Ancient Words, Living Prayer: A Contemporary Psalter for Daily Prayer

By Jon Thurlow

"The Psalms gave me prayers when I was unable to articulate my own. They held before God the pain, sorrow, anger, hope, and gratitude that I was unable to voice."

For centuries, people have turned to the Psalms in times of joy and sorrow, celebration and struggle. Ancient Words, Living Prayer makes these timeless prayers accessible for today's individuals and communities seeking authentic spiritual rhythm.

A Complete 31 Day Prayer Journey

This contemporary Psalter guides you through 31 days of morning, midday, and evening prayers, moving from Foundation through Celebration and Deepening to Community & Mission. Each psalm is carefully paraphrased into clear, contemporary language while preserving the raw honesty and emotional depth that has made these ancient songs endure.

What You'll Discover:

Fresh paraphrases of 30 beloved psalms in responsive format for personal or group useA sustainable daily rhythm: 8-15 minutes of structured prayer three times dailyExtended options for deeper engagement when time allowsFour weekly themes that create genuine spiritual progression

Perfect For:

Individual daily devotion and prayerSmall groups and family worshipChurches seeking fresh approaches to ancient textsAnyone who has struggled to find words for prayerReaders of Eugene Peterson, Henri Nouwen, and Celtic spirituality

From the Author's Journey: Born from a season when the author could no longer find words to pray, these paraphrases became a lifeline-ancient words that held space for modern struggles. Written in cottages, churchyards, and open spaces, they transform the Psalms from historical artifacts into living prayers for today's spiritual journey.

Whether you pray them once or return month after month, these ancient words become new companions, offering fresh language for age-old longings. Join the stream of prayer that has flowed through centuries, now accessible in the language of today.

"The Psalms train us in the speech of prayer-words that are at once faithful to God and true to our own experience." -Ellen F. Davis

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FRYVB2PY
• ISBN13: 9798265220646
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"