Discover the Power of Praising God When Becky Harling was diagnosed with cancer over ten years ago, she begged God for healing. A friend of hers had another idea. She challenged Becky to spend twenty minutes a day in praise. Becky thought, What if I’m not feeling thankful? But as she intentionally praised God, she began to experience new joy—and her relationship with God has never been the same. Now, in The Thirty-Day Praise Challenge, Becky guides you in praising God for twenty minutes every day for one month. Arranged topically, the book includes music selections to enhance your praise journey and creative ideas for continuing the habit of praise. As Becky writes, “If you take this challenge, your faith will grow more than you dreamed possible. You will experience more joy, less insecurity, more courage, less anxiety. Thirty days of praising God. Are you ready?”
BECKY HARLING has a degree in Biblical Literature and is a sought-after speaker and Bible teacher at women's conferences and retreats. Through her writing, Becky creatively combines deep biblical insight with her powerful testimony and the stories of other women. Her life experiences as a pastor's wife, parent of four adult children, grandmother of five grandchildren, women's ministries director, survivor of breast cancer and sexual abuse bring depth to her message. She brings a message of hope and healing that is refreshingly transparent. Becky is a gifted communicator with a passion for helping women find hope, healing, freedom, and ultimately life transformation through Jesus Christ. She is the author of Rewriting Your Emotional Script, Freedom From Performing, The 30 Day Praise Challenge, The 30 Day Praise Challenge for Parents, and How to Listen So People Will Talk.
Wow! I am not sure even where to begin. This devotional was so amazing and life changing. I feel as if my relationship with God has been renewed and I have been changed. I highly, highly recommend this book and wish I could give it ten stars.
I have read a lot of books with great challenges but none were this rewarding. Even though, I didn't finish the whole 30 days yet, I already feel very uplifted and much happier. I don't suffer from any chronic diseases. Nothing as dramatic as cancer, but after losing my daughter last year I found myself slipping into depression and as it progressed my family tried to to keep me talking and out of the house. But considering my love for reading my husband encouraged me to get involved with books, so this is how I found this book on NetGalley and requested it hoping to it will make a difference. Let me tell you that the passage from the Bible, the invitation, and the music give you great calm and thirst for Gods presence in your personal life. It took me back 7 years to the time of my baptism when I talked to God as a dear friend. This challenge is much-much more effective then coffee or any antidepressants. The prayer (written out) is full of confidence in Our Lord who is so capable and giving, instead of the usual needy whine -- please give me, please help me....and so on. Journal keeps you focused on the challenge and to pin point what you want to talk about with God in that specific day. I will certainly continue with this even after the 30 required days.
I recommend this challenge to you dear reader. It will give you all it promises and much-much more. Blessings Disclaimer: I got an advanced copy of this book from David C Cook Publishing, through Net Galley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
We Christians know we are to praise God. Sometimes it is hard to know how to do that, much less establish a habit of daily praise. This book provides thirty days of already created praise statements. Each day also includes a lesson from Harling, a song or two for listening, a prayer reflecting that day's praise topic, and a thought provoking suggestion for journaling.
In addition to the days of devotions, Harling has added good resources to continue the habit of praising God. Many passages from the Psalms are listed in one section. Another gives suggestions from the book of Revelation. She also has information for praising God with specific intent, such as defeating the enemy or when you are grieving or feel depressed.
I like the material in this book. I appreciate the many attributes for which we can praise God. Some of the praise suggestions were a surprise to me, giving me a much broader idea of what it means to praise God consistently. This is a good book for anyone who would like to establish the daily habit of praise.
Becky Harling brings us a beautifully organized compilation of reminders and words of encouragement in The 30 Day Praise Challenge. It does exactly that, it challenges us to have perspective and find the good in our every day situations. It also brings a sense of hope.
Each day is well organized beginning with a verse the leads into "The Invitation" for the day. The Invitation is exactly that, God inviting us to praise him for the day's concerns and to trust that it's in His hands. This is the main part of each day and it offers words of encouragement that soothe the mind and soul. Next, Harling notes songs for us to listen to that coincide with the theme for that day. As a worship leader, this was one of my favorite parts. For some of us, one of our best avenues for praise is music, and I thought it was really awesome that this was included in this book.
The third segment offers a prayer. This was great because if you're just finding your faith, you have kind of a guideline. Or, if you're just overwhelmed and are at a loss for words, Harling provides an option for you. The last part is an offer to journal. It usually implies questions that further your thought into that day's devotional. This is good because it really engages you and causes you to truly think about what it is you're reading. It's easy to read through a devotional and forget what it said by the time you walk out the door, but Harling has provided these resources to allow the praise to reach our hearts.
I've had quite a bit of fun going through this book. I work at a small Christian salon and every girl in there is going through something (as most of us are!). I brought this book in and began going through it with the girls at my salon, and it was so encouraging. We weren't able to do the listening or journaling part, but the gentle reminders were enough to give us some extra peace through the day.
I would say that you should keep a journal handy. It would be really nice if this was accompanied by a CD with all the songs on it so you don't have to go searching on YouTube. I think that's the only real complaint I have about this book. Other than that, it's been a great resource! I will definitely use it repeatedly.
This was by far one of my favorite devotional books this year. It wasn't a really heavy, in-depth study. It's what I would call 'just enough'. Each day, you read a section of scripture and a few paragraphs of reflection by the author. Then you listen to music. You can listen to the songs that the author has listed that go along with that days theme or you can do what I did and go through your own music, listening to a few songs that apply to that days topic. After that, there is a section of reflection again where you write out your answers to questions posed by the author that are meant to make you dig a bit deeper and encourage continuous communication and praise to God.
For me, it was really the music that made the difference. I've always been a musical person and incorporating praise and worship songs into my devotions made a huge difference in what I took away from my bible time. It also definitely changed how I view praise to God. Having grown up attending church regularly, I've always associated praise and worship with other people. I always pictured singing with a congregation, a praise team, words on a screen so you could follow along... and it took all of those things for me to feel like I was praising God. The only other times I felt a connection like that through praise was when I would sing around the house with my sister while we did chores. This book really changed my perspective on praise. I'm happy to say now, that I am able to do it all on my own rather than needing other people to join with me. Because of that, my personal praise and worship time has become more intimate with my heavenly father. Now, it's always just between me and him.
Although this isn't the type of book I normally review, I had to give this one a try because it called out to me in a way. After reading what it was about and the things I would be doing I welcomed it with open arms. Who doesn't want to be closer to God and have their faith become stronger? I love that there are musical selections you can listen to while praising God as well as it wants you to keep a journal and keep track of your praising and what you learn about your faith as well as yourself. I myself have always had a problem keeping up with a journal, I would start one then forget about it or start it and not know what the heck to say. I always felt stupid starting out with the Dear Diary lol. While doing this challenge, I must say my praying has gotten better, I always felt like I needed to work on that. Well doing it for 30 days, 20 min a day has made me at least feel like I'm better at it haha. I do feel like my faith has grown and that I can put everyday in his hands and know that he will help me along the path he wants me to take. I suggest everyone at least try to give this book a chance. I challenge you to do the 30 Day Challenge and if at the end you don't feel like your faith has grown....well where was the harm in trying?
This book is absolutely fabulous. God has used this to draw me closer to Him. I love the format too. It's unique and encourages me to pick it up every day. I hope she writes another one!
This is a great tool to help focus your time with God. Each day focuses on a different area of your life and encourages you and guides you through praising God that day.
I do not suffer the cancer that the author does, but I have suffered from depression so I thought this might be a good read for me. I was not disappointed. While I still deal with depression, I now have a new tool in my arsenal to fight it.
The book as three parts to it. Part 1 is the challenge and why you should do it. Part three is moving on after the challenge is done, but the meat is in the middle section, the 30 days of praise. Each day starts with an invitation, scriptures adapted as if they were God speaking. Then the listen section where you are given 2 to 3 praise and worship songs to listen to. Next is a prayer written for you to pray based on what the invitation was about, also scriptural based. Lastly is the journal, writing your thoughts about this day's material by prompting you with questions.
Each days music is not hard to find. I was able to put a spotify list of all the songs. For me this part took the most time, but I am a rush type of guy and this forced me to take my time and listen.
Recommended for Christians who are having trouble with praise or want to take it to the next level. Also for people going through trauma or depression.
Wow. This book challenged me to start getting above my feelings. Not feeling happy? Feeling discouraged and depressed? Life becoming too much? Then get this book!
You need to get above your feelings. Change them! How you might ask? By praising God who gave you life. Praise him and your outlook changes. Praise him and you begin to FEEL what you wanted. The joy, the happy, the love, the everlasting life.
I really enjoyed this book and it gave me a new outlook. It made me realize that I need to change how I'm thinking and viewing my situation so that I can change my attitude which then changes the attitudes around me!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
A friend gave me this mighty little book earlier this year when I wanted the joy of the Lord to return. This wonderful little book offers daily scripture, a Daily Invitation written as if from Jesus, to the reader, short devotional from the author, praise songs or hymns that can easily be found on YouTube, and a scripture- based prayer. There is also a section for journaling with suggestions and space to write.
I have used this twice so far and will definitely use it again. It is scriptural, it is encouraging, and leads one into worship wherever they may be. There are several worship songs that I go back to again and again and have established a time of devotions and praise several days a week.
If one is struggling to have a time of prayer and praise for whatever reason, but especially during times of trial or testing, this is a valuable little book. I highly recommend it!
Awesome book for a reset of your heart/attitude. So simple yet so profound. Book has 30 chapters with each chapter being a days reading with the focus to get you praising your God. So each day for 30 days there is a verse for the day, a devotional piece to get you thinking, a prayer for the day and 1 or more songs to listen to. This is a powerful combination. Not only is it based on truth of God’s Word but clearly explains and challenges the reader, which is followed by a written prayer for you and some suggested songs. Let me tell you the songs are so good, I found a few new favorite praise songs. This book was a catalyst God used to change my heart and my attitude, I was getting to focused on my problems. This 30 challenge got me focused on Jesus and all His blessings. A must read
Awesome 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾I can’t say that enough about this book. When I began this book I was so stressed out, my anxiety was at an all time high. I was nervous and in tears I just needed something I’m a believer but I needed something structured to keep me focused on the main thing which is God!! Every morning I prayed and focused on reading the daily devotionals. I felt better instantly and the more I read the more my relationship with God grew I was more confident and thankful and grounded! This book helped me and I need to keep it going I’m going to get the next book and continue growing.
I absolutely love this book. I have been dealing with a lot of stress and depression in my life recently. Focusing on praising God for the past month has turned my heart around. There are still issues in my life, of course. But feeling closer to God and reflecting on His goodness helps me to have so much more peace and confidence. I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Wonderful book about learning to be grateful and praise the great King of kings and Lord of lords. The book comes with suggested songs, prayers and the spirit of gratitude. I’m surprised it doesn’t have all 5 star reviews. I’ve used the book in so many challenging times and times of doubt. God wants us to be happy and have faith under any circumstance and this book is a great reminder. Praise God the writer spent time writing this book.
Pleased with the various ways presented to praise God! From Names of God to the Book of Revelation and several suggestions in between, I found new and satisfying ways to praise God. Many themed worship songs are also included , and I really enjoyed those. Thank you, Becky, for a very helpful book.
Loving this book - a little over half-way through it. I don't like to feel rushed, so I don't do one challenge each day. I like to start reading a praise challenge and then think on it more than once. This also makes the praise journey last much longer! I also sometimes add my own selection of praise songs to go along with what is suggested. Highly recommend this book.
I enjoyed the premise behind this devotional but there were too many little sections in each day.
And the music suggestions are wonderful but it would be nice if there was a place where they were all at together so I don’t have to waste my time when I’d like to be reading and doing my devotional trying to find the song suggestions.
It was all just too messy and disjointed I thought.
I want to share this book but also keep it. Reading this book has been life changing. It's a challenge I want to take again and again. I would love for Becky to update with new song selections but this is still a fantastic book!