Refresh Your Prayers

I chose to review this title because I have a lot of questions about prayer, and the author promised to address many of them. Why does God answer some prayers and not others? Do our prayers change God's mind? Is there a right way to pray? If God is sovereign, why pray at all? I appreciated that the author was transparent about her own questions and didn't promote herself as an expert, just as someone who spent time studying and practicing prayer. The real-life examples were relatable and transparent. The Bible verses she chose weren't the same ones I see every time someone writes about prayer. I felt like I was talking to a friend, not reading a dissertation. I'll be referring back to this book and sharing it with friends who also desire intimacy with God and power in their prayers.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Love this book! Highly recommend for all Christian's out there!

Title: Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise
Series: [Sorta, in 2020 “Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible” was published.]
Author: Lori Hatcher
Genre: Christian, Non-fiction
Publisher: Our Daily Bread Publishing
Release Date: February 23, 2022 (Amazon) | March 1, 2022 (NetGalley)
Format: Kindle (read), Paperback
Pages: 269
Source: NetGalley
Cover: Possibly a bit too understated. However, it is very much like “Refresh Your Faith”.
Description: Ever feel your prayers are going no further than the ceiling? Ever wonder that maybe you don’t know how to pray? Do your prayers feel all the same? But you have a desire to talk with God — really talk with God. This 60-day book is a devotional is dedicated to equipping you to do exactly that. Using God’s Word and then wonderful succinct storytelling, Lori Hatcher guides us to a fulfilling prayer time with God.

Review:
Oh, this is a wonderful devotional book. It only took reading the first two devotionals for me to know I had something truly blessed given to me. Now, this is part of my morning routine. Whether you are a new follower of Christ or have been one for years, this devotional will speak to you.

The book has six main parts with each having 4 to 20 devotions:
1. What is Prayer?
2. The God to Whom We Pray
3. Why Pray?
4. How Should I Pray?
5. What Should I Pray For?
6. Favorite Prayers from the Bible
7. Each devotion has the same format. Here’s an overview of Devotion #1:

-> A title — “Prayer Was God’s Idea”
-> A Bible verse supporting the title.
-> A story that connects the reader with the Bible verse. In this devotion, Lori ( I just can’t think of her as Ms Hatcher) uses sending a text message to the communication Adam and Eve had with God. “Really?” you think. But it is done beautifully. For me, I now really get how easy it was for Adam and Eve to talk with God anytime they wanted to.
-> Uncommon Power — a short statement that shows how we have an “uncommon power” provided by God.
-> Praise Prompt — an example prayer of what Bibical truth about God and his relationship he wants with us that has just been shown by Lori.
-> Live It Out — Questions that *really* make you think about what you have just read.

But in Devotion #4, “Does God Speak to Me?” — this devotion **really** spoke to me personally. Not that I haven’t had God speak to me; I have. God has paved the way for me and cautioned me. Have I ever “heard” God speak to me? Out loud like Moses and the burning bush — No. But have I heard words resonating in my head? Yes.

Recent Personal Experience: My last words from God were "DON'T GO". There was an event I had not been able to attend for over a year because of COVID. I was so excited about going. I was ready. Everything was prepared. And tomorrow I'd get to go to it finally. But while sitting and having my morning coffee, I got those two words -- DON'T GO. Not "do not go". It was clearly DON'T GO. And within another minute I heard the same two words again. And I knew I would accept the words. I didn't know then, and still don't, know why I was not supposed to be there. I've heard nothing negative about the event but I know I was not to attend. And the excitement I had quickly ebbed. I wasn't even disappointed. I would have been if it had been my idea of "well, maybe I shouldn't go ... yada yada yada". I felt it was a word from God. When I read the five guidelines, the words I heard that morning fit every single one.

Order this book now! If you’ve had any of the questions in my “description” above or in the synopsis provided by the author|publisher, you **need** "Refresh Your Prayers".

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of "Refresh Your Prayers" via NetGalley from the publisher, Our Daily Bread Publishing. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#RefreshYourPrayers #LoriHatcher #NetGalley

Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise by Lori Hatcher is a refreshing digging deeper look into a strong prayer life. The book is a true devotional that also follows a focused look at all aspects of prayer. It starts with the heart of the reader and advances from there. Well done, this sequence of short devotional on one aspect of prayer at a time that includes Bible references, a prayer, and a thought.

Much like Our Daily Bread devotionals yet different in that the text is perhaps twice as long as those daily devotions. Enough to give you something to ponder on during the day but not too much to overwhelm you. Overall, from beginning to the last entry Refresh Your Prayers give timely Bible based wisdom that is easily understandable for all.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

Refresh Your Prayers
Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise
by Lori Hatcher
Pub Date 01 Mar 2022 |
Our Daily Bread Publishing
Christian | Religion & Spirituality


I am reviewing a copy of Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise through Our Daily Bread Publishing and Netgalley:



Refresh Your Prayers reminds us of the common questions we ask especially when our prayers feel stagnant or stale, the questions include How do I pray? Does God hear me? Are my prayers working?


With Refresh Your Prayers fuel your desire to connect with your heavenly Father with Refresh Your Prayers. This 60 day devotional equips you to experience powerful moments when you pray and praise the Lord. No more tired, nervous, or unsure prayers! Discover a reinvigorated passion for prayer and confidence in communicating with God every day.


I give Refresh Your Prayers five out of five stars!

This book was exactly what I needed at this moment. I do feel like it's not a book to rush through in order to get the full power. I will be purchasing this for my bookshelf

Prayer is not something that comes naturally or easily to many people. This book comes to the rescue with so many wonderful insights and practical pointers for prayer. Speaking to God is one of the most important activities in our lives, and the activity we should be doing the most… so knowing how to pray and how to be comfortable praying is a very useful skill. This book helps equip the reader with that skill.

Book Review for: Refresh Your Prayers Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise
Author: Lori Hatcher
Publisher: Our Daily Bread Publishing

This book really surprised me in a great way!

I thought I was going to read through the 60-day devotional in a few days and write a review.

But that’s not what happened.

Reading the very first devotion, Prayer Was God’s Idea, caused me to realize there was going to be more to this book than I expected. The first devotion ended with a question that caused me to stop, ponder a while and write out some thoughts. I think that is when I knew God was going to use this devotional to speak to me.

As the days went on, I found myself reading slowly, highlighting, and taking notes often.

I have the e-book version but would love to have a physical copy to read it a second time.

Each daily devotional includes the following sections:

Scripture
Uncommon Power
Praise Prompt
Live It Out
Uncommon Power is a spiritual truth.

Praise Prompts are short prayers.

The Live It Out section challenges you to apply what you’ve learned.

Do you need to reawaken your prayer life?

I highly recommend Refresh Your Prayers!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this devotional in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc copy of this book! Highly recommend to all Christians out there! We could all use encouragement and refreshment and this book definitely helps in those departments.

I requested this book because the synopsis opened with How do I pray? Does God hear me? Are my prayers working? All questions I’ve asked myself in the past.
Each chapter is a small nugget based on some format of prayer or the thoughts we challenge ourself with during prayer or when asked to pray.
Each chapter starts with Scripture then the devotion, the devotion ends with an Uncommon prayer, praise prompt and live it out.

The devotions are personal writings from the author and the book is set up in five parts with several section in each part. In exchange for my thoughtful and honest review I received a Advance Readers copy.

I was looking for a book that would give me quick prayers. To change the way I pray.
While the book is not quick prayers. They are more in depth but can change the way you pray.
I will use this when I have more time and want to get deeper.

Refresh your prayers by Lori Hatcher is a gem of a book.

As I grow older it's important to me that the non fiction books I consume are biblically sound and help me grow spiritually, and this one checks those boxes .

Sometimes praying gets pushed to the back burner and this book reminded me of all the reasons it should be at the front of everything I do.

If your looking for inspiration and sound biblical guidance then read this devotional.

Thank you to Net galley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was beautifully written and really helped me to delve back into prayer. Not only does this book teach you how to pray, but it gives you devotionals and actual prayers to send to the Lord.

Refresh Your Prayers would be an excellent next step for someone who struggles to take their prayers from a wishlist for God to a relationship with God.

Several years ago I read Prayer by Timothy Keller. It was a challenging book for me at the time. In fact, I had to read it twice. I wish I had been able to start with Refresh Your Prayers. It provides many of the same key takeaways in an easily digestible format.

Refresh Your Prayers consists of 60 daily devotionals. It is organized into 6 parts, each with a different theme. Each day’s devotional starts with scripture, then leads into a personal story or lesson on an aspect of prayer. Next the “Uncommon Prayer” section provides a bit of a summary in one or two sentences. Finally there is a prayer starter and an application point.

This is an excellent resource for those who grew up in church but never really learned to pray personal prayers on their own without a script. I have a friend in mind who would benefit greatly from this devotional book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for providing this ebook for review.

Communicating with God

The author states that in the beginning Adam and Eve walked and talked with God face to face. However, sin changed the way we talk with God and that He through His amazing grace and love, still wants us to communicate and have a relationship with Him. Lori offers this beautiful prayer praising God for His grace and love:

"Father, I’m so grateful that you didn’t cut off communication forever on the day Adam and Eve sinned. Thank you for initiating prayer. I praise you for being a relational God who delights in communicating with His children. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen."

Not only does the author gives us the above prayer, but her book is filled with scriptures and praise prompts in the form of heart-felt prayers.

With a total of six parts to this book and 60 praise prompts, anyone desiring to walk with God on a daily basic could do so while journaling their reading for 60 days.