"Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer...and a GIVEAWAY!

B & H Publishing Group provided me with an extra copy of this book, and I'm happy to offer it to one lucky person. To enter, go to the Rafflecopter box at the end of the post. You must enter by October 31, 2015. If you're the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you for your mailing information (US ONLY).  Good luck!


I will admit I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I went to see War Room. I did not plan to leave the theater feeling blown away, but that is exactly what happened. This movie has such a powerful message. While it is geared (in many ways) for married couples, I believe anyone could benefit from watching this movie. So when I had the opportunity to read and review this book, inspired by the movie and written by one of the main actresses in it, I jumped at the chance. I’m so happy I did. I’m thrilled that the publisher allowed me to have a copy to give away to one lucky person. My copy is flagged and highlighted after just one time through it. This book is a wonderful resource for an individual or small group. While it is designed for women, I feel there are things in this book which can be utilized by anyone. I hope you find this book as encouraging and helpful as I do.

My Review...

This book is different from just about any other one I have ever encountered. It is designed to be used and lived, not just read. There is so much to digest, so be sure to allow ample time when working through the chapters. It is not a theological discussion, but a hands-on resource. It is well-organized, easy to follow, and thought-provoking. It is so relatable, particularly as Shirer includes a number of personal stories. The enemy is set on destroying us, but we don’t have to allow it.

As Shirer notes, a main purpose of her book is to get God’s fence of protection around us, and learning the correct way to pray, specifically with precision, is key. Prayer is the fuel that drives everything, and the enemy is out to hit us hardest in the following areas: our passion, our focus, our identity, our family, our confidence, our calling, our purity, our rest and contentment, our heart, and our relationships. Shirer points out that these are the areas we need to focus on. She encourages the reader to write out prayers, and there are perforated prayer strategy pages at the end of the book for this purpose. “You write out your prayers so you ‘won’t forget’… won’t forget who the real enemy is, won’t forget the One in whom your hope lies, won’t forget your real need and dependencies, and, later, won’t forget the record of how God responds.” The latter can be noted in a prayer journal.

When we pray, it should include praise, repentance, and asking.  I love the one acronym she uses in the book:

Prayer Releases All Your Eternal Resources

Each chapter ends with biblical passages and promises that can be used to create specific prayers for each of the ten areas listed above. Fervent prayer needs to be focused!

While there are a number of wonderful reminders in this book, one of my favorites is:  “These areas of greatest fear and anxiety in your life are clues to some important spiritual information. They reveal… that a personalized strategy has been insidiously put in place to destroy your vibrancy and render you defeated.” We are truly in a battle, but it is not one we have to lose. By following the strategies outlined by Shirer, the reader will be better prepared for battle, complete with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of peace (the full armor of God, as mentioned in Eph. 6:10-17).  So, grab your notebook and pen and dig in!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher (B & H Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway