A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants

by Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck

A best seller for nearly 3 decades! This classic devotional and prayer book is a compilation of scriptures, prayers, readings from well-known spiritual writers, and hymn texts. Each week centers on a different theme and follows this format: invocation, psalm, daily scripture readings, readings for reflection, prayers (for the church, myself, others), reflection time, and a hymn. The back of the book contains models for 12 personal one-day retreats. Featured writers include William Barclay, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Carlo Carretto, Mother Teresa, Richard J. Foster, Elton Trueblood, C. S. Lewis, Henri J. M. Nouwen, Simone Weil, and many others.

Genres: Devotional, Prayer, Spirituality, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living

418 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[David Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible guide to daily time with the Lord. Includes prayers, numbers of great quotes/passages from spiritual giants over the last 2,000 years, themed time in scripture, etc. So many good nuggets in here. Introduced me to many great authors, also a great format for prayer, scripture, journaling, solitude, etc. Only took me 1 1/2 years to get through, there are 52 weeks laid out, if I didn't get to read most days of the week, I'd do that week over. If you are looking for some structure to your time w/ the Lord, I highly recommend! If you are interested in discovering great Christian thinkers/authors/philosophers, also recommend.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A functional devotional for ministers. Each day has a great opening prayer, then a scripture reading that seems to have very little rhyme or reason; A Psalm for the week; a set of eight or nine readings from various authors like George MacDonald, Henri Nouwen, Theresa Avila, Gregory of Nyssa, Charles de Foucald and many others; space for silent and written, reflection; A hymn for the week; and a benediction. There are also twelve monthly retreat models, maybe something a covenant group could use to lay the foundation to a season of communal prayer.

The goal of this work appears to be to facilitate the practice of daily prayer, meditation, lectio divina, and communion with God by forming and shaping the habit of Scripture reading and prayer for the minister. One of the clear benefits of a minister employing this material is that none of it is following the lectionary, or lectio continua, and therefore is not for sermon preparation or other utilitarian approaches. In other words, this book is simply for soul-care. If you're looking for a tool to use to use for your own personal maintenance, then I recommend "Guide to Prayer: For Ministers and Other Servants."

[Katherine Szerdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of this book in 1988 from my pastor at the time, Rev. James A. Harnish, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Orlando, FL. I have enjoyed this lectionary-based devotional along with the companion volumes, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God and A Guide to Prayer for All Gods People ever since. Although I have tried other devotionals, I find myself coming back to these three volumes which contain 52 chapters revolving around the theme of the lectionary readings for each week for each cycle: A, B, and C. Each weekly chapter also contains daily scriptures and readings from classic and modern Christian literature plus an opening prayer, psalm, hymn, and closing prayer to be read throughout the week, allowing the reader to immerse him/herself into the week's topic. So many devotionals today tell you how to think. These books invite the reader to sit at the feet of Christ himself.

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid book for those who prefer to actually read the Bible rather than read about it. This devotional guide provides planned daily readings, psalm readings, outside "readings for reflection" an invocation and benediction. Fifty six weeks of materials and twelve retreats.

This is much different than picking up a book by Max Lucado or Chuck Swindoll in that it provides an outline of texts to read each day of the week rather than a "chapter a day" meditation filled with the author's insights. Rueben Job challenges you to read and think on the texts themselves. While readings for reflection are provided, they are only excerpts from various writers (St. Teresa of Avila, Walter Bruggeman, Malcolm Muggeridge, Henri Nouwen, et al) that are meant to engage your contemplation.

[John Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love this book. Each week there is a Psalm, a set of readings, a listing of the Revised Common Lectionary passages, an outline for devotional, a hymn, and select readings from people like Henri Nowen and many others. I enjoy each week's selections and also the way it helps guide the prayer. It has been an immense help for me. There are also guided retreats, and I would like to do one of those soon. If you are not a Minister (or other servant) I still think you would gain a lot from it. There is, however, a Guide to Prayer for those who are not in leadership. Excellent in every way! Wish I had found it many years ago.

[Susie Webster-toleno · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid devotional. I like the fact that it is not lectionary related, so it's use has nothing to do with sermon prep and everything to do with relationship with God. As a pastor I find it easy to overlook that in my devotional time, believe it or not. The language is kind of old, and the scholars and theologians quoted don't represent a very broad spectrum of thinkers, but what's there is good. There have been seasons in my life where this is been a wonderful devotional for me, and others where it simply didn't fit.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found this to be a very useful guide to daily devotion. One does not read it straight through; rather it is worked through, studied through with the Bible, and prayed through. If you use this book as it is intended, it will become dog-eared and tear stained. I am marking it as “read,” and in one sense I have read it; on the other hand, I have not “finished” it. At the end of a year I am beginning again.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

THis is one of the best - if not the best devotional book I've ever owned. I have had it since the early 90s and have used it at different times since.

[Rick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this guide extremely helpful at a very difficult time in my life. I recommend it--it could be right for you, too.

[David Holton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite devotional books that I use daily. I'm not too fond of the average devotional books that are found on most bookstore shelves. I prefer devotional books to be more like The Common Book of Prayer. This one has a different theme for each week with different scripture for Monday thru Saturday. Sunday's follow the common lectionary. Also included with each week is a hymn and excerpts of books from great Christians that address the theme for that week.

Plus, it is from the United Methodist Church, which I love.

[David Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me 33 years to finish this book! I read it periodically on my "retreat" days.

[Carolyn Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to prayer & scripture reading. I used it for years and found it very enriching. Distressed that I couldn’t find it today when I wanted to refer to it.

[Pastor Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read every Thursday morning for a year and then repeated another. Full of spiritual guidance and inspiration.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years I have tried a number of devotionals. Most seems either too simplistic or to ethereal. I have found A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants to be refreshing and challenging at the same time. Even though I have read through each of the chapters several times, they continue to be fresh and challenging. I have lost count of how many copies of this book I have given out. Nearly everyone has loved it as much as I, often gifting this book to others.

[Jessieirwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawchuck and Job have created and presented what I deem as my favorite devotion series. I adore how each week is devoted in an organized way which is aligned with the liturgical calendar. Having additional author quotes, a weekly hymn, Old and New Testament readings. Exquisite depth and strength is here.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be finishing up this devotional this week, it has been a true blessing and I'm so happy it was gifted to me. A wonderful look across many points of scripture and many topics, and definitely gives you plenty of things to think about. Both to agree and disagree with, highly recommend this as a one year devotional.

[Obadiah]

I'm always reading this book. I use it for guided prayer, devotions, and scripture reading. It receives the highest marks from me. I do not always find myself agreeing with the authors that are quoted, but are we supposed to always agree with everything we read?

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendous guide to daily devotions and prayer for people serving in the church or in ministry. It is the only devotional you will ever need!

[Paul Beighley]

Highly recommended to all clergy!

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has long been my daily devotional guide each morning. I've used it for 15 years now and it's still as fresh as the first day I began. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Angelica Dobynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Year Long Devotional.

[Brad Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has twelve great day-long spiritual retreat models.

[Andrew Fox]

Embracing the ancient with the future!