Book review, by readers, for readers Prayer Is Our Power
Outskirts Press (2008)
ISBN 9781432732691
Reviewed by for Reader Views (12/08)
“Prayer Is Our Power” is a collection of original poems, prayers and reflections written by Lonnie E. Pruitt. Pruitt talks about prayer as a source of communicating with God which gives a spiritual voice and puts peace and calm in the heart.
The prayers in this book may be used as a model for personal, private prayer, praise and worship, or may become a source for meditation and devotional reading. I found many thought-provoking ideas for development in my own personal journal. Pruitt’s work draws on Biblical foundational truths and wisdom relating to everyday life and events.
In his thoughts on “Jesus Knows the Way” Pruitt talks about the guidance that comes when we follow the footsteps of Jesus and the assurance that we will never be left alone as we follow this path. His poems speak of the broken pieces of life and offer challenging insightful words of nurture.
I was especially drawn to those writings which gave the sense of a hushed and holy presence. These poems helped me feel God’s tender embrace and hear His expression of love to me as His child.
The rhythms of the poems are often lost in Pruitt’s effort to create rhyme. This makes it hard to appreciate the main thrust or intent of the message of the poem. I also found editorial oversights in grammatical use and formatting to be distracting. The use of paragraphs or thought groupings would help give a more natural feel for the flow of his words
The strength of Pruitt’s writing is the simplicity of expression that touches the inner thoughts while producing a sense of worship. Pruitt’s choice of worlds left me wanting to create a relationship with nature. At one point I had the sense of words dancing across the page.
The cover design of the book masterfully creates the tone of the content drawing the reader into the inner sanctuary of prayer and worship. Each topical poem or reading is contained on one page allowing the reader to read, ponder, and assimilate one or more readings at one sitting without losing continuity.
“Prayer Is Our Power” is a selection of thoughts along the way as Lonnie E. Pruitt shares his spiritual journey. This is an ideal gift book for devotional and inspirational reading. The pages are filled with inspirational gems which offer positive messages of hope and encouragement. Choice phrases like “groom my thoughts” and “inscribe your words upon my heart” are now indelibly printed on the tablets of my mind and heart.