Writing to God: 40 Days of Praying with My Pen

by Rachel G. Hackenberg

Writing to God is a Lenten devotional tool, providing forty-seven insightful prayers for personal reflection and an equal number of scripturally-based writing prompts to guide readers/writers in their own praying. Each prayer draws its readers into a moment of meditation, even as it sets an example for the accompanying prompt. Paired together, these prayers and writing prompts offer daily devotions for the Lenten season, including Sundays and Holy Week.

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality, Faith, Christianity

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Martha]

Rachel Hackenberg has a gift for bringing prayers out of the heart and onto the page. As a Lenten practice, the daily exercises inspired, challenged and comforted me. The book is also lovely to handle. I'm grateful for it.

[Courtney Westerlund]

Took me a little longer than 40 days, but I'm glad I took the time to reflect and write instead of rushing through it.

[Suzanne]

This is not a book to read but to use. If you have difficulty praying but have no problem moving your pen across the paper then this book is for you. Every day for 40 days you will be presented with a writing prompt and a beautiful example of a written prayer. It's a great book to invigorate your praying life!

[Tammy Perlmutter]

I just started the book today for Ash Wednesday and after the first poem and prompt, the prayer that came out of me was unexpected and, I feel, truly Spirit-led. It was a gift to be led into prayer so gently and gracefully.
I blogged the first prayer, it effected me that deeply.

http://wp.me/p26wYc-pI

[Debbie Wilson]

Inspiration and the chance to be creative, another road to wholeness and health...something I wish for all of my friends!

[Madeline Bialecki]

This book is meant to be used in the 40 days of Lent, but I stretched it out. The reflections and writing prompts create a contemplative space, and I found myself pondering the message of each day. I recommend as a Lenten prayer practice--or, really, for any 40 days during the year.

[Jen]

Interesting prayers and prompts to guide in praying.

[Dawn Paoletta]

If you have ever felt unfocused in your prayer life or like you needed a spiritual retreat at home then a 40 day journey with Writing to God -40 Days of Praying With My Pen might be just the path to help.
Each day offers a scripture to read, a point of entry via a specific short but effective prayer prompt as well as a sample writing by the author with a one line focus for consideration, such as "God plays a hand in every part of our stories.", "God will refresh your spirit.", and "God will be your quiet strength."

After spending 40 Days (plus) myself on this writing journey I highly recommend this book for your spiritual encouragement, edification and praying life.

I also suggest this as a group endeavor. I had a few others commit to joining me for the duration and believe this would be wonderful for those who would like to have a small group setting. There is a resource available at the publishers website for facilitating these gatherings. Since I did this with a group of bloggers from different states we touched base weekly through the internet and shared our thoughts in a weekly Blog post setting. I would go through this book again and would love to facilitate a close to home gathering some day!

Rachel writes beautifully with conviction and poetic beauty. Her heartfelt prayers and prose absolutely enhance, not hinder the writing journey for the individual.

As someone who already enjoys writing and journaling prayers, I was not sure I would feel comfortable being led by someone else's perceptions and prompts, daily. I wondered if this would feel forced or contrived. In a word inauthentic. But I found the opposite to be true. It focused my daily prayer time in a new refreshing way. Part of that came from the book itself as I did not allow myself to write beyond the page provided. However this became as a perfect boundary for my words.

If you desire to draw closer to the Lord in your prayer life or seek deeper intimacy with Him, I think you would find this book extremely helpful and beneficial in doing so.

[Traci]

I loved this book. Totally and completely rocked by prayer world; gave me a new way to read scripture and pray-always bonus. I also did not do the 40 days straight as I was in the middle of surgery recovery and a marriage crisis; I did it once or twice a week; so it has taken me a couple of months to get through it. I thought at the start I would hate the prompts; but they really did jump start and give a new direction for prayer. I loved that there were times to write cries of the heart and times to write thanksgiving prayers, times to make lists, and times to do creative drawing prayers. I didn't write in the actual book so I could purposely use it again, share with my daughters, or share with a friend. Next time, I am doing it specifically during Lent and for 40 days straight. I highly recommend it!

[Aneta]

Planning to use this book for Lent this year. update: I didn't finish this book in 40 days, but used it every now and then, sometimes days in a row, sometimes weeks apart. Each time, I was glad I did. Taught me to pray in a different way and to use my imagination as well. Prayers written down are those you can go back to and remember and even pray again. I will continue to 'pray with my pen'.

[John]

Excellent aid to starting to journal. I was already journaling when I read this book, but Rachel gave me some fresh ideas. Each day had a different exercise to help develop your journaling skills. Excellent companion book for a Lenten journey!

[Sue D'angelo]

I read this book as a daily devotional during lent. It really helped me focus and have a very meaningful worship experience. I wrote my prayers in a blank book which I intend to use again next year.

[Karin]

Using this book for Lenten devotions.