Prayer & Bible Study Resources We Love
If it feels like we’ve talked about this before… it’s because we have.
Often.
And intentionally.
Prayer and Scripture are not part of ministry; they are the grounding centre for all of us who lead, who teach, who preach, who pastor. When we return again and again to the practices that nourish our own faith, we find ourselves better able to nourish others.
So here’s a roundup of past reflections and posts highlighting resources, practices, thoughts and wisdom related to prayer and Bible study.
Here are previous posts we’ve shared around the topic of Prayer and spiritual practices:
Everyday for the last decade or more, I get up before everyone else in my home. Over the years, the practices themselves have evolved. It started initially with a meditation practice that transformed my quite unhinged life at the time (if I’m honest).
It started with a minute or two and grew and grew and grew to an average of 20 minutes a day.
“If I wasn’t in ministry tomorrow, what would be left of my faith?”
Carey Nieuwhof (church leader, author and coach) has asked this questions many times through his platform. It names a truth that too many of us are afraid to admit: ministry can become a substitute for relationship. When that happens, our souls grow dry. Our calling becomes a job. Our prayers lose their power. Jesus never called you to produce for Him. He called you to abide in Him.
this week, we want to highlight a place—and a movement—that reminds us all of the power and necessity of prayer: the Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP).
This week, we want to speak not just to your ministry role, but to you. Because prayer isn’t just something we do for our congregations. It’s the very place where God meets us, renews us, and roots us in the work of the gospel.
As ministry leaders we don’t need to convince you that prayer and Bible Study are vitally important in the life of the Church. They’re not just spiritual practices—they’re the foundation of everything we do. But if we’re honest, we also know that keeping these practices alive in our congregations, and even our personal lives isn’t always easy.
This isn’t about planning another event or ticking a box. It’s about listening to Jesus’ question: “Do you believe this?” Let that question guide you in the weeks ahead, and take this time to pray for the Church—not just your church, but the Church.
If you decide to participate in this year’s Week of Prayer, know you’re joining with believers across Canada and around the world who are praying for the same thing: unity in Christ. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll catch a glimpse of what that unity could look like.
Looking for some additional engaging resources for worship? Consider highlighting the Week of Christian Prayer and Unity and PWS&D Sunday. Resources here.
Here are previous posts we’ve shared around the topic of Bible Study:
I want to end this series where it all begins: with Scripture. With prayer. With the practices that are supposed to be the foundation of everything we do in our lives of faith exploration.
Starting in January, Ministry Forum will host Chaos and Cosmos: Creation Texts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) — an 8-week online study led by Dr. Christine Mitchell, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Academic Dean at Knox College. This series will run from January 15 to March 5, 2026 and will offer participants an opportunity to explore the Bible’s creation stories through a variety of lenses, from ancient myth to ecological theology, gender, and beyond.
Sometimes, the best conversations aren't planned. This week on the podcast, we’re sharing an impromptu, off-camera moment that turned into something too good not to share. Dr. Derek Suderman, a Hebrew Bible scholar from Conrad Grebel University College, sat down with us to talk about Bible study—what it is, what it isn’t, and what it could be.
Released in 2021 and led by Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui), the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament is exactly what its name suggests—Scripture translated by Native North Americans, shaped by Indigenous storytelling traditions, and offered in English for both Native and non-Native readers.
The FNV is an invitation to listen differently.
This month at Ministry Forum, we’re paying special attention to intergenerational ministry and next-generation formation. We’re thinking about Sunday School, youth group, and family faith practices. But more than that, we’re thinking about what it means to offer something deeper than attendance and answers. We’re asking how we might invest in a faith that’s real, resilient, and rooted—one that won’t unravel when life gets complex, or when A + B no longer equals C.
As ministry leaders we don’t need to convince you that prayer and Bible Study are vitally important in the life of the Church. They’re not just spiritual practices—they’re the foundation of everything we do. But if we’re honest, we also know that keeping these practices alive in our congregations, and even our personal lives isn’t always easy.
Imagine offering your church a rich, interactive Bible study experience — without having to plan, prepare, or lead it yourself.
This winter, Ministry Forum is excited to offer The Bible Course from the Canadian Bible Society — an 8-session online Bible study that traces the grand narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. And here’s the best part: we do all the heavy lifting.
If there’s one thing we know as ministry leaders, it’s that stories matter. They connect us, teach us, and reveal truths in ways no lecture ever could. Jesus himself taught in parables, captivating his listeners and helping them see God’s kingdom in ways they never expected. Our guest this week, this week on the Ministry Forum podcast - Rev. Scott McAndless has a gift for storytelling—something you can tell as soon as you hear him talk. On this own podcast - Retelling the Bible, he retells a biblical story in a way that makes you sit up and listen, almost as though you’re hearing it for the first time. But it’s not just a creative exercise. It’s about digging into scripture, exploring its richness, and letting it speak in ways that resonate deeply with today’s world.
As ministry leaders gear up for the busy seasons of Advent and Christmas, it’s important to have resources that support both practical planning and spiritual nourishment. Here are some tools, guides, and ideas to help you prepare for a meaningful and engaging holiday season.
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves juggling a myriad of responsibilities—sermons to prepare, pastoral care to offer, meetings to attend, and programs to lead. With so much on our plates, adding one more thing—like leading another Bible study—can feel overwhelming.
That’s where Catching the Spark: A Dynamic Bible Study Series can be a gift for you and your congregation this fall.
The OurBible App is a progressive, inclusive Bible study and devotional app designed to support LGBTQ+ Christians, women, and other marginalized groups. It offers a range of devotionals, Bible translations, podcasts, and other resources to help users grow in their faith.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Daily Ripple is an idea we had to build a community of readers and authors. For authors, it’s a chance to share their experiences and their ideas about discipleship. For readers, it’s a chance to disciple in a different way.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
And here are some of the resources we’ve shared that help us come back to scripture and set time aside to connect with God in prayer:
Bible Search & Rescue is an online resource designed to help ministry leaders and learners engage Scripture with greater depth and clarity. Drawing from biblical scholarship, it provides accessible explanations of Scripture’s historical context, meaning, and interpretation, while also addressing common misunderstandings about biblical texts. The site includes written resources, a searchable index of topics, and a podcast that explores how careful study can shape faithful leadership and thoughtful discipleship.
Practicing the Way is a free set of tools and courses that helps people build a sustainable prayer and devotional life by practicing the habits of Jesus—without the pressure, noise, or “one more thing” energy of the Christian marketplace.
Contemplative Outreach is a global spiritual network of individuals and faith communities dedicated to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel through the practice of Centering Prayer and other contemplative disciplines. Rooted in the teaching of Father Thomas Keating, this international, interdenominational community offers formation, resources, and gatherings that help deepen one’s relationship with God and embody divine transformation in daily life.
The FNV is a faithful re-voicing of the gospel, rich with cultural idioms, relational nuance, and a storytelling rhythm that honours the oral traditions of many First Nations communities. It’s deeply grounded in the text, theologically thoughtful, and beautifully expressed. You’ll hear Jesus referred to as Creator Sets Free, God as Great Spirit, and followers of Jesus as the Sacred Family—language that resonates with Indigenous imagery while remaining true to the message of the New Testament.
The Taizé Community in France is an ecumenical Christian community devoted to prayer, simplicity, and unity among believers. Known for its meditative music, silence, and Scripture readings, Taizé invites people worldwide to encounter God through peace-filled rhythms of worship and reflection. Online, the community offers daily prayers, Bible readings, and live worship streams, making its contemplative practice accessible to individuals and congregations everywhere.
God’s Stories: As Told By God’s Children is a radically inclusive, scholarship-informed storybook Bible available in both children’s and adults’ editions. Created by The Bible for Normal People, it blends engaging storytelling with accessible biblical scholarship, inviting readers of all ages to explore the Bible’s beauty, complexity, and many voices while encouraging curiosity, questions, and open conversation.
The BibleProject Podcast, hosted by Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, takes listeners deep into the biblical theology behind BibleProject’s videos and series. Through rich, accessible conversations, it explores the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus—unpacking themes, books, and difficult questions in a way that blends scholarship with approachable storytelling.
Pray As You Go is a website and mobile app that provides daily audio prayer experiences to help individuals connect with God through scripture, music, and reflective prompts. Developed by Jesuits in Britain, this free resource provides 10–13 minute meditations rooted in Ignatian spirituality, allowing users to pause, reflect, and pray wherever they are—whether commuting, walking, or seeking stillness.
The Bible Engagement Project is a free, digital discipleship curriculum designed to immerse your entire congregation—preschool through adults—in a shared journey through scripture. Anchored in the Bible and accessible via mobile or desktop app, this resource provides a comprehensive scope and sequence for intentional spiritual growth, all available at no cost thanks to generous partnerships.
The Big God Project is a full-church curriculum developed in Canada by the Family Church of Heritage Green (Presbyterian Church in Canada). Built around the idea that churches grow best when learning together, it helps congregations—regardless of size or age range—engage the Bible as one body. Every week centers on a theme drawn from the character of God and includes a children’s moment in worship, a teaching video, printable activity sheets, and a hands-on Sunday School lesson. The same theme carries through all pieces so the entire church is learning the same story together.
A Visual Guide to Prayer Walking is a thoughtfully designed set of visual prompts and prayers to help individuals and groups engage with God while walking through their neighbourhoods. Created by Randell Neudorf, this guide combines simple drawings and reflective questions to spark fresh ways of praying as you move.
The Bible for Normal People is a multimedia learning platform and podcast that makes scholarly and inclusive biblical engagement accessible, honest, and often humorous. Co-hosted by Pete Enns and Jared Byas, it’s a space where people deconstruct and reconstruct their faith with thoughtful guidance.
Bible Remixed is a teaching initiative led by Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat offering courses and workshops at the intersection of scripture, justice, and creation care. Grounded in rigorous biblical scholarship and rooted in a lived theology of hospitality and earth stewardship, this resource equips leaders for transformative discipleship in contemporary contexts.
What Is the Bible? is a vibrant and lyrical picture book that invites children to explore the Bible as a beautiful and diverse collection of stories about God, the world, and Jesus. Inspired by Rachel Held Evans’ legacy and completed by Matthew Paul Turner, it helps young readers (and their adults) see how God's story connects with their own lives in accessible, imaginative ways.
Ekkuip Canada is a Cambridge, Ontario-based organization dedicated to equipping Canadian ministry leaders with trusted resources and personalized service. They offer a wide range of products, including Bibles, study materials, curricula, and church supplies, tailored to support various aspects of ministry.
Bless every home offers a platform designed to help individuals and churches spread Christ’s love in their communities. Through its BLESS practices— which stands for Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Share your Story—users can build meaningful connections with neighbors.
The Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP) is a praying community in Hamilton, Ontario, dedicated to cultivating deep spiritual rhythms of prayer, discipleship, and mission. As part of the global 24-7 Prayer movement, GOHOP exists to serve and equip the Church by fostering personal and corporate prayer expressions that unite believers across denominations.
The Lectio 365 App is a powerful tool for spiritual formation, designed to help believers pray and meditate on Scripture throughout their day. Inspired by the ancient rhythms of prayer practiced by Jesus and His disciples, the app invites you to pause three times daily—morning, midday, and evening—to connect with God through prayer and reflection.
Whether you’re seeking to deepen your personal relationship with God or lead your congregation into a more intentional prayer life, Lectio 365 offers accessible, Scripture-centered devotions that bring peace and focus in a busy world.
Prayer & Possibilities is a ministry dedicated to guiding individuals toward a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God through prayer and faith development. Founded by Kathryn Shirey, the platform offers resources designed to help you learn how to pray, deepen your faith, and step into God's possibilities for your life.
Ignatian Resources is dedicated to helping individuals and communities embrace the transformative wisdom of Ignatian spirituality. Ignatian spirituality is based on the work of the Catholic Saint Ignatius of Loyola, taking inspiration from his spiritual exercises and famous spiritual retreats. With a mission to make this timeless tradition accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, Ignatian offer a wide range of thoughtfully crafted tools to deepen faith and encourage personal growth.
Crossway is a not-for-profit, Christian publishing ministry offering books, podcasts, Bible reading plans, and articles.
The Book of Belonging is an illustrated Bible storybook to help children understand the rich diversity of God's people, emphasizing identity, contemplation, and wonder. It presents 42 Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments, featuring diverse narratives and illustrations that include women, men expressing emotions, and people of color, ensuring that every child can see themselves reflected in the stories. The book encourages imagination and wonder, allowing kids the freedom to explore, question, and discover a personal connection to their Creator.
The Prayer Course is a free, online resource designed to help individuals and groups explore the depths of prayer in an engaging and accessible way. Rooted in the Lord’s Prayer, it offers a series of interactive video sessions that combine practical teaching with reflective exercises, fostering a deeper understanding of prayer’s transformative power.
The Bible Course, offered by the Canadian Bible Society, is an eight-session program designed to enhance understanding of the Bible. Suitable for individuals and groups, whether meeting in person or online, the course provides a comprehensive overview of the Bible's narrative, illustrating how key events, books, and characters interconnect.
Crosswalk provides resources that speak to real-life issues and highlight Christian values in an ever-changing world including daily devotionals, Bible study tools or faith-based news coverage, Crosswalk offers a wide range of content to nourish your heart and soul.
Bible Study Printables is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to enriching ones spiritual journey through accessible and engaging resources. Their mission is to provide individuals and families with tools that make studying the Bible both enjoyable and meaningful. The website offers a diverse array of features, including Bible reading plans that guide you through Scripture in a structured yet flexible manner, and Bible study games designed to make learning interactive and fun for all ages.
Prayer support offerings include: prayer guides and scripture-based articles that focus on practical ways to deepen prayer life, live out faith, and grow spiritually. Faith-building articles tackle topics like overcoming financial anxiety, finding peace in God’s promises, and trusting in His plan for our lives.
Open the Bible is a ministry helping individuals experience the transformative power of God's Word. The mission is to open the Bible with people, assist them in opening it for themselves, and equip them to share it with others.
Founded by pastor and writer John Piper, Desiring God is driven by the belief that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Resources cover a variety of topics such as Christian living, family life, culture and mental health.
24-7 Prayer is a global movement that inspires, equips, and mobilizes individuals to deepen their prayer lives and engage in active service. For personal spiritual growth, 24-7 Prayer offers a variety of resources.
I want to end this series where it all begins: with Scripture. With prayer. With the practices that are supposed to be the foundation of everything we do in our lives of faith exploration.