Robert ElmerGrace from Heaven: Prayers of the Reformation (Prayers of the Church)

I have been reading one of these prayers each day during my devotions for a couple of weeks now and so far, have been very blessed.

Beautiful prayers from the Reformers. Prayers focused on the love, grace and mercy of our loving Savior!

This collection of Reformation prayers is beautiful, convicting, and edifying. The volume follows up two previous ones from the same editor and publisher: <i>Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans</i> (2019) and <i>Fount of Heaven: Prayers of the Early Church</i> (2023). With this trilogy, titled "Prayers of the Church", Robert Elmer and Lexham Press have provided a great service to the church and to individual Christians.With the book itself, Lexham Press has done an excellent job in delivering a splendid design, fitting for the contents within. The book comes in a gorgeous red clothbound hardback, adorned with golden lettering and ornamentation on the outside. The typesetting is nice as well, with readable font size and type, and each prayer featuring neatly divided paragraphs and spacing. The result is a text that is a delight to read devotionally.When it comes to the contents, the formatting is the same as the other volumes in the series. Prayers are helpfully divided into topics under various subheadings. For example, some of the categories are: "Alive in Your Grace" (Prayers of Praise), "We Proclaim our Truth" (Prayers of Affirmation), "We Need Your Forgiveness" (Prayers of Confession and Repentance), and "Remember Your Sheep" (Prayers for the Church). Along with the individual titles assigned to each entry, these are helpful for finding relevant prayers on a certain topic. Ministry leaders can take advantage of this system to quickly find appropriate prayers for use in a liturgy or worship service. Additionally, each prayer is followed by the name of the author. The short biographies and index included at the end of the book are a great touch. As with the other volumes in the series, the language of the prayers has been lightly updated for modern readers; this, however, does not take away at all from the experience of interacting with these centuries-old prayers.Unsurprisingly, the best part of this book is the prayers themselves. While individual readers may resonate more or less with various prayers, the power and beauty of this collection as a whole is undeniable. It is impossible to walk away from this work without being moved, captivated by the wonders and glory of God. These Reformation prayers are passionate and rich expressions of total commitment to faith in the Triune God. While the spread of sources used is somewhat lopsided toward particular writers, this is not a major drawback, since every single prayer included is certainly worth reading. Of course, this is also understandable given than some individuals (e.g., Luther and Calvin) produced way more writings than others (e.g., Beza and Bucer).Overall, this work is a wonderful addition to the superb series of volumes produced by Elmer and Lexham. Along with the other two volumes, <i>Grace From Heaven</i> will make a beautiful addition to the Christian's bookshelf—or perhaps more appropriately, to their bedside table for easy access and regular use.Note: I received this book for free, courtesy of Lexham Press, but was not required to give a positive review.

Grace From Heaven: Prayers of the Reformation, edited by Robert Elmer, is an enriching collection of prayers penned by men and women of the Reformation era from various European countries. With this book, Elmer continues his series of books published by Lexham Press with prayers from different era (Fount of Heaven contained prayers of the Early Church and Piercing Heaven contained Puritan prayers). This new book includes prayers of praise to God, thanksgiving, affirmation of beliefs, dedication to God, repentance, hope, protection, wisdom, and guidance in different circumstances. Additionally, it features prayers for the Church and prayers for specific times of the day, making it a comprehensive resource for various aspects of spiritual life.This book serves as a valuable resource for believers who are seeking to deepen their prayer life and enrich their spiritual journey. The prayers contained within are imbued with rich theology and heartfelt devotion, reflecting the profound faith of the Reformers. They stand as a testament to the unwavering faith and courage of these individuals, who faced significant persecution and danger to uphold the truth of the gospel. Their prayers are not only historical artifacts but also timeless expressions of faith that continue to inspire and guide believers today. Many people today feel awkward praying in public and in private. This book provides a helpful starting point to praying by reading the prayers of others.Robert Elmer has undertaken the commendable task of editing and updating the language of these 500-year-old prayers to enhance their readability for contemporary audiences. Despite these updates, he has been careful to preserve the original meaning and intent of the prayers, ensuring that their theological depth and devotional fervor remain intact. As a result, these prayers retain their freshness and applicability, resonating with modern readers just as powerfully as they did with the original Reformers.In essence, Grace From Heaven: Prayers of the Reformation is more than just a collection of prayers–it is a bridge connecting believers across centuries, offering a glimpse into the spiritual lives of those who shaped the course of Christian history. It invites readers to join in the rich tradition of Reformation prayer, drawing strength and inspiration from the words of those who stood firm in their faith amidst adversity.Elmer writes in the Introduction, “Today these prayers provide some of the best and deepest insights into the Reformers’ vibrant, courageous faith… Ultimately, the prayers included in this collection shine light on some of the most heartfelt facets of the Reformers’ faith.” May this collection bring us hope through praying for that Spirit-given grace from heaven!I received a copy of this book from Lexham Press in exchange for an honest review.

So good!! This book of prayers reminds us of what we desperately need daily: Grace from Heaven! One of the greatest blessings of having these prayers compiled for us is that sometimes, in our most needy moments in life, we lack the exact words to say. It reminds us of the grace that has been given to us so generously by God through Christ. Not only are the prayers significant, but Robert Elmer puts together a helpful biography of each person. Well done, Robert Elmer and Lexham Press, on bringing this series of books to strengthen our faith!"Look therefore on us, O Lord, in the multitude of your mercies. Stretch out your arm and declare yourself the protector of your truth."-John Knox