Edited by Jonathan W. Arnold & Zachariah M. Carter
Publication Date: March 26, 2024
Published by: Crossway
Genre: History & Biography, Biblical Studies, Christian Living
5+ Stars!
Cloud of Witnesses - A Treasury of Prayers & Petitions through the Ages is like a time-traveling adventure through the prayers of Christians across history. Jonathan W. Arnold and Zachariah M. Carter put together this extraordinary book that is filled with magnificent, awe-inspiring treasures – prayers from way back when till now.
In a world where everyone's all about the latest and greatest, this book reminds us that the old stuff is gold. It's like getting to peek into the hearts of all these famous Christians from ages ago, seeing what they said to God when they prayed.
Each prayer isn't just words on a page; it's little pieces of someone's soul, poured out to our awesome, unchanging, faithful God. From the humble prayers of figures like Clement of Rome to the bold and courageous ones of Martin Luther, you can tangibly sense the profound depth of their faith, firmly anchored in unwavering trust in God and His promises, and intricately woven with the knowledge and faith in the inseparable work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
From the very first prayer I encountered in Cloud of Witnesses, I was captivated by the profound depth of faith that permeates each page. As I journeyed through the prayers of Christians across history, I found myself deeply moved by the devotion and timeless truths they convey. Each prayer, regardless of its origin or author, continues to impact me and my walk with God.
Regardless of your spiritual maturity, these prayers can serve as a launching pad for your own conversations with God. They provide ideas and inspiration for what to say when you're reaching out to Him. The editors have given us superb examples and templates, empowering us to craft our own sincere, heartfelt prayers to the one and only true and living God.
The book's laid out really nicely, too. It's divided up by different time periods, with a bit of background info at the start of each section. So, even if you're not a history buff, you can still get why these prayers are so special.
And hey, if you're into digging deep, there's even some original language stuff in the back. Plus, indexes to help you find what you're looking for.
Here is a quote from the editors: “…it is intended to encourage you to greater faith, remind you that you are not alone even in your struggles, provide a template for prayer when you are at a loss for words, and allow you to see that we are all walking this journey of faith among a great cloud of witnesses to the faithfulness of the one true God.” Wow! Everyone should own a copy of this treasure!
Cloud of Witnesses isn't just a book – it’s a sanctuary overflowing with the richness of faith and God’s faithfulness. It's like having a bunch of wise old friends cheering you on in your own journey with God. Jonathan W. Arnold and Zachariah M. Carter did an awesome job putting this together, and it's definitely something I don’t ever want to leave my hands. In fact, I think I’ll order the digital version -- so it is always with me!
I received a hardback copy of Cloud of Witnesses from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the content and substance of this book, ensuring transparency and reliability.