The charm of Jane Austen and her novels has been enjoyed for over 200 years by readers around the world. Much has been written about her fascinating life, yet little is known about Jane’s spiritual side. In this lovely 31-day devotional, you will get an in-depth look at Miss Austen’s vibrant, steadfast prayer and faith life. Her intimate relationship with the Father comes to life through her … exquisite prayers, touching biographical anecdotes, intimate excerpts from family letters and memoirs, and illuminating scenes from her novels.
Spiritual insights and Scripture references shed light on the profound meaning behind Miss Austen’s prayers and the enduring truths they contain. Each day ends with a key Bible verse and invitation to “pray with Jane,” helping to ignite and deepen your own vibrant relationship with the Father.
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I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen and thoroughly enjoyed this lovely devotional. I’m impressed with Rachel Dodge and how she compiled this book drawn from JA’s prayers. I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to write a review.
I enjoyed this devotional so much! I loved the way it took me through three prayers that Jane Austen wrote.
Each prayer was included in its entirety and was then broken up into smaller sections for a more detailed study on each day. Included in each day’s study was some interesting tidbit about Jane’s life or a connection to the characters and books that she wrote.
I loved the way the author took these passages from Jane’s prayers, connected them with a Biblical truth, and encouraged me to think of how these passages related to my life.
This is my new favorite devotional book and I plan to incorporate reading through it at least twice a year in addition to my regular Bible study.
I received a complimentary copy of this book .All opinions are my own.
I’m loving starting each day with a few lines from prayers written by Jane Austen. As a long-time Austen fan, I was delighted to discover something “new” from her. And Rachel Dodge has done a lovely job of pairing the prayers with scripture and thought-provoking commentary.
I don’t want to be finished. I wish it were 100 devotions!
A lovely daily devotional using Jane Austen’s own prayers, as well as relevant Bible verses.
My Thoughts on Praying with Jane:
I have long loved Jane Austen as an author and was intrigued when this title came across my email screen. Of course, I had to sign up to review it!
It has not disappointed me. This is going to be a book that stays on my shelf for years to come. I can see myself purchasing copies of this book to gift to literary like-minded friends and definitely to my own daughters as they grow. I’ve made sure they are literature lovers and they have all read Jane Austen already or will as they get older!
I love that this includes some of the words of Jane herself. It’s also very nice that they have added in scriptures and other thoughts as well to make it relevant to us today.
Somehow I feel like I’m sharing a cup of tea with one of my favorite authors when I’m reading this devotional. I have a feeling I could use this every day of every month of the year and still not grow tired of it. Also, I think I’d still get something new out of each devotional by the time the twelfth month came along.
I highly recommend you get your own copy of this book. The cover is gorgeous and the inner pages follow suit.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen by Rachel Dodge offers readers a daily devotional based on the three known prayers written by Jane Austen. Each prayer receives ten or eleven days of attention, effectively immersing the reader into the prayer.
Having recently reread Pride & Prejudice, I was delighted to start into Praying with Jane. Each devotional entry begins with an examination of a portion of one of Jane’s prayers. Jane’s personal life and literary works appear often as the author brings together Austen’s prayer and the devotional thought. All six of Austen’s published novels are referenced in various points. Naturally, many Biblical principles and Scriptures were included. The second section offers a brief invitation to pray that encourages personal introspection and honesty. Lastly, a pre-composed prayer leads the reader in communion with God through prayer.
Two of my favorite devotional entries in Praying with Jane were: (1) Every Good and Perfect Gift (Pg. 39) which focused on thankfulness. (2) A Benevolent Spirit (Pg. 77) which encouraged generosity toward others. This book spoke to me as it offered reminders of God’s love as well as instruction on the Christian life. I highly recommend Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen to Jane Austen fans. It has a permanent home on my bookcase and I expect to read it again in the future.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
We live in such a fast paced world that even our spiritual habits can be fast-tracked. With online bible studies and podcasts from our favorite church sermons we can fit in our spiritual needs on the go. Or so it would seem. Are we better off in such a manner?
Jane Austen is more famous now than she would have considered possible. Imagine the quiet society the author lived in and compare it with our lives today. Imagine her sitting at her desk writing in her journal or perhaps outdoors on a blanket reading her bible. I can imagine her carving time in her day for reading her bible, writing her thoughts or discussing her thoughts on a verse with her beloved sister, Cassandra. Many today find it difficult to find time to simply sit and reset their minds on their spiritual needs. I find myself seemingly running out of time when I know I have the same 24 hours every day, just as those who went before me. Our lives today truly are busy, but we simply use our time differently.
Slowing time down can be done but it takes practice. It also takes practice to ignore our phones in order to breathe deep and get into quiet times of reflection. We still have sixty minutes to the hour, that will not change. I find that for myself, reading books like Praying with Jane help me slow down and pause for much needed spiritual boost. Every care in the world still awaits but I am better equipped to manage them. Less stress is one of my goals for the new year so relaxing with Jane came at a very good time for me.
If you like Jane Austen and want to give your spiritual side a boost, pick up a copy Praying With Jane by Rachel Dodge. Rachel also has reading guides and discussions on her website. This book is on my Kindle app so it is easy to access on my phone or tablet. Just right for those times when I am waiting for an appointment or at the bus stop for my grand-kids. It is time well spent rather than watching the clock.
If you’re a Jane Austen fan, this adorable, thought-provoking devotional is sure to impress. Lovely, hard bound in gift book size, this would make a perfect gift for the person in your life who has read everything there is about Jane Austen.
The devotionals are set up by taking portions of Jane’s three recorded prayers and taking them line by line to stretch the devotions out over a 31 day period. The reader learns much about Jane’s upbringing, spiritual life, everyday existence and finally, her lasting legacy.
I am a life long reader and lover of all things Victorian, and I was sad when the book ended. I will most definitely remember this book for friends who also love Austen’s work. Rachel Dodge has done a great job in her research as well as connecting the long ago past to current times. There’s something to be learned from every generation.
I received an early reader’s copy from Bethany House Publishers and chose to review. All opinions are my own.
This devotional book by Rachel Dodge is an inspiring and encouraging devotional. Based on prayers written by Jane Austen, each day’s devotion focuses on a phrase from those prayers. The author’s devotions are very well-written and based on scripture to illuminate the specific thought from Jane’s prayers. Besides the spiritual encouragement I received from reading these devotions, I also loved the insight into Jane’s faith and family life, as well as the quotes that appear from her books.
I appreciated the fact that Rachel Dodge encourages the reader to trust Christ as their Savior, and includes a section in the book as to how to place your faith in Christ. The author’s own faith shines through the thoughts she shares with us.
Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy reading Rachel Dodge’s research into Jane’s life. All readers will be challenged to commit each day to God and His leading in our lives.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Both Jane Austen and the author call us to more: an abundant life in Jesus through word and behavior by asking for help from our “Father of Heaven.” Readers will find Jane’s written prayers as beautiful and profound as her gifts of literature. This lovely treasure is accompanied by daily prayers and practical application.
Praying with Jane is truly a thoughtful and beautiful guide into the deep spiritual world of Austen with commentary by an Austen fan and teacher. Rachel Dodge divides three written prayers into a month’s worth of devotional focus and includes a sample prayer for each day for the reader to delve further into the concepts.
One insight/reminder gained from this book: true joy is found outside of our circumstances rather than in them.
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley without obligation. This review is my opinion.