marmeelovesbook's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book! This book challenges you to "look up" and notice those around you and offer them your attention and your prayers.
kkonopnicki's review against another edition
2.0
Had a lot of potential and the writer clearly had the ability to write beautifully, but I felt like maybe she rushed through creating this one.
koalakt71's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing story-telling talent; inspiring; thought-provoking. Wish I could give a copy to everyone on my gift-list!
jchristy's review
5.0
Wonderful read. I had fully intended to read this throughout the Lenten season, but ended up reading it like a novel. You will not look at strangers the same again!!
mmouse1977's review
I wanted to enjoy this book and feel inspired to expand my prayer life. But I couldn't get past the author's need to continually remind my that she really didn't want to do this good wonderful thing that would bless everyone's life so much, but she made a resolution so she just had to keep doing this thing she really didn't even want to do. After the same thing for 1/3rd of the book, I decided it was enough. Others may find value from it, but it was not for me.
nce14210's review
3.0
Lovely book. Very inspiring. I liked the short chapters that made it a perfect bedtime read. Each chapter is a story of one of the strangers she met. She recounts the challenges and triumphs. I did wonder if she ever ran into someone who was upset or angry at her approach. The uplifting message made for a pleasant night and encouragement for the morning. I definitely want to try my own resolution. What a gift River Jordan has given the world if just a few of us continue her challenge to pray for strangers that cross our paths!
pattydsf's review
3.0
River Jordan resolved to spend a year praying for strangers. The many encounters she had inspired her to write this book. She had published four novels before this memoir and her writing is interesting. No question Jordan knows how to tell a story.
At first, it was the stories I had trouble with. Each chapter is usually about one prayer encounter. The chapters are short and at the beginning I found them very repetitious. I wasn't exactly bored, but I wasn't really caught up in the book.
I am not sure why, but after I had read about two thirds of the book, the repetition stopped bothering me. Jordan started to talk about her actual prayers and some things she learned and that helped me understand the bigger picture. I suspect this change was because I started giving the stories more thought. I am sure the problem and the solution are all me.
I do pray regularly - more for family and friends than strangers. I appreciate Jordan's insights and I may apply some of her actions to my life. I am not sure I am up to approaching strangers as she does, but she does give good arguments for doing so. After finishing the book, I truly appreciate Jordan's discipline in this endeavor.
I recommend this book to anyone who thinks a single person can't change the world; to church book discussion groups and to folks considering spiritual disciplines.
At first, it was the stories I had trouble with. Each chapter is usually about one prayer encounter. The chapters are short and at the beginning I found them very repetitious. I wasn't exactly bored, but I wasn't really caught up in the book.
I am not sure why, but after I had read about two thirds of the book, the repetition stopped bothering me. Jordan started to talk about her actual prayers and some things she learned and that helped me understand the bigger picture. I suspect this change was because I started giving the stories more thought. I am sure the problem and the solution are all me.
I do pray regularly - more for family and friends than strangers. I appreciate Jordan's insights and I may apply some of her actions to my life. I am not sure I am up to approaching strangers as she does, but she does give good arguments for doing so. After finishing the book, I truly appreciate Jordan's discipline in this endeavor.
I recommend this book to anyone who thinks a single person can't change the world; to church book discussion groups and to folks considering spiritual disciplines.
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