A Little Talk with Jesus: Book Giveaway

Let’s have a little talk with Jesus. 

Today we’re talking about having a talk with Jesus. Simply, prayer. A talk of the highest nature.

I’m sharing some of my own thoughts on prayer and reviewing a great book on the topic for a giveaway.

Maybe, like me, you’ve experienced times of uncertainty when it comes to prayer. And perhaps we all go through times of wondering if prayer really works or even matters.

A Little Talk With Jesus

Oh, great prayer quotes float around online. But here’s some of my favorite words about prayer:

1. “None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience.” ~ Martin Luther
2. “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” ~ Max Lucado
3. “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.'” ~ Billy Graham
4. “Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.” ~ Oswald Chambers
5. “God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.” ~ Mother Teresa

Big Talks with Jesus

My own personal story captures the sheer power of prayer. You see, for years I prayed for my biological father, a self-proclaimed atheist.

After I met Jesus as Savior at sixteen, I prayed daily for my dad to believe in God and accept Christ as Lord. I inserted my father’s name in Scriptures like John 3:16 and Romans 10:9.

And God answered my prayers. Yet, not in a few months or even a few years. But my prayer came true after sixteen years.

This not only taught me the importance of talking to Jesus, but I also learned to never give up on my prayers or my loved ones. And in the process, it drew me closer to God.

Here’s my all time favorite quote about prayer:

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16b, ESV.)

#Praying...talking to #Jesus always draws me closer to Him. Share on X

Talking With Jesus

Now, on to the book review. Talking to Jesus: A Fresh Perspective on Prayer by Jeannie Blackmer.

The author starts right out of the gate in the introduction on what prayer is not. Prayer is “not a well thought out speech that would impress anyone listening.” Still, “it’s not a formal act provided only in the sanctuary of a church.”

#Prayer is simply talking to #Jesus anytime, anywhere, about anything. Jeannie Blackmer Share on X

But while Jeannie herself admits she’s not an expert or theologian, she is a pray-er. Who more perfect to write a book on prayer than someone who practices it?

The book is comprised of stories from the gospel of Matthew and written using fiction-style techniques. Stories drawing the reader into the setting, the people, and Jesus’ part in it all.

Jeannie paints Bible Stories in a different light than you’ve heard or read before: the leper, the rich young man, feeding the 5000, disciples in a storm, and more.

Still further, each chapter concludes with sections for personal reflection and observation including writing out prayers. What a fabulous book on prayer.

2 Ways to Enter the Giveaway

#1 Subscribe to this blog community by email. You’ll receive inspirational posts every Thursday and a free eBook, 4 Ways Hope Changes Your Life Forever.

#2 If you’re already a subscriber, share this post on social media and tag me.

I’ll announce the winner in next week’s blog post. Also, I start a countdown to Christmas next week. Look for 3 weeks of CHRIST-mas. And another book giveaway, a Christmas anthology with two pieces of my own writings.

© 2017 by Karen Friday, All Rights Reserved

Images or design courtesy of Adobe Spark.

Sometimes I participate in these link ups:

Susan B. Mead/Dance with Jesus, Meghan Weyerbacher/Tea and the Word, Donna Reidland/Soul Surviver, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement, Meg Gemelli/GRITupAndGo, Suzanne Eller/Living Free, & Married by His Grace/Salt & Light.

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