Book Review: Prayer Never Fails, Especially During Trials

Good Morning!  I hope you had a marvelous Thanksgiving and your weekend has been a splendid one!

Today's review is for the book by Berney K. Dorton entitled 

Prayer Never Fails: Especially During Trials. 

What drew me to the book initially was the title and right from the start, I realized it was so much more than that.  You know how we all have that one good friend – the one who invites you in for coffee when you need a shoulder and you feel the love and warmth right away?  That’s what kind of ‘read’ this book is – inviting, supportive, refreshing.

Prayer Never Fails opens with the scripture from Philippians 4:6-7 and I could just feel the strength of that verse from cover to cover.   It has beautiful stories appropriate to real-life crisis. It’s heavy in personal stories and gives you a glimpse into the author’s faith-filled heart.  She invites to ponder:  “When things go wrong – should we shake our fists in the air and shout about the unfairness in life?  Or cry out to God in prayer?”  This book not only answers that wonder, but invites you to put God in every trial and situation that has, or could, come your way.  I burst out laughing at her description of her friend calling her at 5 am, waking her up out of a deep slumber to say “Wake up, prayer partner – it’s time to pray!”  I’m not so sure I would have been quite so exalted!   I also caught tears coursing down my face at the heart-wrenching story of the loss of her nephew, Brian, in a tragic, senseless shooting.  Mrs. Dorton carries scripture through-out her writings and while this book is just chalk full of things to think about, one thing remains constant:  “We are forever grateful for the hand of God moving in our lives."

Five areas of prayer that are emphasized in the book are:

1. Prayers to confess and confront the sins in our lives.
2. Prayer to thank God for his blessings.
3. Prayer to develop intimacy with God.
4. Prayer for cleansing and restoration.
5. The righteous prayers that availeth much.

The only critique I had with the book is that at times I felt like I was reading more of an autobiographical thesis than a novel.  As mentioned,  it’s heavy with personal stories pertaining to her life but not so much that it’s overdone.  I think, perhaps, that’s just the author’s writing style.  It doesn’t take away from the beauty of the written work and the message is still loud and clear: “Prayer is ordained by God”, she explains, “honored by Christians, and relied upon when we are doubtful.”  

I invite you to learn more about the author at her personal website here:   http://berneykdorton.com/   Make sure to watch the moving book trailer as well!  

Big Hugs

Bigger Blessings!

~Kelly

I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.