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A Diary of Private Prayer
Editor Susanna Wright offers this updated edition of a Christian devotional classic—invoking the daily prayers and timeless imagery of the original text through modern, accessible language.
In this wonderful collection, famed theologian Dr. John Baillie shares personal prayers for people who are seeking a better understanding of God and themselves. Organized by morning and evening—with special prayers for Sundays— A Diary of Private Prayer is written with eloquence, piety, and directness. Blending praise and meditative thoughts about God with a concern for the social and individual good, these daily invocations help and inspire us to search our inner selves and find the deep religious beliefs that lie within.
First published in 1936, A Diary of Private Prayer remains a seminal Christian devotional with more than a million copies in print. This modern edition—completely redesigned into a gift package—admirably preserves all the qualities of the original, ensuring that the wisdom of God and the wonder of Baillie’s prayers remain accessible for many generations to come.
In this wonderful collection, famed theologian Dr. John Baillie shares personal prayers for people who are seeking a better understanding of God and themselves. Organized by morning and evening—with special prayers for Sundays— A Diary of Private Prayer is written with eloquence, piety, and directness. Blending praise and meditative thoughts about God with a concern for the social and individual good, these daily invocations help and inspire us to search our inner selves and find the deep religious beliefs that lie within.
First published in 1936, A Diary of Private Prayer remains a seminal Christian devotional with more than a million copies in print. This modern edition—completely redesigned into a gift package—admirably preserves all the qualities of the original, ensuring that the wisdom of God and the wonder of Baillie’s prayers remain accessible for many generations to come.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1936
About the author
John Baillie
149 books12 followersJohn Baillie was a teacher, lecturer, preacher, and author of many books, including Christian Devotion, The Place of Jesus Christ in Modern Christianity, and A Diary of Readings. He held academic posts in the UK, the US, and Canada; was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; and President of the World Council of Churches. He died in 1960.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
February 23, 2012
This is one of those books that I've known about for a long time (Richard Foster lists it as one of his favorite devotional books) but never picked up (until I found it on the 50% off rack at the Fuller bookstore). What a rich book - it's very simple, with a month's worth of one-page prayers for morning and evening. What first struck me as I read is this is a man who has spent a lifetime in the presence of God - talking with him, wrestling with him, loving and being loved by him. It has great depth, and the author has a real gift as a wordsmith.
It's only in recent years that I've come to appreciate the value of praying other people's prayers. I find (as CS Lewis once pointed out) that most of my own praying is very personal but also very narrow. I pray about what I think about, oblivious to things that maybe should be on my mind but aren't. Praying the prayers of others broadens my prayer life, which eventually makes it that much more personal as well. This book is a real blessing, and I highly recommend it.
It's only in recent years that I've come to appreciate the value of praying other people's prayers. I find (as CS Lewis once pointed out) that most of my own praying is very personal but also very narrow. I pray about what I think about, oblivious to things that maybe should be on my mind but aren't. Praying the prayers of others broadens my prayer life, which eventually makes it that much more personal as well. This book is a real blessing, and I highly recommend it.
January 23, 2023
I do not come from a tradition of written prayers, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this devotional classic. A Diary of Private Prayer, written by Scottish theologian John Baillie (1886-1960), contains a month of heartfelt prayers, one for each morning and evening. Frankly, the humble, submissive attitude of these prayers was a welcome change from much of modern Christian literature.
February 3, 2015
This is a revised reprint edition of a 1936 devotional classic. It’s structured for 31 days plus Sundays, and divided into morning and evening. The prayers are a mixture of prose and verse, with liberal quotations from poets (Wordsworth, Tennyson, et al.) and the book of Psalms. Some also have fill-in-the-blank sections to allow for personalization. Susanna Wright’s updates are evident in mentions of atoms and molecules, HIV/AIDS, and computers and the Internet.
Some favorite passages:
“when this morning prayer is finished, do not let me think that my worship is ended and spend the rest of the day forgetting you. Rather, from these quiet moments, let light and joy and power pour out and remain with me through every hour of this day.”
“Give me the strength to confront any mountain of duty or bad habit. Where an action of mine can make this world a better place, where a word of mine can cheer a sad heart or strengthen a weak will, where a prayer of mine can serve Christ’s kingdom, there let me act and speak and pray.”
“O Lord, you indwell our shabby human life, lifting it now and then above the dominance of animal passion and greed, allowing it to shine with borrowed lights of love and joy and peace, and making it a mirror of the beauties of a world unseen.”
“Do not let me refuse to show those closest to me the courtesy and kindness which I would show to strangers. Let charity begin at home today.”
“Let all the knowledge I absorb refresh my mind in a way that makes me more eagerly seek whatever is pure and fair and true.”
Some favorite passages:
“when this morning prayer is finished, do not let me think that my worship is ended and spend the rest of the day forgetting you. Rather, from these quiet moments, let light and joy and power pour out and remain with me through every hour of this day.”
“Give me the strength to confront any mountain of duty or bad habit. Where an action of mine can make this world a better place, where a word of mine can cheer a sad heart or strengthen a weak will, where a prayer of mine can serve Christ’s kingdom, there let me act and speak and pray.”
“O Lord, you indwell our shabby human life, lifting it now and then above the dominance of animal passion and greed, allowing it to shine with borrowed lights of love and joy and peace, and making it a mirror of the beauties of a world unseen.”
“Do not let me refuse to show those closest to me the courtesy and kindness which I would show to strangers. Let charity begin at home today.”
“Let all the knowledge I absorb refresh my mind in a way that makes me more eagerly seek whatever is pure and fair and true.”
December 30, 2021
I received this book as a retirement gift a year and a half ago; it has languished on the nightstand pile since then. I picked it up for an Advent read this month and was in awe of what I was reading. It is truly beautiful morning and evening prayers and so relevant even today. I will read this again many times over.
October 3, 2015
As an admitted logophile, I have long been assisted in my prayers by reading beautifully written prayers. The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer is, of course, one favorite. But recently I found John Baillie's magnificent A Diary of Private Prayer (first published in 1936). I first learned of it from Richard J. Foster's edited collection, Devotional Classics. Soon after this first discovery, I ordered a copy for myself, and soon after reading it myself I ordered more copies to give away to friends.
Baillie provides a morning and evening prayer for each day of the month, with an extra morning and evening pair for Sundays. The prayers are written in a somewhat archaic style--"Thee" and "Thou" are the most obvious signs of this (and the easiest to mentally translate to modern equivalents), but other verbiage also shows this.
What I love about these eloquent prayers is that they are at once "classical" and also thoroughly relevant, inspiring, challenging. Baillie's personality shines through these prayers: he is a lover of books and music, appreciative of the pleasures of introversion combined with a desire to improve the world for everyone around him, and steeped in scripture, so that scripture references flow naturally all throughout the prayers. Much in the prayers speak to my own personality and faith. Here is an excerpt from the prayer for the morning of Day 5:O Thou who wast, and art, and art to come, I thank Thee that this Christian way whereon I walk is no untried or uncharted road, but a road beaten hard by the footsteps of saints, apostles, prophets, and martyrs. I thank Thee for the finger-posts and danger-signals with which it is marked at every turning and which may be known to me through the study of the Bible, and of all history, and of all the great literature of the world.
I love that affirmation of historical tradition and literature. Elsewhere (in Morning, Day 7) he prays "I praise Thee for music and books and good company and all pure pleasures."
The evening prayers are often challenging reflections on the day just ended. They are a turning away from the failures of the day, and a hoping that the next day will not see a repetition of the same; all of this is in the context of affirmation of God's love for us.
I'm thoroughly enjoying incorporating Baillie's prayers into my own daily prayers, and I recommend this book to anyone else who appreciates written prayers.
February 8, 2023
One of my favorite books. John Baillie was a normal sinful person who took everything to the Lord in prayer. His different prayers for morning and night for 31 days somehow perfectly aligned to where I was at every day. I want to restart this already!!
January 1, 2024
Beautiful liturgy with a morning and evening prayer for each day out of the month
June 27, 2022
This book showed me many new things about prayer, such as expanding my focus. He included scripture and poetry and wrote beautifully with humility. This is one to reread.
March 2, 2023
Not just a morning and evening devotional to read, but the prayers are worth meditating on and also praying. Highly recommend.
February 18, 2022
This wonderful little book has lifted my spirit and encouraged me every day for God to search my heart and be a better person. To pray for myself and others each day.
December 17, 2024
Read all thru this year, one of the best devotions I've ever done
May 20, 2012
In recent years, I've become very strict with myself regarding what books I will buy. Having worked at the public library for several years, I now instinctively borrow rather than buy.
But, there are certain books that I make exceptions for. My rule of thumb is to only purchase (or keep) a book if I can answer "Yes" to at least one of the following questions:
* Do I love this book so much that I intend to read it multiple times?
* Do I love this book so much that I intend to recommend/lend it to others?
A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie is one that joins my short list of books worth actually owning. It's a devotional book of the richest sort--one that may be used again and again without losing its savor.
This book sets itself apart from so many other devotional resources because of its God-ward focus & other-oriented focus. Several devotionals I have come across in the past (Streams in the Desert and Jesus Calling to name a couple) are certainly encouraging, gentle words that serve to boost your confidence & mood and put a spring in your step for the day ahead. But after working through a morning or evening prayer by author John Baillie, the focus of these other popular inspirational devos seems almost more self-focused than God-focused.
It has been refreshing for me to be prompted by Baillie at the end of a long day to reflect on & confess those ways which I have not honored God that day. Or to begin a day remembering my own frailty and pleading for God's mercy on me in the day ahead. Or to pause in prayer to remember those obscure individuals for whom Baillie encourages us to pray (homeless, those encountering difficult decisions, missionaries, lonely, anxious, prisoners, oppressed, and more). What a beautiful exercise in turning my eyes from myself onto the needs of others.
I highly recommend Baillie's book of prayers as a robust devotional resource of the highest order.
--Jen
But, there are certain books that I make exceptions for. My rule of thumb is to only purchase (or keep) a book if I can answer "Yes" to at least one of the following questions:
* Do I love this book so much that I intend to read it multiple times?
* Do I love this book so much that I intend to recommend/lend it to others?
A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie is one that joins my short list of books worth actually owning. It's a devotional book of the richest sort--one that may be used again and again without losing its savor.
This book sets itself apart from so many other devotional resources because of its God-ward focus & other-oriented focus. Several devotionals I have come across in the past (Streams in the Desert and Jesus Calling to name a couple) are certainly encouraging, gentle words that serve to boost your confidence & mood and put a spring in your step for the day ahead. But after working through a morning or evening prayer by author John Baillie, the focus of these other popular inspirational devos seems almost more self-focused than God-focused.
It has been refreshing for me to be prompted by Baillie at the end of a long day to reflect on & confess those ways which I have not honored God that day. Or to begin a day remembering my own frailty and pleading for God's mercy on me in the day ahead. Or to pause in prayer to remember those obscure individuals for whom Baillie encourages us to pray (homeless, those encountering difficult decisions, missionaries, lonely, anxious, prisoners, oppressed, and more). What a beautiful exercise in turning my eyes from myself onto the needs of others.
I highly recommend Baillie's book of prayers as a robust devotional resource of the highest order.
--Jen
December 20, 2013
A have used this little gem over the last 10 years. It is very user-friendly. It covers 31 days, both morning and evening. With each prayer there is a blank page for scribbling notes, prayer requests etc. Most of the time the prayers range from delightful, to beautiful, to rich. Only on rare occasions does the writer's liberalism seep through problematically (like the morning prayer on the fifth day, in which Ballie blows along with the winds of Evolution). I highly recommend it, but with a reminder to be discerning.
August 21, 2024
This book is one I’ve used for a few years now. There are 30 days of morning and evening prayers and each left hand page is empty so that one can jot down their own requests. It is a great combination of guided prayers as well as a prayer journal. I have written down every one in our church and spread them out over the 30 days so that I can pray for them. My immediate and extended family members are on a bookmark so that I see their names to pray for them daily. This system has worked well for me.
May 10, 2020
This is one of my favorite devotional books. I use it over and over again. The prayers speak to my heart.
February 5, 2020
I used this last year and loved its simplicity and it’s language of petition and humbleness. It was refreshing to be reminded of repentance and my wayward nature in such timeless sounding prayers.
December 31, 2024
I’ve read John Baille’s prayers at least once a year ever since being assigned it as required reading in a seminary course on the classics of personal devotion, back in 2019. Baille’s prayers have the effect of mirroring many of the things we all pray. His words are extremely vulnerable, full of scripture and a wonderful help as a devotional. Here’s a write up from that course:
1. Overview. John Baillie (1886-1960) was a Scottish theologian esteemed for his teaching, writing and preaching, to include spending considerable time in the United States. A Diary of Private Prayer was published in 1936 and is regarded as a devotional classic.
In his book Baillie uses a morning and evening format for daily prayers. Reminiscent of Spurgeon’s devotional “Morning and Evening,” Baillie highlights the glory of God over “me centric” prayers that many of us often pray. His prayers are not systematic, but seemingly an
application of what’s popularly known today as ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. While not overt, there are glimpses of the gospel in every prayer.
2. Critique. None. This is likely my favorite of the classics we’ve read. I have already made these prayers my own. After working through half the book I ordered one for the leaders of my church! I like that this prayer diary serves as a journal for the reader. Susanna Wrights contribution has obviously made Baillie’s work immensely accessible to twenty-first century
readers. I also appreciate the notes pages in the back of the book which adds proof text for all the Scriptures mentioned in the daily prayers.
3. Application. Baillie in providing these morning and evening prayers gives us a glimpse of his prayer life. This is particularly useful because he teaches us how to pray. Not a formula; not even certain words. He systematically touches all of life: the day as it unfolds; worship as a lifestyle throughout the day; and beseeching God to guard the heart at night during sleep. He shows how to use Scripture in the midst of praying. He models praying for large things that encompass the world, to pray for family and friends; our work, but also to pray for ourselves and the minutest cares of our heart. John Baillie prays, in such beautiful language, prayers that we all should want to pray.
4. Notable Quotes.
“Give me grace, if I like awake thinking, to think of you.” (5)
“Let me then give back into your hands all that you have given me, rededicating to your service
all I can do with my mind and body, all my possessions, and all my influence with others.” (7)
“Where an action of mine can make this world a better place, where a word of mine can cheer a sad heart or strengthen a weak will, where a prayer of mine can serve Christ’s kingdom, there let me act and speak and pray.” (11)
“Let no false shame keep me from confessing the wrongs that proper shame should have kept me from committing.” (17)
“O God, let your kingdom come on earth. Now as I pray this prayer, do not let me still intend in my heart to devote my best hours and years to the service of lesser goals.” (25)
“Take my hands and give me the skill to serve you. Take my feet… Take my eyes… Take my mouth and give me the words to tell others of your love.” (35)
“I do not want to pray only for myself. I bring before you all my human brothers and sisters who need your help…” (41)
“…but give me grace to understand that the world I cannot see or touch is the most real world of all.” (47)
“I pray for all the different kinds of people to whom Jesus gave special concern and care when he was on earth:” (53)
“Open my ears… Open my mind… Open my eyes…. Open my hands, O God:” (57)
“Enable me now to meditate so deeply on my Lord’s passion… I remember…” (65)
1. Overview. John Baillie (1886-1960) was a Scottish theologian esteemed for his teaching, writing and preaching, to include spending considerable time in the United States. A Diary of Private Prayer was published in 1936 and is regarded as a devotional classic.
In his book Baillie uses a morning and evening format for daily prayers. Reminiscent of Spurgeon’s devotional “Morning and Evening,” Baillie highlights the glory of God over “me centric” prayers that many of us often pray. His prayers are not systematic, but seemingly an
application of what’s popularly known today as ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. While not overt, there are glimpses of the gospel in every prayer.
2. Critique. None. This is likely my favorite of the classics we’ve read. I have already made these prayers my own. After working through half the book I ordered one for the leaders of my church! I like that this prayer diary serves as a journal for the reader. Susanna Wrights contribution has obviously made Baillie’s work immensely accessible to twenty-first century
readers. I also appreciate the notes pages in the back of the book which adds proof text for all the Scriptures mentioned in the daily prayers.
3. Application. Baillie in providing these morning and evening prayers gives us a glimpse of his prayer life. This is particularly useful because he teaches us how to pray. Not a formula; not even certain words. He systematically touches all of life: the day as it unfolds; worship as a lifestyle throughout the day; and beseeching God to guard the heart at night during sleep. He shows how to use Scripture in the midst of praying. He models praying for large things that encompass the world, to pray for family and friends; our work, but also to pray for ourselves and the minutest cares of our heart. John Baillie prays, in such beautiful language, prayers that we all should want to pray.
4. Notable Quotes.
“Give me grace, if I like awake thinking, to think of you.” (5)
“Let me then give back into your hands all that you have given me, rededicating to your service
all I can do with my mind and body, all my possessions, and all my influence with others.” (7)
“Where an action of mine can make this world a better place, where a word of mine can cheer a sad heart or strengthen a weak will, where a prayer of mine can serve Christ’s kingdom, there let me act and speak and pray.” (11)
“Let no false shame keep me from confessing the wrongs that proper shame should have kept me from committing.” (17)
“O God, let your kingdom come on earth. Now as I pray this prayer, do not let me still intend in my heart to devote my best hours and years to the service of lesser goals.” (25)
“Take my hands and give me the skill to serve you. Take my feet… Take my eyes… Take my mouth and give me the words to tell others of your love.” (35)
“I do not want to pray only for myself. I bring before you all my human brothers and sisters who need your help…” (41)
“…but give me grace to understand that the world I cannot see or touch is the most real world of all.” (47)
“I pray for all the different kinds of people to whom Jesus gave special concern and care when he was on earth:” (53)
“Open my ears… Open my mind… Open my eyes…. Open my hands, O God:” (57)
“Enable me now to meditate so deeply on my Lord’s passion… I remember…” (65)
June 17, 2018
This book is “an old way of praying that is still new to me” (to quote Andrew Peterson). It’s a book of liturgical prayers, full of depth and meaning.
December 17, 2020
Excellent little book! It contains an evening prayer and a morning prayer for each day of the month. Very helpful in praying more earnestly and more widely.
February 23, 2023
A helpful book of prayers that gives you words when you lack them. Some really timely ones at the most important times.
May 21, 2023
This work is an outstanding collection of prayers that are as uplifting as they are challenging. I will read them again and again.
July 20, 2023
This took me so long to read because its the type of book where you have to read every morning and every evening and i am just not that consistent 😭. It was a really good book though, loved all the prayers 🫶🏾
October 3, 2021
Life-giving. Truth centered, personal, and brief. I was convicted, encouraged, and challenged reading this every morning!
December 22, 2021
An excellent book for daily prayer. One of my favorites that I read in 2021. It's now in my daily rotation of devotionals due to its depth and wisdom. Highly recommended.
December 6, 2022
I don’t think I have ever read a book that has helped my prayer life like this book has. Highly recommend.
April 15, 2018
A Diary of private prayer
There are many books available that are trying to be like this one. There are any number of books of prayers, books of days, themed collections, praying the scriptures, prayers of the saints or other celebrated personages.
In most cases these books fall short. They tend to be superficial in content and in depth of spiritual understanding.
This book is different.
The author was born in Scotland in 1886. A leading theologian he studied divinity at Edinburgh University, as well as Jena and Marburg in Germany. He taught in Canada and the United States. He was a professor at Edinburgh University and a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He was well versed in his faith.
A diary of private prayer reflects the depths of his education and love of God. This is a book that Will help you plumb the depths of your relationship with the Lord and help you reflect on your understanding and practice of your spiritual path.
The author says these prayers and a jumping off point that you should use as a platform to further develop your own prayer life. Each prayer will help you mine the depths of your heart for the sparkling diamonds that you can over to the Lord and use to benefit everyone around you through intercession.
Your prayer life will never be the same again.
This is also a great book for browsing. You can open it at any page and find something to lift our heart beyond the clouds.
There are many books available that are trying to be like this one. There are any number of books of prayers, books of days, themed collections, praying the scriptures, prayers of the saints or other celebrated personages.
In most cases these books fall short. They tend to be superficial in content and in depth of spiritual understanding.
This book is different.
The author was born in Scotland in 1886. A leading theologian he studied divinity at Edinburgh University, as well as Jena and Marburg in Germany. He taught in Canada and the United States. He was a professor at Edinburgh University and a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He was well versed in his faith.
A diary of private prayer reflects the depths of his education and love of God. This is a book that Will help you plumb the depths of your relationship with the Lord and help you reflect on your understanding and practice of your spiritual path.
The author says these prayers and a jumping off point that you should use as a platform to further develop your own prayer life. Each prayer will help you mine the depths of your heart for the sparkling diamonds that you can over to the Lord and use to benefit everyone around you through intercession.
Your prayer life will never be the same again.
This is also a great book for browsing. You can open it at any page and find something to lift our heart beyond the clouds.
September 7, 2018
This has become a new favorite guide for my daily prayer times. Such depth and range of expression of emotions and such solid truths to cling to in prayer are gathered here. I can only share a favorite passage as a taste and a recommendation to others:
"Almighty God, who of Thine infinite wisdom hast ordained that I should live my life within these narrow bounds of time and circumstance, let me now go forth into the world with a brave and trustful heart. It has pleased Thee to withhold from me a perfect knowledge; therefore deny me not the grace of faith by which I may lay hold of things unseen. Thou hast given me little power to mold things to my own desire; therefore use Thine own omnipotence to bring Thy desires to pass within me. Thou hast willed it that through labour and pain I should walk the upward way; be Thou then my fellow traveller as I go."
"Almighty God, who of Thine infinite wisdom hast ordained that I should live my life within these narrow bounds of time and circumstance, let me now go forth into the world with a brave and trustful heart. It has pleased Thee to withhold from me a perfect knowledge; therefore deny me not the grace of faith by which I may lay hold of things unseen. Thou hast given me little power to mold things to my own desire; therefore use Thine own omnipotence to bring Thy desires to pass within me. Thou hast willed it that through labour and pain I should walk the upward way; be Thou then my fellow traveller as I go."
March 12, 2024
These short prayers are not as robust as others I have read. I much prefer the Puritan prayers found in The Valley of Vision or the prayers that are found in Gibson’s liturgies titled Be Thou My Vision; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; O Sacred Head Now Wounded. I don’t know if the original prayers by Baillie were as universal or humanistic as these were, or if they were edited to be that way. I will not be using this book again in my personal devotional time.
October 21, 2014
This is a great book of daily prayers (morning and evening) from an early-mid 20th century theologian and leader in the Church of Scotland. Some of the prayers verge on the wishy-washiness of theological liberalism, but most are incredibly helpful and biblical guides to daily prayer.
September 29, 2023
A most beautiful collection of prayers. No matter how long I have been apart, when I flip to the current day’s prayer I find myself in awe and wonder that one could capture the exact things that I need to bring before God. An excellent guiding insight appropriate to Christians of any denomination.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews