Review: Called to Pray

Called to Pray
By Linda Evans Shepherd
Revell, 2015


Summary

When you feel a nudge to pray, what will you do?

Most of us have felt it at one time or another: that unexplained prompting in our hearts to stop and pray for a friend, a loved one, or even a stranger. Sometimes we are even awakened from a deep sleep with an even deeper need to go to God in prayer. Where do those urges come from? Are they truly from God? Or are they merely stray thoughts? And if we respond in prayer, are others' lives affected at all?

In Called to Pray, Linda Evans Shepherd shares dozens of inspiring true stories of people who have heeded God's call to pray and the astonishing results of those impromptu prayers. Through accounts of people being protected from harm and rescued from danger, of needs being met and hearts being encouraged, you'll see that God is involved in an active and dynamic relationship with us--and that we can be part of his plan to bless others.

If you have ever wondered if prayer has any real effect or doubted that God communicates with us personally, this heart-stirring book will amaze, inspire, and equip you to respond to those holy promptings.


My thoughts

I found Called to Pray by Linda Evans Shepherd to be a thoughtfully inspiring and encouraging book, exactly what the subtitle promises: Astounding Stories of Answered Prayer. It is actually a collection of powerful stories — each beginning with Scripture and ending with a summary thought and short prayer. Chapter topics include being called to pray for specific things like protection, rescue, guidance, souls, and trust. With the way this collection is laid out, you can read a few stories at a time or use it as a devotional.

There is so much that I don’t understand about prayer, but I do know that it is very real, that God hears, and that He moves through our spoken words to Him. What I found so moving was the reminder that God frequently prompts us to pray, places certain people or needs on our hearts so that we will cry out to Him on their behalf – and then He answers. This quote from Max Lucado in Chapter 2 says it all:  “You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don’t need to. But this much is clear: actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth.”

I think some of the book’s effect was lost on me by reading straight through for review purposes. But as I said earlier, it would be a great resource for meditation – and also a wonderful gift, especially for new believers.

Recommended.

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Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author, a popular speaker, and a radio personality. The president of Right to the Heart Ministries, she is the author of several books, including When You Don't Know What to Pray, Experiencing God's Presence, and The Stress Cure. She and her husband live in Colorado.

Find Linda online at sheppro.com

Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.