Intentional Reading - Second Quarter 2025 (Part One)
Bible & Prayer Readings
Continuing my reading journey in the Scriptures and prayer. Here are my second-quarter updates.
Bible
ESV Hear the Word Audio Bible by Crossway. Narrated by David Heath. [74 hours 37 minutes] 5 stars.
The Table of Contents lists each book and chapter, making it easy to navigate if you are trying to listen to a specific book in the Old and New Testaments. Heath does an excellent job narrating the complete ESV Bible.
Letters from Heaven by the Apostle Paul, written and narrated by Brian Simmons. [2 hours 41 minutes] 5 stars.
Simmons highlights Paul’s writings by reading Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and I and II Timothy. This is a pleasant listening experience and a good rendering of Paul’s letters. Simmons reads with instrumental music playing in the background, and he adds a historical summary before reading each new book he highlights. There are 36 chapters.
“History is a story written by the finger of God.” ~C.S. Lewis
NASB New Testament, written and narrated by Steven B. Stevens. [16 hours 52 minutes] 5 stars.
Stevens’ excellence shines through in this reading of the New Testament in the NASB 1995 edition. Stevens is committed to reading the Word of God distinctly without sound effects or background music—a precise rendering of God’s Word. The books are not listed, but both the books and chapters are quietly announced at the beginning of each chapter. There are 260 chapters.
The Passion Translation: The NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs by Brian Simmons. Audiobook narrated by Brian Simmons. [36 hours 23 minutes] 5 stars.
Brian Simmons reads the NT with instrumental music playing in the background. Simmons adds a historical summary before reading each new book of the Bible.
The World’s Greatest Stories NIV V1: The Prophets. Written and narrated by George W. Sarris. [50 minutes] 4 stars
Sarrris includes the stories of Daniel Chapter 3 - The Blazing Furnace; Daniel Chapter 5 - The Handwriting on the Wall; Daniel Chapter 6 - Daniel in the Lion’s Den; 2 Kings 17-18 - Elijah and the Prophets of Baal.
The World’s Greatest Stories NIV V2: The Life of Christ. Written and narrated by George W. Sarris. [1 hour 4 minutes] 4 stars.
Sarris includes the stories of the Birth of Christ, the baptism and temptation of Jesus, the healing of the blind man, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and things Jesus said and did.
The World’s Greatest Stories NIV V3: The Beginnings. Written and narrated by George W. Sarris. [54 minutes] 4 stars.
Sarris includes the stories of the Beginning (Genesis 1-4), a lame man in Lystra (Acts 14:8-22), a jailer in Philippi (Acts 16:11-40), the book of Ruth, and the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-12:11).
Sarris is a dramatic storyteller who incorporates music and sound effects to enhance his stories. I gave a four-star rating because younger children could find his approach frightening. I would recommend these recordings for children aged 8-12.
My children listened to these on cassette tapes when they were young, and I recently listened to them on a road trip via Audible.
“I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.” ~C.S. Lewis
This quarter, I averaged an hour in God’s Word each day. Hearing God’s Word read aloud brings a “fresh experience” to His Word of Life. Reading the Bible builds up my spirit man, renews my mind, and encourages my heart.
I encourage you to experience the Word of God through audio Bibles, which are a tremendous resource for “reading” the Bible completely multiple times in a year.
Prayer
If we are not getting much out of going to God in prayer, we will certainly get nothing out of staying away.” ~John Newton
The Lord’s Prayer by A. W. Pink. [Kindle 86 pages] 5 stars.
Initially written in 1938, this book was made available on Kindle in 2012. This gem is on the same level as Andrew Murray’s classic writings on prayer. Though some of the language is old-fashioned, Pink’s insights on the Lord’s Prayer are among the best on this passage from the Book of Matthew. It is an easy read, yet profoundly insightful. I highly recommend it!
“Real Prayer is communion with God.” ~A.W. Pink
“Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord.” ~A.W. Pink
“The measure of our love for others can largely be determined by the frequency and earnestness of our prayers for them.” ~A.W. Pink
Lord Teach Us to Pray by Alexander Whyte. [Kindle 186 pages] 4 stars.
Delivered initially in several prayer series from 1895 to 1906. Whyte taught on the prayers from the Bible with a central theme from Luke 11:1. His emphasis on prayer is built on the foundation of understanding sin and grace for the Believer. Whyte describes the general tenements of prayer, specific characteristics of prayer, and shares Biblical examples to illustrate his points. Whyte incorporates quotes from theologians, philosophers, poets, and scientists.
Prayer does not change God; it changes me.” ~C.S. Lewis
Do you have a book on prayer that has had a profound impact on your life?