"You may say you're powerless to do anything as you hear what governments are doing and the corruption that abounds. You may feel powerless as you see what is happening in your neighborhoods, cities, and states... You are NOT powerless. Your voice WILL be heard as you cry out to God. Your voice has a great power to impact a family, a village, a city, a state, a nation, and our world for Christ." - Sally Burke, "Start With Praise" (p. 203, emphasis mine).

I couldn't wait to "Start With Praise" along with Sally Burke and Cyndie Claypool de Neve, especially after reading their book published last year, "Unshaken," which transformed the way I thought about and approached prayer. I knew this book was more of a daily devotional spread out over 40 days, but had no idea how much it would impact me.

The 40 devotionals are broken up into groups of 10, each focusing on one of the "Four Steps of Prayer" (those familiar with Moms in Prayer will know these steps well!): Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Intercession. But here's the bonus: while the topic of that day's 2-3 page devotional may be only one of those categories, each day includes Scriptures to pray in ALL four steps! So for every chapter, there's a new verse to praise God with, confess to Him with, thank Him with, and use to intercede for others--plus a bonus verse to pray for yourself. It's a simple format, and not overwhelming--you can spend as much or as little time on it as your schedule allows. What I liked best is that because I tend to have bigger chunks of prayer time later in my day (hello, carpool line!), I often neglect to stop for a few moments of meditation and reflection first thing in the morning. With this devotional, I've gotten in the habit of not just starting with praise, but starting my entire day with praise!

Another thing I love about this book is that after you finish the 40 chapters, you can go back and do them over again--in order, by topic, or just mix and match verses from each chapter (it's so handy to have them printed right in the book). Much like I do with "Unshaken," I know I will be referencing the passages in this book regularly. Highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Want to live empowered? You will want to read Start with Praise by Sally Burke and Cyndie Claypool De Neve. They share personal stories that challenged and encouraged me. They share how to live empowered through prayer with 40 days of devotionals. Each devotional is powerful but the story on day 27 brought tears and laughter and personally challenged me .

To start with praise is simple and profound. Start with Praise is a beautiful devotional to help us do just that. Sally and Cyndee use scripture and illustrations to draw us into a time of worshipful prayer. Nothing has changed my life more than praying these four steps of prayer. God instructs my heart as I look at who He is through praise. We are renewed as we keep our hearts open to the cleansing work of His Spirit through confession and as we are mindful to give thanks. Interceding for the needs of others is a great privilege and powerful faith builder. Start with Praise leads us in the Four Steps of Prayer and in so doing we are enriched and God is honored.

After reading Unshaken, I knew I would not be disappointed with Start With Praise. Our thinking is reframed when we follow the 4 steps of prayer, beginning with Praise and Adoration!

~I loved how Sally and Cyndie walked us through some of the names of God with which to praise Him, such as Elohim (God, my Creator), Jehovah Sabaoth (The LORD of Hosts), Adonai (Sovereign LORD), Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Provides), and Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The One Who Sets us Apart).

~In the section on Confession, we are reminded to give God our worries, because worry feeds itself. Cyndie says, "My fretting was overriding my faith, peace, contentment, and joy. It was time to confess." Confession is a daily clearing-the-channel between you and God.

~Thanksgiving is intentionally remembering the answers to our prayers. We can transform our thinking by focusing on what we're thankful for in that situation. God says to be thankful IN all circumstances (not necessarily FOR all circumstances!)

~Intercession is focusing on praying for others by praying the Scriptures for them. If we pray God's Word, it does not come back void, but accomplishes His will. His Word IS His will! If we persevere in prayer for others, God will answer in ways that are more thank all you ask or imagine.

~Petition, although not officially part of the 4 steps of prayer, is turning the scripture into a prayer for ourselves. Yes, it is important to pray for ourselves! I really appreciated these, because it helped me apply the verse to my own life.

*I received a copy of Start With Praise from the book launch team in exchange for my review.*

This devotional book so beautifully models the powerful Four Steps of prayer. Starting with Praise...it brings you to the very throne room of the One who can help us on this special journey. It brings us to our Lord and Master, Commander of the Heavenly armies, provider, God of hope, mercy and love and we find out nothing is too hard for God!

In the confession section we see in the devotions the freedom, victory and power God gives us as a forgiven clean vessels God can use.

Sally tells us the deep truth about giving thanks, that it is a powerful weapon. She shares it is an important part of the armor: the shield of faith able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Cyndie shares, "When we cast our life in the big picture view that our Heavenly Father sees, our mood changes. Yes, there is still pain - but it feels like pain with a purpose."

Interceding with scripture is the most powerful words we can speak. God's very words back to Him. The nuggets of truth in this wonderful devotional book help us to live victoriously.