A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller–Book Review

I’ve read many books about prayer, but I still got some new and interesting ideas from this one. The first is Paul Miller’s recommendation that we write our prayers on index cards, one for each person or category we are praying for. I’m going to try this. It should make it easier to add requests for the same person as things change, and also to remember exactly what my prayers for that person have been recently. He personally includes a Scripture verse that helps him to focus on what he is asking for that particular situation or person.

I could also relate to Miller’s insistence that we view our prayers and indeed, our life, as part of God’s story. Often we are disappointed when we our prayers aren’t answered in the time frame or way that we expect. When this happens, we need to remember that God see the big picture, and what we want may not be what is best for us and others in the long run. We’ll often be able to see God has been at work after time has passed. Suffering, for example, may not be what we want, but may result in a closer relationship with God, greater humility, or stronger faith.

The author also weaves stories from his own life experience into the narrative, with special attention to the challenges of raising his autistic daughter, Kim. This was of special interest to me as there are several autistic children in my own extended family.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. An interesting read with some new perspectives. Completely biblical

For more about prayer see these posts:

Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren–Book Review

A Father’s Prayer–Book Review

Every Which Way to Pray by Joyce Meyer–Book Review

A Father’s Prayer–Book Review

I met the author of this book, Linda Wood Rondeau at the local senior center where she spoke to a small group of people interested in writing.  She told us her story of leaving her job as a social worker in her 50’s and launching a writing career.  She has now published a number of novels.  At the end of her presentation she allowed several of us to pick one of her books to take home.  I chose A Father’s Prayer because she said it dealt with an autistic boy;  I have two autistic nephews, so I was drawn to that topic.

This short novel falls into the genre of Christian romance;  frankly, not my cup of tea.  However, it may be yours.  It’s an easy read, predictable and formulaic.  The heroine, Alexis, returns home after the death of her parents to raise her adopted autistic brother, Gib.  Well-known country singer, Ethan Jacobs arrives on the scene to perform at a benefit for Gib’s school and takes a special interest in Gib.  I won’t say more to prevent this review from becoming a “spoiler.”  What follows includes romance, and the neat wrapping up of various problems encountered by Alexis and Gib, all presented within a Christian framework.

If you would like to learn more about Linda and her other books, you can visit her website:

https://lindarondeau.com/

She serves God through her writing, speaking engagements, and mentoring other writers.  If you are interested in writing, or need a speaker for an event, she would be a great resource for you.