I love little books. They’re straight to the point, easy to carry, and packed with power because there’s no room for fluff. At the New Room Conference in Montgomery, I grabbed a stack of Field Guides for Daily Prayer and handed them out to parents and grandparents the very next Sunday. By 11 a.m. they were gone, and I’ve already ordered more!

I want to be a prayer warrior. But truthfully, my vocabulary is limited, and I get easily distracted. This Jesus-gal needs tools to help her pray.

This little 32-page guide, written and curated by Winfield Bevins and published by Seedbed, has become one of my favorites. It fits in the palm of my hand and offers anchors for prayer: daily prayers, morning and evening prayers, curated prayers, and even a 30-day Psalter. Winfield also created another little book gem I’ve used several times for intergenerational family small group study—Grow at Home: A Beginner’s Guide to Family Discipleship.

Other prayer tools that have marked me through the years and guided me include:

• A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie (updated by Susanna Wright): a collection of personal prayers by famed theologian Dr. John Baillie organized in 31 morning and evening prayers with special Sunday prayers. A beautiful blend of praise and confession using the language of scripture on the right side of each page. I’ve added my own handwritten prayers on the left side of the pages with prayer lists and scripture breath prayers I’ve used daily for the last ten years. A couple of years ago I came across a 1960 copy of Dr. Baillie’s original manuscript which sits bedside for evening prayers. He passed in 1960.
• The Power of a Praying Wife (1997) and The Power of a Praying Parent (1995) by Stormie Omartian: a collection of scripture prayers at the end of each of the 30 chapters with language for specific coverings for the most important people in my life. I have original copies so marked up they hardly hold together.
• Hymnals: Nearly every hymnal has rich prayers tucked in the back—beautiful for both personal and corporate prayer. I have several from different denominations.
• Praying for Your Husband/Child from Head to Toe by Sharon Jaynes: Scripture-based prayers that cover every part of the body—mind, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, knees, feet, and more. I discovered these treasures last year at the Billy Graham Museum. Wedding shower gifts include the husband one; baby shower gifts include the baby one.

Some days it’s especially hard to find the right words. Like the last several weeks—like when I need help living out James 1:19, being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” These guides help me stay steady and focused, like navigational beacons to keep my eyes on Jesus throughout the day.

And I’m grateful. Because even when I may not have the words, the Lord hears the prayers, and groans, of His children. Lots of groans lately. He equips us to grow closer to Him and strengthens our trust muscles with every whispered prayer.

What prayer tools are you using?

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13