SO WHY WRITE BOOKS OF PRAYER?

Mary says:

I was privileged many years ago to read and be blessed by the devotional books of my guest writer here today, Marion Stroud. I first met her face to face at a great Christian Writers conference in London when Ray and I were ministering in England from 2001-2003. Later during that time, my husband and I also enjoyed Marion and her husband’s hospitality and fellowship at their home. We soon discovered we all had a good deal in common, especially our love for Christ and desire to serve Him. It has been great in recent years to “meet” again online.

Marion tells me she really loves reading Christian novels and for some time now has had a hankering to also write them. I personally would love to read fiction books by her where she would actually show God at work in people’s lives through their stories. These could even more vividly portray for readers the out-working of her wonderful, thought provoking, devotional meditations and prayers.

Marion asks: 

So why in the world would you write books of Prayers?

The honest answer is ‘Because I was asked to.’ I’ve written 26 books all told and in every case, except for the three children’s stories and these books of prayers, I was looking for  a book to meet a need, couldn’t find what I wanted, and researched and wrote it myself. You know the old adage about ‘Fools rushing in...’

“Dear God It’s me and It’s Urgent “was different. A publisher was launching a new imprint and wanted a book of prayers as part of his list. I almost said ‘no’ because I’m not from a liturgical tradition and don’t often use written prayers myself. Then I remembered Marjorie Holmes, whose ‘Apron Pocket Prayers’ had been hugely successful in America during the 70’s and 80’s. More a conversation with God than formal prayers, they had helped me a lot at the time, and so I decided to try writing in that style. The book sold very well in the United States [120,000 copies and still selling] and the American publisher asked if I would like to write another title in the same format. This is how ‘It’s Just You and Me Lord’ came into being.

These books aren’t intended to be read straight through, but dipped into, savoured and either provide inspiration for the reader’s own prayers, or give them words when they can’t express all they want to say. I didn’t focus too heavily on prayers for marriage and mother hood,  because although these life areas are vitally important to many, not every woman experiences those roles. With that in mind, I have also included  life areas common to us all - prayers for work, for church life and life’s later years; the dark days as well as life’s joyful celebrations.

Most of the prayers are based on real life experiences – my own or other people’s. ‘Burning still’ [ Dear God It’s Me and It’s Urgent ] reflects the pain of seeing my beloved mother-in-law losing sight, mobility and mental clarity in her last few years, but also rejoicing in the way that her faith shone through, despite her difficulties .’Lost and Found’ is based on the terrible moment when I discovered I’d left my infant son outside the house and driven off without him [!] [ It’s Just You and Me Lord’] and The Suitcase  ponders on why it is that we pray for missions and missionaries but so rarely invite overseas students into our homes. [It’s Just you and me Lord]

I have had letters from readers saying “ I didn’t know that you could talk to God like that” or “ It’s great to know that other parents struggle with how much ‘screen’ time to give their children.” So I count it a privilege to share my life experiences in this way.
And one day ... just maybe ... I’ll turn my mind firmly back to fiction.
Watch this space! http://www.marionstroud.com

 

Mary Hawkins is a best-selling inspirational romance author who for many years has enjoyed being a minister's wife in Australia, two years in England and on three short term mission trips to Africa. Her first novel was released in 1993 by Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents imprint. She is delighted that her contemporary Search and historical Great Southland series are now available again from Barbour's Truly Yours Digital Editions as e-books. Her fourth single title manuscript since her Heartsong novels is currently being assessed by a publisher and she hopes to have good news to share very soon about it becoming her twentieth published book. She also enjoys trying to share with other writers some hints about writing she has acquired over the last thirty years.
http://www.mary-hawkins.com