Review/Giveaway: Prayer is Our Power

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Prayer is Our Power
Author: Lonnie E. Pruitt
Genre: Christian nonfiction - prayer
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: March 25, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read. It also has the author's personal autograph to me.

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Prayer is Our Power was written by Lonnie E. Pruitt. This short 100-page paperback, published by Outskirts Press, has a list price of $13.95.

Here's how the book is described on the publisher's page:

Lonnie E. Pruitt stirs the Christian heartstrings with Prayer Is Our Power, a satisfying collection of odes touching on what it means to walk with God. The miracle of nature, the delight of surrendering to the Lord, and the joy of spiritual love are just a few of the many themes touched on here. The more than eighty poems chronicle a range of spiritual experiences—from that first introduction to the Bible to the eventual constant veneration of and service to God—with grace and beauty. Through it all, Pruitt’s moving verse shows an uncanny ability to harness the music and weight of words. Poems like “Making My Way Like Jesus,” “Count on Me,” and “Headed to Heaven” kindle the spiritual drive, reminding readers of the awesome power and love of God.

Inspiring, affirming, and uplifting, Prayer Is Our Power is food for the soul of Christians both young and old.

Reading this book is like reading someone's personal prayer journal, or meditating on the Psalms. Thoughtful, descriptive, and a little more to be gleaned from each poem each time you read it. The author includes rhyme in his poetry without a consistent meter, which gave a whimsical, quaint effect that I enjoyed.

The cover is attractive, but I'll be honest and say that in addition to some grammatical errors, I found the layout a bit rough. For instance, you'd expect that if a line of verse is longer than a line on a page, the remainer that drops to another line would be indented to show it's still part of the first line. That doesn't happen, and it disrupts the flow of reading.

Despite the editorial issues, there is much good to be said about this book, and I suspect every Christian could relate well to at least one poem in this journey of poetry. One that struck me was "Something for You." I'd love to wake up every morning, not asking God to help me with my day, but asking Him what He would have me do for Him that day. I'm still getting there...

Father, what can I do for you today? I feel the need to assist you in any way...
To worship and praise you, these things I know, but there has to be more, to let my appreciation show...
You have said to ask, and you have said to call. Father you need love, too; I just need you to know that I am thankful and will forever give you my all.
It is good to receive your blessings, but feels so good to give back, completing the whole package.

Thanks to Review the Book for organizing the review copy of this book.