Book Review: Psalms—Real Prayers for Real Life

How long? Why is this happening? Where are you, God? For centuries, God’s people have learned to go to God with their real questions, struggles, and everyday needs by reading and studying the Psalms. In this practical, gospel-rich small group study, authors Barbara Juliani and Patric Knaak guide participants in learning how the Psalms give us words to pray about the real struggles in our lives.   Faith in Christ brings us into a living relationship with God, which means we can go to God in every circumstance and with every reaction of our hearts. We don’t need to pretend things are good when they are not, or that we are strong when we are not. The Psalms are God’s gift to his people—his own words we can pray to strengthen our hearts and faith.    About the authors: Barbara Miller Juliani, MA, is an author, Bible teacher, and editor. She cowrote Come Back Barbara with her father, C. John “Jack” Miller, edited a book of his letters, The Heart of a Servant Leader and a daily devotional, Saving Grace, authored several minibooks, and is the coauthor of Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life. She is also the Vice President and editorial director for New Growth Press where she oversees acquisitions and content. Her husband Angelo is the founding pastor of Bridge Community Church and they have four children and eleven grandchildren. Patric Knaak, MDiv, is the Area Director for Renewal at Serge where he leads their publication, teaching, training, and mentoring ministries. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, Patric has worked in curriculum development and was the pastor for spiritual formation at Naperville Presbyterian Church (IL) before joining Serge. He is the author of On Mission: Devotions for Your Short-Term Trip and coauthor of Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life. A veteran of nearly a dozen mission trips, he’s seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to living out grace at the fray.

About the authors: Barbara Miller Juliani, MA, is an author, Bible teacher, and editor. She cowrote Come Back Barbara with her father, C. John “Jack” Miller, edited a book of his letters, The Heart of a Servant Leader and a daily devotional, Saving Grace, authored several minibooks, and is the coauthor of Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life. She is also the Vice President and editorial director for New Growth Press where she oversees acquisitions and content. Her husband Angelo is the founding pastor of Bridge Community Church and they have four children and eleven grandchildren. Patric Knaak, MDiv, is the Area Director for Renewal at Serge where he leads their publication, teaching, training, and mentoring ministries. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, Patric has worked in curriculum development and was the pastor for spiritual formation at Naperville Presbyterian Church (IL) before joining Serge. He is the author of On Mission: Devotions for Your Short-Term Trip and coauthor of Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life. A veteran of nearly a dozen mission trips, he’s seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to living out grace at the fray.

My Review:

Psalms—Real Prayers for Real Life is an uplifting and inspiring Bible Study. Although perfect for groups, I went through it alone and learned a lot and came away encouraged. The authors take various Psalms and explain them in ways that make sense for whatever you might be facing. There are exercises to work through and questions for discussion.

My favorite was Psalm 91. I’ve read it several times but there was so much this study showed that I never considered before. It took several lines and showed what a fear might be and how the Psalm gives answers on how to have victory in fear.

The authors also used the Psalms to show how to lament. That’s an aspect of Christian living I think we don’t understand or apply to our lives. The Psalms are a great way to bring lamentation to our prayer life.

If the Psalms are new to you or you think you know them well, I believe Psalms—Real Prayers for Real Life will be a positive addition to your Bible study experience. I highly recommend.

I received this study in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated and all opinions are my own.