Openings (2nd Edition): A Daybook of Saints, Sages, Psalms and Prayer Practices

by Larry J. Peacock

Move closer to God one day at a time by reading the Psalms and practicing prayer in ways you may not have imagined before.

This is a prayer book for every day of the year for people who don't usually think about using a prayer book. Drawing on a wide variety of resources lives of saints and sages from every age, psalms, guides for personal reflection and suggestions for practice Rev. Larry J. Peacock offers helpful guidance for anyone hungry for a richer prayer life. Each day's reading has four parts: Remember a notable person of faith or a significant eventRead a psalm or another scripture passagePonder that day's scripture or person of faithPractice a variety of ways to pray, including prayer through play, music and physical movement

This new edition features the addition of ancient and modern sages from inside and outside the Christian tradition as well as updated resources for deepening your spiritual life throughout the year."

Genres: Prayer, Devotional, Christianity

448 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of my daily devotions.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very good daily 'devotional' that is a bit different from the standard one.

Peacock introduces the reader to a spiritual model (perhaps a saint, a prominent theologian/philosopher, or a key historical date) using a Psalm to reflect on the significance of both the Word and the 'model'. Each day's devotional ends with a new practice to try and/or a specific prayer prompt.

In addition, many days feature an appendix of further reading relating to either the spiritual model, or the practice.

I enjoyed 'meeting' the various spiritual models from a variety of religions/faiths and the suggested practices, some of which I experimented with. But the greatest benefit was the reflections on the Psalms.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good information. Worth using again one year as a devotional.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the best book of daily devotionals I have ever picked up! Each daily reading begins with a brief account of the life of a saint, important person, or an event. Next there is a suggested reading. Most of the readings are from the Psalms, as the book is focused on reading through the entire book of Psalms, but there are readings from other parts of the Bible at times. Each daily reading is followed by more information connecting the Psalm to history, the referenced person/event, and reasons for its importance now. Finally, each month focuses on a different mode of prayer, so each day has a new discipline to try that culminates to a new habitual discipline of prayer for the month. That seems like an overwhelming amount of information to squeeze into a quick morning devotional, but each day is just one page. I hope to come across a similar book of devotionals soon. I can't recommend this book enough.