We invite you to use this 31 day prayer guide to pray for the spiritual impact of Still: Poems of Peace in Times of Turmoil, an anthology of poems featuring over 70 Christian authors from 34 countries.
1 “The title Still carries a powerful spiritual invitation. Stillness is learning to trust that even when life feels uncertain, God remains faithful,” says John Sirengo. Pray that the anthology will point readers to Christ, the Prince of Peace—who is still at work, even in times of turmoil.
2 “Poetry can be a surprisingly powerful connecting point for everyone—wherever they are on their faith journey,” says Keren Dibbens-Wyatt. Pray that readers will find the Lord as the center point of their lives—their safe place, refuge and Rock on which to build.
3 Many carry fears, grief, uncertainty, and struggles that are often hidden. Pray that these poems will meet readers in those places—not with easy answers, but with hope, comfort, and a reminder that they are not alone. May readers hear the gentle voice of God.
4 “There is something deeply beautiful, life-giving and transformative to be still before God,” says Jenni Ho-Huan. Pray that readers will slow down as they read the anthology, and taste and see the at the Lord is good.
5 “Poetry can help the Church grow and mature as we use poetry to point people to God, deepen our faith, and remind us of the truths of Scripture,” says Emie Guintu. May the anthology draw readers to Himself, strengthen their faith, and remind them of His sovereignty.
6 “Poetry is a vessel of God to touch the hearts and minds of people, so the glory, beauty and mystery of God are manifested,” says Xiaoli Yang. Pray that readers will encounter God in fresh new ways throughout the anthology’s pages.
7 “Good poetry makes my soul thirsty for God and fills my heart with prayer,” says Mark Klassen. May Still be “a garden of raw and rare delights that will feed the hungry and nourish their souls.”
8 “Poetry invites us to slow down…We can notice our brother or sister and connect or offer help, listen to what our city needs and how the church can answer,” says Priscila Chacón Martínez. May the Lord Still to help the Church “to slow down and look up to Him above.”
9 “Poetry gives the Church a language for the quiet, un-neat spaces of faith—lament, mystery, and wonder,” says Kathy Grobler. Pray that the anthology serves as a quiet sanctuary, reminding readers that Christ’s peace is not the absence of turmoil, but His steady, comforting presence.
10 Pray that the anthology will be an instrument of peace, reaching readers who are looking for God—especially those who hesitate to be close to a church. May the poems clearly convey the possibility of peace in Christ amidst contexts immersed in chaos and war.
11 “Poetry can teach us to lament without losing faith, to celebrate without forgetting grace, and to hope even when life is difficult,” says John Sirengo. Pray for readers as they lament and celebrate through life’s seasons. May the anthology help anchor them to Christ.
12 Poetry can help the gospel take root within the language, culture, and lived experiences of a community. Pray that the beauty of the gospel will shine meaningfully for readers across different cultures and generations.
13 “May the Lord, the Light of the world, enlighten readers’ minds, strengthen their hearts and use them powerfully for His glory through the various insights they gain as they read and savor the poems in this anthology,” says Innocent Niyongabo.
14 “Poetry can always be a way to teach the gospel,” says Christal Eldredene. May readers come to know Christ, see His love and grace, and see that He is our only hope.
15 Pray that every word in the anthology will point to the One who brings beauty from brokenness, peace from chaos, and hope from despair. May the Lord use Still for His glory and for the encouragement, healing and renewal of all who read it.
16 “Poetry is a point of suspense that leaves open endings towards eternity,” says Iván Werth. May Still reach weary, wounded and confused hearts, reminding them of the peace of God. May others be encouraged to write and walk with Christ for the glory of God.
17 “Writing poetry did not only help me declutter my mind, but reminded me of the ever-present God who was there for me in difficult moments,” says Rahael Manang. Pray that the Lord will use the anthology to bring calm, peace, balance and purpose to readers’ lives.
18 “Sometimes truth needs to come at us from another angle. Poetry can put words to a grief or longing. It can make us stop and wonder. It can give us a place to begin listening,” says Tom Friedrichs. Pray that readers find insight and truth as they see Christ from a different angle.
19 “Poetry can give language to experiences people struggle to express, open conversations about faith, and carry biblical truth into the imagination as well as the intellect,” says Abraham Shuaibu. May Still comfort the weary, awaken hope in the discouraged and draw readers to Christ.
20 “The world can never have enough literature that glorifies and praises God,” says Josiah Jack. May readers be inspired to draw closer to God, to write poetry themselves to seek His will through words that dance.
21 “Poetry offers the church a way to remain open to the mysteries of God,” says Dianne Kristine Chan. Pray for Still to help foster stronger relationships in churches as people read—and perhaps even write—poetry together. May each reader grow in their delight in God.
22 Pray that through the collection, the Lord will convey His nearness to readers going through tumultuous times. May we feel His love, compassion and strength—and have the courage to keep moving forward with Him. May the poems ease aching hearts.
23 “Poetry can help the Church communicate the gospel in a way that reaches both the mind and the heart,” says Geoffrey Tinwi Monday. Pray that the anthology will help the Church listen to the wounds, hopes and realities of their communities, and give language to questions and struggles.
24 May each poem make readers pause, see things from different perspectives, and understand that chaos is never the answer to our difficulties, conflicts or wars. May we instead embrace the Prince of Peace, and choose to understand each other and stand together.
25 “Poetry has the power to initiate conversations and is a great tool for breaking barriers—across culture, religion, people groups—and gently pointing people to Christ,” says Agnes Krocha. Pray that the Lord will use the Still anthology to enable readers to see the beauty of Christ.
26 “One of the components of spiritual growth is admitting that you need healing and going out and finding the help required. Poetry offers an avenue for closure or processing difficult situations,” says Olivia Kibui. Pray that the anthology may be an instrument of healing for readers.
27 “Poetry is a powerful tool for today’s people who long for authenticity,” says Ioanna Kakari. “Pray that God through poetry makes His written Word alive—and that readers will discover, like me, they can find refuge and solutions as they spend time talking with Jesus as their best friend.”
28 “Matters of faith are sometimes articulated in a way that can be exclusionary. Poets have an opportunity to take the everyday matters of life and make them accessible,” says Janice Whyne. Pray that readers will find a rhema—word in season—to meet them where they are at.
29 “Poetry can give the Church a meaningful way to speak into deep questions people are already asking,” says Abraham Shuaibu. May Still give churches meaningful ways to speak into questions their communities are asking.
30 “Poetry can help us move beyond merely knowing about God to reflecting more deeply on life with God,” says John Sirengo. Pray for the anthology to be a useful tool for discipleship and spiritual discipline, spurring on meditation, prayer, imagination and maturity in Christ.
31 “No matter the hurricanes and storms of life, may the words in this anthology remind us to remain still—so that we may hear the still small voice of calm, as He who stilled the waters, speaks peace in times of turmoil,” says Njeri Kang’ethe.
Prayers adapted from quotes submitted by Still anthology poets.