PRAYER | bookographic
I probably have proportionally more books on prayer than any other topic. Yet it's also probably the most personal and diverse topic to talk and read about. There are so many avenues to walk down and so many conversations to have.
​
Whether you're looking at the different types and aspects of prayer, the theology and scriptural teaching, or the motivation and mobilisation from those prayer warriors who have paved the way ... there are just so many books to delve into. It was hard to highlight just a few, but take a look below and let me know your additions to add to the library!
​
(As you know, the links to the books below are Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for your support!)
The Circle Maker
by Mark Batterson
I can honestly say that this book changed my life. It inspired me, it boosted my faith, it ignited a belief in me that when God inspires a dream, and people persistently pursue, anything is possible!
​
This book is full of stories, it's packed full of encouragement. I dare you to read this and not feel faith bursting within your veins.
Keywords and themes
Faith, belief, testimony. Bold prayers honour God, and God honours bold prayers. Dream big, pray hard, think long.
Author profile:
Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, one church with multiple locations. NCC also owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, and Capital Turnaround as gathering places for the community and funding for Kingdom causes. Mark serves as lead visionary for The Dream Collective, which equips and supports dreamers who long for revival in the church, reformation in the kingdom, and renaissance in culture.
How to Pray
by Pete Greig
Almost everyone I know has now read this book, but I'm highlighting it because it's one I delve into regularly. Pete Greig is a legend when it comes to writing books, prayers, poems and sermons on prayers - he is the go to guy!
The reason I love this book is that it is simple in its truth and knowledge-based approach to prayer within the Bible. But at it's essence, Pete's heart to inspire and mobilise prayer wins out.
Keywords and themes
How to guide (utilising the Lord's prayer as a format) Keep it simple, keep it going, keep it up! A simple guide for ordinary people
Author profile
Pete Greig is a pastor, award-winning author, and bewildered founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement. He’s also a director of Waverley Abbey, and Senior Pastor for Emmaus Rd church. Pete hosts The Prayer Course, downloaded more than 3 million times, and Lectio365, a daily devotional used by hundreds of thousands of people.
Even the Sparrow
by Jill Weber
This woman carries something sincerely beautiful and magnificently powerful for the Kingdom. After hearing her speak about prayer once, I bought this book and I was so thankful I did. Jill has a gentle way of speaking and writing, she shares her story of prayer and trust in a way that inspires you to believe your story could be beautiful too.
I gleaned wisdom from this book. But mostly, I was directed and inspired to sit at the feet of Jesus and trust Him. I don't think there's anything better than an author who has something authentic to share but who does it in a humble and God-honouring way.
Keywords and themes
Spiritual direction, trust and intercession. Inviting Jesus into the heart of your story. Pressing into His presence above anything else. Founding your life on Him.
Author profile
Jill Weber is a pilgrim, spiritual director, writer, musician, wife and mother, who has brought leadership to communities of prayer, mission and justice for the last eighteen years.
Praying like monks, Living like fools
by Tyler Staton
I have recently just finished reading this book. I love this author and what he stands for. He lives out every word of what he speaks and writes. He is genuine in his approach to truly wanting people to connect with God and deepen their walk with Him.
I went in thinking this book was going to be similar to Pete Greig's 'How to Pray' but it was actually quite different. If you've ever heard Tyler speak, he writes how he speaks. It's wonderful!
Keywords and themes
Experiencing prayer in its purest form. Ordinary radicals. Postures of prayer. Silence and persistence.
Author profile
Tyler Staton is the Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, and the National Director of 24-7 Prayer USA. He is passionate about pursuing prayer—communion and conversation with God—while living deeply, poetically, wildly, and freely in the honest and gritty realities of day-to-day life. Tyler believes that justice is kinship, stories are a gift, and prayer is an invitation.
Prayer
by Philip Yancey
I read this book so many years ago, and it was my first true foundation into the world of prayer. The questions that are asked in this book were front and centre in my mind when I first came back to God. 'What is prayer?' and 'What difference does it make?'
I'd been through a significant season of doubt and disbelief that prayer was worth it, or that God would even answer. This book put truth into my spirit. It took a bit of time (and several more books!) to process my challenging questions, but this book was the doorway to others.
Keywords
Questions, doubt, trust, knowledge-based understanding. Full of stories of people who have been through things. Observing the mystery.
Author profile
Philip Yancey (born 1949) is an American author who writes primarily about spiritual issues. His books have sold more than fifteen million copies in English and have been translated into forty languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors.
God on Mute
by Pete Greig
Everyone I know has been through a season of doubt, wondering why God seems silent in a season of pain or heartache. Why we don't seem to hear Him when we pray. Why He doesn't seem to answer our prayers - especially the ones that have massive implications when they go unanswered.
Pete Greig has been through his own journey of unanswered prayer, and this book is the fruit of a person walking under the authority of King Jesus. It is honestly a must read!
Keywords
Unanswered prayer Doubt, struggle, pain, silence, hurt, confusion, questions.
Author profile
Pete Greig is a pastor, award-winning author, and bewildered founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement. He’s also a director of Waverley Abbey, and Senior Pastor for Emmaus Rd church. Pete hosts The Prayer Course, downloaded more than 3 million times, and Lectio365, a daily devotional used by hundreds of thousands of people.
The Prayer Life
by Andrew Murray
Another author, Banning Liebscher got me into reading Andrew Murray on prayer. There are some 'signature classics' that speak with an authority on prayer. We have some modern signatures in Pete Greig and Priscilla Shirer but it's always good to revisit a true classic too.
This book is 'of its time', but it is full of deep truth and is filled with a wealth of wisdom. If you like a classic read, like an E. M. Bounds, or an A. W. Tozer, this book is for you.
Keywords and themes
The importance of prayer. The need to make prayer a priority. Fervent prayer. Scriptural insight from the Apostle Paul. Stories from George Muller, Hudson Taylor and more.
Author profile:
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics.
Fervent
by Priscilla Shirer
A friend gave me her copy of Fervent after the film War Room was released. It felt like everyone was challenged and motivated to up their game in terms of intercessory prayer. At the time, I was so passionate about the importance and necessity of prayer.
I think we need a consistent reminder of how incredibly valuable the gift of prayer is - even in the mystery of unanswered prayer. We need more stories to tip the scales in favour of prayer actually making a difference. We have so much in our lives that causes doubt - this book will help you pick your sword back up and get back in the fight.
Keywords
Intercession, petition, praying persistently until something changes. Strategic praying. Fighting against spiritual warfare.
Author profile
Priscilla Shirer is a wife and a mom first. But put a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart and you’ll see why thousands flock to her conferences and dive into her Bible study series’ and books each year. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Priscilla holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies and considers it a privilege to serve believers from every denomination, and culture through Going Beyond Ministries. Founded by Jerry and Priscilla nearly twenty years ago, the ministry equips believers through books, Bible study resources, conferences and through films like War Room (2015), I Can Only Imagine (2017) and Overcomer (2019).
Remember
by Richard Gamble
Have you heard of the 'eternal wall of answered prayer'? This is the book behind the sculpture - the reason it's happening. It is so important for us to recall and remember the good things that God has done.
We need to read more stories where people have seen God work the miraculous, bring about healing and restoration, and do the unimaginable. I personally need to read books like this as often as I read books on spiritual formation or Bible study.
Who doesn't need an extra dose of faith to fuel their own prayer requests right now?!
Keywords
Answered prayer. Stories from people to boost faith for others. The eternal wall of answered prayer sculture.
Author profile
Richard Gamble is the founder of The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, which opens in 2026. He is the former chaplain of Leicester City and is the author of Remember: Revealing the eternal power of answered prayer (SPCK).
The Happy Intercessor
by Beni Johnson
I read this book many years ago. Someone gave it to me after I shared how much weight I felt to pray for people and the world. I've always been quite empathetic as a person, but the connection to God through prayer for people just felt so emotional.
My friend had been through a similar season, and recommended this. The book would be ideal for anyone who feels specifically called to intercede for others in prayer. Intercession doesn't have to be painful!
Filled with encounters, experiences, stories where God has broken through, where heaven has touched earth. This book may not be everyone's cup of tea - but I found it helpful in a season of intense interce
Keywords
Intercession, petition, praying for others. Pursuing God's presence. Touching heaven, changing earth. Knowing your spiritual authority in prayer.
Author profile
Beni Johnson and her husband, Bill, are the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California. They serve a growing number of churches that have partnered for revival. Beni oversees Bethel's intercessors and Prayer House. Her approach to intercession makes supernatural connection with the Lord accessible to all. Bill and Beni have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
Whisper
by Mark Batterson
Prayer is a relationship with God, it's how we communicate with Him and how He chooses to communicate to us. So often though we are too busy, too distracted, too 'loud' to hear what He is saying.
This book is structured around 7 key ways that God chooses to speak to us. It's another simple guide for ordinary people - but I love it! I think we overcomplicate these things often enough. To hear from another 'ordinary guy' who evidently has a two-way conversation with God share the best ways to connect with God, quieten our lives and get to hear His whisper is always a super helpful read.
Keywords
Hearing God's voice. Seven love languages of God: Scripture, Desires, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain.
Author profile
Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, one church with multiple locations. NCC also owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, and Capital Turnaround as gathering places for the community and funding for Kingdom causes. Mark serves as lead visionary for The Dream Collective, which equips and supports dreamers who long for revival in the church, reformation in the kingdom, and renaissance in culture.
Dirty Glory
by Pete Greig
You can tell by the books highlighted on this bookographic that I know how valuable it is to read books that share stories of the magnificent things God has done through praying people. And Dirty Glory is one of the absolute best!
​
Pete Greig has once again connected us to the stories that have been fuelling the 24-7 prayer movement around the world. This is another must read for anyone genuinely seeking motivation and faith to pray. But also to become the answers to our prayers in some of the most ingenious, but simple ways in society. Love this book!
Keywords
Prayer mobilisation and mission. How prayer changes things. The 24-7 prayer movement around the world. God doing magnificent things in individual people's lives.
Author profile
Pete Greig is a pastor, award-winning author, and bewildered founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement. He’s also a director of Waverley Abbey, and Senior Pastor for Emmaus Rd church. Pete hosts The Prayer Course, downloaded more than 3 million times, and Lectio365, a daily devotional used by hundreds of thousands of people.