Praying With Eyes Wide Open by Sherry Harney

In Praying With Eyes Wide Open: A Life-Changing Way to Talk with God, Sherry Harney defies Christian legalism and dares us to take our prayer experience to a new level by praying with our eyes open - both literally and figuratively. In the introduction, she tells us that when we pray with our eyes wide open physically, "we become more aware of creation, people, beauty, and the needs around us." She also reminds us that "As we pray this way, our opportunities for prayer multiply." Figuratively, Sherry states that praying with eyes wide open "encompasses praying with greater awareness of God's presence, power, and work in the world."

This book is a combination of a road map for a deeper, more meaningful prayer life, personal anecdotes that demonstrate the strength of praying with greater passion and clarity, and exercises to help you on your personal prayer journey.

Divided into four sections (eyes wide open, ears wide open, hearts wide open, lives wide open), Praying With Eyes Wide Open reveals the power in continual prayer, how to have deeper conversations with God, the truth about our relationship with God, how we are to address Him, what types of prayers God expects from us, and how big or little our prayers have to be in order to be heard.

I found Sherry's gentle approach to be welcoming even for those of us who have been scolded or felt inadequate in our attempts at having a consistent prayer life. I would recommend this book to anyone who yearns for a deeper connection with God or for those who struggle with the legalistic norm for traditional prayer. 4/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from Baker Books for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

About The Authors (copied from back cover):

Sherry Harney is the leadership development director at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California, and the cofounder of Organic Outreach International. Sherry speaks regularly about prayer, spiritual formation, leadership, and organic outreach for local, national, and international groups and events.

Kevin G. Harney is lead pastor of Shoreline Community Church and the author of several books, including Reckless Faith, Empowered by His Presence, and the Organic Outreach series, as well as more than eighty small group guides, curriculum, and numerous articles written in partnership with Sherry.