Fervent

BY PRISCILLA SHIRER

“The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 NIV) This scripture is relevant for spiritual warfare. Priscilla Shirer arms us for the battle.

In her book Fervent she engages us in tactical strategies to fight for our families, dreams, our relationship with Christ, and any area of our lives the enemy is plotting to invade. Shirer makes us consider the problem, Satan’s schemes, and our weapon: strategic and specific prayer.

Each chapter is a mind-boggling revelation of the many ways Satan employs to remove us from the hope we have in Christ, and recruit us for his devious intentions. She provides us with real stories to demonstrate Satan’s schemes, our feelings that may allow him to temporarily gain an advantage, scriptures for the battle, and of course, the importance of prayer.

Another part of the battle plan is to “write your prayers so you won’t forget who the real enemy is, the One in whom your hope lies, your needs and dependencies, and the record of how God responds.” But she urges us to “pray them, not just write and read them.” This brings us closer to the Lord and he hears the intensity in our prayers and the sincerity in our hearts.

Fervent is another example of the commitment Shirer has to Christ and developing others in their faith. Her writing is clear and powerful. Anyone who is truly invested in spiritual growth can comprehend and engage in her strategies. She elevates the reader from routine lackadaisical prayers, to powerful, specific prayers meant to achieve victories.

This book is a manual for spiritual warfare. You will continue to use the plans, and reference them for your personal Christian growth. In Fervent, Shirer employs many of her God-given gifts: She is the preacher with a vital message; the biblical instructor who explains how to “fight” the enemy; the coach helping you to take steps of faith; and the encourager to keep you on course.

And what’s her ultimate goal? Her desire is for us to be thoroughly equipped for spiritual warfare, grow closer to the Lord, and engage in powerful, fervent prayers that yield victories!