Do you ever find it hard to pray and don’t know what to say? Prayer is one of the most powerful, life-changing things we will ever do, and yet we often struggle. It’s hard to find the time. It’s repetitive, we get distracted and sometimes even bored. And the answers often feel few and far between. The good news? There is a simple, powerful way to reignite your conversation with God.In Praying … Praying Women, bestselling author Sheila Walsh shares practical helps directly from God’s Word, showing you how to
– know what to say when you pray
– understand how to use prayer as a weapon when you are in the midst of a struggle
– pray as joy-filled warriors, not anxious worriers
– let go of the past and stand on God’s promises for you now
Prayer changes you and it changes the world. You may have tried before, but if you’re ready to start again in your relationship with God, let Sheila Walsh show you how to become a strong praying woman.
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I was so excited to read this book and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I long to be known as a Prayer Warrior but I often doubt my ability to pray as I should. This book is just what I needed and Sheila Walsh seemed to be speaking just to me! Praying Women is filled with “golden nuggets”—nuggets of inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and God’s Word. Walsh understands that Christian women aren’t immune to pain and disappointments and her words offer the comfort that we often need. There are ten chapters that focus on different situations and I love that each chapter has Bible scripture, ‘Prayer Reminders’ and ‘A Prayer When You Don’t Know What to Say’. So helpful because I often find myself in this very situation!
“I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” C.S. Lewis
Walsh shares these words in her introduction and they set the tone for the whole book. Praying Women is a must-read for anyone wanting to develop a stronger prayer life and a deeper relationship with God. This is a book to keep and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy from Baker Books but there was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
I am almost through reading this book. I found it exceptional in helping one’s prayer life. I am looking forward to reading more of Sheila Walsh’s books.
“Praying Women” by Sheila Walsh was an eye-opening book for me! I have learned so much more about prayer. Sheila shared so many great quotes and ideas about this subject. I am so glad I read this book. It has truly changed my life.
My favorite quote from the book was, “Everything without God is nothing. Nothing with God is everything.” I love this quote. It’s something I will try to hold onto for everything in life. Sheila also talks about having a fighting verse. I love this, also! I never thought about this, but since then, I have claimed a fighting verse.
I definitely recommend this book to every woman out there. Sometimes prayer is hard, but Sheila Walsh shows how prayer doesn’t have to be hard. She gives some very good pointers and insight into prayer and how to apply it to our prayer lives. Prayer is very important, and it does work!
I received this book from Baker Books for my honest opinion.
I listened to the audio version of Praying Women and was very touched by each chapter. Sheila Walsh is the narrator, and she tells many personal stories to help us understand many different aspects about prayer. She is also offering a free downloadable Bible study you can do along with reading the book through her website. If you’d like to grow your prayer life and feel closer to the Lord, then this is a book for you.
How do you pray? Is there a right or wrong way? Prayer is so complicated yet so simple. I’ve struggled in my prayer life since I became a Christian 23 years ago. In this book, Shelia Walsh makes prayer very clear and simple, and everything is supported with scripture. I love Shelia’s writing style. She shares her personal experiences, along with the knowledge she has gained in her studying of God’s Word. I think any Christ Follower would benefit from reading this book.
One of the very best enlightening book on prayer
by a woman for women! Gut honest down to earth and such a eye opener book !!I have been a believer in
Jesus for over 40 years and never have I had a book
move me to pray honestly as Sheila’s did
Thank you so much for sharing your life snd your
Prayers .
Karen
It was an uplifting book. I liked the idea of using the psalms to pray.
I have read many books on prayer, and this is one of the best! Sheila Walsh is so honest, vulnerable, real and practical. To me prayer is connecting with God, and her insights on that connections are so helpful!! Highly recommend.
Excellent book on prayer. Helpful.
Wonderful bible study that I revisited during the stay at home orders of Covid 19.
I am about 1/2 way through this book and from the very first page it had my attention. One of the reasons I love this book is that the author reveals herself, not only the good side of life but the sad and poignant sides as well. The reader can easily relate to many of the trials that the writer has faced and like the writer, know that they are not alone. God is with us through everything we face, He loves us more than life itself, giving himself for us.
From the very first chapter which spoke of God’s love for us, how The Spirit prays for us, that God knows our hearts, I was hooked. I also like many of the quotes this book gives: “In prayer it’s better to have a heart without words than words without a heart”, “You can’t go everywhere your children go but God can”, are 2 of my favorites. I’ve also gained many insights, deeper into what I already understood of the Bible. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking to strengthen their relationship with God. Most excellent!
Uplifting, encouraging and inspirational
Sheila Walsh writes with a delightful style. It is easy to read but full of deep truths about the power and purpose of prayer. You will never look at prayer the same way nor will you take it for granted in your spiritual walk. In the days we live in with uncertainty, approaching the Throne of God is more needed than ever in our lifetime.
I truly enjoyed this book from Sheila Walsh, author, TV host and all-around encourager. “Praying Women” is a book that would be good for any age–she also writes in a way that is inclusive and inviting.
If you’ve ever felt like it was too hard to pray or if you’re not sure what to pray or even how to pray, this book is for you. Walsh explores many of the hindrances that hold women back from truly seeking God in a personal, relational way. Within the chapters of the book, Walsh shares her personal stories and those of friends who have faced seasons where God seemed quiet and their prayers were bouncing off the ceiling.
Walsh doesn’t mince words or lessen the impact of those struggles, but she does remind the reader that God is always there to listen, if we take the time to speak to Him. She offers questions at the end of each chapter for reflection/discussion and highlights important constructs from that particular portion. She also offers a way to pray through the Psalms that is helpful and easy to implement.
“Praying Women” is a book that can be broken into smaller portions, as each chapter has a different theme. It would be awesome for a small group setting or for personal study. I think it could fit in a setting for all ages of ladies and open the door for further in depth conversations.
I was an early reader, thanks to Baker Publishing but I loved it so much I purchased a copy to share with a friend.
“…He (God) sat with me, comforted me, and welcomed me home to His heart because He had loved me all along” (page 41). Do you want to be a praying woman? Most of us do; it is one of the ways to grow closer to the God who loves us. Sheila Walsh shares why so many of us are challenged with praying, covering my fears and hindrances well. She tells us how to grow beyond those challenges and how she has done so. Each chapter begins with a quote about prayer from a classic Christian author and a pertinent scripture verse and ends with “Prayer Reminders” and a prayer.
This beautiful, thoughtful, encouraging book about prayer and praying is written for every woman. It is written with this gifted Bible teacher’s trademark transparency, gentleness, and wit, with principles referenced in scripture. She does not preach; it is more like chatting over coffee with a dear friend to savor this book. Sheila Walsh uses illustrations from her own life, including some humorous and some of the most painful. This honesty is refreshing and as much of a blessing now as when I read some of her earlier books sharing how the Lord has been with her through depression.
Prayer was one of the most important things in Christ’s life on earth as well as since He returned to heaven, which is one thing I had not considered for quite some time. It is also important enough that the Holy Spirit helps us with prayer. For me, that has included a conviction that I need to pray more – but how to pray both more and better?
Subjects I found most critical in this season include persevering in prayer, praying when it is hardest to pray or when it seems God is silent, praying the Word of God (specifically through Psalms, and how Jesus prayed from various Psalms), praying through dressing in our armor daily as well as praying in our armor, and praying through Christ’s victory. Re-learning who I am in Christ, and finding my confidence in Him, not myself. How “Praying women pray through their heartache until it becomes their authority.” That I am changed, whether or not my circumstances are. Even though the Lord knows my needs, He, like Aslan in The Magician’s Nephew, likes to be asked. Ultimately, just how much God loves me and has compassion for me.
Praying Women can be read by new and seasoned Christian women. Every concept regarding prayer is backed up by scripture, and stories from both the Old and New Testaments are included. The scriptures, of course, are most important. The experiences of the author are secondary, yet important to a woman’s heart as we see that we are not alone in how we feel. The author’s love for the Lord is evident on every page, as is her love for Christians. This is the kind of book one gets a copy of for themselves – to read, savor, learn from, and re-read – as well as purchase as gifts for other women in our lives. Even if you glean only one nugget of truth today, you might find one another time. I highly recommend it! God wants to hear from you!
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.