Janet Holm McHenry has written numerous books on prayer. She is a high school English and journalism teacher who uses prayer to improve not only her own life but those of her students. She began prayerwalking thirteen years ago and practices it every day. She is also the leader of her church's prayer ministry. She recently updated her 2000 book, PrayerWalk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Strength & Discipline.
Format of PrayerWalk
Janet Holm McHenry begins the book by discussing her personal life. She explains that she wasn't happy with her physical or her spiritual being. She had been meaning to exercise and pray more. She develops a plan to combine the two. McHenry has divided her book into two sections: Becoming a Woman of Strength and Discipline and Becoming a Woman of Prayer.
Becoming a Woman of Strength and Discipline
In this section of the book McHenry first dispels many of the excuses others have come up with for not walking or exercising daily. She goes on to explain how to find the time and where to find partners to walk with. Her discussion of taking care of those aches and pains is especially important. She further talks about the physical benefits.
Becoming a Woman of Prayer
This section begins with a section of tips from the ultimate personal trainer, Jesus. McHenry talks about how Jesus taught us to pray and the example He gives of prayerwalking. She discusses where to find things to pray for and how to pray. This section covers the spiritual benefits of prayerwalking.
Extras in the New Edition of PrayerWalk
Janet Holm McHenry includes an epilogue letter. In this letter she explains her journey from daily prayerwalking to a time without prayerwalking to returning to prayerwalking. This journey gives readers the inspiration to begin their own journey.
A study guide and resources on walking are included. The study guide includes Bible verses to go along with each chapter. The study guide would be useful in small groups who want to use the book to begin a prayerwalking group. The resources list provides a listing of books on walking.
McHenry has also added a Thirty-day PrayWalk Challenge. This challenge gives the reader ideas for prayer as well as ideas for increasing the walk each day. This is the perfect guide for someone just starting out on their own Prayerwalking journey. A space is included for jotting down notes as the reader goes through the challenge.
The final extra in the book is a guide to starting your own prayerwalking ministry in a church or community. McHenry gives exact instructions from planning the event through the event and even for evaluating the event. This guide would be useful for anyone looking for a way to join their entire community in prayer.
Uses of PrayerWalk
With all the extras included in this new version, this book is a valuable tool for churches or small groups. It inspires readers to better not only their spiritual lives, but physical lives as well. It is a tool that should be included in the libraries of every church.
I have used the prayer ideas on several of my walks recently. I have not reached the level of prayerwalking everyday, but this book has inspired me to work towards that level. I know God is leading me in that direction by providing this book for me to read.
PrayerWalk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Strength,& Discipline by Janet Holm McHenry
Waterbrook Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-57856-376-0
Kelley Huston - A reader of all kinds of books, Kelley is an teacher who loves crafts and scrapbooking. She is a Disney fan who loves all things Disney.
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