My Prayer Chair

A Living, Walking, Breathing Relationship with Jesus

Christian - Devotion/Study
160 Pages
Reviewed on 04/08/2013
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Carla McDougal is founder of and author/speaker for Reflective Life Ministries in Houston, TX area. Her true passion for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shines brightly whether she is speaking or writing. It humbles her to realize His love, mercy, and grace go beyond her understanding. She believes laughter is medicine from the Lord that breaks down walls and removes the masks in our lives. As a result, God has taken her around the world to encourage women to live every day for Him. Carla and her husband, Fred, have three sons and one daughter and two daughter-in-laws.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Rebecca McLeod for Readers' Favorite

In her devotional guide, Carla McDougal captures the essence of what it is to be still and wait upon the Lord. Written from the perspective of a busy mother trying to find time with God, "My Prayer Chair" empathizes with every one of us who has felt too busy to spend time with God. Instead of berating us for infidelity or wrong feelings, Carla teaches us how to work prayer into our everyday lives, whether it be during chores, driving (no closing your eyes for this one!), or as you are trying to fall asleep. Teaching this habit of prayer and becoming mindful of God’s presence is the goal of "My Prayer Chair", and Carla shows us how far these simple principles have taken her in life. Sharing her own struggles with dyslexia, depression, and family deaths adds a lot of credibility to her argument. I find her sincere and her advice excellent.

I was really impressed with the tenor of this prayer guide. While so many other devotionals lead their readers through a series of hoops, this book encourages the kind of quiet, meditative prayers and conversations with God that change lives. Carla McDougal’s gentle sense of humour provides a pleasant backdrop to the material, which works out just enough for an early morning devotional. The Scriptural references are frequent and full of meaning. Clearly, she has done her homework and knows what she is talking about. I felt encouraged after reading this book to try my own morning conversations with God and not to let the habit of “busyness” overwhelm me.

Catherine Kingsbury

Awesome book. Amazing lady. Read this book. You will be changed for the better. Guaranteed!!

Trenda

This is a great resource for those wanting to learn how to have daily, moment by moment, communication with God. As well as those who have that regular communication but would like encouragement and refreshment in their prayer life. Thanks, Carla, for a book that is down to earth but connects us to heaven!

Kimberly

I picked up My Prayer Chair as an easy to read daily devotional. I wanted something thought provoking, grounded in scripture, not too time consuming or difficult, and something I would learn from. My Prayer Chair was all of that and more! It was so easy to use, yet so fulfilling. God moved in all the stories and my heart was touched. In fact, I loved it so much that I kept reading. Instead of lasting 6 weeks or longer, I read it in two! This summer I'm going to find a group of women to do it with and ONLY do one a day. I'm excited that there is a leader's guide I can use for that too!

Danita Dyess

“My Prayer Chair” by Carla McDougal is a different kind of Christian book. I have read a lot of scriptures but did not necessarily get the full impact of the message. I have indulged in foolish arguments for the sake of my pride, not the glory of God as written in 2 Timothy 2:23 – “Don’t have anything to do with foolish arguments . . .” And if you asked me if I believed in prayer, I would have wholeheartedly told you “Yes” even though I have acted like Elijah and forgot to express gratitude for my blessings. McDougal gives an in-depth explanation of scriptures you may already know but fail to put into practice. She understands the carnal experiences of fear and doubt. But she also knows there is only one answer: prayer.

It is obvious that McDougal wanted to share her personal experiences as a testament to God’s power. I appreciated her account of her dyslexia and her struggle with depression. With the Holy Spirit, she overcame both afflictions and gained the strength to become a motivational speaker and founder of a women’s prayer ministry. The 160-page book includes prayer challenges addressing every situation. I will refer to this guide for future reference. “My Prayer Chair” is McDougal’s first book but it is a must-have for anyone who wants a greater relationship with God. It would be a perfect gift for any occasion.

Kristie Ingerto

“My Prayer Chair: A living, walking, Breathing Relationship with Jesus” is a wonderful and inspiring book by Carla McDougal in which she shares her own personal thoughts and journey alongside Biblical verses and truths. McDougal’s purpose in writing this book is to encourage the reader to have a constant conversation with God, meaning to be praying constantly, anywhere and everywhere and in each and every moment. McDougal shares how prayer has become a part of her life, her everyday life, even while she is driving and while making lunches to send with her children to school; just bringing everything to Jesus. Each chapter is short, on average three pages, and would therefore be great to use as a devotional if you are tight on time. However, I am slso certain that each chapter will be something that you will think about long after you finish reading it. Each chapter ends with a lined page for you to write your own reflections and prayers on, which is a feature I love.

I have really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to reread it and focus on points that may have jumped out at me the first time. This book is an excellent devotional focused on prayer and challenges the reader to really make prayer become a part of life, a part of every minute of every day. I love the meaning behind the title of this book and the inspiration behind the book. The cover of the book is beautiful. It is elegant and yet homey and inviting as well, calling the reader to get comfortable and open up the pages of the book.

Jane Allen Petrick

In Romans 12, followers of Christ are admonished “not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The battleground for salvation is the mind. Whatever, or whoever, occupies that space, wins. In "My Prayer Chair: A Living, Walking, Breathing Relationship with Jesus", Carla McDougal arms the reader with weapons which assure that God is the perpetual occupier of this precious territory in your life. The book, a combination of guided mediation, bible study and journal, consists of thirty-seven brief one-to-two page chapters. Each chapter provides unique, specific ways to engage in an ongoing conversation with God: seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. McDougal encourages us to think of everyday tasks as ways to pray. For example, in the chapter 'My Prayer Closet' we are reminded that the three minutes between a red light and a green light can transform the soul if it is connected in conversation with God. God can be involved in cleaning the house, weeding, gardening: the list is endless. McDougal’s message and instruction is clear: “Don’t miss a moment when the Holy Spirit is prompting you to pray. He has some on-the-spot training for you as well!”

"My Prayer Chair: A Living, Walking, Breathing Relationship with Jesus" provides answers to the essential what, who, when, where and why of the Christian prayer life. What is prayer? Conversation with God. Who should pray? Everybody and anybody who wants their mind filled with God … and not the other one. When should we pray? 24/7. Where should we pray? Everywhere. Finally, why should we pray? Carla McDougal’s answer, running through her empathetic epigrams, is encapsulated in Proverbs 3: 5. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Anna del C. Dye

"My Prayer Chair" focuses on God’s call for an intimate relationship with His children. It is well-written and is easy to understand. In it you will find a guided process to become closer to God and see miracles change your life. Miss McDougal suggests in her book "My Prayer Chair" to pray before you read your sacred scriptures. As a Christian myself I agree with her whole-heartedly. The Holy Spirit will help us find miracles within their pages and a change of heart. “Prayer opens the way for God to do what He longs to do,” the book says. I also agree with that. Other things that you will find in this book are positive thinking and Christian answers to questions that you may have had forever. It is a positive book and dwells on the positive things we can do to come closer to God and stay at His side. Not once did I find myself chastised for any reason in this book nor did it make me feel guilty. The book also contains a journal for you to follow alone. At the end of each section, you will find a scripture to read in your Bible. Then you can pen your thoughts and feelings about the prayers or reading of the Bible’s passage. This is a good exercise, since many of us don’t take the time to communicate with our God.

With this journal you will see the love and blessings pouring out to you. It will also help you count your blessing when hard times come to your life. I recommend this book to all readers from young adults to adults. I find "My Prayer Chair" inviting for any and all Christians and a good guide of how and why we should have a prayer in our heart 24 hours a day.

Joy Hannabass

"My Prayer Chair" was written to encourage Christians to spend time with God seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Carla McDougal has fond memories of her grandmother as she sat in her old black rocking chair each day spending time with the Lord, and Carla follows that tradition herself. In her book "My Prayer Chair" Carla has written over thirty devotions on how to have a closer relationship with God through His word and Prayer. A few of these devotions are: Why Pray?; Generation to Generation; My Prayer Closet; What if; Wake-up Call; Do Not Enter; Bitter Root and Connect the Dots. The first scripture verse Carla uses really made me think about the importance of teaching our children about God’s Word and Prayer. Deuteronomy 4:9 says: Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do no forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. And after reading "My Prayer Chair", I realize that this is just what Carla McDougal is teaching others to do, to spend time with the Lord, so that we can teach others to follow in our footsteps.

I have read many books on prayer, but this is one of the best I have read because it is simple enough for anyone to read and understand, yet powerful enough to teach us one on one relationship with God through prayer. I enjoy the way Carla weaves personal stories with scripture to show readers how God can be in our hearts, minds and thoughts all the time. Some of the things I already knew, but on account of the way Carla brings new light to the situation, it will help me to remember the principles better. And I love the pages at the end of each chapter to record notes! I am starting back through this book and reading a chapter each day to absorb even more from the pages. I highly recommend "My Prayer Chair" to every Christian, young and old!

Kim

I'm reading this book for the second time. I liked it the first time, I like it even better now. It is still impacting my life. Carla takes deep truths and applies them so simply. I love My Prayer Chair!

Kitty Self

Before I got to know Carla, before I did her Bible study Reflecting Him, and before I read My Prayer Chair, I always knew Jesus was with me every day. I just didn't do much about it. Yes, I prayed when I was struggling with something. I prayed when I heard about a tragedy. I prayed every once in a while. But now my eyes are open to Jesus following me every day and I acknowledge that by talking to Him throughout the day. I thank Him for the little things I used to take for granted. I thank Him for the big things I pray for more than once. I pray to Him for the little things and pray even more for the big ones, not only for me, my family, and friends, but people outside that circle. My Prayer Chair opened my eyes to new prayer ideas and ways I can stand in the gap for others. It helped me turn 24 hours a day over to Him. Thanks, Carla!

Kitty

Before I got to know Carla, before I did her Bible study Reflecting Him, and before I read My Prayer Chair, I always knew Jesus was with me every day. I just didn't do much about it. Yes, I prayed when I was struggling with something. I prayed when I heard about a tragedy. I prayed every once in a while. But now my eyes are open to Jesus following me every day and I acknowledge that by talking to Him throughout the day. I thank Him for the little things I used to take for granted. I thank Him for the big things I pray for more than once. I pray to Him for the little things and pray even more for the big ones, not only for me, my family, and friends, but people outside that circle. My Prayer Chair opened my eyes to new prayer ideas and ways I can stand in the gap for others. It helped me turn 24 hours a day over to Him. Thanks, Carla!