When You Don't Know What to Pray: How to Talk to God about Anything

by Linda Evans Shepherd

It's easy to pray for others' needs. If God takes a long time in answering--or answers with a no--it's easier to take. Far more difficult is focusing on your own needs, when sometimes you don't get the answers you want. What do you pray when life gets hard or even unbearable? When you lose a spouse or a child? When your health deteriorates? When your spiritual life seems barren? Linda Evans Shepherd knows what it's like to pray in the most dire of circumstances. She shows readers the how, what, and when of praying for themselves. As she takes readers through her own prayer journey and the stories of others, they will be encouraged and equipped to pray for themselves in any circumstance. They'll also find that whether or not God changes their circumstances, he will use prayer to change them.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Author of When You Don't Know What to Pray-How to Talk to God About Anything & Potluck Club novels, speaker, TV host, President of Right to the Heart & AWSA.com

Reviews

[Heather Parks]

My friend saw this book online as a free Nook offer and let me know about it. Neither of us knew anything about the author or the book, but I decided to give it a chance. I knew after the first chapter that it was something that I shouldn't speed through (as is my habit with these short, easy reads) and that instinct was correct. I took my time and really chewed on it, reading no more than a couple of chapters a week (I had a few other books to keep my interest which helped).

The amazing thing is how God's timing worked out. This book was dropped into my life (somewhat randomly) at just the right time. As the book tackled each topic, I found that it eerily corresponded with what was going on in my life at that point in time. Because of that syncronicity, along with my daily devotions and other readings, I entered into a really instructive period in my relationship with God, and specifically prayer. These weren't necessisarily new concepts for me, but I needed to be reminded of them and more importantly, I needed to spend a season focusing on my prayer life. The book was an excellent guide through that process.

I would recommend this book to anyone that was looking for a richer prayer life and a closer relationship with God. Both new beleivers and mature Christians can find good teachings here. Its refreshing to hear from an author that really understands surrendering to God's will and trusting Him (even in the worst of circumstances) and can break that down into prayers, scriptural promises, and teachings that speak directly from her own experiences. If you read and contemplate this book with a prayerful heart and a teachable spirit, it will take you on a journey to a deeper, more God-focused prayer life.

[Marshan Alma]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was filled with scriptures. I'm not a non-fiction reader, and usually I struggle through them, but this book was no struggle at all. Her thoughts of how to pray were encouraging, helpful, and backed with Scriptures. I would totally recommend this book.

[Lillie]

Christians often talk about the power of prayer, as if God is some sort of cosmic Santa Claus--just pray hard enough and believe enough, and God will provide what you want. That's not the way it is, though, as Linda Shepherd found out after praying repeatedly for her daughter's healing. Finally, she learned to trust God even though her young daughter is severely disabled, both physically and mentally. She has learned we can talk to God about anything--He wants to us to share everything with Him. He answered her prayers for healing, not by healing her daughter's body and mind, but by healing her heart.

[Jan]

I loved this book. It is very easy to read. It is full of simple prayers that I can and will use from now on for many different situations. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to improve their prayer life. I won a copy of this book on Goodreads for an honest review.

[jessica]

[free nook book]

[Amanda]

Well-written, thought-provoking and extremely helpful.

[Monecia]

Great Read! Helps you to pray,when you don't know what to say to God! Very helpful!

[Cresanna Kahrl]

This book is powerful ... if you are going through a time in your life when you aren't sure how to pray (and don't we all?), READ THIS!!!

[Marcy]

Many applicable prayers and guidance in this book. I will definitely return to the prayers and advice in this book.

[Sherri Parker]

This book gave me a starting point.

[Robert]

Very good. Hard to find modern books on prayer.

[Kara]

Great inspirational read. many of the chapters really struck a personal cord. I would highly recommend this book!

[Billie Snyper plunkett]

This author is amazing. I read her miracles and her prayers and didn't want to put the book down. I'm blessed to have had this book given to me.

[Duane]

One of the best books I have read

[Kathy]

It's easy to pray for others' needs. If God takes a long time in answering--or answers with a no--it's easier to take. Far more difficult is focusing on your own needs, when sometimes you don't get the answers you want. What do you pray when life gets hard or even unbearable?

[Mark Hart]

Very inspirational and thought provoking. Shows that prayer can and will change things.

[Erica Leigh]

I would give this 2.5 stars; I didn't care much for the author's style or examples, but I did like a number of the prayers.

[Paige]

Practical

Basic. Good stories and prayers.
You can certainly out this into daily practice. Don't expect the book to be extraordinary, it is not.

[Janna]

I will read this one again! There is much to learn in this book.

[Mandy]

I love everything Linda writes. Would definitely recommend this book.