Ten United Methodists share their favorite Bible verses and books on prayer. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., takes inspiration from Jesus, who regularly withdrew to lonely places and prayed. “I often reflect on that if Jesus needed to do that, how much more do we need to do that.” 

The Rev. Tom Albin, dean of the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn.

“Creating a Life With God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices” by Daniel Wolpert.

Luke 11:11-13, TEV: “Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Rev. Anita Phillips, executive director, Native American Comprehensive Plan

“Guide My Feet - Prayers and Meditations on Loving and Working for Children” by Marian Wright Edelman.

Romans 8:26-27, NRSV: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The Rev. Carmen Gaud, international editor of El Aposento Alto (The Upper Room)

“Las Moradas o Castillo Interior (Interior Castle)” by Teresa de Avila

Psalm 139:7-12, NRSV: Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139: 23-24, NRSV: Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way 

Gaud reads Psalm 139:

Jenna DeWitt, a junior journalism major at Baylor University in Waco, Texas

“Psalms, the Holy Bible”

Psalm 34:4-7, New Living Translation: "I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him, and he rescues them."

DeWitt reads Psalm 34:4-10:

The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kan.

“The Meaning of Prayer” by Harry Emerson Fosdick

Luke 5:16, KJV: “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed.”

Daniel 6:10, KJB: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Read more on page 2