Book Review: How to Pray

How to Pray by John Wesley

How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer (Value Books)
by John Wesley

3 out of 5 stars

This compilation brings together snippets of Wesley’s writing and sermons on the subject of prayer. Each page has a devotional for the day, along with a Bible verse to reflect on.
Some of the pages are obviously taken from the middle of a sermon, and it can be a little difficult to grasp the context. But for the most part, each page has a complete thought regarding prayer or some prayerful aspect of Christian life.

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Book Review: Letters to Galatians and Ephesians

The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians by William Barclay

The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (New Daily Study Bible)
by William Barclay

5 out of 5 stars

This was so inspiring and wonderful to dive deep into Scripture and analyze each passage. I really liked that this book includes a lot of history and facts about Roman and Jewish culture during Paul’s time. It puts his letters into perspective.

I read a little bit each day, and really enjoyed using this as a devotional book each morning!

Devotional Review: Hymns Vol. 1

Hymns Volume 1 by The Daily Grace Co.

Hymns Volume 1
by The Daily Grace Co.

5 out of 5 stars

This daily devotional book gives you a traditional Christian hymn to read/sing each day, and tells about the composer/author who wrote it. There are Bible passages to read and a place to write in some of your thoughts as you answer the Bible study prompts.

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Book Review: The Songs of Jesus

The Songs of Jesus by Timothy J. Keller

The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms
by Timothy J. Keller, Kathy Keller

4.75 stars out of 5 stars

This devotional book gives you a small portion of the psalms to read each day, so that you can read the entire books of Psalms in one year. Each psalm includes a prayer that you can pray and a few paragraphs explaining something about the psalm and connecting it to the New Testament.

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Book Review: Knowing God

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Knowing God
by J.I. Packer

5 out of 5 stars

This book examines the attributes of God and how we can truly know God in a personal way. It begins by outlining the type of attitudes we should have in approaching God with humility and a desire to know the truth. The second part of the book focuses on the attributes of God in His unchanging Triune nature- His majesty, wisdom, love, grace, wrath, truth, judgement, goodness, and jealousy. The last part of the book applies all these things to the Christian life, and gives us a practical look at what knowing God actually looks like in living out your life.

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Non Fiction Review: 60 Days of Faith for Women

60 Days of Faith for Women by Cameron Trimble
60 Days of Faith for Women: A Devotional to Deepen Gratitude, Praise, and Prayer
by Cameron Trimble 

1 out of 5 stars


I’m very disappointed in this book. It’s extremely self-centered and full of the worst kind of heresy. Every devotional and journal prompt is completely focused on the self, instead of being focused on God. This book asks, “What do I think?” instead of “What God does say?”

There are Bible verses taken out of context, and lesson applications that don’t even match the topic of the Bible verse. The author doesn’t seem knowledgeable about theology or Scripture interpretation. (I graduated from a Bible college, so I know stupid when I see it.) Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: Prayer

Prayer by Timothy J. Keller
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
by Timothy J. Keller

5 out of 5 stars


This book on prayer gives clear examples from history, hundreds of Scripture references, and inspiring ideas about prayer and how God draws close to us.
The topics include why we need to pray, how great and marvelous prayer truly is, what prayer is and is not, and how to truly encounter God and approach His throne. There are also chapters about traditional ideas of prayer, rules for how to pray, how to prepare our heart for prayer, the elements of confession and adoration that go into a prayer, and an analysis of The Lord’s Prayer.

I especially loved the chapters about meditation, with advice on how to meditate on God’s Word and incorporate quiet meditation into your prayers along with petitions, thanksgiving, and confession. Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: Men’s Prayer Journal

Mens Prayer Journal by Romal Tune
Mens Prayer Journal: A Place for Reflection, Praise, & Thanks
by Romal Tune

5 out of 5 stars


This simple journal is the perfect companion to a daily prayer time, with plenty of room for writing in thoughts or prayers, and a Scripture verse at the bottom of each page.

I like that there is NO introduction telling you how to pray, or how to use the book, or some long personal story about the author’s prayer journey. There are NO journal prompts or condescending “uplifting” stories about Christian life. It’s just blank pages ready for writing and a verse to inspire you. The simplicity of it is perfect!
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Non Fiction Review: Popcorn Prayer Journal

Popcorn Prayer Journal by Barry Adams
Popcorn Prayer Journal: For Quick Prayers, Praise, and Thanks
by Barry Adams

5 out of 5 stars


This book begins with an inspiring introduction about prayer, types of prayer, and Scripture verses regarding prayer. Whether it is gratitude, petition, intercession for others, praise, confession, or just simple communion with God, this book has a place for every prayer that is on your heart.

Each page has a place for writing a few short lines of prayer, with prompts and topics to prayer for each day. The topics include things like “A significant event, Who God is to me, Beautiful things about God, What’s on my heart, My greatest need, and God’s Word to me.” There is even a place to write down answered prayers! Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: Make Great Decisions

Make Great Decisions Christian Workbook for Teen Girls by Jocasta Odom
Make Great Decisions Christian Workbook for Teen Girls
by Jocasta Odom

4 out of 5 stars

This Christian workbook has wonderfully positive encouragement for young girls, reminding them that they are daughters of the King, more than conquerors through Christ, and they can navigate tough decisions in life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This book is peppered with Bible verses on every page, and excellent affirmations and Biblical truths to boost the confidence of the young Christian. The Scriptures are taken from various translations like NIV, MSG, NASB, and ESV, so the reader might want to read along with their own preferred Bible edition.

One of the special things about this workbook is the variety of activities included. There are quizzes, true or false questions, meditations and prayers, creative writing exercises, and ways to serve God in your family, school, neighborhood, and church. Continue reading