expect, really, but I left with joy, peace and clarity. Great resource. Will use it again!