Amy Boucher Pye examines resources to build spiritual growth and lead to the devotion of God

Preparing this article has been like devouring a Heston Blumenthal ten-course dinner in twenty minutes. Instead of savouring, tasting and enjoying the riches on offer, I’ve consumed ravenously, all in the quest to get through the feast (the review copies) by the appointed time (the deadline). While doing so, I’ve reminded myself that I’m not reading these works as they were intended, and that later I can read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the stellar ones.

About seventy-five devotional books are scattered in my office, all squeaking, “Review me!” A few are the stellar ones I will read again later, more slowly; many are very good and I may return to them; many I will ignore or give away. As I’ve been reading, I’m reminded again of the diverse spectrum covered by Christian publishing in terms of theology. Some are dry, intellectual tomes and some are syncretistic compilations of prayers, along with everything in between. We’ll skip the syncretistic ones as I name five favourite recently published works, four devotional offerings, the four on my spiritual growth to-read list and finally my most favourite baker’s dozen.

Recently Published Winners

Five devotional books (without a daily component) stood out from the masses of books, two from the Ancient Practices series edited by Phyllis Tickle, published by Nelson, two in the Celtic vein and one delightful oddball.

In Constant Prayer, Robert Benson (Nelson / 9780849921087 / £8.99) is part of the series exploring Christian practices, such as fasting, the Sabbath and the liturgical year. In it Robert Benson writes about the daily office, which is the ancient structure of prayer that the early church adopted as influenced by their Jewish roots, which has carried on through liturgical churches and monasteries. The author gives a gentle tour of the daily office and makes a case for why we should include it in our lives. As he says, “The secret to a life of prayer, by and large, is showing up” (p.119).

Fasting, Scot McKnight (Nelson / 9780849901089 / £10.99) is also part of the series, and looks at a much-neglected spiritual discipline involving the whole body. McKnight makes an eloquent case for a biblical approach to fasting, arguing that we shouldn’t fast with the goal of bringing about a desired outcome, but rather we should fast in response to a “grievous sacred moment” such as sin, disease, death or other. As he says, “Biblical fasting is about joining the material to the immaterial, the body to the soul, the body to the spirit in a unified, organic act.”

Books highlighting Celtic Christianity have long been popular, with David Adam probably the most revered author. His latest is another to recommend: The Path of Life (SPCK / 9780281060702 / £7.99), which contains 40 Celtic prayers that he explores and unpacks. They are Trinitarian, affirming the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as they celebrate God’s presence with us and in creation. One to read slowly and prayerfully, letting the poetry drop into your soul while lifting you into God’s presence.

Liz Babbs’ Celtic Treasure (Lion / 9780745953557 / £6.99) appears to be a gift book, but I wouldn’t limit it to that. It’s a lovely introduction to Celtic Christianity – fourcolour with gorgeous photographs – in which she explores the Celtic saints, prayer and solitude, creation, creativity, community, hospitality and celebration. One to keep by your Bible for inspiration or indeed to give as a gift.

In Celebration of Simplicity: The Joy of Living Lightly, Penelope Wilcock (Monarch / 9781854249128 / £8.99) bucks the trend of consumerism that has gripped many in the church today. The author, in a humble, humorous and sometimes quirky manner, calls us back to a simple life, one rooted in things of the earth as we live out our devotion to Christ. She writes of cooking and the role of salt, yeast and oil while also offering reflections on dress, machines and clutter. I wonder if her publisher husband is able to keep to the one small bookcase that she does!

Two honourable mentions: Derek Tidball’s Signposts: A Devotional Map of the Psalms (IVP / 9781844743735 / £9.99) is a guide to the psalms that gives a bit of background, explores themes, and makes connections. Silent Savior: Daring to Believe He’s Still There, AJ Gregory (Revell / 9780800732851 / £8.99) is a sometimes raw exploration of the times when we are unable to hear God’s voice.

Readings for Every Day, 30 Days or 40 Days

Bible reading notes and books of daily readings continue to be popular devotional resources, although they are not to everyone’s taste. (Straw poll – do you use daily notes? Why or why not? Email me please...) I don’t generally use them, but when I do, I enjoy those which engage Scripture. Following are four to recommend.

The Excellent Way: 365 Readings to Transform Your Life, RT Kendall (Hodder / 9780340979822 / £10.99). David Moloney, formerly of Hodder, has pulled together a wealth of RT’s writings from 18 of his books. Meaty, winsome, wise.

I Stand at the Door and Knock, Corrie Ten Boom (Zondervan / 9780310271543 / £9.99) is a publishing find – 40 never-before published devotions that were created from broadcasts that Corrie gave in the Netherlands in the late 60s and early 70s. Some of her language is quaint, but she is fully rooted in the Bible with vivid and moving examples.

Apprenticeship with Jesus: Learning to Live Like the Master, Gary W. Moon (Baker / 9780801068416 / £9.99) is an exploration of being God’s apprentice through Christ living in us. I wanted to love this one, for Gary is the executive director of Renovaré, and often quotes one of my favourite writers on spirituality, Dallas Willard. And this concept of Christ’s indwelling presence is one that I want to ponder long and deeply. As I read, however, I was disappointed. I agreed with his main points, but found his humour wanting and some of his anecdotes too “blokey.” Still, one that might connect with a man wanting a 30-day devotional journey.

Walking in Faith, Selwyn Hughes (CWR / 9781853453991 / £7.99). A book of pocket devotions for each day of the year by one who was a master of the daily Bible reading. Selwyn writes graciously and biblically, with application and prayers.

Two honourable mentions: Life: A Teen Devotional, Melody Carlson (Revell / 9780800732554 / £7.99) is one I just gave to a lovely fourteen-year-old when she was baptised and confirmed. Exploring the words of Jesus, it isn’t preachy but also doesn’t shy away from hard issues. The Goodnight Book, Richard Bewes (Christian Focus / 9781845504656 / £7.99) is 123 devotional thoughts to read before sleep, so to shape our night-time dreams and musings.

Spiritual Growth Books I want to read

I confess that I haven’t read all 75 books here in my study, and time has run out before I’ve been able to read the next four books that encourage spiritual growth. Sometimes when I delve into a book, the promise of the author, contents and marketing copy doesn’t deliver and I’m disappointed, but that is usually the exception rather than the rule. So I offer these as untested but promising finds, the first two which have been out for awhile and the last two which are new releases.

Intimate Friendship with God: Through Understanding the Fear of the Lord, Joy Dawson (Chosen / 9780800794415 / £6.99). Written by a long time YWAM missionary, looking at a concept that has fallen from fashion but which we need to reclaim: the fear of the Lord. How do we regain reverence for God’s holiness? How do we stand in awe of him? How will this healthy fear, resulting in intimacy with God, then change our view of sin, relationships and evil? I look forward to finding out.

The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes Us Through the Events of Our Lives, Ravi Zacharias (Zondervan / 9780310269977 / £7.99). Ravi Zacharias is well known as an intellectually rigorous apologist, which might put off a potential reader. But this book shouldn’t scare off readers, however, for it seems to be a gentle argument, made through stories and examples, of how God weaves all of our lives together for his glory.

Sacred Waiting: Waiting on God in a World that Waits for Nothing, David Timms (Bethany / 9780764206788 / £7.99). Waiting is not a concept we modern Christians embrace. We want change and we want it now. But David Timms aims to convince us that waiting can be sacred, and that God uses these times to build up our love for and trust in him, along with our character. Timms looks at waiting through the lens of five biblical characters – Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus – and then through the seasons of the year.

Working from a Place of Rest: Jesus and the Key to Sustaining Ministry, Tony Horsfall (BRF, 9781841015446, £6.99). A book aimed at people active in Christian ministry that delves into truths from Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, showing us how we too can cultivate a peaceful heart and the ability to rest in the midst of the demands of ministry.

Honourable mention: Praying: Finding Our Way from Duty to Delight, JI Packer and Carolyn Nystrom (IVP / 9781844741427 / £10.99), which I’ve had for some time now and want to read.

My Best Selects

Devotional books and volumes on spiritual growth are some of my favourites. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I have read many over my years in publishing, so offer my top list.

I’ve read all of Leanne Payne’s books, and even edited a couple of them. Her writing may be dense at times, but she brings forth profound truths that we need to hear today. On prayer, she wrote Listening Prayer (Baker / 9780801059162 / £11.99), which explores how God speaks to us and how to set up a prayer journal. Her latest is her spiritual autobiography, full of stories and teaching to aid spiritual growth: Heaven’s Calling (Baker / 9780801013126 / £8.99).

On spiritual formation, I follow the other Renovaré devotees in enjoying the works of Dallas Willard and Richard Foster. Willard wrote the classic on the spiritual disciplines in the late 80s, The Spirit of the Disciplines (HarperSanFrancisco / 9780060694425), after which Foster wrote Celebration of Discipline (Hodder / 9780340979266 / £8.99). Both have been foundational for me. I also love Willard’s Hearing God (IVP / 9780830822263), and Foster's Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home (Hodder / 9780340569009 / £7.99).

Sometimes people find Willard's books hard going. One to recommend in this case is Revolution of Character (IVP / 9781844741625 / £8.99), for it is Willard's book Renovation of the Heart in a simplified format (adapted by Don Simpson). Hodder has recently published two books by Richard Foster also worth exploring: Life with God: A Life-Transforming New Approach to Bible Reading (Hodder / 9780340954959 / £8.99) and Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion, co-authored with Gayle Beebe (Hodder / 9780340979884 / £11.99).

I love books on prayer, and have found two on unanswered prayer particularly helpful. God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer by Pete Greig (Kingsway / 9781842913178 / £8.99) is a thoughtful and deep exploration of the topic, borne out of his wife’s experience of a brain tumour and the resulting epilepsy.

When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayer: Insights to Keep You Praying with Greater Faith and Deeper Hope by Jerry Sittser (Zondervan / 9780310272687./ £7.99) came out of a horrendous experience of when three generations of Jerry’s family were killed in an automobile accident in one day – his mother, wife and daughter.

Hodder has been publishing the spiritual classics, including one of my all-time favourites, Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God (Hodder / 9780340980170 / £7.99). This edition includes a foreword by Jennifer Rees Larcombe.

And finally, if you’re looking for a meaty devotional, look to the Orthodox priest Patrick Henry Reardon and his Christ in the Psalms (Concilliar Press / 9781888212211 / £14.99). Each meditation originally appeared in his parish newsletter, so they are written with the layperson in mind. But the author also translated and annotated the book of Psalms for the Orthodox Study Bible, so his meditations have a wealth of study behind them. Profound, inspirational and fresh.