Untamed Prayers - by Chad Bird (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Untamed Prayers by Chad Bird is a book that will take you out of your spiritual comfort zone. As you read, you'll learn to leave behind the boring, predictable prayers and dive into ones full of praise, despair, joy, and lament. The Psalms cover all parts of life--the good times and the tough ones--and what better way to find the right words to say to God than the very prayers he gave us to pray?

But there's something special about this book: Chad Bird shows how these ancient prayers are connected to Jesus as you go through the Psalms. You'll discover that you're not just talking to God by yourself; Jesus is right there with you, praying alongside you. This is a book that helps you feel that closeness, freeing you to speak to the Father with complete honesty. If you're looking for a prayer life that is anchored in the words and works of Jesus, Untamed Prayers is the perfect guide for this journey.

Review Quotes

"Untamed Prayers is a modern, accessible companion to the Psalms in the spirit of Augustine's famous commentary on the Psalms. With unwavering focus, Chad Bird reveals how Christ stands at the center of every Psalm -- and how each one speaks into our own lives within the story of salvation. This devotional is a powerful and concise guide that helps readers not just read the Psalms, but pray them with Christ in view. It is an indispensable companion for anyone journeying through the Psalms today." - Matthew Delaney, Hebrew Professor and Founder and Host of the Hebrew Bible Insights YouTube Channel and Podcast

"Untamed Prayers is a rare blend of poetic reflection and rich, Christ-centered theology. Each devotion draws you into the raw honesty of the Psalms while lifting your eyes to the finished work of Christ. This isn't sentimental fluff--it's soul-strengthening truth for the weary and the worshipful. Whether you're walking through the valley or standing on the mountaintop, these pages will help you find Christ in both sorrow and joy. - Jon Moffitt, Pastor and Cohost of Theocast

"In Untamed Prayers Chad Bird takes Jesus' statement in Luke 24:44 seriously, "Everything written about me in Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." With a rare mix of perspectives from the everyday world of truck driving, funerals, and business as well as insights gained from years of biblical and historical research, Chad walks his readers through the Psalms piece-by-piece pointing us to Jesus at every turn. By doing this, he reminds us of the freedom we have to go before our Father honestly and offers a full catalogue of expressions by which we can do this, knowing that in Christ all is fulfilled." - Kevin Hale, Training Leaders International

"In Untamed Prayers, Chad Bird brings the Psalms to life in a way that is both raw and deeply reassuring. He invites us into the messy, beautiful reality of biblical prayer, reminding us that it isn't about polished words but vulnerable, honest hearts carried to the Father through Christ. If you long for a richer, more authentic connection with God, this book will not only guide you--it will walk with you. I can't recommend it strongly enough." - R. L. Solberg, Author of The Law, the Christ, the Promise

"The Psalms are the perfect companion for everyday life. Whether through personal stories or historical insight, and always pointing us to Christ, each day in this devotional offers creative ways to encounter what the psalter has to offer. If you have struggled to see how the Psalms intersect with normal life, then this book is for you. If you have spent a lifetime enjoying the Psalms, then this book is sure to make you fall in love with them all over again." - Reed S. Dunn, Pastor of Redeemer Hudson in Union City, New Jersey, Author, When You Don't Have the Words: Praying the Psalms

"The Psalms of ancient Israel point the covenanted community toward one unified focus upon the LORD Himself. Chad Bird's, Untamed Prayers, accomplishes the same for the covenanted community today. Not only does this devotional provide a path for its readers to pray through the entirety of the psalms every month, it also demonstrates, throughout, how Jesus is the LORD in this ancient Israelite poetry. Replete with intertextual connections to other parts of Scripture, erudite use of the original languages, and theologically relevant knowledge for praxis today, Untamed Prayers is a must for those who want to pray as the psalmists prayed." - Nathan S. French (Ph.D.) is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Cohost of the Hebrew Bible Insights Podcast.

"There is nothing we need more in this life than to know Christ is for us and that he is with us. This devotional does more than put words to our experiences, as good as that is; on each page, Chad Bird seeks to pull us onto the rock that is higher than we are. He shows us that Jesus is the singer of the psalms. He is our savior, our high priest, our representative, our intercessor, and a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. As you meditate on the psalms and pray them with Christ, I trust your soul will be nourished." - Justin Perdue, Pastor, Covenant Baptist Church, Asheville, NC; Cohost of Theocast

About the Author

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. Chad has authored several books, speaks regularly at conferences and congregations, and cohosts the popular podcast, "40 Minutes in the Old Testament." Chad and his wife Stacy make their home in Texas, where they have been blessed with four children and three grandchildren.