Prayers: A Personal Selection

I read (that is listen) to audio books while I drive as I drive about 80 miles per day in commuting and picking up a granddaughter. This is the first christianaudio book that I have not listened to from beginning to end. I thought that I would be hearing prayers that I was familiar with, but with little exception, the prayers were foreign to me.

Michael York’s voice was pleasant and added to the experience and the music was very nice and also added to the prayers. Since this is an audio book, it isn’t convenient to have a table of contents or footnotes so it was difficult to know what was coming up next or the basis for the prayers.

While many of the topics were very meaningful, since you cannot conveniently jump to a prayer that may answer you particular needs at the time, the book leaves you with listening to one prayer after another.

After listening to most of the book, I cannot say that I particularly remember any prayer that was especially meaningful to me to remember.

My prayer life is much more personal talking with God directly and I did not find this book very helpful for my own prayer life.

I received this audio book free from http://christianaudio.com Reviewers Program in exchange for posting a review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

(Posted on 9/11/11)

What a beautiful audiobook! I don’t generally start out a review with such a statement, but this collection of classic prayers certainly earned it. Prayers: A Personal Selection features Michael York reading the prayers, which include some of those found in the Old and New Testaments as well as other well-known prayers, to music composed by Michael Hoppe. The narration and music are masterfully done and the prayer selections are incredibly uplifting.

I initially listened to the entire CD all the way through, but have found that the prayers also make a nice addition to a playlist of inspirational or relaxing music.

I highly recommend that you add this audiobook to your collection for those times when you need to be lifted up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from the christianaudio Reviewers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

(Posted on 6/14/11)

Michael York has always been an exceptionally creepy character in films, much due to his common portrayal of the antichrist. His voice does not help the situation much. However, in this audio book, York’s voice is presented in a less sinister manner, providing a clear and proper voice to the selection of prayers recited with a musical background.

Read the rest and more on my blog...

(Posted on 1/18/11)

Listeners feel the emotional depths of each prayer as Michael York's voice rises to a crescendo of praise and then drops to a meditative tone. With a selection of 24 prayers ranging from various Bible passages from the King James Version to well-known prayers like The Prayer of St. Francis and The Serenity Prayer, this production treats listeners to a variety of meditations upon the majesty of God. York evokes both the urgency of confessing and of waiting for the Lord’s answer to a particular petition. Michael Hoppe offers a dynamic original musical score for each prayer. Overall, this is an excellent addition to one’s Christian audio library. T.D. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

(Posted on 12/13/10)

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café (http://jacobscafe.blogspot.com/2010/12/prayers-personal-selection.html). I received a complimentary review copy of this book without a requirement or expectation of a positive review.

This is not your traditional prayer book; rather it is an audiobook. Prayers: A Personal Selection is narrated by Michael York (yes, the actor). York's British accent lends a sort of grand gravity to the words. The accompanying music, by Michael Hoppe, could be seen as cheesy in many audiobooks, but truly adds something meaningful to book.

Running at only 53 minutes, this audiobook is particularly useful for a devotional time. I listened to this on my commute to work, meaning it was broken up into smaller sections. And it was not a very stress-free week. However, when I began listening to the words and music, it helped me calm and center myself. This is definitely an excellent prayer book for those of us who are more auditory. It will also be one of the few audiobooks I will return to time and again.

It would have been nice to have some way to identify the Scripture references and other prayers used in the book. Doing so at the end of each prayer would have likely taken away from the flow and meditative nature of the experience. This allow easier referencing later if one particular prayer stood out as especially meaningful to the listener. I also would have liked to know whose personal selection these prayers were. York's? Hoppe's? An editor's? It's not really important, but as "a personal selection" is in the title, this context would be helpful.

Most of the translations seem to come from the King James Version, giving the book a traditional feel. Yet in the audio format and with York's voice, it is not off-putting, but rather aids in the devotional element, in my experience.

(Posted on 12/6/10)

I’ve enjoyed listening to this wonderful collection of biblical and non-biblical prayers through the ages. I was unsure what to expect as I thought it might be a bit dull, but I have been very pleasantly surprised by the captivating combination of words and music.

Michael York’s voice, which I’m sure everyone will recognise, is just perfect, as he reads the prayers clearly, with a sense of wonder and reverence, giving great depth to them. The musical accompaniment is very complementary, and there are a couple of tracks with just music, which definitely adds to the whole recording.

It is disappointing in that there are no titles to tell you the names of the prayers. I was able to recognise a few, but it would be helpful to have them read out at the start of each one.

I think it’s a perfect audio, if you need to take time out to de-stress at the end of a hard day, and focus on God.

Thanks to christianaudio.com’s Reviewers Program for this copy.

(Posted on 12/4/10)

This month I had the pleasure of reviewing Prayers: A Personal Selection from christianaudio Reviewers Program Michael York lends his voice talents to the reading these great devotional prayers. Michael's rich and warm voice is a perfect match for this contemplative journey. I especially enjoyed the music accompaniment composed by Michael Hoppe.


The prayers are a good mix of modern and ancient prayers of Christian faith. Many of the prayers come straight from Old and New Testament. This variety along with the musical score keeps the recording feeling fresh. I really enjoyed hearing the scriptural prayers set to music and thoughtful narration. Michael's treatment of the 23rd Psalm was one of my personal favorites.


One drawback for me personally was the lack of references to the prayers. At times I wished I could have had a way of knowing the source of the prayers. I would have found it more useful for my devotional times to have had the references cited after each reading. Perhaps this would have interrupted the flow of the music or devotional nature of the work, but I would think a list of references in some form would have been a nice enhancement. Even without the references this is a heart stirring work that was very thoughtful and the perfect compliment to a devotional time.

(Posted on 11/29/10)

Michael York and Michael Hoppe team up to bring to us a deeply emotional rendition of common prayer passages from the KJV as well as some of the more notable prayers that have been prayed down through the centuries.

This audiobook is an excellent resource for the believer who seeks to spend more time with the Lord--especially on the drive time.

(Posted on 11/24/10)