The Power of Prayerful Living: Healing Prayers and Spiritual Guidance That Bring Joy to Every Part of Your Life

In Doug Hill's The Power of Prayerful Living, the author makes the act of communing with God seem simple and accessible while also helping readers see and hear God's response. Hill demystifies the three fundamental forms of prayer: Yes-or-no prayers, which are prayers for guidance on well-defined issues; open-ended prayers, for when you know you need to do something "but don't have a clue what it is"; and spiritual intuition, such as an intuitive need to call an old friend, "only to find out she has just been diagnosed with breast cancer."

The 50-odd chapters (extending only 4 to 15 pages each) cover arenas for using these forms of prayer, including "Dating," "The Trials of Toddlerhood," "Overbearing Relatives," "Terminal Illness," and "Buying a House." Each chapter offers a blend of practical and spiritual advice as well as a specific prayer. For instance, in the chapter "Changing Jobs," Hill suggests that readers prayerfully ask "what God wants for you" while also exploring options, such as returning to school or starting a business. Bear in mind that Hill's orientation is Judeo-Christian (he is currently completing divinity studies in a seminary), although he does offer spiritual gleanings from Native American wisdom as well as other traditions. --Gail Hudson