Becoming a Woman
of Prayer

By Cynthia Heald
NavPress, $7.00

ISBN 0891099549

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God's invitation,woman's need

Jesus, the Christian's role model for prayer, taught His disciples how to pray (Matt. 6:9-15). He rose before daylight to meet in solitude with God the Father. In her Bible study guide Becoming a Woman of Prayer, author Cynthia Heald challenges women to understand the reasons God invites them to pray and shows them how to incorporate prayer into their everyday lives.

Written out of the author's own need for prayer, Becoming a Woman of Prayer serves as a wake-up call to women who desire a more intimate relationship with God. Whether used as an individual or a group study guide, the reader is motivated to pray regularly and boldly.

In each of 11 short chapters Heald raises a series of stimulating questions that the average person asks, such as Who initiates prayer? Why pray when God already knows our needs? How do you offer acceptable prayer to God? Why must you depend on and trust Him before you call on God to hear your prayer? How do you pray in the Spirit? What does it mean to "delight in God"? How do you prepare for prayer? What happens if you pray and God seems silent? Will God answer if you doubt what God can do? How important is it that your petitions be in harmony with God's will? Should prayer be focused on yourself, the need, or God? What is Jesus' part in your prayer?

Each lesson features classic quotes from great historical devotional writers, a prayer of preparation, scripture verses to look up, a reflection from Heald, and a suggested memory verse. By the time readers go through each lesson, they are able to answer the questions.

Heald is a frequent speaker and has written many Bible studies including the bestselling Becoming a Woman of Excellence and Becoming a Woman of Freedom.

What the reviewer found when reading and studying this 96-page book is simple but profound: In becoming a woman of prayer, you become a partner with God in accomplishing His purposes and glorifying Him. You must leave the answers to your prayers in the hands of the sovereign, living God and give thanks for whatever answers He chooses to provide.

For women who desire to draw closer to God and learn more about praying in the Spirit, Becoming a Woman of Prayer is a must.

Vicki Dougherty is a freelance reviewer from Summerville, SC.