"The Chronicles of Narnia," penned by C.S. Lewis and illustrated by Pauline Barnes, have been long-beloved classics since they were first published. These books have so much spiritual depth, especially as each book brings sections of the Holy Bible itself into the realm of this magical land with its stout-hearted characters. Recent film adaptations have brought these cherished books to new audiences and lent new perspectives to the land of Narnia. However, it is easy to get lost in the familiarity of these stories to the point where we stop allowing them to challenge us into deeper prayer and contemplation.
The Psalms are ancient prayers of the people of God and continue to be the backbone of the daily prayer of the Church in the Liturgy of the Hours. While each book in "The Chronicles of Narnia" does profoundly reflect particular books of the Bible, matching a Psalm to each story can offer a fresh perspective to how we hold the sorrows and joys of Narnia in our hearts, challenging us to recognize the same profound cycles in our own lives in the light of who we know Aslan is in our world.
Whether you are unabashedly re-reading these stories for yourself, at an age when you are again old enough for fairy tales, or whether you’re reading them through with a child, here is a scriptural prayer guide to pray with for each book of the Narnia series. Scroll to the bottom for Psalms paired to the films (yes, they are different Psalms than are paired to the books!) for your first or fiftieth watch-through of the Narnia screen adaptations.
If you’d like to mix-and-match the Psalms from a film adaptation to the books or vice versa, they are mix-and-matchable!
"The Chronicles of Narnia" Prayer Challenge: Books (in Published Order)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
This book is a beautiful exposition of the Gospels, with the destructive effects of sin clearly visible, the struggles of man, the self-offering and self-sacrifice of Aslan, the conquest of death through his sacrifice, and our adoption into his family and Kingdom.
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 126.
The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 126 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian may seem like a less-obvious Biblical parallel than some other books in this series, yet it stands as a powerful parallel of the Gentiles coming to faith in the Acts of the Apostles, as well as St Paul’s conversion from persecutor to protector of the faith in Acts.
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 147.
The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 147 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
This exciting and engaging tale has the power to illuminate the missionary adventures of Paul and his companions in the Acts of the Apostles as they sailed and traveled to all sorts of different lands, meeting all sorts of people and getting into all sorts of scrapes, in order to bring the Gospel to all nations.
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 119.
Psalm 119 is a bit of an epic, and it is divided into sections. In many ways, each section could apply to a different character, or a different island experience in this story. The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 119. Read through the Psalm to find a section that strikes you, then re-read that section several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
The Silver Chair
This story is a moving exploration of faith that is born, tested, weakened, and rediscovered in the journey of faith, and therefore links beautifully to many of the New Testament Letters.
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 137.
Psalm 137 uses a rather graphic metaphor at its closing in order to make a point which may be a bit disturbing to our ears as modern readers. If this type of metaphor is a hurdle for you in praying with this Psalm alongside The Silver Chair, then just focus on praying with verses 1-6. The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 137: 1-6. Read through the Psalm to find a section that strikes you, then re-read that section several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
The Horse and His Boy
The Horse and His Boy can serve as a beautiful exploration of the coming to faith of the Jewish diaspora, the Samaritan people, and the neighboring gentiles (such as the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7/Luke 18) in the Gospels.
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 86.
The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 86 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
The Magician’s Nephew
This story beautifully captures the mystery, beauty, fall, and promise of redemption in the first chapters of Genesis. It also reminds us of God as our Healer (“The LORD who heals you” from Exodus 15:26).
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 136.
The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 136 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
The Last Battle
This story is an incredibly moving parallel to the book of Revelation, the difficulties to come and the promise of love and abundant life extended to all who would accept it in Christ.
It also pairs powerfully with Psalm 145.
The next time you are reading through this story, begin (or end) by opening your Bible and reading Psalm 145 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
"The Chronicles of Narnia" Prayer Challenge: Films (in Order of Release)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, Disney)
Georgie Henley, Anna Poppelwell, Liam Neeson (voice), William Moseley, Skandar Keynes in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." © 2005 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Psalm 51.
Before (or after) watching the film, open your Bible and read Psalm 51 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
Prince Caspian (2008, Disney)
Ben Barnes and Sergio Castellitto in "Prince Caspian." © 2008 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Psalm 116.
Before (or after) watching the film, open your Bible and read Psalm 116 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010, Disney)
Will Poulter as Eustace in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." © 2010 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Psalm 107.
Before (or after) watching the film, open your Bible and read Psalm 107 several times slowly. What word or phrase strikes you as particularly moving in light of the story? How might this reverberate into our world, and into your life?