Daily Archives: June 2, 2005

Books That Changed Me

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When my friend Crystal interviewed me on LJ, she asked me the following question:

4. What are the top five books that have most influenced your life?

I decided to take my answers to that question in the interview and expand on it.

[+] The Bible: I’m Christian so this should be a natural answer. I’ve been asked before what my favorite book is (Psalms) and what book I hate most. My answer to the latter part of the question is that I don’t hate any of the books of the Bible. While that sounds all happy-clappy, it’s the truth — there are parts that mess me up inwardly and I would be worried if they didn’t. As I grow in my relationship with Christ, things that were difficult for me to understand become clearer and as I mold my will to be like that of Christ’s, those things that caused me conflict get reconciled and resolved. As one of my seminary professors said, “the Gospel is life-changing — the only problem is that it means that our lives have to change.”

[+] What’s So Amazing About Grace?: Another book that completely messes me up inside. I think that every Christian should be required to read this book. It is an amazing treatment of what grace_ is and what it would look like if the world showed grace_ to people in the same way that Jesus did. I read it yearly and I get something new out of it each time.

[+] The Jesus I Never Knew: This one didn’t move me as much as as What’s So Amazing About Grace? did; but it still has the capacity to cause me inner discomfort. I’ve read it twice now (it’s one of those “read yearly” books for me) and each time, I’ve been drawn to something new in the character of Jesus Christ.

[+] The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Prayer: This book is the BEST book on prayer that is on the market. It’s exclusively on Christian prayer but it does an amazing job of explaining what prayer is, why we pray, some ways of praying, dealing with problems in prayer, and even giving some sample prayers. I don’t think anyone is too advanced in the practice of prayer to read it.

[+] The Chronicles of Narnia: I constantly see examples from these books in my life. I’m starting to read them yearly as I get some pretty interesting insights about my faith from them. I also found that my professors used examples from them in my seminary classes.

Five-Finger Prayers

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This was in my devotion for today from Our Daily Bread. It’s really good, so I thought I’d share.

Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula. Yet sometimes we might need to use a “method” to freshen up our prayer time. We can pray the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as The Lord’s Prayer), or use the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). I recently came across this “Five-Finger Prayer” to use as a guide when praying for others:

[+] When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you. So begin by praying for those closest to you: your loved ones (Philippians 1:3-5).

[+] The index finger is the pointer. Pray for those who teach: Bible teachers and preachers, and those who teach children (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

[+] The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority over you: national and local leaders, and your supervisor at work (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

[+] The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or who are suffering (James 5:13-16).

[+] Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God’s greatness. Ask Him to supply your needs (Philippians 4:6,19).

Whatever method you use, just talk with your Father. He wants to hear what’s on your heart.
-Anne Cetas