Walsh, former cohost of The 700 Club
and current Women of Faith speaker, writes specifically to Christian women on prayer, but rarely digs deeply into the meat of the Bible for lasting insight. Statements such as “The discipline of prayer offers no easy solutions for the wounds and worries of life, and it often goes without physical sensation” beg for deeper study and scriptural support. Yet the book has a few fine-tasting morsels. In her chapter on why God says no, Walsh makes the intriguing observation: “Confronting God with our why becomes being with God in our need.” The book is divided into four parts—path, problem, plan and purpose—with chapters addressing questions such as “Is God angry with me?” and “Can I ask for anything if I have enough faith?” Walsh is candid about her struggle with depression and her wrestlings with prayer, yet that openness doesn’t translate into much real protein. Readers may come away hungry for something beyond bland statements such as “All God looks for is a desire to begin moving in the right direction, and he will be there.” It’s certainly time for a hearty book on prayer specifically for Christian women, but this isn’t it. (Feb.)
