A collection of timely, stirring, and witty prayers that give language to the full breadth of our everyday experiences—from joy to sorrow, and everything in between
 
“This is the prayer book I need right now, full of humor and beauty, candor and holy longing.”—Jeff Chu, co-curator of Evolving Faith and author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?

In his debut collection of short-form prayers (aka collects), Terry Stokes names many things we didn’t realize we could pray for, such as student loan debt cancellation, strength when we’re about to make small talk, and restraint when we have the opportunity to be petty. The collection features an impressive range of humor and inspiration, and spans lament and solidarity, including prayers for

• when one dreads the thought of returning to work on Monday
• when one has been left on read by a friend
• before shooting one’s shot
• after shooting one’s shot
• before walking into Target
• when one fears getting canceled
• those working in retail
• when one’s team is struggling

These tender, moving, and entertaining prayers invite us to access the wonder and joy of God’s presence in every situation we encounter. By putting words to the emotions and needs that lie beneath our petitions, our celebrations, and our protests. Stokes’s prayers make for an engaging and heartfelt read that will delight and encourage any person of faith in the modern age.

"A collection of timely, stirring, and witty short-form prayers (aka collects) that give language to the full breadth of our everyday experiences-from joy to sorrow, and everything in between. In his debut collection of prayers, Terry Stokes names all the things we didn't know we could pray for: student loan cancellation; strength when we're about to make small talk; restraint when we have the opportunity to be petty. The collection features an impressive range of humor and inspiration, but also spans prayers of lament and solidarity. These tender, convicting, and entertaining prayers invite readers to see the wonders, joys, and access to God available in any scenario we may encounter. By putting words to the emotions and needs that lay beneath our petitions, our celebrations, and our resistance, Stokes's prayers make for an engaging and heartfelt read that will delight and encourage any person of faith in the modern age"--

“What a gift Terry Stokes has given us. Like the best of the ancient psalms, these modern collects don’t shy from reality and express trust in a loving God who cares intimately about our everyday lives. This is the prayer book I need right now, full of humor and beauty, candor and holy longing.”—Jeff Chu, co-curator of Evolving Faith and author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?
 
“From the petty to the profound, Terry Stokes’s Prayers for the People gives us the language and courage we need to go boldly before the throne of God in prayer, asking for what we desire and need. The scope of prayers within this book will bless the prayer warrior and the prayer adverse.”—Ekemini Uwan, public theologian and co-host of the podcast Truth’s Table

“Wonderfully blending traditional prayer rhetoric with humor and an eye for contemporary concerns, Stokes’s work [is] a stimulating, inspiring resource.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)