What do you think?
Rate this book
Praying Upside Down: A Creative Prayer Experience to Transform Your Time with God
When you talk to God, do you ever wonder if He really hears? Do your prayers start to feel rote or routine? Do you sometimes feel you don’t even know how to pray? Jesus is known for turning situations upside down . . . and He can do the same in your prayer life.
Your perspective on prayer and faith may never be the same again when you read artist and designer Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s delightfully accessible, innovative new book Praying Upside Down . Stanley uses imagery, simple techniques, and artwork to help you see God like never before and move your prayer life away from the preconceived and expected to a new level of intimacy. Praying Upside Down offers a fresh chance to learn something new, hear an answer you didn’t anticipate, and experience God in a more real, tangible way.
Your perspective on prayer and faith may never be the same again when you read artist and designer Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s delightfully accessible, innovative new book Praying Upside Down . Stanley uses imagery, simple techniques, and artwork to help you see God like never before and move your prayer life away from the preconceived and expected to a new level of intimacy. Praying Upside Down offers a fresh chance to learn something new, hear an answer you didn’t anticipate, and experience God in a more real, tangible way.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2015
22 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Kelly O'Dell Stanley
11 books14 followersKelly O’Dell Stanley is a graphic designer who writes. Or maybe a writer who also designs. Either way, when she found the place where writing and design intersected, she discovered that was exactly where she wanted to be. The author of Praying Upside Down and Designed to Pray, Kelly loves to explore prayer and faith in creative ways because she knows that God is the Ultimate Creator. And when she puts her creativity into action, she always discovers more of Him.
Twenty-some years ago, Kelly took a leap of faith and began her own business, doing advertising and marketing for clients across the U.S. Her work has been included in design anthologies and PRINT Magazine’s Design Annual, and she’s received awards from the NAHB, Public Relations Society of America, the Webby Competition, and Art Directors Club of Indiana.
Kelly’s writing awards include first place in Inspirational Writing in the 2013 Writer’s Digest competition, and she was a finalist in the Cascade Oregon Christian Writers Contest in 2017. She is a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com and Internet Café Devotions, and she’s written for (in)courage, Today’s Christian Woman, Today’s Christian Living, Tiferet Journal, Sasee Magazine, and numerous blogs.
She’s a redhead who does a pretty good job of controlling her temper, a strong believer in doing everything to excess, and a professional wrestler of doubt and faith. (Faith always wins, but some days the competition is fierce.) She’s been married to Tim for a quarter of a century, which officially makes him a saint. And she loves her three quirky grown-or-nearly-grown kids, Katie, Anna, and Bobby. Even if they do call her all the time. (Or maybe especially because they call her all the time.)
Kelly lives in Crawfordsville, Indiana. You may connect with her on her blog, kellyostanley.com, on Facebook (Kelly O’Dell Stanley, Author), or on Twitter (@kellyostanley).
Twenty-some years ago, Kelly took a leap of faith and began her own business, doing advertising and marketing for clients across the U.S. Her work has been included in design anthologies and PRINT Magazine’s Design Annual, and she’s received awards from the NAHB, Public Relations Society of America, the Webby Competition, and Art Directors Club of Indiana.
Kelly’s writing awards include first place in Inspirational Writing in the 2013 Writer’s Digest competition, and she was a finalist in the Cascade Oregon Christian Writers Contest in 2017. She is a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com and Internet Café Devotions, and she’s written for (in)courage, Today’s Christian Woman, Today’s Christian Living, Tiferet Journal, Sasee Magazine, and numerous blogs.
She’s a redhead who does a pretty good job of controlling her temper, a strong believer in doing everything to excess, and a professional wrestler of doubt and faith. (Faith always wins, but some days the competition is fierce.) She’s been married to Tim for a quarter of a century, which officially makes him a saint. And she loves her three quirky grown-or-nearly-grown kids, Katie, Anna, and Bobby. Even if they do call her all the time. (Or maybe especially because they call her all the time.)
Kelly lives in Crawfordsville, Indiana. You may connect with her on her blog, kellyostanley.com, on Facebook (Kelly O’Dell Stanley, Author), or on Twitter (@kellyostanley).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 4, 2021
A really great exploration into praying, with great practical tips and helpful comparisons. The rawness of this book often took me by surprise, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to draw deeper in prayer.
May 15, 2015
Prayer. For every Christian, it’s a central part of our faith, this ability to talk to God. An unimaginable gift.
Why, then, do we often find it so hard?
Perhaps because, given enough time, our prayers fall into what’s comfortable and all-too-familiar. There, they begin to sound bland. Monotonous. One-dimensional.
I’ll admit–mine do. Which is why having Praying Upside Down placed in my hands was such a serendipitous thing. Okay, scratch that. It was a God thing. (Isn’t it always? Yes. That’s another thing the book reminds us of–that God is in everything. We need only the eyes to see Him.)
Using liberal amounts of Scripture to support her ideas, Kelly O’Dell Stanley has brought welcome, fresh perspective to so many of my prayers. Hers is an authentic voice for our generation, humble yet experienced, reminiscent of Shauna Niequist or Jennifer Dukes Lee. If I had to boil her book down to one point, I’d say it demonstrates how to remove “me” from the center of my prayers. Which is such a relief, really. It broadens my perspective. It offers creative, coloring-outside-the-lines suggestions that are also very practical. And so much more.
Some of the ideas I’ve put immediately into practice include praying in the white space–and, similarly, allowing white space to remain so as to allow God to talk back.
But I don’t want to give all the good stuff away. The book says it so much better than I ever could.
What I will say is this: Praying Upside Down has, quite literally, changed my prayer life for good. I know it can do the same for yours.
Thanks to The Blog Spot for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
Why, then, do we often find it so hard?
Perhaps because, given enough time, our prayers fall into what’s comfortable and all-too-familiar. There, they begin to sound bland. Monotonous. One-dimensional.
I’ll admit–mine do. Which is why having Praying Upside Down placed in my hands was such a serendipitous thing. Okay, scratch that. It was a God thing. (Isn’t it always? Yes. That’s another thing the book reminds us of–that God is in everything. We need only the eyes to see Him.)
Using liberal amounts of Scripture to support her ideas, Kelly O’Dell Stanley has brought welcome, fresh perspective to so many of my prayers. Hers is an authentic voice for our generation, humble yet experienced, reminiscent of Shauna Niequist or Jennifer Dukes Lee. If I had to boil her book down to one point, I’d say it demonstrates how to remove “me” from the center of my prayers. Which is such a relief, really. It broadens my perspective. It offers creative, coloring-outside-the-lines suggestions that are also very practical. And so much more.
Some of the ideas I’ve put immediately into practice include praying in the white space–and, similarly, allowing white space to remain so as to allow God to talk back.
But I don’t want to give all the good stuff away. The book says it so much better than I ever could.
What I will say is this: Praying Upside Down has, quite literally, changed my prayer life for good. I know it can do the same for yours.
Thanks to The Blog Spot for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
May 6, 2015
Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s new book, Praying Upside Down, offers novel tools to uncork conversations with God. She expands our view of divine interaction beyond the formulaic ideas of conventional prayer. A graphic designer, she crafts an artistic pathway to spiritual intimacy. Her analogies and suggested applications prove easy upon a reader’s eye and attainable to a beginner’s soul.
Have you ever struggled to focus? Railed at the ceiling as if it were a blockade? Or felt your heart too overwhelmed to summon a prayer? Upside down experiences might just refresh your mind and reveal the path to renew your weary soul.
If you’re interested in Praying Upside Down, find out more information from Tyndale or check out Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s website http://www.prayingupsidedown.com/
Have you ever struggled to focus? Railed at the ceiling as if it were a blockade? Or felt your heart too overwhelmed to summon a prayer? Upside down experiences might just refresh your mind and reveal the path to renew your weary soul.
If you’re interested in Praying Upside Down, find out more information from Tyndale or check out Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s website http://www.prayingupsidedown.com/
August 15, 2015
Praying Upside Down is not just a book about praying. It is a book about creating. It is a book about living. It is a book that challenges and offers tips on looking at things differently, much like the upside down method of copying famous drawings used in art school. This is not just a spiritual book or a book about finding your voice in prayer. A wide audience of readers will find something useful and comforting in Kelly's book regardless of religious affiliation. Recommended reading and reference.
May 11, 2015
As an artist, Kelly O’Dell Stanley brings a fresh perspective to her every day living. As a Christian, part of her every day living includes prayer. Praying Upside Down is her road map toward a life in which prayer is not merely an afterthought or a rabbit’s foot. Following the paths of her high school insecurities, her college geek phase, her mother’s cancer, her father’s art career, her real-estate debacle, her denominational angst, and her struggles with temper and hypocrisy onto the main thoroughfare of God’s calling in all of it, Kelly is training her readers in the art of seeing.
She draws on the advice of Betty Edwards (Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, 1979) who taught her students to turn an image upside down for better results when copying it. It turns out that a change in perspective in one’s prayer life has the same revelatory effect, for prayer mirrors realistic art in that we represent truthfully to God what we see before our eyes, but it is also like modern, abstract art “because it can be, at times, subjective, representational, and expressive of emotion.” When we turn our prayers upside down, we may find ourselves praying for others more than for ourselves, focusing on God’s infinite perspective instead of our own limited horizons, or ignoring the pointillism of daily details with the knowledge that “God has no trouble connecting the dots.”
The theologically persnickety among us (myself included) should read Praying Upside Down with generosity of spirit. Nowhere does Kelly say that there is more than one way of salvation. She does, most accurately, say that there is more than one way to pray, and that when joining with those of other faiths (or no faith at all, apparently) she has chosen not to be offended by focusing on their different perspectives. Apologetically, she is on to something, because when an atheist acts as if there is “someone” out there to pray to, her cognitive dissonance (set against the backdrop of a believer’s genuine faith) may well bring her nearer to the kingdom of God. The truth is that a vibrant and vigorous life of prayer will look different for everyone. Therefore, at the end of each chapter, Kelly offers suggestions in small doses for shaking up the mundane which she calls “Prayer Palettes.” Among her suggestions, my favorite was the connection of people and prayer requests with images from my surroundings or songs that remind me of the person. For example, whenever I see a Volkswagon, I pray for my high school music teacher because she drove one thirty-five years ago.
Those of us who “can’t draw a straight line” should not despair — Kelly says straight lines are basically useless in the art world anyway. There is wisdom from creative pursuits that will enhance our enjoyment of God:
•The importance of white space in painting corresponds to our need to leave room for God to work, to be God.
•Reducing a subject to its basic shapes when drawing highlights the importance of understanding what lies beneath the surface when we pray.
•The grid method of making an exact copy of an image silhouettes our heart’s need to break prayer requests down into manageable parts, and “to pray one square at a time.”
Kelly opens her readers’ eyes to new possibilities in prayer, and even more critically, she has learned the necessity of just showing up. Don’t wait for the ideal moment; don’t wait to be inspired. Only one Person matters, and He’s always there, waiting for the conversation to begin.
This book was provided by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
She draws on the advice of Betty Edwards (Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, 1979) who taught her students to turn an image upside down for better results when copying it. It turns out that a change in perspective in one’s prayer life has the same revelatory effect, for prayer mirrors realistic art in that we represent truthfully to God what we see before our eyes, but it is also like modern, abstract art “because it can be, at times, subjective, representational, and expressive of emotion.” When we turn our prayers upside down, we may find ourselves praying for others more than for ourselves, focusing on God’s infinite perspective instead of our own limited horizons, or ignoring the pointillism of daily details with the knowledge that “God has no trouble connecting the dots.”
The theologically persnickety among us (myself included) should read Praying Upside Down with generosity of spirit. Nowhere does Kelly say that there is more than one way of salvation. She does, most accurately, say that there is more than one way to pray, and that when joining with those of other faiths (or no faith at all, apparently) she has chosen not to be offended by focusing on their different perspectives. Apologetically, she is on to something, because when an atheist acts as if there is “someone” out there to pray to, her cognitive dissonance (set against the backdrop of a believer’s genuine faith) may well bring her nearer to the kingdom of God. The truth is that a vibrant and vigorous life of prayer will look different for everyone. Therefore, at the end of each chapter, Kelly offers suggestions in small doses for shaking up the mundane which she calls “Prayer Palettes.” Among her suggestions, my favorite was the connection of people and prayer requests with images from my surroundings or songs that remind me of the person. For example, whenever I see a Volkswagon, I pray for my high school music teacher because she drove one thirty-five years ago.
Those of us who “can’t draw a straight line” should not despair — Kelly says straight lines are basically useless in the art world anyway. There is wisdom from creative pursuits that will enhance our enjoyment of God:
•The importance of white space in painting corresponds to our need to leave room for God to work, to be God.
•Reducing a subject to its basic shapes when drawing highlights the importance of understanding what lies beneath the surface when we pray.
•The grid method of making an exact copy of an image silhouettes our heart’s need to break prayer requests down into manageable parts, and “to pray one square at a time.”
Kelly opens her readers’ eyes to new possibilities in prayer, and even more critically, she has learned the necessity of just showing up. Don’t wait for the ideal moment; don’t wait to be inspired. Only one Person matters, and He’s always there, waiting for the conversation to begin.
This book was provided by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2015
In this book Praying Upside Down, Kelly O'Dell Stanley uses imagery, simple techniques, and artwork to help the readers to creatively connect with God like never before and to move their prayer life away from the preconceived and expected to a new level of intimacy. God, as the author calls it, "...is the Master of Creativity, the original Artist, and He rarely responds in the ways we expect"
Kelly is a graphic designer and writer - which explains the contents of this book: the product out of the junction of all of her passions - faith, art and writing.
Praying Upside Down basically offers a fresh chance to learn something new, hear an answer we may not anticipate, and experience God in a more real, tangible way.
As she explained in the introduction section of this book, praying upside means to allow God to let us see - truly see Him at work, see Him in action, letting go of our own expectations. To pray upside down means to allow Him to throw our world out of orbit, turn our thoughts topsy-turvy and changing us from the inside out. Praying upside down will definitely mean that our perspective will never be the same again. Similarly, in chapter 3, the author defines praying upside down in this way:
"Praying upside down is a way to move your prayers away from the expected so that you can learn something new, hear an answer you didn't anticipate, or see God in a unique way."
To introduce the core content of the book, she first picked up the brush and sketched out the background in the form of her own testimony when she and her husband were contemplating of buying a house. They were praying for someone to buy over her old house, when God prompted her to pray for the woman who was her potential buyer instead of about her own house.
As she wrote in the next chapter:
"To make art, we have to be able to enter a complicated dance between knowing and not knowing, between what's clear and what's chaotic."
To me, that can be scary especially if you are someone who is a control-freak or constantly worry or been disappointed before. As the author says in chapter 3:
"God's answers to our prayers may seem upside down. He may ask you to forgive, even if you are the one who is wronged. He may ask you to become the wife your husband needs, rather than turning your husband into the man you always dreamed of. He may not save your job, but He might give you the time you've always needed to learn more about Him., or free your schedule to finish he renovations on your kitchen. He might not deliver you from poverty but instead teach you how to budget, balance, and take care of what He's provided. Or He may show you that even if you have very little, when you can find ways to give what you do have, you will feel wealthy."
In generally, I love this book. This book is not just for read, but for action. It's an invitation. It's an encouragement for us to chew of the goodness of God, to savor the aroma of His love.
(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review program called Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
Kelly is a graphic designer and writer - which explains the contents of this book: the product out of the junction of all of her passions - faith, art and writing.
Praying Upside Down basically offers a fresh chance to learn something new, hear an answer we may not anticipate, and experience God in a more real, tangible way.
As she explained in the introduction section of this book, praying upside means to allow God to let us see - truly see Him at work, see Him in action, letting go of our own expectations. To pray upside down means to allow Him to throw our world out of orbit, turn our thoughts topsy-turvy and changing us from the inside out. Praying upside down will definitely mean that our perspective will never be the same again. Similarly, in chapter 3, the author defines praying upside down in this way:
"Praying upside down is a way to move your prayers away from the expected so that you can learn something new, hear an answer you didn't anticipate, or see God in a unique way."
To introduce the core content of the book, she first picked up the brush and sketched out the background in the form of her own testimony when she and her husband were contemplating of buying a house. They were praying for someone to buy over her old house, when God prompted her to pray for the woman who was her potential buyer instead of about her own house.
As she wrote in the next chapter:
"To make art, we have to be able to enter a complicated dance between knowing and not knowing, between what's clear and what's chaotic."
To me, that can be scary especially if you are someone who is a control-freak or constantly worry or been disappointed before. As the author says in chapter 3:
"God's answers to our prayers may seem upside down. He may ask you to forgive, even if you are the one who is wronged. He may ask you to become the wife your husband needs, rather than turning your husband into the man you always dreamed of. He may not save your job, but He might give you the time you've always needed to learn more about Him., or free your schedule to finish he renovations on your kitchen. He might not deliver you from poverty but instead teach you how to budget, balance, and take care of what He's provided. Or He may show you that even if you have very little, when you can find ways to give what you do have, you will feel wealthy."
In generally, I love this book. This book is not just for read, but for action. It's an invitation. It's an encouragement for us to chew of the goodness of God, to savor the aroma of His love.
(Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review program called Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
May 28, 2015
Do you often wonder if God hears your prayers? Do you pray the same thing over and over and still don't get any answers?
Do you ask yourself the following questions?
• Is God listening?
• Am I praying the wrong way?
• Why won't He answer?
I'm sure we've all gone through times when we've asked at least one of the above.
I have.
Perhaps we need to shake up our prayer life. Change things.
Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s book, Praying Upside Down will help do just that. It gives us fresh insight on how to pray. I love this explanation she provides:
“Praying upside down is a way to move your prayers away from the expected so that you can learn something new, hear an answer you didn’t anticipate, or see God in a unique way. It isn’t a form of manipulation or an attempt to trick God into giving you what you want. And it’s not a time-consuming, difficult, lofty type of prayer. It’s a set of tools that will grow and change and adapt as you use them.”
--Kelly O’Dell Stanley
This book challenges the reader on how we’ve thought and been taught about prayer.
Ms. Stanley is an artist and she uses that perspective to teach us to step out of the box and contemplate how we can approach our prayer lives differently.
I enjoyed the “prayer palettes” at the end of the chapters. Each one gives a creative idea on how to approach the throne uniquely. I loved the “shift your perspective” concept. The chapter lengths were a good size and made it easier to read. My only negative comment about this book is there was one chapter that I thought she could have condensed. Other than that, I loved her personal stories and thoughts on prayers.
I give Praying Upside Down five stars.
I’ve seen the power of prayer. I’ve felt it. I believe in it.
And yes, God is listening. We just need to look from another angle.
This book will help give that perspective.
And turn our prayer lives upside down.
I personally wouldn’t have it any other way!
**Book has been provided courtesy of The Blog Spot for an honest review.
Do you ask yourself the following questions?
• Is God listening?
• Am I praying the wrong way?
• Why won't He answer?
I'm sure we've all gone through times when we've asked at least one of the above.
I have.
Perhaps we need to shake up our prayer life. Change things.
Kelly O’Dell Stanley’s book, Praying Upside Down will help do just that. It gives us fresh insight on how to pray. I love this explanation she provides:
“Praying upside down is a way to move your prayers away from the expected so that you can learn something new, hear an answer you didn’t anticipate, or see God in a unique way. It isn’t a form of manipulation or an attempt to trick God into giving you what you want. And it’s not a time-consuming, difficult, lofty type of prayer. It’s a set of tools that will grow and change and adapt as you use them.”
--Kelly O’Dell Stanley
This book challenges the reader on how we’ve thought and been taught about prayer.
Ms. Stanley is an artist and she uses that perspective to teach us to step out of the box and contemplate how we can approach our prayer lives differently.
I enjoyed the “prayer palettes” at the end of the chapters. Each one gives a creative idea on how to approach the throne uniquely. I loved the “shift your perspective” concept. The chapter lengths were a good size and made it easier to read. My only negative comment about this book is there was one chapter that I thought she could have condensed. Other than that, I loved her personal stories and thoughts on prayers.
I give Praying Upside Down five stars.
I’ve seen the power of prayer. I’ve felt it. I believe in it.
And yes, God is listening. We just need to look from another angle.
This book will help give that perspective.
And turn our prayer lives upside down.
I personally wouldn’t have it any other way!
**Book has been provided courtesy of The Blog Spot for an honest review.
May 1, 2015
Kelly O’Dell Stanley shares her personal stories to show how God taught her to look at prayer through His vantage point rather than through her own desires.
Using techniques and terminology Kelly learned as an artist, she shows us a new perspective to approaching prayer — asking God to allow us to see Him in action and letting go of our expectations of how we think He will answer our prayers.
In one of my favorite examples in the book (page 90), Kelly shares how we often don’t leave any “white space” for God. We pray so specifically that we leave no room for God to move.
We set ourselves up for disappointment if God doesn’t answer our detailed requests exactly how we asked. It leaves us with the question: will we even be able to see His answers if we aren’t open to the possibility He wants to answer our prayer in His own way?
Though our situation may not change, if we can learn to step back and look at it from a different angle, we may be able to see God moving in ways we were not previously aware.
“Too often, we miss seeing God because we think His answer will look different than it does.” -Kelly O’Dell Stanley
Kelly not only wants to share her knowledge with us, but she also wants to help us implement these ideas by including “Prayer Palette” at the end of each chapter. “Prayer Palette” is practical ways you can begin to pray upside down and start looking for God in action.
As you launch into a new way of praying, Kelly gives this advice: “Prepare to let go of your traditional compass that points left, right, or straight. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about inviting God to be part of my journey, it’s that “upside down” is a valid direction…And it’s one of God’s favorite directions to go.”
Using techniques and terminology Kelly learned as an artist, she shows us a new perspective to approaching prayer — asking God to allow us to see Him in action and letting go of our expectations of how we think He will answer our prayers.
In one of my favorite examples in the book (page 90), Kelly shares how we often don’t leave any “white space” for God. We pray so specifically that we leave no room for God to move.
We set ourselves up for disappointment if God doesn’t answer our detailed requests exactly how we asked. It leaves us with the question: will we even be able to see His answers if we aren’t open to the possibility He wants to answer our prayer in His own way?
Though our situation may not change, if we can learn to step back and look at it from a different angle, we may be able to see God moving in ways we were not previously aware.
“Too often, we miss seeing God because we think His answer will look different than it does.” -Kelly O’Dell Stanley
Kelly not only wants to share her knowledge with us, but she also wants to help us implement these ideas by including “Prayer Palette” at the end of each chapter. “Prayer Palette” is practical ways you can begin to pray upside down and start looking for God in action.
As you launch into a new way of praying, Kelly gives this advice: “Prepare to let go of your traditional compass that points left, right, or straight. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about inviting God to be part of my journey, it’s that “upside down” is a valid direction…And it’s one of God’s favorite directions to go.”
May 18, 2015
Art is how we communicate those things that are impossible to describe with words. The melding of art and prayer in this book is at once so seamless and natural, I wondered why I'd never before heard prayer taught in church as if it were an art.
There are so many things I could say about this book. I guess the most important is that at the end, I did not feel preached to, I did not feel like I am following a formula to get what I want, and I did not feel frustrated by church clichés.
What I feel is inspired to pray. Inspired to embrace that part of me that is only expressed in colors and shapes, and turn it into an offering.
The beauty, the art, the humble approach. The questioning, the honesty, and the seeking--it all works together in this book to one simple goal: it reminds me of the greatness of God, and why my soul longs to just sit and talk to Him.
There are so many things I could say about this book. I guess the most important is that at the end, I did not feel preached to, I did not feel like I am following a formula to get what I want, and I did not feel frustrated by church clichés.
What I feel is inspired to pray. Inspired to embrace that part of me that is only expressed in colors and shapes, and turn it into an offering.
The beauty, the art, the humble approach. The questioning, the honesty, and the seeking--it all works together in this book to one simple goal: it reminds me of the greatness of God, and why my soul longs to just sit and talk to Him.
April 29, 2015
Whether you grew up a non-believer or in a strict religious household, this is the type of book that can completely change your prayer life (especially if you never had one or feel like it is a chore). I often stumble over the writing in this type of book, but I savored every word. I completely connected with the prayer techniques that Stanley relates to art, especially symbolism. There is a reason so many authors and reviewers love this book. It is a must read! I loved it!
April 7, 2015
Praying Upside Down is such an amazing look at not only how we pray but also why we pray. Stanley shares her own journey in such a way that is courageously uplifting and human. Every chapter is presented in terms most artists can relate to, but is so compelling, even a self-proclaimed art novice like myself can understand. I found my understanding in player elevated after this fantastic and visual read! This is a must have for all ages!
May 1, 2015
This is a personal powerful book on prayer that could be read at one time or as a daily meditation. Personally I couldn't put this book down. This book is applicable
no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. It is a book I will read more than once.
no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. It is a book I will read more than once.
May 4, 2015
I look forward to my quiet morning time of meditation and contemplation, and this book has enriched that experience considerably by opening my mind to a new way of thinking about prayer
September 1, 2015
Praying Upside Down is an awesome book for anyone who believes. There are times in our lives where prayer becomes complacent and this book revives your prayer life.
December 1, 2023
Prayer can sometimes become stagnant and repetitive. We may have a routine or certain ways we think we ought to pray and therefore miss out on truly connecting to God in prayer. This book is from an artist's perspective to open up new ways of praying by looking at prayer differently. The author explains different art techniques and how to apply those to prayer. At the end of each chapter there is a "Prayer Palette" section where you can apply the technique to your own prayer life.
I enjoyed this book and liked some of the new perspectives on prayer it offered. It was nothing that stood out for me but I did like the artistic ideas. Like most Christian Living books, I didn't care for the personal stories. Luckily there weren't too many of them. This book was organized in short chapters which I appreciated. Overall, I enjoyed the different approaches to prayer but it wasn't anything groundbreaking either.
I enjoyed this book and liked some of the new perspectives on prayer it offered. It was nothing that stood out for me but I did like the artistic ideas. Like most Christian Living books, I didn't care for the personal stories. Luckily there weren't too many of them. This book was organized in short chapters which I appreciated. Overall, I enjoyed the different approaches to prayer but it wasn't anything groundbreaking either.
April 14, 2018
This is a really excellent book for folks that really struggle with prayer. I know I do.
Sometimes the chapters don’t all add up, like, some lack and some are almost too amazing! A lot of the stories will stick with me and the fact that the author is so real and blunt and honest about herself and Christianity is insane. The best chapters outweigh some of the weaker ones and it provides a nice reference when you don’t know exactly what to do in a right situation.
Sometimes the chapters don’t all add up, like, some lack and some are almost too amazing! A lot of the stories will stick with me and the fact that the author is so real and blunt and honest about herself and Christianity is insane. The best chapters outweigh some of the weaker ones and it provides a nice reference when you don’t know exactly what to do in a right situation.
August 3, 2022
A read that has short but thoughtful chapters with fun and applicable suggestions of new things inspired by art techniques to try in your prayer life in an effort to never take for granted the access we have to talking with and knowing our God. I have already used several of the exercises, and have a feeling I will be returning to this book often personally and in ministry.
July 21, 2024
A creative and warm welcome into broadening when you pray and how you pray. It's magnanimous and relatable.
December 8, 2020
I really liked Kelly’s upside down prayer suggestions. Many of which I hadn’t even considered but I really liked how she was able to capture her experiences as well as utilising her profession to tell a good and compelling story whilst always bringing it back to prayer!
May 21, 2015
You don’t have to be an artist to understand the basic concepts of art. We’ve all learned them: perspective, proportion, process and more. Things that we learned and had forgotten because, well, there’s just no room for art in our lives. Reading Praying Upside Down brings those things to mind again: Oh, yeah, I remember learning that in 7th grade art class.
Kelly O’Dell Stanley expertly weaves these things among well researched scripture and personal stories of how she saw God move in her life through diverse and persistent prayer. Just as we learned and forgot the foundations of art in its most simple form, the ideas that Kelly shares on prayer lead us back to the foundations of what we learned about praying...those things that we learned and forgot because we complicated it along the way: Just talk to God.
Kelly’s “Prayer Palette” at the end of each chapter offers practical, fun and innovative ways to pray, and allows the reader to choose from a variety of ideas.
As I read Praying Upside Down, I felt as if Kelly was validating all the crazy ways I already pray (and doubted that I even had an active prayer life because it didn’t look “right.”). Just as there are different art forms, Praying Upside Down looks at different ways of communicating to God as methods of prayer.
This is one of the most interesting books on prayer I’ve read in a very long time, and certainly the most freeing. Kelly doesn’t preach a prescribed method of prayer; rather, she offers encouragement to the reader to find your own style. Kelly’s fresh perspective on prayer teaches us that one size doesn’t fit all. Sometimes you need to turn your prayer life upside down to find out what works best for you. Anyone who is looking for a fresh perspective on prayer, struggling with a stale prayer life or feels like they're just not "doing" prayer right, this book is for you!
Kelly O’Dell Stanley expertly weaves these things among well researched scripture and personal stories of how she saw God move in her life through diverse and persistent prayer. Just as we learned and forgot the foundations of art in its most simple form, the ideas that Kelly shares on prayer lead us back to the foundations of what we learned about praying...those things that we learned and forgot because we complicated it along the way: Just talk to God.
Kelly’s “Prayer Palette” at the end of each chapter offers practical, fun and innovative ways to pray, and allows the reader to choose from a variety of ideas.
As I read Praying Upside Down, I felt as if Kelly was validating all the crazy ways I already pray (and doubted that I even had an active prayer life because it didn’t look “right.”). Just as there are different art forms, Praying Upside Down looks at different ways of communicating to God as methods of prayer.
This is one of the most interesting books on prayer I’ve read in a very long time, and certainly the most freeing. Kelly doesn’t preach a prescribed method of prayer; rather, she offers encouragement to the reader to find your own style. Kelly’s fresh perspective on prayer teaches us that one size doesn’t fit all. Sometimes you need to turn your prayer life upside down to find out what works best for you. Anyone who is looking for a fresh perspective on prayer, struggling with a stale prayer life or feels like they're just not "doing" prayer right, this book is for you!
June 23, 2015
"Praying Upside Down" begins with an account of Kelly O'Dell Stanley selling her house, and God telling her to pray for the next woman that will own the house. Kelly Stanley did not know who would occupy her house, she just knew God told her to pray specifically for the woman.
On another occasion her friend, Mike, needed prayer for his back and Kelly needed prayer for her knees. So, when one hurt they immediately prayed for the other. Which caused me to think I should pray for my husband's ankle everytime my leg hurt, instead of bemoaning it.
An upside-down prayer is unconventional, unexpected, unusual but effective. Praying upside-down puts the emphasis on the Christian life and the value of prayer. I believe the author's overall position is that upside-down prayers work. It takes the emphasis off of you and redirects it to another person. The author's point is clear and well-stated.
I was intrigued by an activity Sister Pat (#37) brought to life. She would say, "Close your eyes, imagining the safest place you would be. Now, imagine that is God."
Kelly and Tim we both Catholics during the early years of their marriage. However, the felt they wanted something more. They changed to Pentecostal ensuring they have nothing against Catholics. They were just ready for a change they both could agree with. Kelly attended Bible Study with Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, and others. (#42)
I would recommend this book to readers who would like to know more ways to pray. Avoiding the humdrum of repeated prayers.
On another occasion her friend, Mike, needed prayer for his back and Kelly needed prayer for her knees. So, when one hurt they immediately prayed for the other. Which caused me to think I should pray for my husband's ankle everytime my leg hurt, instead of bemoaning it.
An upside-down prayer is unconventional, unexpected, unusual but effective. Praying upside-down puts the emphasis on the Christian life and the value of prayer. I believe the author's overall position is that upside-down prayers work. It takes the emphasis off of you and redirects it to another person. The author's point is clear and well-stated.
I was intrigued by an activity Sister Pat (#37) brought to life. She would say, "Close your eyes, imagining the safest place you would be. Now, imagine that is God."
Kelly and Tim we both Catholics during the early years of their marriage. However, the felt they wanted something more. They changed to Pentecostal ensuring they have nothing against Catholics. They were just ready for a change they both could agree with. Kelly attended Bible Study with Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, and others. (#42)
I would recommend this book to readers who would like to know more ways to pray. Avoiding the humdrum of repeated prayers.
August 26, 2018
Appreciated this book more than the workbook. It gave more background to the ideas and I like how it compared to artistic themes in paintings/drawings.
June 19, 2015
Praying Upside Down by Kelly O'Dell Stanley
Tyndale Momentum
ISBN-10: 1414389833; ISBN-13: 978-1414389837
Talking to God is something that we all can do. Kelly O'Dell Stanley takes prayer to a new level - she uses art as an analogy to teaching about prayer.
As art is considered an "out of the box" creative outlet, Stanley uses it to guide the reader how to take his or her own prayers in a different direction - away from the legalistic view of praying.
Art is a passion, and Stanley shares the passion of praying as an artist would share his or her view of the world - through an interweaving of colors on a palette.
Once God is given total go-ahead in your life, and in all areas, including your prayer untitledtime, many things can happen - including making a big change in the way that you look at life and help you to establish a closer relationship with God.
In fact, He can turn your whole life - especially your prayer life upside down.
Unlike most books teaching about prayer, Stanley's book puts prayer into a modern day perspective.
Tyndale Momentum
ISBN-10: 1414389833; ISBN-13: 978-1414389837
Talking to God is something that we all can do. Kelly O'Dell Stanley takes prayer to a new level - she uses art as an analogy to teaching about prayer.
As art is considered an "out of the box" creative outlet, Stanley uses it to guide the reader how to take his or her own prayers in a different direction - away from the legalistic view of praying.
Art is a passion, and Stanley shares the passion of praying as an artist would share his or her view of the world - through an interweaving of colors on a palette.
Once God is given total go-ahead in your life, and in all areas, including your prayer untitledtime, many things can happen - including making a big change in the way that you look at life and help you to establish a closer relationship with God.
In fact, He can turn your whole life - especially your prayer life upside down.
Unlike most books teaching about prayer, Stanley's book puts prayer into a modern day perspective.
January 2, 2016
If like me, you are someone that often gets distracted during prayer, then Praying Upside Down by Kelly O’Dell Stanley is sure to turn your prayer life upside down, in a positive way! This book discusses how prayer is an art form, and it offers many creative strategies for kick starting and maintaining one’s prayer life. As a graphic designer, Stanley invites us to craft artistic pathways to spiritual intimacy with God. Her rich background in the creative arts offer the reader fresh perspectives on an intimate relationship with God. Read more here: http://latteslacedwithgrace.com/2016/...
November 15, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The author is a graphic designer and uses art as a analogy for faith and prayer throughout the book. What I like is that it gave me a different perspective and really made me think. I found myself underlining many wise sentences throughout. It really made me think about the ways in which I pray. The author is very honest and real so it makes it easy to relate to her stories. Each chapter has a "prayer palette" at the end with exercises in prayer. Great book for those who are looking to improve their prayer time.
June 14, 2015
Praying Upside Down took the way I viewed prayer and flipped it completely on its head. With a perspective of an intelligent artist, Stanley reveals how to deepen our prayer life. She includes helpful tips to practice each technique, and shares how these have made a difference in her own life. Praying Upside Down will help prayer go from a fundamental Christian habit to a rich experience. I fully enjoyed every word.
July 14, 2017
This book is a refreshing way of looking at prayer and how to incorporate it into daily life. So many of the creative aspects the author suggests are helpful in seeing prayer as communication and interaction.
Because she intersperses personal stories to illustrate her own journey toward finding a new way to pray, Stanley encourages us as readers to take another look at our own prayer life.
This is a must read for anyone feeling stuck in their daily time with God.
Because she intersperses personal stories to illustrate her own journey toward finding a new way to pray, Stanley encourages us as readers to take another look at our own prayer life.
This is a must read for anyone feeling stuck in their daily time with God.
May 18, 2016
Loved this book a lot. Was an easy read but got me to think deeply about my own prayer experiences and habits. Loved how prayer was linked to artistic techniques and tools, and really appreciated how the author gave examples of anecdotes from her or her friends' lives that showed me how to put her prayer techniques into practise.
July 26, 2016
Creative Prayer
I really enjoyed this book because of its clear link between creativity and prayer. You don't have to be an artist to understand the book. You just need to be looking for Him everywhere and thinking about how He is working in your life.
I recommend this to anyone interested in the creative aspects of prayer.
I really enjoyed this book because of its clear link between creativity and prayer. You don't have to be an artist to understand the book. You just need to be looking for Him everywhere and thinking about how He is working in your life.
I recommend this to anyone interested in the creative aspects of prayer.
August 24, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It has short chapters which make it easy to read a little at a time to soak up all the information. it gives great ideas on how to "pray upside down." I would highly recommend this book especially if you are looking for some ways to change up your prayer life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews