Ronnie Martin’s new book

Ronnie Martin has always been one of the most creative voices in the world of “Christian” art. Whether through the synth-driven sounds of his music or his pastoral and writing work, his projects carry a kind of eccentric beauty. His new book, In the Morning You Hear My Voice: 365 Poetic Prayers Reflecting the Nearness of God, continues that tradition.

“It’s a book of poetic, reflective prayers. It’s a really, really long time in the making, but very satisfying project. I think people that enjoy my music will enjoy this,” Ronnie told me.

He describes the book as a daily journey: “It’s a short prayer for every day of the year, but it’s meant to be abstract, poetic, and thought provoking. To give you time to think and go before the Lord and offer your own prayer based on what might surface in your heart.”

The heartbeat of this project is rooted in the Psalms. Just as David once cried, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice,” we find the desperate honesty of a man waiting on the Lord. Ronnie’s book attempts to capture the same spirit of those ancient prayers, offering poetic and poignant prose that help us approach God in our own seasons of waiting.

In the Morning You Hear My Voice invites us to encounter the unmistakable presence of God not just in times of joy, but in the hard seasons and heavy realities of daily life. Across 365 readings, Martin provides a rhythm of honesty, praise, and thanksgiving. While I haven’t spoiled all the upcoming days, I have perused some specific ones to see what Martin have for us. Many of the entries are a daily reminder that God has not abandoned us, even when we feel most desperate. While “Morning” is in the title, I feel that it may be more suitable personally for late night usage.

These are short prayers for long seasons. Prompts to keep our eyes lifted when we’re tempted to lose heart. Beyond the text, I do need to talk about the physical product. I have praised the packaging of Ronnie’s music recently released with Velvet Blue Music. The intentionality to the layout and feel felt like a missing part of so many new releases. This book, released by B&H, is a a beautiful one. The physical edition will only add to the elegance of your nightstand, and it’s also perfect to wrap up and give as a gift. With Ronnie’s reputation as a self-proclaimed Christmas aficionado, it feels fitting that this book could be that special present under the tree.

“You know it’s hard to articulate.” Not the response I was expecting from the scholar and poet as I asked about his passion for Christmas. “I think it’s really tied in to my childhood because of a lot of great memories. They always come back during that time of year. So it it has a warm, and nostalgic place in my life.”

He continued, “The music and the food and gathering with friends. And there is just something about that time of year that is unmatched for me. I look forward to it all year. I know it doesn’t have that place for everybody. And I understand that. And that’s okay. But for me it’s just it’s just something that brings something back to me that I look forward to revisiting and reliving every year. In some years that have been very difficult of my life, it’s proven to be a safe haven, something I could look forward to and I could depend on, to kind of refocus me and recenter me and remind me of God’s goodness.”

Pick up the companion for the long stretches of waiting, a daily short form guide to remembering God’s nearness, and a beautifully designed work of art that can brighten any season.

Ronnie Martin’s In the Morning You Hear My Voice is available now wherever books are sold.