Monday, January 9, 2012

A Review of Praying Proverbs 31...and a giveaway...really...

I've just finished reading my first e-book...yes, I'm that far behind the times.  If I had to wait until almost 2012 to finally read an e-book, I began with a bang.  The book I read was written by my friend Tracy, my former bridesmaid, college chum/coworker extraordinaire, and author of one of my favorite thoughtful blogs, Homekeepers.  (I wish I could have crammed one more thought into that sentence...)

So without further ado, here's what I thought of Tracy's book...


Product Details


The premise of the book is how to pray for and instill Biblical virtue in our daughters.  Although this book is specifically written as prayers for daughters, it was not a hard leap toward praying for the character of my son as well.  In fact, it's the type of book that causes you to really stop and think about your spiritual goals for your children.  So, if any of you are thinking this book wouldn't apply because your children are grown or you have no children or you only have boys, you couldn't be more wrong.  It's a great read for anyone who cares about the spiritual purity of another.

The introduction features a quick look into what exactly Biblical purity is and why we as Christians should desire it for our daughters.  I love that Tracy focused more on the heart attitude than the outward conformity.  Who doesn't know someone who did everything right and seemed like a perfect little Christian through the teen years, then promptly dropped all hint of faith once they left home?  I do, and I have to say that my children having an actions-only type of faith is one of my biggest fears.  The real reason for all the study and praying is to ask God's help in instilling a real love of the Lord in our children...teaching them to fear God rather than man.  I have to say the content of the book has been absolutely spot on for me as I think through what my children need to stay close to God.   It's been very timely for me especially as my children are all young right now.  It made me analyze my own motives and attitudes for what I do every day, and caused me to begin praying not only for my daughters, but for my own purity.

One of the things that surprised me about this book was the format.  I'm not sure why I didn't expect it to be in more of a devotional format, but for some reason I didn't.  For those of us who have small children everywhere especially, it was so helpful that Tracy divided the prayers and verses up into a month's worth of study.  Every week she highlights portion of Proverbs 31.  On a daily basis, she wrote a thoughtful prayer that relates to the weekly passage/concept, along with some prompts to get you thinking.  The questions were ultra-helpful in making the prayer seem relevant to my daughters, rather than just reading the thoughts of someone else.  It has been a built-in devotional for my month of reading...and it's not so much reading that you feel like you can't get it done in a day.  It's a brief, daily point with which I could relate.  It's just the type of devotional that is really practical and sustainable for a busy Mom.

It's a great book and you should try it.  You can order a Kindle edition for less than $5 off Amazon via the link in my side bar...this edition is also readable on your computer.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...the giveaway.  I will randomly select (or have one of my kids randomly select) a winner out of a hat, box, or other name-concealing receptacle to be announced one week from today.  What are your spiritual goals for your son or daughter?  Leave a comment on this post to enter to win your free copy of Praying Proverbs 31:  Prayers for a Daughter's Virtue!

PS--no matter how many times you comment, I'll only put your name in once (that means you, Christine!).  That'll make it fair for all you who won't be back to my blog every day this week...not that I'm discouraging that!


19 comments:

  1. (Can family participate? :)) My goals for Titus (and any other little ones to follow) are taken from Deuteronomy 10:12-13: To do what the LORD thy God requires of thee, to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which He commands thee this day for thy good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't have a daughter, but that sounds like a great book. You wrote a wonderful review. My prayer for my sons has always been faith...that they walk in faith with God in all they do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Okay, so my child rearing days are over but it doesn't mean that my responsibility of praying for my children has ended. In fact, the list of praying for the children gets longer as the grandchildren are adding on. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would like to read this. Consider this my official entry.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Are you sure that multiple entries won't get you an extra shot at the prize.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Because, in reality, shouldn't tenacity pay off??

    ReplyDelete
  7. And, the fact that I up your "numbers" considerably, by my constant stalking of you on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Has she posted something new?????????

    ReplyDelete
  9. There might be a new comment that lends insight. Maybe, I should check again!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Plus, the fact that I have now entered a silly, made up word, on my ridiculously slow paced computer many, many times.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shouldn't that get me some kind of recognition.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, wait. This is supposed to be a spiritual post, not sarcastic.

    ReplyDelete
  13. "Bashio", that was the last "silly" word I just typed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Proverbs 31 is always inspiring,all the time,anytime, liked your post

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the recommendation Hannah! Sounds very good.

    ReplyDelete
  16. My spiritual goal for my child is that he learn to read carefully and follow instructions--primarily referring to God's Word, but also for other aspects of life: school, work, contest entries.... (ha, ha, ha)

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. It sounds just my style, especially since I have a daughter! Thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete