We are bringing you three book reviews to help you choose something helpful to read this Lent.
Praying by Heart: The Lord’s Prayer for Everyone
Stephen Cotterell. Published by Hodder & Stoughton
This is a wonderful short read from the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, about the Lord’s Prayer. It reminds us of the centrality of these words of Jesus and how they bring shape and form, not only to our lives and our walk with God, but to how we engage with others and with the world around us.
Early on in the text, Cottrell says ‘…….the Lord’s Prayer comes from the heart of God to the heart of the world via the heart of Jesus and is lived and communicated to the world through our hearts. As we learn this prayer by heart and say it each day, we come close to the heart of God and learn to live God’s way.’ This summarises the heart and intent of the book.
The invitation is for the reader to dive deeply into these words of Jesus that all too often are lost in familiarity. The text address Jesus’ prayer line by line and offers gentle yet profound insight into each section: Our Father, the three praises, the three humble requests and the doxology. We’re reminded that the Lord’s Prayer is the ‘pattern and outline of all prayer’ which ultimately draws us deep in the heart of God as our prayers unify with those of Jesus.
The book also includes some reflective questions at the end which are really helpful for personal and/or group reflection.
Jon Timms
Searched Me Out and Known Me
Charlie Bell. Published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd, 2024
Bell’s book is both a provocative and hopeful read; provocative because he is not scared to challenge our patterned ways of thinking and being in our modern world, and hopeful because he firmly anchors his thoughts in the story of Jesus. Bell invites us to ‘think deeply about the role of time in your life, and the lives of those around you,’ (p14) encouraging us to prioritise God together during Lent.
Each chapter has a Psalm, a gospel passage, a provoking thought from Bell and a prayer, through which he challenges our need to make Church relevant, encouraging us to anchor ourselves in the Biblical story of Jesus which for him can be explored through the liturgical year of the Anglican Church. As such, his book walks us through Lent, with a chapter for each Sunday and then a chapter for each day in Holy Week culminating in the celebration of Easter Day.
Bell is an Anglican vicar, and therefore not ashamed of including religious language and the collect (prayer) of the day. Although the more traditional language would normally cause me to put a book down, he includes this in a way that is approachable and unashamedly anchored in the hope of Jesus. It has to be noted that, even being a pioneer, I say this as an Anglican vicar myself.
Although this is not his aim, Bell does seem to push for traditional church habits in a way that I don’t think he has fully considered. Those of us who make church ‘relevant’ as he puts it, have our own rhythms that draw us and those who are outside the Church structures to Jesus. It is still a reminder, however, to consider what we change, and why, and Bell’s sure hope in Jesus makes this reader consider what he is saying.
As I read this book, I was warmly invited to search myself, to allow the Spirit to challenge any habits that were drawing my gaze from Jesus and to find myself in God. An example, is one of Bell’s thoughts on forgiveness: ‘If our forgiveness is utterly unearned, utterly free, then the bad news, for those of us who like to hold a grudge, is that others’ forgiveness is utterly unearned, and utterly free too.’ (p41) His words can cut to the soul, much like a double-edged sword. Am I, are we, genuinely living in Jesus’ generous forgiveness both for ourselves and for others around us? As I read Charlie Bell’s Lent book I was indeed searched out and found.
If, like me, you have had a difficult year, you may be thinking that this book is not for you, but Bell makes it clear that it is not a guilt trip or a forcing to do more for God, but an invitation to divert our attentions and affections to God during Lent. To not be ashamed of being Christian and to truly take the time to enter into Jesus’ journey to the cross and his resurrection. Bell’s ability to draw on Christian tradition and to understand our current culture is prophetic and heart-warming.
If you want a light book that takes you through the story of Lent I would not suggest this one, but if you want a book that kindly challenges you and draws your gaze to Jesus, this is for you.
Jo Allen
The Little Book of Lent
Published 2014 by William Collins and compiled by Arthur Howells
I often read a devotional book alongside my daily Bible readings and reflections; sometimes, the additional thoughts match my regular readings, giving them greater depth. The Little Book of Lent, first published in 2014, continues to bring each day of Lent to life with an inspiring collection of spiritual writers' readings accompanied by scripture and prayers to assist in direct daily contemplations. It is on my ‘must-read’ pile for Lent 2025.
Starting on Ash Wednesday, inspiring writers and theologians such as Desmond Tutu, Sheila Cassidy, Henri Nouwen, and Jane Williams, with their different Christian perspectives, all bring something unique and thought-provoking to each daily reading. As a Nonconformist, I find the set pattern of thought, scripture and prayer helpful for my quiet time. Nevertheless, you could easily use this book with others to meditate on God's truths and share your thoughts and feelings. This revised and updated edition would be especially beneficial for a Lenten course or home group discussion.
Whoever reads ‘The Little Book of Lent’, in its entirety or excerpts, will find their contemplative journey through Lent enhanced. If you or someone you know is getting ready to give up something for the duration of Lent, this is the ideal present for you to give them or keep for yourself.
Simon Mattholie
First published in MOSAIC Issue 15, January - April 2025
Comments