Book Spotlight: Prayer

I don't typically share book recommendations until I've finished them, but I felt the nudge to share this one with the belief that there are others out there desiring a deeper, richer prayer life. Multiple friends, and bible teachers, from various denominational traditions and theological stances, have recommended this book to me so I felt its ecumenical value was clear and beneficial to recommend! Reading this title has felt like being wrapped in a warm, fatherly hug. It's been a pleasure! I have cozied up with this book multiple times this autumn, and plan to read it slowly for the remainder of the season! My encouragement is to reach for a copy of this book if you too find yourself craving a fresh intentionality to your prayers.

My favorite excerpt thus far reads:

"We must never be discouraged by our lack of praver. Even in our praverlessness we can hunger for God. If so, the hunger is itself prayer. "The desire for prayer, writes Mary Clare Vincent,

"is prayer, the prayer of desire" In time the desire will lead to practice, and practice will increase the desire. When we cannot pray, we let God be our prayer. Nor should we be frightened by the hardness of our heart: prayer will soften it. We give even our lack of prayer to God."

Prayer is the pinnacle of a believing life. It's the means by which we directly dine with our benevolent King! The act that moves the very heart of God! The vehicle by which we drive real change. It is a great gift we are given and get to give. It is a weapon of virtue in an age of darkness. The song our hearts were created to sing! I think most of us know this, but don't actively walk it out, for we weren't taught, or shown! It has either been overcomplicated or oversimplified for us. Maybe the power of prayer has been abused, or the beauty of it marred before you. Whatever the reason, there is a better, most fulfilling way.

Let's discover it more together!