NEW FROM THE OLD FORGE PRESS
Mercy for the Valley:
Puritan-Style Prayers for Sinners, Saints, and Sufferers
Recover the Reverence. Rediscover the Gift of Prayer.
Prayer is, put simply, the privilege of approaching the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.In Mercy for the Valley, pastor Austin W. Tucker invites believers into a richer life of prayer through a collection of deeply reverent, Scripture-saturated prayers inspired by the devotional tradition of the Puritans.Written from years of pastoral reflection, these prayers call Christians to behold the majesty of God, confess their sins, rest in His providence, and rejoice in the mercy found in Jesus Christ.
ENDORSEMENTS
"The office of deacon deserves more attention than it typically receives, and Austin Tucker has provided the church with a resource that is both biblically faithful and eminently practical. Rather than reducing deacons to administrators or maintenance men, this book recovers the beauty of Christ's design for servant leadership. I gladly commend it to pastors, elders, deacons, and every church seeking to strengthen the ministry of mercy."~ B.D. FLEMING, PUBLISHER AND AUTHOR OF STRONGHOLDS OF THE KINGDOM ~“Austin Tucker has given the church a rich and deeply biblical resource for recovering the scriptural office of deacon. The Deacon: Mercy Made Visible will help deacons serve with greater faithfulness and allow pastors to remain devoted to their calling. I wholeheartedly commend this work to any congregation seeking biblical order, fidelity, and purpose.”
~ SAMUEL WALTER CLEMENTS, PASTOR OF UNITY BAPTIST CHURCH IN OCALA, FLORIDA ~"Strong churches are built by qualified men who know their duty. Austin Tucker has given pastors a biblical and practical guide for training deacons who will protect the ministry of the Word through faithful, Christlike service. Every elder should keep this book within arm's reach."~ BRYAN D. FURLONG, PASTOR AND AUTHOR OF WITH FIRE IN OUR BONES ~
When Words Fail, Draw Near.
There are seasons when prayer flows easily, and seasons when we struggle to find the words.There are moments of overwhelming gratitude, painful repentance, uncertain circumstances, and deep sorrow. Yet through every season, the Christian possesses an extraordinary privilege: access to the Father through Jesus Christ.Mercy for the Valley was written to encourage believers to exercise that privilege with greater reverence, confidence, and joy.Drawing upon the rich devotional tradition of the Puritans, Austin W. Tucker offers prayers that lift our eyes beyond our immediate circumstances and turn our attention toward the holiness, sovereignty, goodness, and mercy of God.Whether you come rejoicing, repenting, or weary from the struggles of life, come before the throne of grace.
what's inside
A Collection Rooted in Scripture. Shaped by Reverence.
Within these pages, readers will discover 40 prayers arranged around six foundational themes of the Christian life, together with three extended reflections on the nature and necessity of prayer.
| 01 — Praise & Adoration |
| Behold the majesty, holiness, beauty, and infinite greatness of God. |
| 02 — God’s Sovereignty & Providence |
| Find assurance in the God who governs all things according to His perfect will. |
| 03 — Christ the Redeemer |
| Marvel at the person and saving work of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King. |
| 04 — Confession & Repentance |
| Approach the Lord with humility, acknowledging sin and rejoicing in His mercy. |
| 05 — Guidance & Sanctification |
| Seek wisdom, obedience, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. |
| 06 — Creation & Worship |
| Recognize the glory of God displayed in His creation and respond with worship. |
who is this book for?
The Christian Seeking Deeper Devotion
For those who desire a richer prayer life, greater reverence before God, and a deeper understanding of His character.
The Weary and Suffering Saint
For those walking through seasons of uncertainty, grief, or hardship who need to be reminded of God's sovereignty, goodness, and unfailing mercy.
The Pastor and Church Leader
For those entrusted with leading God's people in prayer who desire to cultivate prayers that are biblical, thoughtful, reverent, and rich in theological substance.
The Believer Drawn to Puritan Piety
For those who treasure the theological depth and devotional richness of the Puritans and desire to carry that same spirit of reverence into their own prayers.
a glimpse inside
Excerpt from Prayer 19; God Always AbidingGod, you shake the world at just a whisper, and you calm the seas at a command. You hold the heavens in your Word, and earth’s orbits obey your commands. We have no cause to falter and we have no need to fear.You always are abiding, you are always standing near. Eternal God, all-knowing, into your hands I fall, trembling and knowing, your faithfulness is all and all.— Austin W. Tucker
About the Author
Dr. Austin W. Tucker is a pastor, educator, counselor, and author with more than twenty-four years of ministry experience. He serves as Preaching Elder at Gracepointe Church in Summerfield, Florida, and is the founder of Gracepointe Academy, a fully accredited K–12 school. He also taught Christian Counseling and is a certified clinical counselor with the NCCA. In addition to his Pastoral and Educational endeavors, Austin co-founded Dust & Glory Media, where he writes and speaks about theology, church life, Christian formation, and faithful living in a compromised age.He has been married for twenty-three years and is the father of three children who love the Lord and serve faithfully in the life of the church. His work is devoted to strengthening Christian households, advancing biblical truth, and calling believers to courage, clarity, and endurance.He wrote The Deacon: Mercy Made Visible out of concern that this vital office has too often been neglected, misunderstood, or reshaped according to modern instincts. His aim is to help churches recover a faithful diaconate, one that protects the ministry of the Word, brings order to practical service, and makes Christ’s mercy visible in the local church.