"FERVENT ..."

FerVent "... a Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer" by Priscilla Shirer

Every Christian needs a strategic warfare plan of PRAYER against the enemy who has a personalized attack against each of us which is bent on destroying us and knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, so this battle plan written so tactically from the wisdom and best selling author, speaker and teacher, Priscilla Shirer is a guide that we all need. I highly recommend for everyone because we all need to get serious and busy on our knees in prayer and have a warfare plan with "serious, specific and strategic prayer" as outlined by one who really seems to know and applies what she preaches and teaches so well. I chose this book purposefully and waited for it to become available in a digital copy because I knew that I most definitely need the practical approach and clear information that Priscilla shares on prayer as I've been reading and listening to her present on the Armor of God at her blog with "Going Beyond Ministries" through her #WFA Summer Series (W=War Room, F=Fervent ... A=Armor of God). 
{It's been so helpful and quite refreshing each week. And I can't wait to see Priscilla and Beth Moore in the upcoming movie "War Room" (which will be released August 28th, 2015) which this book and others like it are related to this movie by the Kendrick Brothers.}
{Of course, since I'm reviewing Priscilla's Fervent book, I consider this one my favorite and the best but they all look good and the journal too. Can't wait to see the movie.}

The Introduction to "FerVent" begins with "This Means War" followed by "Opening in Prayer" ... with a quote leading into this from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" in a dialog between Theoden and Aragorn, who states:

"Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not."

And so it is, "because this is war", "the fight of your life", a "very real enemy has been strategizing and scheming against you, assaulting you, coming after your emotions, your mind, ... your future" ... "but his reign of terror stops here", "stops now", ... "he won't have victory anymore" "because it all starts failing when we start praying" ... these are fighting words that we need in our daily battles and prayers with mindsets filled by the Holy Spirit to confront and out do our enemy with know how and tactics ... strategies. 

This is not just a book about "prayer", to merely talk about prayer or think about praying, it's a practical book to pray specifically and strategically in a plan we develop to our own personal needs and life ... as we go along learning that "praying with precision is key" and that's exactly what Priscilla does as she guides us chapter by chapter in Strategies as we practice implementing the incredible power tool of prayer ... as Priscilla so beautifully puts this ... "Prayer is the portal that brings the power of heaven down to earth" {WOW, love that!}
At the end of each chapter in this book, Priscilla leads us "to compose a strategy of prayer in regard to our own life in that particular area", which I found extremely valuable to do. So you develop your own personal prayer strategies as you continue through each chapter of 10 Prayer Strategies (explained well on pages 15-17 with a Scripture for each one from the compilation of a poll and these as the most common categories from the responses): against 1) your passion, 2) your focus, 3) your identity, 4) your family, 5) your confidence, 6) your calling, 7) your purity, 8) your rest and contentment, 9) your heart and 10) your relationships. I most certainly need a strategy in every one of these areas and I'm sure that you do also. But of course, there are more ... this is just to get us started designing our own prayer room with strategies, prayer plans, and PRAYERS. I can't get enough of Priscilla's solid Biblical & practical teaching.
Each chapter includes at the end "A Call to Prayer" which supplies Scriptures for that area. I love how each chapter begins with "If I were your enemy, ..." and then gives us a realistic viewpoint of how the enemy sees this area as a way to attack ... or how ... the descriptions are ever so clever and accurate. Priscilla is very good about interweaving Bible teaching throughout this book as she shows us God's Promises and examples in His Word. This definitely arms us with ways to fight back because "FerVent Prayer is fueled by passion" ... "FerVent Prayer relies on Focus" ... "because FerVent Prayer keeps your true identity in focus, reminding us of who we really are and taps into the power we really have in Christ" ... and on and on through each strategy, showing us and calling us to pray fervently for our families, our children, our spouses, our pasts, our fears, our pressures, our hurts, our purity, our relationships ... our future and our world, our very lives depend on us praying.
I've read and respect Stormie Omartian and her many books on "Praying..." but this one from Priscilla is a definite go-to-book, a "Must Read" and Apply these practical strategies to be effective in striking back with a God given weapon that works! This is a hands-on warfare manual teaching us God's plan and promises to have victory in our prayers that I know I will return to often as a tool to enhance my PRAYER as a winning weapon! After all, James 5:16 confirms that "the effective, fervent prayer avails much ..." so we all need to become more effective and praying fervently will avail and prevail God results in our lives. We all need this book as a unified body of Christ saying "Amen" ... and let it be so! 

Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

* I really have so much more that I want to express about Priscilla's Fervent book but don't want to reveal more of this excellent tool to aid us. However, I'd like to make further note of following along with Priscilla at her #WFA Summer Series (maybe you'll win a copy of her book or other giveaways) or checking out more of the resources at the War Room site and also a Book Club I found that is doing this book really well each week finishing before the movie releases with Darlene on her blog. 

I have so much PASSION when it comes to FERVENT PRAYER and  this book gives me better strategies to be an effective warrior

Here are added video blessings with Priscilla on our ARMOR ...  *another great Bible study by her! {the "A" in her WFA Summer Series}
"Begin the Battle on Your Knees" {great 7 minute clip to fuel your passion}
Promo {57 seconds of a powerful invitation to join}
Armor of God Session 2  Session 4  Session 6
{fantastic 7 session study}
"All day, every day, an invisible war rages around you — unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny."
" Learn How the Enemy Always Fails When He Meets a Woman Dressed for the Occasion" ~ Priscilla Shirer
OK, so let's suit up and fight!
Let's BE FERVENT in our prayers

"ANYTHING..."

"...The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul" by Jennie Allen
(2015) 254 pages  {which now includes a Bible Study} 
the updated version of

(2012) 208 pages
{and truthfully my first time through this book was in 2013 with this}
Audible Edition

Today, June 9th, is the re-release date of 
"Anything ... The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul" by Jennie Allen
with a new, beautiful, teal blue cover, new chapter updates of what has transpired since the 1st edition, and the best part for me, an accompanying 8-week Bible Study Guide with a main Scripture passage to study along with the books chapters,  power-packed questions,  two projects for personal reflection and application and  six conversation cards for small group discussions
A REALLY WONDERFUL ALL ENCOMPASSING NEW ADDITION to draw you even deeper into your journey with God and  being prepared for what might happen if you pray "Anything"

"... And in that one little word we turned in everything for God’s anything." Every dream for our lives. Every dollar and possession. Every safety and comfort. Every person’s approval. Every ambition. Everything. And we opened our entire lives up to anything God had for us. Any risk. Any country. Any act of obedience. Any dream God had for us. Anything.

Perhaps you never read the 1st edition or don't know "Jennie Allen" or are familiar with her story, perhaps you are/were afraid to pray "Anything" ... perhaps you have and "things" have not gone at all like Jennie's, or perhaps God has used Jennie Allen and her story to inspire you and challenge you to GO BEYOND ... maybe you have found many excuses (valid or not) and it's time for you to step out ... the best place to start is letting this book by Jennie Allen move you step by step forward ... working through, guiding and processing this {of course, it's clearly better to get someone or a small group to do this with you, more about this later}

The book is wisely divided into 3 parts with 6 or 7 chapters in each: the first (pages 16-72) "Everything Keeping Us from Anything"; the 2nd part (pages 73-114) "Praying Anything" and the 3rd part (pages 115-163) "Living Anything Jesus' Anything" ... life changing ... followed by some finishing touches: "What is Your Anything" and "Since Anything" which updates much of what has happened to the Allen family since praying "Anything" and still happening (pages 167-174). Then Jennie finally is able to complete this book (pages 175-223) with her wonderful style of an 8-Week Bible Study, which definitely is not only her passion but her forte. {perhaps you are curious as to why I share the pages for these parts ... simply put, it's because I want to compare the 1st edition to the new one so that you can decide whether to reinvest in this one if you read the previous} 

Many have asked if the Study guide is available separate and as of now, it is not, but it is a good suggestion to the publisher and author as a supplement to the ones who have the 1st edition. However, you will miss out on the updates without this new version. I agree with others and Jennie, herself, that the book was is incomplete without this study ... and my review also is a bit incomplete without going through the Study first {more about that at the end}; reading the journey or pages is only half of the total impact without making the application to our own life, it's just like it is with God's Word. Jennie Allen's "Anything ..." is a call to action! "Anything" is a life changer and praying or working through this will deeply affect you and those around you.

Now for the added BONUS {the reason I hurried to get this review out and the MORE about this LATER parts above} beginning with a LIVE Online kick-off event on June 15th, you can join in this free access to an 8-Week Online Bible Study with study videos and more resources by signing up for the ANYTHING PROJECT with Jennie Allen and Faith Gateway.

Jennie's Invitation
I truly enjoy Jennie Allen and her heart! I would recommend highly any of her books to change and challenge you and your spiritual journey with God and one another. Beware --- this book will change you and your attitude (I pray) to truly take the risk of being a disciple of Jesus Christ in your daily EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. Allow God and Jennie Allen's "ANYTHING..." Prayer to stir you and your life to be responsive and passionate about God and bringing glory to His Kingdom in this world for the next. Jennie has the gift to guide us to do this ... ANYTHING ... 
What I found to be significant and my favorite part ... kept changing as I read on and on, highlighting and wondering how Jennie's story would influence or impact my story of faith and that of others. Knowing that this can have a lasting affect on eternity in ways that we are yet to see ... just maybe your surrender or mine will open our eyes to God's ... and that will lead to His Glory and GRACE if we are willing to act and dream BIG about ANYTHING!
Here's an excellent example for us all from "stories" (as the "Anything Project" is collecting and sharing) from someone we all know, respect and love: our dear Ann Voskamp



I'm thinking I should do a follow-up review after completing this 8-week study! 
Other key links for Jennie Allen: her blog her Facebook {you can get all the rest of the social media sites at the bottom of her blog}
IF:Gathering IF:Equip {reading the Bible together with other women worldwide}

Disclosure of material connection:I received this book free from the publisher Thomas P. Nelson through the BookLookBloggers.com, a book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I apologize if this publishes all wacko but as I was pulling together and writing all of this, Blogger was really messing it up, and it was going askew so I only pray that it turns out somewhat in a sequential order and blocks as I hope. It was moving all around and lining and realigning itself as I typed or added images, links, paragraphs ... 

FAMILY DAY-TRIBUTE to TWINS GRADUATING

RACHEL & ROSS...

WHAT A FANTASTIC FAMILY!

Here's how you and your family looked when I left for Mexico

JACK & JAN have been truly blessed by their children and their children's children

They were faithful to the Lord and the Lord remains faithful and steadfast to them and their offspring:

PAM, JACK, KIM & CARRIE

You are each a GEMSTONE in Your Father's Crown!

THERE IS NO GREATER LEGACY!

...then to pass on the faith of our fathers...

JACK & JAN

You have blessed me greatly

and I love you and thank you!

A FEW YEARS LATER, YOUR MOM, CARRIE(my youngest cousin)

BLESSED ME WITH THIS MEMORY of YOU

AND THE NEXT TIME WE WERE TOGETHER, YOU HAD GROWN EVEN MORE CARRIE BLESSED ME AGAIN WITH "MUCHO" & THIS PHOTO

MY HOW YOU HAVE GROWN IN THE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN HERE IN MEXICO!

And now it's almost time for YOUR GRADUATION!

SO

TUESDAY I will write more of my TRIBUTE TO YOU

RACHEL & ROSS

This scripture verse is one of my favorites, and I learned it is one of your favorites!

You were born the year before my youngest brother went home to be with the Lord and he had chosen this verse also for his final departure in his service

In place of him, I was blessed double with you both

"...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:31

IT IS MY PRAYER FOR YOU AS YOU START OUT ON A NEW PHASE OF YOUR LIFE JOURNEY and A GODLY PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE and DESTINY

LORD, I pray that Rachel and Ross

will daily find strength in the Lord, that their hope will be renewed in only Him!

that Rachel and Ross will soar on wings like eagles,

that Ross and Rachel will run and not grow weary

and they will walk and not grow faint!

Lord, be with them each day so that Rachel and Ross will make all decisions

with Your Wisdom through the Power of Your Word

and the Holy Spirit alive in them!

Light their way and keep them ever close to You!

May their heart seek Your heart as they daily walk

closer to You and Your purpose and plan for their blessed life.

Give them the fruits of Your Spirit and guard them daily with the full armor of God!

We Trust You and thank You for Rachel & Ross!

In Jesus' precious Name.

Amen