Even the Sparrow: A Pilgrim's Guide to Prayer, Trust and Following the Leader

by Jill Weber

A warm and witty invitation to coming into God's presence from a House of Prayer leader

Jill Weber is on the adventure of saying yes to more of God--accepting His invitation to really live. This honest, warm, and compelling book speaks directly to those who long to deeply encounter Jesus, to know how to tune into the small movements of the heart, and to have trust in every moment of their lives.

With wisdom and humor, Jill explores prayer, discernment, vocation, and leadership through her story of building and becoming a house of prayer. She offers encouragement that gives readers the confidence to agree to what God is already doing. Jill's story will build faith in readers and help them to discover the freedom that lies beyond that yes of giving it all for Jesus.

Even the Sparrow is both an invitation and a challenge. To walk step-by-step as God leads may take us on paths that are messy, complicated, and inconvenient, but as we follow him, the way can also be unexpected and breathtakingly beautiful.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Discipleship, Nonfiction, Faith, Devotional

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. ^^

Jill Weber is the Global Convenor of the Order of the Mustard Seed, an international lay, ecumenical religious order, and is a spiritual director and educator. She helped found a New Monastic Community in Canada, which she led for 17 years. She currently serves on the International Leadership Team of 24-7 Prayer as Director of Houses of Prayer and Director of Spiritual Formation at Emmaus Road Church in Guildford, UK.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got so drawn into Jill's story that I rushed through this. And now I am turning back to chapter 1 to read it as it deserves to be read, to ponder, journal and pray through it.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable spiritual autobiography. This book is a gift, a spur to greater love, a call to say yes to God.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Mary Lou Codman-Wilson, PhD., Pastoral Psychology, Psychological Anthropology, Christian Education and Buddhism.

Jill Weber’s Even the Sparrow is an autobiographic recounting of how God has led her in her life as she has followed God’s many avenues of ministry. Primarily, she and her husband have been initiators of Prayer Houses and monastic communities that are based in prayer, worship, and listening to God with the purpose of bringing Christ’s transformation to communities, cities, and nations. Their most lengthy work has been in Hamilton, Ontario. She described the months of prayer saturation: “prayer walking up and down Barton Street [the center of prostitution], prayer cycling around the Hamilton harbor, prayer drives around the circumference of the city, extended times (sometimes up to 45 consecutive hours!) of worship. Ecumenical prayer for the marginalized in our city, on a park bench shared with a bronze statue of Jesus disguised as a homeless person” (p. 238).

Then the results in the city: “churches working together for a decade and a half, collaborating in all kinds of missional outreach and discipleship. Wrestling through the complexities of finding ways to work together in the midst of divergent theological perspectives. Solid friendships amongst pastors holding the tensions and providing the impetus for collaboration and growth. The cultural and musical scene in town is flourishing with Christian artists embedded at the very core,... Entrepreneurialism running rampant, again with Christian businesspeople taking the lead in food co-ops, architecture and creative enterprise. Millennials and post-millennials swapping the American [Canadian] dream for lifestyles that create all kinds of space for creative kingdom exploration. Christians living together in intentional and unintentional communities. Missional communities pop up out of the ground like weeds and congregants wade into the messy and complex realities of loving their neighbors in our tumbledown neighborhood. Getting involved in community development hubs, politics, city development and of course, the cafe, which is proving to be a hub of kingdom activity. Folks are deliberately choosing to move into the core of the city with the view of seeing it transformed spiritually, culturally and economically. A decade and a half of prayers were being answered. There’s a change in spiritual atmosphere. Even my non-charismatic friends can feel it” (pp. 244-245).

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book sitting on my Kindle for a few years now and was looking for something extra to walk through during Lent so picked it up to read a chapter a day. It's hard to know how best to describe this book: part-memoir, part prayer guide, part-spiritual formation resource; it's quite the marvel full of wisdom and encouragement for the journey.

Jill describes herself as a pilgrim and the book reflects a pilgrim lifestyle. 40 short chapters, each reflecting a season in Jill's life where she discovered something new about God and the journey of life with Him. Each chapter ends with a comprehensive invitation to adopt or learn something new and closes with a prayer.

I've taken so much away from this book, having highlighted much of it and printed out pages to use for practical reflections and meditations. For example, in a chapter on sacred rhythms, Jill's invitation is to discover one of our own by reflecting upon it with God.

What I perhaps enjoyed the most is that it's written in an approachable style that makes you think you're walking with Jill through each of the chapters whether it's hanging out in a prayer truck while she chats with one of the regulars for hours, or attending an event with the 24x7 Prayer team of England.

It continues bringing the reader back to prayer, an ongoing dialogue with God, and how such a relationship can lead us into some of the most outrageous and fulfilling experiences in life even when it's sitting with another person listening to their story or serving a cup of coffee to someone having a hard day.

I expect I will be reading it again soon and also buying copies for friends who I believe will enjoy learning from Jill's life.

[Neil Saltmarsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is not a linear book in that you go from A to Z but part biographical, part teaching, part experience in ministry and fellowship. What I liked about this book was that it didn't hide Jill's lesser moments and pains, which is refreshing for Christian books. Most tell you what to do from the viewpoint of someone who doesn't seem to share your journeys and failures, but can tell you what they do in victorious living. A little artificial... but this book is not that. I can also identify with Jill in that she has straddled many traditions and ways of Christianity and discovered in fellowship with others a pathway that seems set out but has hardly been that way. Won't be a classic but very helpful. You can tell that Jill is an open and warm person following the way of Jesus day to day.

[Anne Tissier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonated with and spoke to the core of my heart.
Beautifully written in Jill's warm, engaging "voice", I felt lovingly led by the hand through a range of themes: some heartwarming, uplifting and with a healthy dose of humour, others heartwrenching, challenging yet deeply inspiring; insghts into Jill's life, how she develops houses of prayer, community living and reaches out with God's love to so many,

I first read it through very quickly as I was enjoying it so much, but immediately turned back to Page One to start over, reflecting on my highlights, then allowing ample time to pause with the questions for response at the end of each chapter.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves Jesus, and especially to those with a heart for prayer, mission and justice.

[Sara Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall 3.5/5 - I always hate giving books ratings below 4 stars (Jill if you are reading this, I really did enjoy your book!). “Even The Sparrow” is a casually written story of Jill Weber’s life and her faithfulness to God. This book’s writing style reminded me of “Love Does” by Bob Goff. The author’s tone throughout the book was clever and showed off her personality. Jill is so knowledgeable that I expected a bit more “teaching” in the book as opposed to just reading about her experiences. I’ve folded down pages to revisit because I read through it quickly and some pages deserve more time! I hope to keep up with Jill and the work that she is doing in Canada.

[April Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a very strict conservative Christian. My personal failure is the ability to see any other way. This book just did not sit well with me as a Bible type study which according to Amazon it is. I would have enjoyed this book had it just been a memoir. That wasn’t the set up though. This just screams progressive Christianity to me included with a list of quotes and references of a litany of other progressive Christians. I think that what Jill does with her life and her time on this earth is awesome. I don’t think though that this qualifies her as a biblical teacher. Sorry just not for me.

[Jacky Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved this, and as another reviewer said, and as Jill says herself, I devoured it the first run through, highlighter pen busily marking things to return to, and now I am going through again, returning to the gold I have found. A great book and I would unreservedly recommend to anyone with an interest in prayer and spiritual growth.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way this book was laid out. It’s a devotional book that tells the story of one woman’s quest to understand the power of intercessory prayer. It doesn’t take you into the Scriptures for the digging (which is my always go-to), but it reminds us of the personal relationship necessary for the daily walk. Jill is quirky and intentional.
I think we could be very good friends!

[Charissa Fryberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Weber's intimately honest account of the ups and downs of ministry for Christ is engaging and enlightening. This book is a brilliantly written memoir-turned-devotional. I read it a month ago and have already bought 4 more copies to give to friends.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting read. Describes Jill Weber’s call to and involvement in the House of Prayer movement. At the end of each chapter there are invitations to explore different ways of prayer. I raced through the story of Jill’s work and now need to work more slowly through the invitations.

[Jenny Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed some aspects of this book especially the authors candid and quirky writing style but found it a bit disjointed. I would have preferred to read Jill’s whole story in one. Nevertheless, it is a good read and very encouraging.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very good. This is Jill's story - told with humility, openness, and a shared delight in God's provision and guidance.

[Christy Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this spiritual autobiography of sorts, perhaps especially because it takes place in Canada.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. Challenging. Need to re-read.

[Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's easy to read and yet deeply thought-provoking; a wonderful spiritual companion. I highly recommend it, and am sure I will want to read it again soon.

[Claire Nanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful combination of memoir and opportunity for reflections. So cool to read a book about Hamilton and be inspired to continue being involved in the movement that Jill was so instrumental in ☺️

[Cat Randle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant unexpected uplifting and challenging.

[Jill Kirkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Thoroughly engaged with Jill and her experiences.

[jeanne p. theodoropoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a refreshing daily read. I enjoyed it and the spiritual journey!!!

[Amy Kabbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with Abby for Solid Rock. Touched on many different topics, but not too in depth on every topic. Neat reading about Jill, others I’ve met in through Hamilton connections, and all the prayer organizations she started that are still thriving in Hamilton today.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up EVEN THE SPARROW, I assumed it was a memoir and read it straight through, ignoring the questions and reflections at the end of each chapter. And enjoyed it on one level.

And then I went back and read a chapter a day, 40 chapters for the 40 days of Lent. I read slowly and prayerfully, savouring the accounts of the author's obedience to the different callings of God on her life, taking time to reflect on how what she has learned could guide me in my own spiritual life. Taking time to think about the questions and suggestions at the end of each chapter.

So this book is part memoir of a pilgrimage through life, part spiritual guide, part a reflection on how the unexpected can and does happen when following GOd's leading. It includes the hard, tough times; the failures as well as the good things. And above all, it's the story of a life of prayer, of setting up prayer stations and prayer rooms and learning more about different ways to pray and going deeper in prayer. A challenge to read and apply!

[Ben Askew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story of prayer and obedience.