Upon Further Review is an original feature here at Somewhere Only We Know. I have always loved re-reading my favorite books, and I wanted a way to incorporate re-reading into my blog. Thus From the Ashes and Upon Further Review were born. From the Ashes is where I re-read a book that I have never reviewed before and finally review it. Upon Further Review is where I re-read a book that I've already reviewed and see if my original rating stands or not. This is also the time for me to discuss any new revelations that my latest re-read has brought to my attention.
Here's my original review of The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian.
The Power of a Praying Woman
By: Stormie Omartian
Expected Publication: April 1st 2014 by Harvest House Publishers (first published 2002)
256 pages
Genre: Religious, Christian, Spirituality, Self-Help
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!!), I also own an earlier edition
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Goodreads description--Stormie Omartian's bestselling The Power of a Praying series (more than 23 million copies sold) is rereleased with fresh new covers and new material to reach a still-growing market of readers eager to discover the power of prayer for their lives.
This brand-new padded deluxe edition of Stormie Omartian's The Power of a Praying Woman (more than 1.7 million copies sold) is beautiful and lasting, designed for years of reading and reference.
If you desire to be a praying woman with a strong and fruitful prayer life, you will find someone to walk with you on your way there in Stormie's book written for the feminine heart. Stormie uses personal illustrations, carefully selected Scriptures, and heartfelt prayers to help you develop a vision for your future avoid a pray-and-run existence find wholeness and completeness in God's embrace.
For the millions of women familiar with Stormie's other life-changing books on prayer, this deluxe release is a must-have keepsake. For mothers, sisters, aunts, and friends, it's a gift that offers the promise of a closer walk with God.
Several years ago I had a realization that while being told to pray all of my life, my prayer life was indeed pitiful. At that point in my life I made a conscious effort to work on my prayer life and grow my intimate relationship with my God and Father. Stormie Omartian's books have helped me so much on my journey. The Power of a Praying Wife was the first book that I picked up by her and was impressed by the idea of spending time in focused prayer on one topic. Up until this point, I'd always tried to cover EVERY topic in every prayer, but The Power of a Praying Wife taught me this wasn't the correct path to pursuing a deeper and more intimate relationship with my God, but instead showed me that I had a checklist mentality and just needed to check off every area that needed to be covered in prayer.
After reading The Power of a Praying Wife, I read The Power of a Praying Woman for the first time, and this book blew me away. Stormie Omartian covered so many topics and focused areas in my life in need of prayer that I didn't even realize were in such desperate need. You can find a table of contents online, but I wanted to share the chapter topics here with you now just to illustrate all the areas that she concentrates on: Lord, Draw Me into a Closer Walk with You; Lord, Cleanse Me and Make My Heart Right Before You; Lord, Help Me to Be a Forgiving Person; Lord, Teach Me to Walk in Obedience to Your Ways; Lord, Strengthen Me to Stand Against the Enemy; Lord, Show Me How to Take Control of My Mind; Lord, Rule Me in Every Area of My Life; Lord, Take Me Deeper in Your Word; Lord, Instruct Me as I Put My Life in Right Order; Lord, Prepare Me to Be a True Worshiper; Lord, Bless Me in the Work I Do; Lord, Plant Me so I Will Bear the Fruit of Your Spirit; Lord, Preserve Me in Purity and Holiness; Lord, Move Me into the Purpose for Which I Was Created; Lord, Guide Me in All My Relationships; Lord, Keep Me in the Center of Your Will; Lord, Give Me Wisdom to Make Right Decisions; Lord, Deliver Me from Every Evil Work; Lord, Set Me Free from Negative Emotions; Lord, Comfort Me in Times of Trouble; Lord, Enable Me to Resist the Temptation to Sin; Lord, Heal Me and Help Me Care for My Body; Lord, Free Me from Ungodly Fear; Lord, Train Me to Speak Only Words That Bring Life; Lord, Transform Me into a Woman of Mountain Moving Faith; Lord, Change Me into the Likeness of Christ; Lord, Remind Me That My Greatest Need Is Always for More of You; Lord, Lift Me out of My Past; Lord, Lead Me into the Future You Have For Me.
You guys, I highlighted so much in this book. At least every chapter held some gem that corrected some of my thinking, showed me a new insight, or was some other kind of "gold nugget" as my dad would say. Stormie Omartian says that the "deep and intimate relationship with God that we all desire and can't live without doesn't just happen. It must be sought after, prayed for, nurtured, and treasured. And we must continually seek after, pray for, nurture, and treasure it." This is so true. While I've read this book before and many of it's truths have stuck with me, I've found myself re-invigorated and refreshed in my purpose, in my life, and in my soul because of this re-read. This is definitely going to be a book that I continually come back to throughout my life.
I cannot recommend The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian enough. It is by far my favorite book that I've read by her, as well as my favorite book on prayer outside of the Bible. My original rate of 5 Stars definitely still stands. If you're looking for a spark to help you start your prayer life and your relationship with God, or you're looking for a rekindling, this is the book for you! Happy reading!
Have you already read The Power of a Praying Woman? What did you think? Let me know!
