Pray A to Z releases tomorrow! There’s a big giveaway at the bottom of this post, and a number of fun things going on this week. Join the fun!
Last winter, I spent day after day sitting in a little corner of our rental home writing Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community.
[pinit]
I had no idea that Pray A to Z would release exactly one week after our country’s worst election cycle ever. I had no way to know the week of the book’s release we would be a nation so divided.
In February I wrote these lines in the introduction, and they ring so true today,
“See?” God’s Spirit whispered. “There is still light in this world. Remember I am the light, and My light still shines in many. You do more than just hurt each other. You are also capable of great love for each other.”
If only an audible alarm could jolt us out of our spiritual slumber every day and call us into prayerful action for our community.
How would our communities change if we didn’t just say, “I’ll pray for you,” but we actually did pray–deeply, intensely, and purposefully?
–Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community.[pinit]
This past weekend, I listened to a wise teacher, John Dickson, teach from Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
He urged us:
“Don’t panic. Pray. In prayer, we lift the work of the gospel above our circumstances into the hands of the One who holds everything.
Prayer is the number one tool for changing the world and moving the gospel forward.”
(*The sermon should be online sometime this week, and when it is, you can watch it here, scroll down to find Week 10.)
Yes, a thousand yeses! This was my heart as I wrote Pray A to Z. We bring these deep needs, lay our heavy burdens on God’s strong shoulders.
[tweetherder]As we pray, we bring His light into the darkest corners.[/tweetherder]
[tweetherder]We can experience a hope and a peace that can only come from Him, even our darkest days.[/tweetherder]
A couple years ago, I realized how often I failed to follow through praying long-term for people. I wanted to be more faithful, more disciplined, but the needs around me were so heavy and overwhelming.
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As I asked God for help to be more disciplined in prayer, the idea of praying A to Z came to mind. I started praying for people by topic from A to Z – Adoptions, Bullying, Cancer, Depression…to Zero Prejudice. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I found myself energized, praying for more people and situations than I ever had before, for topics I had never thought much of previously.
Pray A to Z includes verses, prayer prompts, and a short prayer for each topic. Each letter of the alphabet features 3 prayers of petition, and 2 prayers of praise.
Including praise is powerful. We pray for hard things, but recognize that all our needs are met in Who God is. He is the Almighty, Comforter, Deliverer, Eternal, Faithful, and Gracious God.
[pinit]
Pray A to Z officially releases tomorrow, November 15.
Find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, Books A Million, or at your local retailer. (If they don’t have it in stock, you can ask them to carry it!)
To celebrate, I am giving away 3 prize packages!
You have until Friday, November 18 to enter using the widget at the bottom of this post. The winners will receive:
- 1 copy of Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community.
- A set of Pray A to Z cards with stand.
- My favorite purple pen.
- A journal.
- Fair Trade Chocolate
There are a variety of ways you can enter, so be sure to take advantage of all of them!
More ways to Join the fun:
Facebook Live Chat, Tuesday, November 15, 8 p.m. EST
Join me live on my Facebook page at 8 p.m. eastern on Tuesday. I’ll read some from the book, give away a copy of the book, take questions, and who knows, maybe a puppy or child will show up too. You never know what will happen in our little house!
Book release party on Thursday, November 17, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
*This event will also be broadcast live on my Facebook page, so if you aren’t local, join in online!
We’ll be putting the book in action and chatting with a couple ministries, and I will read some of the prayers from the book as they relate to their organizations. It’s going to be a great evening of fellowship, prizes, and snacks!
If you are coming to the party at Baker on Thursday, we are collecting donations for Alpha Family Center in the form of diapers, wipes, baby soap, baby lotion, and diaper cream. Each item you bring will get you an entry in the drawing for books, journals, gift cards, and custom artwork. Also, 20% of the sales that night will be donated to a ministry working to fight child trafficking in Indonesia.
Fun Online all Week!
Keep an eye on my Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter all week as I’ll be hopping on with live video, posts, stories, and other opportunities for you to win items throughout the week!
Let’s join together and bring the needs of our communities to the Father.
Don’t panic. Pray.
Enter the Pray A to Z Giveaway:
(limited to U.S. and Canada)
[pinit]
So exciting. I can’t wait to share your book as gifts too.
Thank you so much, Erin! I miss seeing you!!
Amelia,
I’m actually on a very rare get away for several days where I am purposing to work on a talk I’ll be delivering to the women in my church for a Christmas breakfast it is hosting early December. I would love prayer for this prep. work.
And, I’m following along with your book launch this week, excited for it and praying for its success.
Whohoo!! I’m so excited for you and will be praying as you prepare for your talk. you will be such a blessing to the women in your church! Thank you for the prayers too. <3
I am so excited for you! Thinking of you and praying for you this week.
I have needed this book! Can’t wait to read it, Amelia!!
On my Christmas list! Can’t wait to get started on this book! Thanks for obeying the Spirit’s leading you to pray this way and then to share it with others!