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. Kathleen LaCamera, journalist, media consultant and part-time hospital chaplain near Manchester, England

“A Turbulent Peace: The Psalms for Our Time” by Ray Waddle

Romans 8:26, 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.”

Grace Renshaw, director of Publications & Communications, Vanderbilt University Law School

“Teach Me to Pray” by W.E. Sangster

Psalm 23: 5-6, NRSV: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

The Rev. Mary Jane Pierce Norton, Leadership Ministries, United Methodist Board of Discipleship

“Companions in Christ: The Way of Prayer”

James 5:13-16, NRSV: Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble, Iowa Area

“A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants” by Bishop Rueben P. Job

Philippians 4:4-7, NRSV: Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Trimble reads Philippians 4:4-7:

The Rev. Young Bong Kim, senior pastor of McLean, Va.-based Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington.

“The Soul of Prayer” by P.T. Forsyth

Psalm 131:1-3, NRSV: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore.

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