I’m doing something I’ve never done before on this blog.  I have the opportunity to do a book review.  I love books.  And giving my opinion about anything is becoming easier all the time.  Put the two together and today this is what I offer.  Please let me know what you think of this new venture.  Your thoughts and words matter to me.  And be sure to read the Notes at the end.

Prayer has always been rather mysterious to me.  How does it work?  How can I do it right or do it better?  Are there secrets to praying well?  What shall I ask for and when can I expect answers?

I’ve studied it and read books about it in hopes of becoming a more efficient pray-er.

There were a lot of years I felt I didn’t pray enough or just didn’t do a good job of it.  As a result, I often let prayer sit on the sidelines.

After seeing War Room, I was challenged to be more specific and pray with intention because life is a battle.  I needed to recognize the conflict and get in the fight.  On my knees.  In prayer.

Enter, Fervent, a book by Priscilla Shirer.  I first heard about the book around the table with a group of friends.  Several of them shared their excitement about Fervent.  And within the week, the book was in my hands.

I’ve done Bible studies written by Ms. Shirer, but there is something different about this book.  She begins fiercely, determined to make her readers aware we have an enemy and he fights dirty.   Deceptively.  With intent to defeat badly.

The book is crafted to open our eyes to the devil’s lies and to reveal Scripture’s contrasting truth.

Fervent aims at specific areas of our lives where the enemy of our souls targets us:  our Passion, Focus, Identity, Family, Past, Fears, Purity, and Pressures.

Within each chapter, Shirer reveals tactics used to deceive us.  Then she shines Scriptural light and a way to fight back.  She ends each chapter with a list of specific Bible verses to help us wage war against the powers of this dark world.  Then she encourages her readers to write down prayer points on tear-out cards in the back of the book.  To keep in front of our eyes.  So we don’t forget.

This book inspires me to be bold and courageous in my prayers.  To pray Scripture prayers.  To pray against the powers of this present darkness, to recognize who I am in Christ Jesus, and to proclaim out loud the great and precious promises of God in Christ for me and for those I love.

If you have been beaten down and bruised in the battle of this life, if you are tired of being defeated, if you find yourself in a tug of war with family, at your workplace, in your area of ministry, or your ever-busy schedule, then you need a new strategy.

We must recognize who the real enemy is and fight him instead of everyone and everything else.  This is not shadow boxing.  This is war.  And it is waged in the prayer closet.

While the book is addressed to women, it applies equally to the battle men fight daily.  Prayer is non-sexist and offers equal opportunity for all.

Get the book.  Read it.  Plan your strategy.  Pray.  And fight the good fight of faith.

NOTES

* This is not the usual blog post here at Strengthened by Grace.  I received a copy of the book Fervent, provided by B&H Publishing, for an honest review.  The book was free.  The words are my very own. 

* * B&H Publishing provided me the opportunity to give away a free copy of Fervent to my readers, and I am excited about that.  I’d love to get a copy of it into your hands.

 Leave a comment by October 30, 2015.

A name will be drawn randomly and I will contact the winner of the book.

You have 48 hours to respond to my contact to receive a free copy of the book. 

If the winner does not respond in the time allowed, another name will be drawn.

I hope you leave a comment and participate.