Praying Women: How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say

“…He (God) sat with me, comforted me, and welcomed me home to His heart because He had loved me all along” (page 41). Do you want to be a praying woman? Most of us do; it is one of the ways to grow closer to the God who loves us. Sheila Walsh shares why so many of us are challenged with praying, covering my fears and hindrances well. She tells us how to grow beyond those challenges and how she has done so. Each chapter begins with a quote about prayer from a classic Christian author and a pertinent scripture verse and ends with “Prayer Reminders” and a prayer. This beautiful, thoughtful, encouraging book about prayer and praying is written for every woman. It is written with this gifted Bible teacher’s trademark transparency, gentleness, and wit, with principles referenced in scripture. She does not preach; it is more like chatting over coffee with a dear friend to savor this book. Sheila Walsh uses illustrations from her own life, including some humorous and some of the most painful. This honesty is refreshing and as much of a blessing now as when I read some of her earlier books sharing how the Lord has been with her through depression. Prayer was one of the most important things in Christ’s life on earth as well as since He returned to heaven, which is one thing I had not considered for quite some time. It is also important enough that the Holy Spirit helps us with prayer. For me, that has included a conviction that I need to pray more – but how to pray both more and better? Subjects I found most critical in this season include persevering in prayer, praying when it is hardest to pray or when it seems God is silent, praying the Word of God (specifically through Psalms, and how Jesus prayed from various Psalms), praying through dressing in our armor daily as well as praying in our armor, and praying through Christ’s victory. Re-learning who I am in Christ, and finding my confidence in Him, not myself. How “Praying women pray through their heartache until it becomes their authority.” That I am changed, whether or not my circumstances are. Even though the Lord knows my needs, He, like Aslan in The Magician’s Nephew, likes to be asked. Ultimately, just how much God loves me and has compassion for me. Praying Women can be read by new and seasoned Christian women. Every concept regarding prayer is backed up by scripture, and stories from both the Old and New Testaments are included. The scriptures, of course, are most important. The experiences of the author are secondary, yet important to a woman’s heart as we see that we are not alone in how we feel. The author’s love for the Lord is evident on every page, as is her love for Christians. This is the kind of book one gets a copy of for themselves – to read, savor, learn from, and re-read – as well as purchase as gifts for other women in our lives. Even if you glean only one nugget of truth today, you might find one another time. I highly recommend it! God wants to hear from you! From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

thank you