I have been using the Treasury of Daily Prayer regularly for several weeks now and it is an excellent resource of anyone wanting to develop a well rounded prayer life that is grounded in the holy Scriptures. This book is designed to be useful for individuals, families, and small groups. Even though The Treasury of Daily Prayer book is published by Concordia the vast majority of what you’ll find in it could be used by any protestant Christian – which makes it an excellent idea for a Christmas gift.
This book has the advantage of being a single comprehensive volume that is reasonably priced at an introductory price of $35. I also ordered the black nylon zippered cover for $15 and I would recommend it. It has padded sides with a handle on the spine, a zippered pocket on the front cover, and an organizer pocket on the inside that you can use to store things like prayer lists, pictures, notepads, and pens.
One of things I like about Treasury of Daily Prayer is that it is very flexible. You could chant all the liturgies, and read all the texts like a monk in a monastery, or you can keep it simple and just read the daily texts and readings like you would with an “Our Daily Bread” daily devotional. The great advantage that his prayer book has over the traditional monthly devotional is that this prayer book puts the focus on the Word of God and prayer as opposed to the cute illustrations found in the devotionals. When you use the Treasury of Daily Prayer you will also be exposed to larger collections of biblical texts placed one after another in a continuous fashion which allows you to get a better grasp of the larger Biblical story as well as the great themes of law and Gospel.
The Treasury of Daily Prayer includes all 150 Psalms as well as the reading schedule found in the Book of Common Prayer. I have been praying that more of the people of Peace would regularly read the scriptures – especially the Psalms. When we mediate on and sing the Psalms we are entering into the worship experience that Jesus Christ had when he walked this earth. The Psalms give us an amazing look into the the mind of God..and God’s people.
I have been making an attempt to chant the liturgies but what comes out would probably put most listeners into cardiac arrest. I have come to the conclusion that this is my version of speaking in tongues — a private prayer language — that God speaks into my heart, understands, and receives as a sacrifice of praise (Romans 8:26, Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 141:2). God willing I will improve to the point that the beauty of the music is honored and the public health danger posed by my voice is diminished. The Treasury of Daily Prayer also has brief spoken liturgies for morning, noon, and evening that will aid event the most musically impaired carry on a more structured pattern of prayer throughout the day.
For an excellent primer on developing a prayer life I encourage you to read Martin Luther’s excellent discussion of Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio (Prayer, Meditation, Trial) which you can download in PDF format HERE.
You can find out more about The Treasury of Daily Prayer by clicking HERE and HERE.
If you want to see my copy of The Treasury of Daily Prayer just give me a call.
