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May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
Combining prayers in two languages--words and images--this contemporary prayer guide will help you spend time in conversation with God.As people of faith, we all struggle at times to sustain a flourishing prayer life--a loss felt all the more keenly in these times of confusion, political turbulence, and global calamity. This unique book offers a timeless solution for the spiritual and skeptical alike.Combining story-driven reflections with visual and written prayers, this simple 40-day prayer guide will help you reconnect with God as you rediscover your own ongoing conversation with Him. Using the familiar refrains in the Lord's Prayer as a guide, this groundbreaking resource invites you to reconnect with God creatively and organically.
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2019
71 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Justin McRoberts
13 books104 followersJustin McRoberts is an author, coach, speaker, and songwriter. He is the author of six books, including the upcoming, Sacred Strides (May 2023).
For over 20 years, Justin has helped artists, ministers and entrepreneurs find their way. From the stage, though his stories in books or during coaching sessions, he leans on his years of work and expertise as a minister and artist to help individuals and teams solve problems in their creative processes.
When he’s not writing, speaking or coaching, you can find him as the host of the At Sea Podcast.
He lives in the East San Francisco Bay Area.
For over 20 years, Justin has helped artists, ministers and entrepreneurs find their way. From the stage, though his stories in books or during coaching sessions, he leans on his years of work and expertise as a minister and artist to help individuals and teams solve problems in their creative processes.
When he’s not writing, speaking or coaching, you can find him as the host of the At Sea Podcast.
He lives in the East San Francisco Bay Area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
June 29, 2019
It's a quick read. Four of the prayers have stuck with me and I have recorded them into my commonplace book.
"May I offer help far more readily and joyfully than I offer criticism"
"May I learn to offer my whole self as a gift to those around me rather than leverage my gifts for personal gain"
"May I never let my fear of being afraid keep me from facing darkness in or around me"
"May I have room for guilt to convict me without letting shame define me"
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley and WaterBrook.*
"May I offer help far more readily and joyfully than I offer criticism"
"May I learn to offer my whole self as a gift to those around me rather than leverage my gifts for personal gain"
"May I never let my fear of being afraid keep me from facing darkness in or around me"
"May I have room for guilt to convict me without letting shame define me"
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley and WaterBrook.*
February 4, 2019
Wow! So, I really, really enjoyed this deeply engaging devotional. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the book, but I was quite delighted by what I found.
The basic layout of the book:
*A short devotional, often an event or happening from the author’s life, over a line of the Lord’s Prayer
-This devotional would always end with several probing questions that forced me as a reader to evaluate areas of my life and apply the message of the devotional.
-Honestly, with growing up in a Christian home I wondered at how much of the material would seem new. I mean it’s the Lord’s Prayer. But each and every time the author took the devotional in a way that made me think over that line in a different light than I ever had before. And in a good way that was very solidly Biblical.
*several daily one-or-two line prayers
-These read almost as resolves and easily could be developed into a longer lesson or life-long prayer of faith in one’s one personal Christian walk. For example, “May I never confuse my own limited capacity for love and generosity with the depth of the well I draw from.”
-The wording and phrasing made my heart rejoice and is an excellent use of quiet understatement and “less is better.”
*Mixed with those prayers, abstract accompanying illustrations
-Hmmm… I think I would have appreciated these better if they had a brief explanation with them. Sometimes they aided beautifully in getting a thought across, while other times I was only distracted from the prayers by trying to “get” what they meant. (Half of the reason why I docked a star)
*One last prayer before going back to another devotional. “Grant us once again the assurance of Your presence and love.”
-I loved how this one line would bring everything back to perspective and signal the start of another devotional.
(Why only 4 stars? While I really enjoyed my time of reflection while reading this book and know I’ll be coming back and re-reading over my notes I book journaled over, there were a couple reasons this book didn’t get 5 stars from me. Firstly, I already mentioned with the illustrations. Also, I was disappointed in the lack of a clear gospel message. For a Christian well-acquainted with the gospel, I loved the challenge and invite to grow it presented, and the book was very solidly based, but I also missed hearing just the plan gospel in this book. And third, because I was disappointed in the author’s note, which apologized to anyone the author might offend by referring to God by a masculine pronoun. It’s sad to me that anyone would even feel the need to have to say that in a book meant for a Christian audience. )
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for promotional purposes from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
The basic layout of the book:
*A short devotional, often an event or happening from the author’s life, over a line of the Lord’s Prayer
-This devotional would always end with several probing questions that forced me as a reader to evaluate areas of my life and apply the message of the devotional.
-Honestly, with growing up in a Christian home I wondered at how much of the material would seem new. I mean it’s the Lord’s Prayer. But each and every time the author took the devotional in a way that made me think over that line in a different light than I ever had before. And in a good way that was very solidly Biblical.
*several daily one-or-two line prayers
-These read almost as resolves and easily could be developed into a longer lesson or life-long prayer of faith in one’s one personal Christian walk. For example, “May I never confuse my own limited capacity for love and generosity with the depth of the well I draw from.”
-The wording and phrasing made my heart rejoice and is an excellent use of quiet understatement and “less is better.”
*Mixed with those prayers, abstract accompanying illustrations
-Hmmm… I think I would have appreciated these better if they had a brief explanation with them. Sometimes they aided beautifully in getting a thought across, while other times I was only distracted from the prayers by trying to “get” what they meant. (Half of the reason why I docked a star)
*One last prayer before going back to another devotional. “Grant us once again the assurance of Your presence and love.”
-I loved how this one line would bring everything back to perspective and signal the start of another devotional.
(Why only 4 stars? While I really enjoyed my time of reflection while reading this book and know I’ll be coming back and re-reading over my notes I book journaled over, there were a couple reasons this book didn’t get 5 stars from me. Firstly, I already mentioned with the illustrations. Also, I was disappointed in the lack of a clear gospel message. For a Christian well-acquainted with the gospel, I loved the challenge and invite to grow it presented, and the book was very solidly based, but I also missed hearing just the plan gospel in this book. And third, because I was disappointed in the author’s note, which apologized to anyone the author might offend by referring to God by a masculine pronoun. It’s sad to me that anyone would even feel the need to have to say that in a book meant for a Christian audience. )
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for promotional purposes from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 22, 2019
One of my favorite artist/author duos!! I read their first book prayer after I purchased it from a Christian coffee shop in Chandler, Arizona on vacation to visit my grandparents (which is my husband, brother and I's favorite coffee shop hands down). I have been following them ever since on social media. Great artwork! Great writing! Just absolutely fabulous work! RECOMMEND!!
#Netgalley
#Prayer
#Mayitbeso
#Netgalley
#Prayer
#Mayitbeso
April 21, 2025
"After all ...
The essence of prayer is the love of God, not our ability to pray. "
A small book of simple prayers and meditations paired with simple yet beautiful illustrations. As well as a verse by verse overview (of sorts) of the Lord's Prayer.
I read this in line with Lent this year (admittedly not always consistently) some of the prayers definitely hit home more than others.
The essence of prayer is the love of God, not our ability to pray. "
A small book of simple prayers and meditations paired with simple yet beautiful illustrations. As well as a verse by verse overview (of sorts) of the Lord's Prayer.
I read this in line with Lent this year (admittedly not always consistently) some of the prayers definitely hit home more than others.
August 22, 2019
Thanks to WaterBrook for sending me this book to review. @WaterbrookMultnomah#Partner. I really enjoyed the "Before you Begin" part of this book and underlined/highlighted quite a bit. I appreciated the different types of prayer they highlighted in this book- all based around the Lord's Prayer: Guided Prayer, Contemplative Imagery, Meditations. This book could be read in one sitting or used as a daily devotional for 40 days. Themes/Chapters in this book are based on lines from the Lord's Prayer.
The daily prayers/reflections and the artwork on the page mirroring each page didn't really "speak to me". I liked the daily reflection/prayer, but the art work I just didn't get and I found it distracting. Art is very subjective so likely my own "issue".
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book...
Before you Begin... "Prayer, at its heart, is about the love of God. May it be that nothing, including prayer, stands in the way of your knowing that love."
"In countless moments thorughout the course of my life and growth, the words of others have given me ways to hear myself, know myself, and see what is going on inside myself." - This line so spoke to me! I love quotes/sentiments from books I've read and for quite a while I've kept a "quote" book holding some of the gems I've read over the years. This quote reminds me of a dream I have- to write a book highlighting and sharing my favorite quotes and share why these quotes/words speak to me. I think this quote would be a great way to start the book.
" each phrase of the Lord's Prayer touches on a different aspect of life and relationship, eliciting a distinctive mental and emotional response; that's part of the prayer's richness."
"The essence of prayer is the love of God, not our ability to pray."- really needed to read this. I've never felt like I am a "good prayer" if that is even correct wording/grammar. A good reminder for all of us.
The daily prayers/reflections and the artwork on the page mirroring each page didn't really "speak to me". I liked the daily reflection/prayer, but the art work I just didn't get and I found it distracting. Art is very subjective so likely my own "issue".
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book...
Before you Begin... "Prayer, at its heart, is about the love of God. May it be that nothing, including prayer, stands in the way of your knowing that love."
"In countless moments thorughout the course of my life and growth, the words of others have given me ways to hear myself, know myself, and see what is going on inside myself." - This line so spoke to me! I love quotes/sentiments from books I've read and for quite a while I've kept a "quote" book holding some of the gems I've read over the years. This quote reminds me of a dream I have- to write a book highlighting and sharing my favorite quotes and share why these quotes/words speak to me. I think this quote would be a great way to start the book.
" each phrase of the Lord's Prayer touches on a different aspect of life and relationship, eliciting a distinctive mental and emotional response; that's part of the prayer's richness."
"The essence of prayer is the love of God, not our ability to pray."- really needed to read this. I've never felt like I am a "good prayer" if that is even correct wording/grammar. A good reminder for all of us.
April 8, 2023
I read this yesterday and today for Good Friday, and to think deeply about what this Saturday felt like for believers those thousands of years ago. In the midst of the sorrow of these 2 days of Holy Week, this book offered some great prayers to point us toward the grace & goodness Jesus has for us and wants to give us! Such a good reminder of the redeeming power of Christ & the beauty of prayer.
March 28, 2022
Absolutely stunning.
September 13, 2019
May It Be So. This little book is a forty-day journey in praying the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer. It is divided into week-long sections that focus on praying in the pattern/theme of each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer. It contains Guided Prayers, Contemplative Imagery, Meditations (short stories that reflect something the authors gleaned from this particular section of the Lord’s Prayer), and Suggested Practices (ways to apply the insights that the week’s images and prayers have brought to you).
Maybe I’m just too left-brained, but I struggled with some of the imagery. Some were really profound. Some just left me going, “huh?” I love the simplicity of one or two-line prayers. I’d love to have a 365-day calendar that has these sorts of prayers on it. Some examples:
*May even my grief and brokenness become, in some way, a gift to the world around me. May my whole life be an offering.
*May I have vision in and through my trials rather than search for ways to escape them.
*May I learn to take joy in what it costs me to share my life with those I love. (wow!)
*May my initial posture toward strangers be kindness and grace rather than suspicion and fear.
I really enjoyed the meditations at the beginning of each week. They really bring the week’s ‘theme’ from the Lord’s Prayer in to focus and set the tone for the week.
The one thing I don’t like about this book is it’s the price! On Amazon.com it is $9.99 for the Kindle edition and $12.15 for the hardcover. That’s a lot of money for the content. Maybe I’ve just been trying to balance my tight budget for too long, but that’s a hefty chunk of change for me. Maybe the library will have a copy to check out?
I’m blessed to have received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I’ll definitely be using it from time to time as a way to streamline and intensify my prayer life.
Maybe I’m just too left-brained, but I struggled with some of the imagery. Some were really profound. Some just left me going, “huh?” I love the simplicity of one or two-line prayers. I’d love to have a 365-day calendar that has these sorts of prayers on it. Some examples:
*May even my grief and brokenness become, in some way, a gift to the world around me. May my whole life be an offering.
*May I have vision in and through my trials rather than search for ways to escape them.
*May I learn to take joy in what it costs me to share my life with those I love. (wow!)
*May my initial posture toward strangers be kindness and grace rather than suspicion and fear.
I really enjoyed the meditations at the beginning of each week. They really bring the week’s ‘theme’ from the Lord’s Prayer in to focus and set the tone for the week.
The one thing I don’t like about this book is it’s the price! On Amazon.com it is $9.99 for the Kindle edition and $12.15 for the hardcover. That’s a lot of money for the content. Maybe I’ve just been trying to balance my tight budget for too long, but that’s a hefty chunk of change for me. Maybe the library will have a copy to check out?
I’m blessed to have received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I’ll definitely be using it from time to time as a way to streamline and intensify my prayer life.
November 19, 2019
There are some wonderful quotes in this. My rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
There are gems in this devotional based on The Lord’s Prayer.
There are forty prayers shared with sometimes a drawing, sometimes a story that gives wisdom and faith that serve to direct mediation. The authors describe the work as:
…a piece of art.
…an act of love.
…a redemptive tool.
…a resource.
…designed to stir, inform and inspire.
…it is not ‘content’.
The goal is to encourage an ongoing conversation between the reader and God.
I thought I would try to read this as a daily devotion, but that did not work well for me with the ebook format. I read it more in groupings each week. I did enjoy reading it this way.
I loved the story about the beaded bracelets and the children in India. Some of my favorite quotes are:
I am not alone. Neither are you.
The power in a gift is that it changes the recipient.
May the work it takes me to move forward never keep me from wanting to move.
I am likely to order this in print format for myself and copies to share as a gift to friends. I recommend it to others who want to meditate on a deeper meaning of The Lord’s Prayer.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
There are gems in this devotional based on The Lord’s Prayer.
There are forty prayers shared with sometimes a drawing, sometimes a story that gives wisdom and faith that serve to direct mediation. The authors describe the work as:
…a piece of art.
…an act of love.
…a redemptive tool.
…a resource.
…designed to stir, inform and inspire.
…it is not ‘content’.
The goal is to encourage an ongoing conversation between the reader and God.
I thought I would try to read this as a daily devotion, but that did not work well for me with the ebook format. I read it more in groupings each week. I did enjoy reading it this way.
I loved the story about the beaded bracelets and the children in India. Some of my favorite quotes are:
I am not alone. Neither are you.
The power in a gift is that it changes the recipient.
May the work it takes me to move forward never keep me from wanting to move.
I am likely to order this in print format for myself and copies to share as a gift to friends. I recommend it to others who want to meditate on a deeper meaning of The Lord’s Prayer.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
August 10, 2019
This is a VERY short book. You could easily read it within an hour if you wanted to read the whole thing. It's purpose is to be a 40-day discipline utilizing the Lord's Prayer as an anchor, to explore both prayer and your own relationship, both with God and others. There are many prayers that are in this book that have stuck with me and I'm planning on encouraging college students in the campus ministry with them this year. Every prayer is super short, but will challenge you to meditate on what on not only what you're asking, but your current state/health of receptiveness to that prayer's answer. Justin includes personal stories that are great for trying a difference perspective in engaging a particular part of Jesus' model prayer. Overall, this is certainly a book that I'm going to utilize in a number of ways over the next few years within my life and my ministry. I certainly recommend you give it a read if you're interested in an 'artsy' take on a 40-practice centered around the Lord's prayer.
September 7, 2019
I think I expected something a little different from the book. Based on the subtitle, I had anticipated 40 days of devotions/meditations that dig deep into the Lord's Prayer. The book is actually 40 short (1 sentence), guided prayers that each include a related image. The author does include seven meditations, spread throughout the book, that each look at a section of the Lord's Prayer.
While I would like to have dug a bit more into the Lord's Prayer itself, I did enjoy many of the daily guided prayers. They were simple and led to deeper thought and prayer as I read through each of them. The images didn't really resonate with me, but I can see how it could be beneficial to some who are more into art. I am not sure I am the intended audience, but someone just starting to explore the Lord's Prayer would probably enjoy it.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.
While I would like to have dug a bit more into the Lord's Prayer itself, I did enjoy many of the daily guided prayers. They were simple and led to deeper thought and prayer as I read through each of them. The images didn't really resonate with me, but I can see how it could be beneficial to some who are more into art. I am not sure I am the intended audience, but someone just starting to explore the Lord's Prayer would probably enjoy it.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.
March 27, 2024
2 stars. Really not my favorite, I thought it would be more of a devotional or longer prayers but they were like less than a sentence each day with a longer "devotional" (around 2-4 pages) every week. The book was aesthetic and had good prayers and thoughts but overall wanted something deeper and more substantial, so I would not recommend.
March 28, 2024
A beautiful collection of prayers blended with striking art by the McRoberts/Erickson duo. Journeying through these prayers over the 40 days of the Lenten season was such a gift. The art and prayers are made with pure heart, intention, and authenticity. The mixture of prayers for everyday and the weekly extended devotion diving into the specific lines of the Lord's Prayer truly felt like being guided on a journey by good friends.
March 19, 2022
Another meditation on prayer, this time focused on the Lord's Prayer. It features short text paired with illustrations, and interspersed with reflections on the Lord's Prayer. I didn't enjoy it as much as Justin McRoberts' other book on prayer, but it's still interesting and engaging.
August 21, 2019
Review shortly.
September 14, 2019
Great book emphasizing how to pray "The Lord's Prayer." Illustrations and motivation. Fast paced and quick read. If you wish to know how to pray, pray The Lord's Prayer. Clearly defined.
April 22, 2022
This is a gorgeous little book. Spend 40 days with it or just flick through it when you’re needing either poetic words or inspiringly simple art to inspire your prayers.
August 25, 2021
A sweet little meditative book of images and prayers. Excellent as a primer to continued Scriptural reading but I would not solely use this as the foundation of a day’s prayers.
December 3, 2022
I’m just a big fan of Scott Ericsson’s work & imagery in general. And paired with the words of Justin McRoberts led me to a beautiful new place in my prayer & abiding. Great stuff.
April 7, 2023
This book is very deceiving in its appearance It will help you go deeper into your prayer life if you give it the time.
March 6, 2023
4.5
Found a lot of the prayers timely and challenging. The images were often a bit strange, but I don’t think that was a bad thing. I suspect if I’d spent more time with them, I would have come up with some interesting insights.
Found a lot of the prayers timely and challenging. The images were often a bit strange, but I don’t think that was a bad thing. I suspect if I’d spent more time with them, I would have come up with some interesting insights.
May 28, 2024
I LOVED the simple yet deep premise of this book. It stirred all kinds of good things in my heart and mind.
November 6, 2019
"May I be surrounded by loved ones who remind me who I am when I forget.
I will forget.
May my memory be a gift to those I love, helping them remember themselves when they forget.
They will forget."
Some of the prayers in this book hit me hard.
I will forget.
May my memory be a gift to those I love, helping them remember themselves when they forget.
They will forget."
Some of the prayers in this book hit me hard.
February 25, 2019
I received a digital advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.com and the publisher WaterBrook & Multnomah.
The authors have assembled a collection of devotions and prayers based on the Lord's Prayer. While doctrinally unsound, the prayers, illustrations and the anecdotes from the authors make praying easy. Unfortunately, they simplify the act of prayer and do not touch on when prayer becomes uncomfortable. Sometimes talking to God isn't easy or comfortable.
May It Be So is an adequate introduction for anyone unfamiliar with daily devotions and prayer.
3 out of 5 stars.
The authors have assembled a collection of devotions and prayers based on the Lord's Prayer. While doctrinally unsound, the prayers, illustrations and the anecdotes from the authors make praying easy. Unfortunately, they simplify the act of prayer and do not touch on when prayer becomes uncomfortable. Sometimes talking to God isn't easy or comfortable.
May It Be So is an adequate introduction for anyone unfamiliar with daily devotions and prayer.
3 out of 5 stars.
March 11, 2019
I did not enjoy this book. It was a struggle to connect to the message being conveyed. True, I read this in a week instead of the full 40 days recommended... Maybe if I read it again slowly it will speak more deeply to me. But for right now I am underwhelmed and unimpressed.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 27, 2019
Full review coming soon.
June 24, 2023
Really encouraging and uplifting read. The artwork and prayers are just gorgeous
August 13, 2019
“Prayer, at its heart, is about the love of God. May it be that nothing, including prayer, stands in the way of your knowing that love,” the introduction states in Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson’s book, May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord’s Prayer
~ What ~
At one-hundred-and-twenty-eight pages, this paperback devotional targets those who want to focus on the famous Lord’s prayer and how it can impact relationships connecting with God. Using mainly the New International Version of the Holy Bible, also referenced is the New King James Version
After an introduction, the book is organized into four elements of guided prayers, contemplative imagery, mediations, and suggested practices. By dividing the Bible verses of the prayer into seven sections, there are several pages correlating them to personal experiences by the authors, each followed by five “May I” one-to-two sentence prayers with illustrations that are completed with a “Grant me” saying.
~Why ~
This book would be best for a young person or new believer in Christ with its forty short, to-the-point prayers. Many may like the personal stories told by the authors about their lives, children, and viewpoints.
Some of the prayers I appreciated include:
May I offer help far more readily and joyfully than I offer criticism.
May those I love know it unquestioningly.
May I offer my memory as a gift to those I love so I can call them back to themselves when they forget.
Grant me, once again, assurance of Your presence and love.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not want to get a book that is about the Lord’s prayer. Many may not like the format or content of this book as it seems the prayers are rudimentary and often the illustrations do not relate to them.
~ Wish ~
I am sorry, but I did not get this book at all. It could be that I am in my sixties, yet I found little content about what the Lord’s prayer means or what Jesus says about it in other parts of the Bible. I consider this an “I book,” meaning it is all about the writers. Of the seven sections that divided the Lord’s prayer, the correlating topics were about therapy, baseball, an airplane flight, gospel bead bracelets, a son breaking an item, a left-aside child, and a Halloween costume. While the “Grant I” prayer is to God, I found only 1 of the “May I” prayers mentioned His Son – most others were “all about me.”
~ Want ~
If you like the Lord’s prayer broken down into two author’s viewpoints without too much detail or prefer one-two sentence prayers that could be applied to almost any religion, you may appreciate this read, but I cannot recommend it.
Thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah Launch Team for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
~ What ~
At one-hundred-and-twenty-eight pages, this paperback devotional targets those who want to focus on the famous Lord’s prayer and how it can impact relationships connecting with God. Using mainly the New International Version of the Holy Bible, also referenced is the New King James Version
After an introduction, the book is organized into four elements of guided prayers, contemplative imagery, mediations, and suggested practices. By dividing the Bible verses of the prayer into seven sections, there are several pages correlating them to personal experiences by the authors, each followed by five “May I” one-to-two sentence prayers with illustrations that are completed with a “Grant me” saying.
~Why ~
This book would be best for a young person or new believer in Christ with its forty short, to-the-point prayers. Many may like the personal stories told by the authors about their lives, children, and viewpoints.
Some of the prayers I appreciated include:
May I offer help far more readily and joyfully than I offer criticism.
May those I love know it unquestioningly.
May I offer my memory as a gift to those I love so I can call them back to themselves when they forget.
Grant me, once again, assurance of Your presence and love.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not want to get a book that is about the Lord’s prayer. Many may not like the format or content of this book as it seems the prayers are rudimentary and often the illustrations do not relate to them.
~ Wish ~
I am sorry, but I did not get this book at all. It could be that I am in my sixties, yet I found little content about what the Lord’s prayer means or what Jesus says about it in other parts of the Bible. I consider this an “I book,” meaning it is all about the writers. Of the seven sections that divided the Lord’s prayer, the correlating topics were about therapy, baseball, an airplane flight, gospel bead bracelets, a son breaking an item, a left-aside child, and a Halloween costume. While the “Grant I” prayer is to God, I found only 1 of the “May I” prayers mentioned His Son – most others were “all about me.”
~ Want ~
If you like the Lord’s prayer broken down into two author’s viewpoints without too much detail or prefer one-two sentence prayers that could be applied to almost any religion, you may appreciate this read, but I cannot recommend it.
Thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah Launch Team for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
August 22, 2019
The Lord’s Prayer is one we are all familiar with, and often, familiarity can rob us from the depth of meaning which God wants to speak into our hearts.
In their book, May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord’s Prayer, Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson, slow us down to take note of each line in the prayer.
Combining words and images, they take this familiar prayer which Jesus spoke and have brought us to forty one line prayers to think on over the course of forty days.
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He said, “This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:9-13, NIV)
The book seeks to engage the reader with this prayer, line by line, through stories, short one line prayers, and images. The authors hope to “help you to discover what God is already doing in your life and in your soul.” They encourage the reader to ask ourselves, “What does this line, this story, this prayer, or this image draw out of me?”
The book is a short read by design. It’s purpose is for the reader to be drawn into prayer, conversation with God, so that we discover it is in prayer we are met by our God who loves us relentlessly and deeply.
Some of the one line prayers which have stayed with me are:
“May I soberly remember that people will someday tell stories about the life I lived. And may that change the way I live between now and then.”
“May I more clearly see my filters, blind spots, and biases so that I might recognize goodness, truth, and beauty beyond them.”
“May I learn to love and serve my world and those in it rather than settling for control and safety.”
“May those I love know it unquestioningly.”
“May I have the wisdom and patience to let questions grow rather than anxiously harvest answers whose season has not come.”
“May I sense when I should fight through resistance and when I need to slow my pace in wisdom.”
While I went through the book quickly, over the course of a few days, this is a book I want to return to and go through as designed, letting The Lord’s Prayer change and mold me over forty days.
**An ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher, Waterbrook & Multnomah. My review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
In their book, May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord’s Prayer, Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson, slow us down to take note of each line in the prayer.
Combining words and images, they take this familiar prayer which Jesus spoke and have brought us to forty one line prayers to think on over the course of forty days.
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He said, “This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:9-13, NIV)
The book seeks to engage the reader with this prayer, line by line, through stories, short one line prayers, and images. The authors hope to “help you to discover what God is already doing in your life and in your soul.” They encourage the reader to ask ourselves, “What does this line, this story, this prayer, or this image draw out of me?”
The book is a short read by design. It’s purpose is for the reader to be drawn into prayer, conversation with God, so that we discover it is in prayer we are met by our God who loves us relentlessly and deeply.
Some of the one line prayers which have stayed with me are:
“May I soberly remember that people will someday tell stories about the life I lived. And may that change the way I live between now and then.”
“May I more clearly see my filters, blind spots, and biases so that I might recognize goodness, truth, and beauty beyond them.”
“May I learn to love and serve my world and those in it rather than settling for control and safety.”
“May those I love know it unquestioningly.”
“May I have the wisdom and patience to let questions grow rather than anxiously harvest answers whose season has not come.”
“May I sense when I should fight through resistance and when I need to slow my pace in wisdom.”
While I went through the book quickly, over the course of a few days, this is a book I want to return to and go through as designed, letting The Lord’s Prayer change and mold me over forty days.
**An ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher, Waterbrook & Multnomah. My review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 17, 2019
I love the concept of May It Be So, but I am not so sure about the execution. May it be so is the meaning of the word Amen and I think that's a cool title for a book about the Lord's Prayer. This book is a prayer guide to the Lord's Prayer from Luke 11.
When Jesus taught his disciples (and us) to pray by giving them the Lord's Prayer, he said, "This is HOW (emphasis mine) to pray." He didn't say this is WHAT to pray. So, he didn't mean we must pray those exact words but use the ideas/concepts in it to pray. May It Be So guides the reader through the phrases in the Lord's Prayer day by day. It is intended to help him or her slow down and focus on what Jesus is intending, to really ponder and think through the prayer--very helpful in our often frantic and fast-paced world. The guided prayers are short, just one sentence, so they are easily remembered as you go through your day.
The book also features a longer meditation for each phrase of the prayer, designed to help the reader dig a little deeper into its meaning. Each meditation ends with some Pause and Reflect questions, ways to apply the prayer to yourself. For example, in the section on the phrase, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors", author Justin McRoberts poses these questions: "What does forgiveness look like?" "Have you offered it?" "What would need to happen in order for you to do so?" Good stuff there.
The part of the book that I didn't care as much for is the contemplative imagery by Scott Erickson. Now, there is nothing wrong with his art. It's very good, a million times better than anything I could do. It's not offensive or theologically erroneous. I'm sure it will speak to many, but not much to me. I just don't really get it. I'm not very artistic, I guess.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Lord's Prayer and especially if imagery moves you, this is the perfect devotional for you. I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
When Jesus taught his disciples (and us) to pray by giving them the Lord's Prayer, he said, "This is HOW (emphasis mine) to pray." He didn't say this is WHAT to pray. So, he didn't mean we must pray those exact words but use the ideas/concepts in it to pray. May It Be So guides the reader through the phrases in the Lord's Prayer day by day. It is intended to help him or her slow down and focus on what Jesus is intending, to really ponder and think through the prayer--very helpful in our often frantic and fast-paced world. The guided prayers are short, just one sentence, so they are easily remembered as you go through your day.
The book also features a longer meditation for each phrase of the prayer, designed to help the reader dig a little deeper into its meaning. Each meditation ends with some Pause and Reflect questions, ways to apply the prayer to yourself. For example, in the section on the phrase, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors", author Justin McRoberts poses these questions: "What does forgiveness look like?" "Have you offered it?" "What would need to happen in order for you to do so?" Good stuff there.
The part of the book that I didn't care as much for is the contemplative imagery by Scott Erickson. Now, there is nothing wrong with his art. It's very good, a million times better than anything I could do. It's not offensive or theologically erroneous. I'm sure it will speak to many, but not much to me. I just don't really get it. I'm not very artistic, I guess.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Lord's Prayer and especially if imagery moves you, this is the perfect devotional for you. I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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