Oh My Soul: Encountering God in Honest, Unconventional (and Sometimes Messy) Prayer

by Shannon Guerra

Every day. Every minute. Every situation. He is the God with us.

But, oh my soul, be prepared for the encounters with Him to surprise you.

We want to pray. To hear God better. To know His will for all the messy, mundane details of our life. But does He still speak to us when we are distracted, grumpy, overwhelmed, and unprepared? How can we have "quiet time" with God when there's no quiet, and no time? Can we really know the will of God and move forward in obedience, in spite of fears and failures?

And, if we're really honest with Him, will He strike us with lightning?

Or will we end up praying with boldness and authenticity like never before?

182 pages, ebook

Published October 16, 2018

About the author

Shannon Guerra is an author, wife, ministry leader, and mama of eight kids via birth and adoption. She lives in Wasilla, Alaska, and writes about personal growth, heart wholeness, and living deep and wide at www.copperlightwood.com.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon has a way of hitting hard truths with grace and humility. Her personal and gentle approach to prayer is perfect for those who are struggling to find rhythm to their prayer routines, the busy moms, the harried managers, and the tired teenagers.

Don't mistake "gentle" for "passive." Her gentle tone is not weak, nor theologically tepid. She writes with a fire in her belly, to be sure. You won't regret this easy to read, hard to set down gem.

[CATHY]

I read this book in a cram session hoping to finish in time to hand off to someone else. Don't do it. This book is excellent fodder for self-reflection and growth and journaling and learning about prayer and what your place is in God's prayer warrior army.

I spent my airplane ride nodding my head in agreement throughout first... and well into the 2nd chapter. So many similar experiences and what I've been trying to get through my kids' heads!

And then it got even more personal. Out came the journal and camera as I wrote about and snapped sections as I read. My prayers are changing. How I view several situations have new vision. I'm excited to see how God can use this book and His prayers in my life.

[Candice Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a formulaic, "six steps to perfect prayer" kind of book. Instead, the author takes us into the midst of her day-to-day life, and shows us glimpses of her encounters with God in the ordinary, messy moments of life. She demonstrates how we can also lean into Him in the mess, in the middle of whatever we are facing, and listen for His sweet whispers. It's inspiring, but totally relatable thanks to her honest and humble approach. God is speaking to me daily through this book, and encouraging me to tune in to His voice more frequently through the moments of my messy life.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her typical humor and warmth, Shannon Guerra delivers a book full of encouragement for an active, persistent, and faithful prayer life. I appreciated all the scripture she shared, as well as her reflections. She offers simple reminders through real-life anecdotes that profound work is being done when we pray throughout the daily tasks and vocations the Lord has given each of us. “Nothing is wasted,” especially not the time spent with this book, an inspiring way to begin the year and renew my vigor for praying unceasingly!