34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Book Will Change Your Life!, May 23, 2002
I'm an avid reader, but it's rare that I read a book and then go out and buy copies of it for family and friends. Yet that's just what I did with this book, because it is life changing.
The author's advice is "right on" and perfectly Biblical, and I promise that if you follow her suggestions, you can't help but have a happier life and a better relationship with God. Your marriage and other relationships will benefit, too.
I can't recommend this book enough. EVERY Christian should read it. And then read it again...and again...And if you're not a Christian, but are seeking more fulfillment out of life, this book is an excellent beginning!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Hope and Faith together give you a vision for your life.", August 9, 2004
"Prayer is a privilege that is always ours, but the power in prayer is always His. Without God, we can't do it. Without us, God won't do it. God wants us to desire to be with Him. There is no love relationship if one person has to dictate how the other must think, feel, and act."
Reading this book was a pleasure. Stormie shared so deeply her thoughts and feelings that I felt like I knew her early on. She definitely has a heart for God and radiates true Joy. And what is a better tool to help others besides sharing our own life experiences? Her examples based on her experiences illustrate her points very well. This book would be great for someone wanting to know about what Jesus wants to do for you and to help guide you into the privilege of prayer. It is also a good reminder to Christians of a faith walk that loves God and pleases Him by wanting and praying His will in our lives.
Some of my favorite chapters are: "Praying to Know God as The Holy Spirit, Praying to Know God as Lord Over Every Area of Your Life, Praying to Know the Power of Prayer, Praying to Remain Separate From the World, Praying to Have Fellowship With Other Believers and Praying to Be Able to Walk in Faith." Also I love the four charts she does throughout the book such as "Fifteen Reasons to Read the Bible Daily," complete with Bible verses, as well as the sections at the end of each short chapter: "Tools of Truth" and "Prayer."
Here are a few quotes/points that I wish to remember and share:
"God, if You have a will for my life," I said, "I need to know what it is and what to do about it."
"God, tell me what to do. Show me what steps to take. Guide me where I need to go."
"All of us need to acknowledge God, recognize that He is on our side, and let Him be Lord over our lives."
"Let go of guilt by finally accepting the Lord's forgiveness. Then move on."
"The Bible says, "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them" (Ez. 36:27). The Holy spirit works the wholeness of God into us. And there is no need to fear or mystery about this, because we alone of God's creation have a special place built in us where His Spirit can reside. That place will always be empty until it is filled with Him."
"The happiest people I know put all of their lives into God's hands, knowing that wherever He is enthroned, no threat of hell can succeed against them."
"Our enemy is Satan, the ruler of this world, who was originally created beautiful, wise, and without sin. He had access to the throne of God, but fell from this high position when he chose to exert his will over God's. No one tempted him; he decided to rebel on his own. When his rebellion led to his expulsion from God's kingdom, he set himself to oppose all that God is and does. But Satan is limited. He cannot be everywhere, he is not able to do everything, he is not all-powerful, and he is not all knowing. God, on the other hand is all of those things. What Satan and God do have in common is that they both have a plan for our lives, which can only be made operative if we submit to it. We don't have to fear Satan because the Bible says that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4). There is no indication in the Bible that Satan can possibly win over God; God's power far surpasses his. The only success Satan can have comes through deception--getting us to believe he doesn't exist or that he is not our enemy, or instilling in us lies about ourselves, our situations, others, him, or God. Once we believe his lies, he controls our lives."
"Faith is a first a decision, then an exercise in obedience, then a gift from God as it is multiplied."
The Bible says, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).
Seek Him, my friend. You will find Him, and you will be rewarded! o8E
Soar!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We all need Hope..., December 17, 2005
Stormie is and has always been wonderful at writing and teaching about God's word, specifically regarding prayer. For those who are concerned about someone's dislike of Stormie using her own life experiences and the book being shallow, keep in mind as you search for teachings on prayer and as your faith in a loving Lord guides your decisions, don't we all teach and uplift one another by using our own life experiences, as Stormie does so wonderfully in her books? If you have even limited knowledge of scripture, you will remember that even God Himself tells us the life experiences of many people for the purpose of teaching us His ways, His character, His love, His plan. That doesn't mean there isn't a place for teaching scripture alone, but when you hear how God worked in someone's life and apply those scriptures, it is exhilarating and gives so much hope! That is what we are all looking for, isn't it? Hope! Stormies book gives me hope as I learn how God has worked in her life, answered her prayers, taught her how to pray. Don't be discouraged if you feel prayers have been unanswered and then believe that God doesn't sometimes work quickly the way Stormie says. God's plan isn't the same for everyone and all of us are at a different stage in life spiritually. I know this doesn't sound good to those who have suffered beyond what they think they can bear. If that is you, Stormie will guide you to important information and take you right to scripture to encourage you how to draw closer to the Lord, which you may need now more than ever, and your relationship with Him will grow in your communication and His communication back. What you may need in that case is exactly what Stormie has to offer, lessons on prayer, life experiences on answered prayers, and hope. If I had room and time, would love to share my own years of unanswered prayers, my changed heart and the prayers that were answered before I could even turn around and tell someone! It is uplifting. I would wait those years all over again to have what God has given me now! That is prayer and a loving answer from God. As with all decisions, pray about it before you read it and ask God to open your heart and mind to HIS truth. That is what Stormie does before she writes. God bless your search for a closer relationship with Him.
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