Rediscovering Prayer: A Review of After Amen
Hook
After Amen is a quiet, luminous book—one that doesn’t shout for your attention but gently invites you into a deeper, slower way of being with God. It feels less like reading a devotional and more like being ushered into a conversation already happening between the soul and the divine.

Quick Summary
In the wake of a sudden advanced‑stage cancer diagnosis, pastor and author Tyler Staton found himself thrust into emotional wilderness. What emerged from that season was a surprising spiritual practice: writing poetry as prayer, echoing the ancient psalmists. After Amen gathers 50 of these poetic devotional reflections, each rooted in Scripture—particularly the seven signs in the Gospel of John—and shaped by Staton’s renewed awareness of beauty, wonder, and the sacredness of the ordinary. The book explores how prayer continues to form us long after we say “amen.”

What Works
A rare blend of poetry and prayer that feels both ancient and contemporary, offering readers a fresh way to engage with God.

Honest vulnerability—Staton writes from a place of real suffering without slipping into sentimentality.

A contemplative pace that encourages readers to slow down, breathe, and pay attention to the presence of God in the everyday.

Rich biblical grounding, especially in the Gospel of John, giving the reflections theological depth without heaviness.

Beautiful, memorable lines that linger in the mind and invite rereading.

What Doesn’t
Readers looking for structured, prescriptive devotionals may find the poetic format less direct.

The reflective tone is intentionally slow, which may not suit those wanting quick, actionable takeaways.

Standout Moment or Quote
One of the most evocative lines comes from the poem “Be Still,” where Staton writes of “the stillness from which movement finds its meaning.” It captures the heart of the book: transformation begins in quiet surrender.

Who This Book Is For
Christians longing for a more contemplative prayer life

Readers who appreciate poetry, liturgy, and reflective spirituality

Anyone navigating suffering, uncertainty, or emotional wilderness

Fans of writers like Henri Nouwen, Malcolm Guite, or John Mark Comer

Final Verdict
After Amen is a tender, beautifully crafted invitation to rediscover wonder in the presence of God. It’s a devotional that doesn’t just speak—it listens, and it teaches you to listen too.

Let me start by saying I am a BIG Tyler Staton fan. Sadly, of his previous works, I have to say this one is the weakest.

It could be because I'm not a huge fan of poetry. I'm not sure that's the entirety of why "After Amen" gets a four star rating instead of the five his other books received. I think there's more to it. His insiights remain excellent, but the depth he usually writes with seemed missing.

Would I read his next book? Absolutley! Will I purchase this one for friends and family? I'm not sure. When Christmas rolls around, I may be more decisive.

This book combines poetry, reflections, and prayers to discuss the Seven Signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John. The pace of After Amen lends itself to be read meditatively, so I especially recommend this to folks who prefer a more liturgical approach to devotionals. As always, Staton shares wisdom that I will reflect on for awhile.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Tyler Staton’s After Amen is a tender and deeply moving exploration of spiritual transformation. Written from a place of deep personal suffering and eventual remission, Staton bridges the gap between structured scripture study and the raw language of the soul through beautiful poetry. The 50 short devotional entries trace Jesus’s signs in the Gospel of John, making it the perfect tool for anyone looking to refresh their quiet time. Lyrical, honest, and profoundly comforting—highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper connection with God!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

After Amen by Tyler Staton is exactly the kind of book that meets you where you are and gently invites you deeper.

I have always appreciated Tyler Staton’s writing style, insight, and reflections, and this book was no exception. Even the prologue, before you get into the 50 daily reflections, is deeply insightful and thought provoking. I genuinely felt the Holy Spirit highlighting an area of refinement in my own life while reading it, which is always a gift.

The daily readings are sincere, fresh, and deeply comforting. The poetry in this book I absolutely loved. It feels warm and grounding, like taking a deep breath for your soul in the middle of a busy life. This is the kind of devotional you do not rush through. You savor it.

Highly recommend for anyone longing for thoughtful spiritual reflection and a renewed awareness of God’s presence in the everyday.

After Amen: 50 Days of Poetry and Prayer by Tyler Staton grabbed me from the intro. He painted this beautiful image of his morning only to lose it on his two-year-old. Then he said, “This book is for anyone honest enough to admit that they’ve prayed like a saint moments before losing their temper with a child.” I thought you already had me at poetry, prayer, and a sunrise.
I found this devotion wonderful. I felt it really spoke in the stage of parenting I am at right now. So much so that I have recommended it to my other mum friends and Bible Studies. I liked that this structure is different from more devotionals. I liked the looser structure, more depth of knowledge, and Staton’s personal antidotes and prayers. It made it feel more personal and less sterile. I cannot wait to read more my Staton and buy a copy of this for my shelf. I received an eARC from Nelson Books through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

“What if the conditions of your ordinary life as it is today-monotonous, incomplete, unsatisfying, and only occasionally thrilling-are the perfect conditions through which God can bring heaven to earth in you and through you, if you choose them?”

After Amen provides grounded, honest, faithful opportunities to gaze upon Christ - both throughout Scripture and through personal reflection. Structured as a 50 day devotional, each day includes a poem, reflection, and prayer. Tyler Staton’s poems are birthed from his reflection on Scripture - organized by the seven miracles included in the Gospel of John, with a Sabbath day with Psalms in between each miracle.

Throughout the book, Staton is so unflinchingly honest about the human condition - as well as the utter hope found only in Christ. He looks his own “mundane” and the “ordinary” moments and relationships we often neglect to reveal the divine appointments God has placed, and invites us to do the same. Yes we have our prayer times, but how do we live AFTER we say amen? I particularly enjoyed the final section that took a deeper look into how we participate with beauty and creativity.

**Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Tyler Staton is an author I already enjoy reading, and After Amen reminded me why. What I appreciate most about his writing is the way he guides the reader, not by giving simple answers, but by creating space for reflection and helping you engage personally with the ideas in the book.
His style feels thoughtful, calm, and accessible while still being meaningful. I also really enjoyed the poems included throughout the book. They added another layer to the reflections and made the reading experience feel more personal and immersive.
This was a reflective and memorable read, and one I’m glad I took my time with.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful book! I will certainly buy a copy because there are 30+ sentences I wanted to highlight/underline. The beginning and end sections definitely dragged on, but the bulk of the book is great. The prayers on their own are worth the price of the full book. I'll absolutely recommend this to others!

Some books teach you how to pray. Others remind you why you ever wanted to in the first place. After Amen is less a devotional to finish than a companion to walk beside. It lingers in the quiet places where words run out and God is still speaking.

The poetry, prayers, and reflections don’t rush toward certainty. They invite you to slow down long enough to notice that God’s presence is often hidden in the ordinary moments we overlook. This is a book for anyone who has discovered that the deepest work of prayer often begins after we’ve said “amen.”

Read it slowly. Let it interrupt you. You’ll likely find that God has been waiting in the silence all along.

After Amen refocuses our attention on the role of wonder in the Christian life, presenting 50 devotional entries that feature biblical reflection, heartfelt prayer, and original poetry from Tyler. Through focusing on Jesus’s seven signs in the gospel of John, Tyler shows how all of life is an invitation to be formed into the image of Jesus. This exceptional book is a provocative and beautiful exploration of the way prayer reshapes us long after “amen.”

I've been listening to Tyler's sermons for a while now as well as reading his prior books. The way he speaks and presents ideas have always allowed me to think deeply on the subject. So when I saw 'poems' in the description, I knew I would devour this book. Well I wanted to devour it, but I also needed to read it slowly. The reflections and poems are meant to take in slowly. I really appreciated Tyler reflecting on his personal life as well as Ministry. I could related so much and this will be a book that I"ll want to have and come back to many times.

This inspired me to start writing out my prayers more, and even to try some of them in prose. Really enjoyed this.

After Amen is a beautiful reminder that prayer is about more than what happens while we are praying, it is about who we are becoming when we say “amen” and return to our lives. I especially appreciated Staton's emphasis on beauty and creativity as ways of encountering God. There is something refreshing about a pastor reminding us that our spiritual lives are not meant to be merely functional. We are invited to slow down, notice, wonder, create, and become more attentive to the presence of God.

This is not a book I would recommend rushing through. After Amen is best savored slowly, one day, one prayer, one poem at a time. It is the kind of book that invites into the presence of God, to sit a while and allow God to speak beneath the noise of life. For anyone wanting to deepen their prayer life, cultivate greater attentiveness to God, or explore how prayer moves from something we do into someone we become, I highly recommend After Amen.

After Amen by Tyler Staton is a luminous, soul-stirring masterpiece that redefines how we think about prayer and spiritual formation. Born out of Staton's personal journey through a frightening health crisis, this 50-day devotional is far more than a standard book of daily readings—it is an invitation into a slower, deeper, and more wondrous way of walking with God.
Centering on the seven signs in the Gospel of John, Staton weaves together rich biblical insights, heartfelt prayers, and original poetry that blurs the line between verse and communication with the divine. The result is a profoundly contemplative experience that encourages you to step away from mechanical routines and lean into the beauty of God's presence.
The inclusion of Staton's original poetry adds an artistic, reflective layer that slows your heart down and engages your imagination in a fresh way.
Written from a place of real vulnerability and trial, the book avoids empty platitudes and instead offers authentic comfort for anyone navigating seasons of uncertainty or emotional weariness.
It brilliantly shifts the focus of prayer away from merely getting answers and toward becoming people who recognize and embody God's grace in everyday life.
This is not a book to rush through; it is a companion to be savored slowly over time. If you are looking to revitalize your prayer life or simply longing for a deeper sense of wonder, After Amen is an absolute must-read.

After Amen feel intimate and reflective, exploring themes of faith and love. What makes it truly memorable is the emotional honesty. I would reccomended this book of poetry for those seeking a reflective and lyrical read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.