Devotional Books

The publication of devotional books has had a long history in the Lutheran church, and CPH and NPH regularly produce them. Special devotions are published for the various seasons of the church year and for special events. The materials suggested below can be used for devotions throughout the year or are parts of continuing series of devotions that cover the whole year.

Treasury of Daily Prayer (CPH, 2008) is a comprehensive book for daily family and personal devotions. For every day of the church year, it has a portion of a psalm, substantial Old Testament and New Testament readings, a writing by a church father, a portion of a hymn, a prayer of the day, and a suggested reading from the Book of Concord. In addition, there are orders of service for personal/ family devotions and more general prayers. Available: CPH & Amazon/(pr&eb)

Meditations (NPH, quarterly) is a daily devotional booklet series. Each issue contains a devotion for every day during a three-month period, which includes a Bible verse, a meditation based on that verse, a brief closing prayer, and a suggested longer biblical reading. The meditations are all written by pastors and centered around a theme of the week, which coincides nicely with the lessons read in church for that weekend. There are daily and seasonal prayers in the back of the booklet. Available: NPH

Portals of Prayer (CPH, quarterly) is a daily devotional booklet series. Each issue opens with a format for a daily family devotion. This is followed by prayers that can be used in the devotion. Next comes the substantive materials for each day’s devotion, which includes a suggested psalm to read, a suggested biblical reading from which one verse is selected for an extended meditation based on the verse, and a brief closing prayer. The meditations are written by both pastors and laypeople. Available: CPH

Strength for the Day (CPH, monthly) is a magazine to help readers deal with the issues and emotions of daily life, such as stress, illness, fatigue, loss, and anxiety. Each issue includes Scripture, hymns, prayers, articles, and meditations, which are centered on a common theme. Available: CPH

On Giving Advice to God (Vols. 1 & 2) (NPH, 2018) contains numerous common biblical accounts where the reader might question God’s behavior. Each devotion contains a short scriptural selection, a meditation, and a prayer. Author: Daniel Deutschlander. Available: NPH, Amazon Vol1 & Vol2/(pr&eb) & B&N/(pr&eb)

My Devotions (CPH, quarterly) is the title of a daily devotional booklet for children ages 8 to 12. Each issue contains a devotion for every day during a three-month period, which includes a Bible verse, a story related to it, a brief closing prayer, and a suggested topic for the child to write about in a journal. Available: CPH

Living for Jesus (Kremer) contains 330 devotions to help children establish a faith foundation firmly based on the Word of God. The various chapters concentrate on different themes such as Prayer, God’s Blessings, Sharing Our Faith, and Standing Boldly. Author: Reynold Kremer. Available: Kremer