Learning to Pray Through the Psalms

by James W. Sire

Weariness. Wonder. Joy. Longing. Anger. These are the feelings of the Psalms: honest expressions of pain and joy penned by real people in the midst of real life circumstances. Though they were written centuries ago, the Psalms still resonate deeply with us today, giving voice to our thoughts and longings:"Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD." (Psalm 130:1) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." (Psalm 84:2)

In Learning to Pray Through the Psalms, James W. Sire teaches us to take our appreciation for this rich book of Scripture a step further. Choosing ten specific psalms, Sire offers background information that helps us read each one with deeper insight and then lays out a meditative, step-by-step approach to using the psalmists' words as a guide for our own personal conversation with God. A group study is also included in each chapter, along with a guide for praying through the psalm in community.The Lord loves when His people pray. And His Word is a powerful tool for framing honest, intimate prayers. Sire's innovative approach will enrich our minds and our souls as we read more perceptively and pray with all of our emotions.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Christian Living, Theology

229 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2005

About the author

James W. Sire was a Christian author, speaker, and former editor for InterVarsity Press.

Sire was an officer in the Army, a college professor of English literature, philosophy and theology, the chief editor of InterVarsity Press, a lecturer at over two hundred universities around the world and the author of twenty books on literature, philosophy and the Christian faith. His book The Universe Next Door, published in 1976 has sold over 350,000 copies. He held a B.A. in chemistry and English from the University of Nebraska, an M.A. in English from Washington State and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Missouri.

Reviews

[Scott Seney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I'm looking forward to focusing on the Psalms this year.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the format of this book, it is super practical, a guide on how to learn how to pray the psalms, which I believe is a thing we as Christians must do every day. The problem I see with this book is that it can quickly lead to mysticism. So be careful there.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had this book laying around on my bookshelf. When our small group decided to do Psalms during the shelter-in-place time, I picked this book up as a guide for the group. It worked out well. While I am more familiar with Sire in more intellectual ways, this book is more personal and hands on.

Sire leads us through 10 Psalms, as the title suggests, it is using these Psalms to highlight prayers to God. He uses Eugene Peterson’s Answering Speech as a means to say these Psalms are an answer to something to which God has worked in their lives. He goes through working through the structures of these Psalms in three ways: rational, emotional and rhetorical. But the emphasis is how to use them to pray.

One thing is that Sire uses a lot of paper with certain redundancies. On each structure he examines, he goes through each Psalm in full. Also when he shows us how to pray to them, there is another printing of the Psalm. Finally in the small group study guide he uses directed prayer on the Psalm. Sire wants us to take an in-depth look at each Psalm, but I found myself skimming the Psalm rather than concentrating on it. This may be more my weakness than a fault with Sire’s book.

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8 stars
This book has a lot of practical suggestions for studying and praying the Psalms. I enjoyed reading it. However, I hesitate to give it three full stars because because there is a slight mystical bent to some of his commentary, he stretches the application of a few verses too far, and I was not completely satisfied with his conclusions about the imprecatory Psalms.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through 10 various Psalms this book is like being invited into someone else's personal time with the Lord, and thereby growing in your own way of connecting with God through Sire's example. Each Psalm is given great background into its context and while the reader is guided along in prayer there is adequate freedom to pray from one's own heart. I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to grow in praying Scripture or just looking to grow in their personal quiet times with the Lord.

[Brook Maturo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the straightforward practicality of this book as well as its theological depth. Usually you get one or the other so the combination was refreshing. James Sire brings his academic approach to a very practical use as he guides us through praying psalms. While this wasn't my introduction to the concept and I wouldn't call it a dramatic life-changed, it is the best treatment of it I've read and is a helpful building block for fashioning a strong interest life.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you hate to see come to an end. I enjoyed how he worked with 10 Psalms, including some of my favorites. I enjoy reading the Psalms and he gave me new insights. The good news is I see he has another book - Praying the Psalms of Jesus, or something like that.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books like this that break down Scripture for me. This book helped me study deeper into the book of Psalms. I recommend reading alone for quiet time with God and also using the questions at the end of each Psalm for a group Bible study.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent a year going through this book (one chapter each month) and really appreciated how Sire was willing to tackle "difficult" Psalms like Psalm 137.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding--used this for personal devotions several years ago & used a few chapters to good effect in a small group, college ministry setting.

[Jt]

book to help with praying scriptures