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Book Review Archives
Title: Praying A Circle Around The World
Author: Mary Clara Frederick
Genre: Prayer
ISBN: 1-4137-6468-1
Publisher: PublishAmerica, LLLP
Reviewer: Linda Germain
This little book is intended to encourage readers to spend more time in prayer for themselves, as well as for others. The author shares the things she has learned on her personal prayer journey, which began in childhood. Her fervent hope is for Circular Prayer, based on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, to embrace and surround the world.
Prayer, she says, is a form of sowing the seed, and when we reach out to others, then we will be lifted up in our own spirits. This is not a how-to-book, but rather an incentive for all of us to spend more time talking to the Lord, giving Him honor and praise because He loves us unconditionally. We need also to learn to be silent and wait for God to speak to us.
At the end of each chapter is a prayer written by the author, and a Personal Prayer Space for readers to write their own. Her concept of encircling the globe with prayer is best described in her own words:
"There are people in need and there are activities and events happening all day long throughout the world and for me these are reasons to pray. Both good and bad events are happening and both are cause to turn to God in prayer. People are in need of prayer each and every hour of each and every day."
After 32 years as an elementary school teacher, Ms. Frederick became Director of Religious Education. Now, as a published author, she has a burden to share the importance of prayer, which she calls "my shield and my sustenance." She reminds us to be open to promptings of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our communing with God, and to remember that He is always in control.
As an example of prayer, she offers the following:
"Loving Father, Grant to me
A Faith that believes!
A Hope that trusts!
A love that embraces all those whom I take to Prayer!
Heavenly Father, I believe in You,
I hope in You and I love You!
I hope in the fulfillment of Your promise
For eternal salvation, to those who are faithful.
I hope for the peace that,
You alone can give.
I love You above all others and
I will praise You All the days of my Life!
I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen."
This book extends a simple invitation to join in the Circular Prayer that leads to an increase in faith, hope and love. That summons is well worth a response.
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