The Ancient Practices Series: In Constant Prayer

When I first started reading this book, it seemed like a yawner to me. I couldn't seem to really get into the book, but I had committed to reading this book in its entirety as a condition of getting this book for free from BookSneeze. I'm really glad I stuck it out, because this book turned out way better than I thought.

After reading a different book from BookSneeze the night before, this book didn't seem all that great.  Thankfully the book was not a long book and I was able to get through rather quickly.  However, about a third of the way through the book, I actually started to get into it.

Benson is a poet, a writer.  He's not a theologian.  He doesn't even have a college degree.  He doesn't go into depth about the history of prayer.  He is sort of sarcastic, but I found him to be raw and real on the topic of prayer.

He talks about "The Office", which is a type of prayer that is done every day throughout the day.  Well, it's not just one prayer, but a series of prayers that have been recited for what I gather thousands of years.  What spoke to me and got me more interested in this book was Benson's own struggles with prayer itself.  He grew up in a Christian home and was surrounded by God stuff, but inspite of that, just even the fact of praying consistently, even if for a short bit, was incredibly challenging.

He puts this in language that is plain and understandable.  There is an honesty that is refreshing.  But, it gives us room to improve, to seek God. 

In the back of the book, there is sample Office prayers.  I've heard the term "the Office" before, but after reading this book, I have a better understanding of the background and can see the purpose.  What truly spoke to me about the value of constant prayer is "Discipline is the price of freedom."

I may explore some of the other books in the series.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley

This book is so good.  This is not your feel good book at all.  I remember when I was attempting to decide on this book or on some relationship book on men & women, or something else.  The title seemed reasonable and the little excerpt resonated with me and I felt this was more appropriate than getting a relationship book.

It was exactly perfect for me and the timing in which I received the book, Tuesday of last week.  The book floated and sat around for a few days before I picked it up, but once I did last Friday, I couldn't put it down.  My heart, mind and soul was ready to hear cold hard truth, and that I soaked it up.

The back of the book cover "Now where you want to be?  Wondering how you got there?" really hit me hard.  Furthermore, it asked, "Why is it that smart people with admirable life goals often end up far from where they intended to be?"  Not that it resonated with me, but just that very question alone pricked my bleeding heart all the more.

Pastor Stanley is a pastor.  He relays various experiences he's had as a pastor & people he's pastored sharing all sorts of things that I can relate to.  As a reasonably intelligent person, I've found myself in some pretty tough circumstances of life.  Stanley expounds on how I got here in a very point-blank sort of way.  Truth, God's Truth, brings much clarity to everything.

Just like one of the reviewers wrote in the book, I would also like to agree.  Wished I had this book and the wisdom, clarity & courage to do what this book said when I was a teenager.  Had I done this, I doubt I would've faced all these hardships in my life that I had.

Stanley gives a story about "The Wizard of Oz" and the yellow brick road that has a really good spiritual and physical impact to me.   God does give us a "Yellow Brick Road", but most of us fail to take this path, as we want the path we choose.

I love that Stanley brings Proverbs 27:12 into this.  It says that a wise man when he sees danger, he takes refuge.  A simple man keeps going.  He explained what this verse means.  When a wise man sees danger, he changes his direction.  He doesn't keep going in the direction of the danger.  A simple, naive person ignores the danger signs and keeps going.  Wow, this is so powerful as this speaks to me. 

He has so many little sayings that make total sense:

• "Direction, not intention, determines destination."
• "Attention determines direction."

Those 2 are very powerful to me.  There is so much good stuff in this book, that I think I need to read it again and do a better outline.  It is chalk full of wisdom that I realize I have not been a prudent person and that there is much work ahead of me.  In my finances & relationships with men, I have been incredibly simple & unwise.  I began last summer really changing my direction in terms of relationships.  Now I need to attend to the finances.  Let's see what God will do.

I am very appreciative to BookSneeze for sending me this book to review and for giving it to me for free.  This would make a great Bible study book.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”