SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt have practiced daily prayer together for sixteen years. Now they offer readers step-by-step advice on why and how to pray with another person. The 40 Day Prayer Challenge answers the question they hear from readers How do you pray with someone else?
The authors also explain how Partnered Prayer—which sounds like a new idea, but comes from ancient biblical promises—restores relationships and revitalizes families.
Supported by the testimony of dozens of praying partners who themselves became empowered by taking The Challenge, the authors explain how a couple, a mother and son, or two close friends can pray together for five minutes a day for forty days and experience phenomenal outcomes.
SQuire and Louise show how churches, small groups, and individual partners can participate in a groundbreaking national initiative called historic —a first-ever empirical study by Baylor University—while personally measuring their own Partnered Prayer progress.
As believers we understand the importance and power of prayer even when it seems at times that God is silent or He is preoccupied but we know He isn't. It is the greatest weapon any believer in Jesus Christ possesses and the one we often times fail to utilize until it becomes a last resort or with less than heartfelt pleas included. We often times get disillusioned with waiting on answers as if we believe we are owed an immediate and positive response time from God. The one thing that really hit home for me while dealing with multiple crises at the same time, it that waiting is the hardest thing to do but we must not give up on prayer. In the Bible, Daniel waited on an answer for prayer which was dispatched from heaven immediately but due to a spiritual war that was happening that Daniel knew nothing about, he received his answer 21 days later, even though it was answered immediately from heaven.
That is not to say that all answers of prayer are impacted in the spiritual realm, but it is a reminder that waiting may be required in some cases. In others, the answers are immediate and to our liking and in yet others, the answer is not what we had hoped and we find ourselves much like Job, wondering where it all went belly up. But the greatest hope and weapon we have is prayer, constant, consistent and with a partner. This can be with your family members, your spouse, friends or an entire body of believers. When we partner in prayer, the Bible reminds us that we stand in the presence of God at that moment even though we can not see it. It is the most powerful prayer we can use in any situation and nothing is too great or too small for a prayer.
In the book, the 40 Day Prayer Challenge by authors and husband and wife, SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, they are reminding us about the true value and life changing things that can happen when we partner in prayer for simple 5 minutes a day for 40 days. They are sharing the results through an online survey with Baylor University's Institute for the Study of Religion to see what happens during the 40 days challenge. I know for my husband and I that began this as a couple, we didn't see much happen at first, but then we noticed that we drew closer in a way that is hard to explain other than to say we are much more spiritually stronger, pray more over everything and have seen first hands the results on answered prayer and the strong of our faith and marriage grow since doing this.
I received The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my personal and honest evaluation. The book is broken down to help readers partner in different ways from married couples, singles with friends, family members praying together, and even small church groups or Bible study classes. There is such great resources available from Scripture references and even sample prayers to help get people started on their 40 day journey. The best part is the true life stories of how prayer has impacted the lives of those that have incorporated prayer into the lives and some have been brought back from the verge of death to be given a second chance. This is a perfect resource for those looking at how to incorporate prayer into their lives more and highlights the results of what can happen over 40 days. I know you'll be more than surprised at the results in your own life as we were in our own and for that reason this one gains all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
When I started reading this book, I thought this is just going to be another book on prayer and I didn't think I would gain anything from it, until I was whacked straight in the middle of the face with a sledge hammer. The author said something very powerful. It was a story of a pastor and his wife and the wife had said to the pastor if you knew you needed a pill every night to save your life would you take it? Of course he responded with, "yes." She then said, isn't prayer the same way?" When I read that, I thought, why aren't my husband and I praying every single night together whether he is gone on a business trip or whether he's working an odd shift? It doesn't matter where we are or the circumstance we should be praying together all the time. This book is invaluable. It get's to the heart of the matter. Prayer isn't just side entree to our marriages, but should be done on a regular basis. It is what bring us closer to God. I could go into the details of this book and why you should buy it, but the most important thing that you understand from this review is this: If a pill would save your life every night and you'd take it, why wouldn't you pray every night? Could prayer have the same power? You decide! This book is 5 stars and worth every single penny. Not because of all the practical advice, but because of the perspective it will give you in your marriage and in your life! Thank you to Howard Publishing for allowing me to receive an ARC copy for my honest opinion, which I have given here.
As Christians it's something we do everyday and some multiple times a day, but not always together. This book, the scripture and testimony within just reaffirms what we have been taught and more. Enough so this will for sure be on my book list for gifts for my children and family. We all need reminders of what specific scriptures in the Bible share and their meaning. Prayer is pretty clear though. In case you have forgotten or slacked off this is truly a blessing and a guide to not only get us back on track but to encourage us to see true power of prayer when we pray together.
I received an ARC for an honest review. I took more time with this book than most because I wanted to see how it lead me.
One of the best books on the power of prayer that I have read! The book is packed with amazing testimonies of people who dared to take the challenge and pray out loud with someone else for 40 days. I spent a great deal of trying looking up the remarkable testimonies online. Wow! A must read for skeptics of prayer and for believers in Christ.
"The 40 Day Prayer Challenge: Unlocking The Power of Partnered Prayer" hinges on three simple words: SPEAK. BELIEVE. EXPECT. Talk to God. Believe intrinsically that He is listening. Expect Him to move.
Husband and wife team SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt do a wonderful job explaining the basics of prayer, why it is important, and how to partake in it. Weaving Scripture and inspirational stories throughout their work, the authors speak directly to those new to faith, as well as those more seasoned in their relationship with God.
A simple read, this book will inspire readers to soul-search, reevaluate, and begin again, as communication with God can always be improved.
SQuire Rushnell & Louise DuArt in their new book “The 40 Day Prayer Challenge” published by Howard Books gives us Unlocking the Power of Partnered Prayer.
From the inside jacket flap: From one of the beloved creators of Schoolhouse Rock and the popular GodWink series, New York Times bestselling author SQuire Rushnell teams up with his wife Louise DuArt for The 40 Day Prayer Challenge—a simple yet powerful idea that encourages partners to pray together for just five minutes a day for forty days.
SQuire and Louise have practiced daily prayer together for sixteen years. Now, they offer readers step-by-step advice on where, when, and what words to use in praying with another person: be it a spouse, loved one, family member, or a friend. In a straight-forward fashion, with astonishing examples of how Partnered Prayer can restore relationships and revitalize families, countless questions are answered including:
-How do we start praying together? -Can we pray about anything? -How do I get my mate to pray with me? -Does romance get better when you pray together? -Is there scientific evidence for prayer? -What if my prayers aren’t answered?
In association with several prominent mega-churches and Baylor University’s Institute for the Studies of Religion, SQuire and Louise are initiating the first empirical research study ever done on the effects of prayer among two people over an extended period. The 40 Day Prayer Challenge also provides a no-cost online opportunity to participate in the ongoing study. When the fun and transformational challenge finishes at forty days, prayer partners will receive a scorecard on how well they did, and join others in experiencing the amazing, wonderful things that happen during Partnered Prayer.
This book is designed for partners to develop a daily habit of speaking together with God. If we are willing to commit to as little as five minutes a day speaking with God about issues of concern and praising Him for blessings we received since yesterday the joy in our lives will expand immeasurably. No doubt about it a lot of us when we pray we do it silently and we do it alone. We need to change our praying to out loud .His promise is in the Bible: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. The authors tell us: Let’s look at the key words to opening your gift: first, to ask in prayer—through the power of the spoken word; second, to believe that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do; and third, to expect to receive “whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer.” There are eight chapters that focus our attention on How Partnered Prayer Works, How to Pray, The Benefits Of Prayer and Who should pray and what we should expect to happen in the Spirit Realm both pro and con. “The 40 Day Prayer Challenge” is not a time-consuming read. If we use what is being taught here correctly it will so helpful to properly channel our energies in the right direction. It is perfect to give as gifts to family and friends that they, also, will have their prayer lives expanded and thank you for it. I recommend this book highly!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Howard Books. 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.”
The 40 Day Prayer Challenge: Unlocking the Power of Partnered Prayer Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt
We all are looking for a way to improve our prayer life, whether it is praying alone or praying together with our spouse, our children, friends, family, or a stranger. There are so many books on the market today about prayer and sometimes its hard to choose just the one you are looking for. I have read so many books on prayer but have found one about praying together that I really love, The 40 Day Prayer Challenge: Unlocking the Power of Partnered Prayer. Written by Squire Rushnell and his wife, Louise DuArt, The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, that encourages partners to pray together for just five minutes a day for 40 days.
Praying together for sixteen years, Squire and Louise are offering step-by-step advice on where, when, and what words to use in praying with another person: your spouse, children, family members, friends or a stranger. They answer questions for you such as:
• How do we start praying together? • Can we pray about anything? • How do I get my mate to pray with me? • Does romance get better when you pray together? • Is there scientific evidence for prayer? • What if my prayers aren’t answered?
This book is designed for anyone, young or old, single or married. I highly recommend this book to all. It has helped me and I know it can help you.
Thank you to Howard Books for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy for review.
I requested this book because this is something I felt me and my wife needed to try. It is way more than a devotional, and will lead you and your partner into a 40 day exploration of prayer and intimacy. Nothing draws couples together more than praying together, and exposing ourselves to our loved one. You will see positive changes in your marriage, and in your walk with Christ.
The 40 Day Prayer Challenge: Unlocking the Power of Partnered Prayer is a wonderful book. It is a perfect way to help couples learn to pray together. Something every couple should learn. I think this book is a must read and I highly recommend it. 5+ stars I received this book from Howard Books and exchange for my honest opinion, which was given.