Prayer, like all good things, takes practice. And time. And the willingness to be messy and honest before God.

I know this sounds scary. But if you can approach the practice of prayer as a novice with so much to learn, I promise you will see fruit.

In my own life, I spent many years wanting to pray more but not knowing where to begin. I caught myself in conversations where I would tell someone, “I’ll be praying for you,” and then neglecting to pray. I no longer wanted to be someone who talked about prayer. I wanted to live it daily- whatever the cost.

And what have I learned?

I’ve learned that prayer is the crux of my relationship with God.

I’ve learned that God wants to have a 2-way conversation, so long as we are willing to get quiet and listen.

I’ve learned that you can rejoice ten times more with others when you’ve had skin in the game and when you’ve been actively by their side praying.

I’ve learned that prayer doesn’t have to look a certain way. You don’t need a fully outfitted prayer closet. You don’t need a fancy journal. You don’t need a designated hour.

You need to show up, sometimes with a composition notebook and sometimes with empty hands, and talk to God. Just start talking, confessing, and rambling, believing in the deep of you that he hears and lingers on every word.

Plenty of resources and books I’ve encountered over the years have helped me go deeper in my prayer life. Here are just a few:

One Thing I Ask

This journal is a recent addition to my prayer collection, and I am OBSESSED. Consider it an investment in generational prayer. This is a 5-year prayer journal. Each page has a date; you can fill in the year and script a short prayer. When you get to that same date next year, you’ll be able to see the things you prayed for a year ago and how God answered those prayers. I’m using this book to create a legacy of prayer for my children. I keep it on my desk in my office so I don’t forget to stop for a few moments each day and script a prayer to look back on for years to come.

p.s. You can use code HANNAHBRENCHER on any Hosanna Revival products to get 10% off your order!

Flannery O’Connor’s Prayer Journal

This book was one of the first resources I picked up on prayer, which changed my life. It could be because a writer, not a theologian, wrote the journal. I don’t think Flan ever imagined this journal would be published, but I’m so thankful it was. As I read her honest prayers, the lightbulb went off in my brain: I am allowed to be wildly honest with God. I don’t have to hold back. I don’t have to be someone I’m not. I can be honest, and God will show up in that space.

Flannery’s words are refreshing and beautiful. This prayer journal is a gift and may teach you how to write an honest prayer with God.

Val Marie Prayer Journal

This journal has been my go-to prayer resource for many years. I buy it for all the women in my family at Christmas. It’s a robust journal, but here’s my advice: stay calm. Fill out what you can and make it a point to show up with the journal throughout your quiet time. Soon you will see God moving and be so thankful you took the time to write things down.

Prayer by Tim Keller

This book on prayer was the first to set my heart ablaze and make me want to dig in more. It’s a comprehensive read, rich with details and insights into how Christians should and can approach prayer. You will love Tim’s writing if you are a research nerd like me. It’s thoughtful and wise and will surely set you on a journey into the workings of prayer.

Daily Prayer & Gratitude Journal

I recently discovered this beautiful journal from the Christian Journal Co. Just the subheader for the journal alone is enough to make me run laps: habits to strengthen to faith. Yes, and amen! What I love about this journal is that it is dateless— you don’t have to wait for a new month or year to start! The journal is designed to help you cultivate a daily habit of coming to God with your prayers and thanksgiving while helping you to see the blessings already running deep in your story.

Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools

I’m halfway through this book, so I don’t have the full review, but just the first story the author tells makes me want to run literal laps around this coffee shop I’m sitting in. The author has excellent sincerity and is very relatable. He makes the topic of prayer feel attainable, like maybe we’re not so crazy to try to become those prayer warriors we always wanted to be. We need more people who talk about the daily practice of prayer in the modern world.

A Cry for Mercy

Henri Nouwen is one of my favorite theologians, and this book is full of honest prayers, confessions, doubts, and healing points. Another fantastic example of what prayer– lived out– looks like. What you read in this book results from Henri’s challenge to himself to write a prayer daily. The results were personal, stunning, and convicting. Dig in.

Draw the Circle

If you are new to prayer and are looking for a bit of structure to help guide you, this book is the perfect gateway into consistent, daily prayer. I also recommend this book if there is an area in your life that you need to see breakthroughs in. There’s something powerful that happens when you circle your requests daily. I’ve been through this book countless times, and how God shows up is always poignant and powerful.

E.M. Bounds Collection on Prayer

A true classic– there may be no better anthology of prayer than this one written by E.M. Bounds, the prayer warrior of the 1800s. This isn’t a book I’d say you’ll tackle in a week, but a collection of works you will wade through slowly. Take notes. Sit with the words. Ponder and practice. It’s all so rich, so learn to savor it.

Give Me 40 Days

This challenge is a recommendation for the more experienced practitioners of prayer. This challenge was hard to complete but so wholly life-giving. You spend 40 minutes praying for other people first thing in the morning. That’s right- not for yourself but for other people. And the results are WILD. Fair warning: Only take on this challenge if you are ready to see your life properly jacked up.