More Reviews and Remarks for "To You I Lift Up MY Soul"

(Pastor Matt Wiley soaking in the sun, and some praying time in Shawnee, Oklahoma)

There are even more people talking about the book, "To You I Lift Up My Soul". Below are a few more reactions:

"This is a great treasure of prayers and confessions from a pastor whose life and ministry is shaped by God's Word. It is a great resource for pastors and churches to incorporate in the liturgy for Sunday worship. It is an equally great resource for everyone to incorporate into their devotional life, especially when they don't have the words to pray" (from his 5-Star Amazon Review). Rev. Matt Wiley, Pastor, Shawnee Presbyterian Church, OK.

"Praying Scripture is among the most profound spiritual experiences the believer can enter into. When a believer uses the very sacred writ itself as a guide to forming his own prayers, he is both listening to God and conversing back with Him at the same time. Both heart and mind are being filled with divine truth and revelation. The lips utter hopeful praises to God, even as God speaks over His people. This is why I am so thankful for Michael Philliber's new collection of prayers. Like "The Valley of Vision," this collection of Christian confessions, praises, and supplications is thoughtful, reflective, and peaceful. Most of all they are rehearsals of deep Biblical truths. By praying back to God His own Word, we truly "practice" the presence of God. Believers can pray this collection of prayers together or individually. I commend this work highly, and am thankful that these prayers were forged in a devoted pastor's study, but framed well for the collective voice of the people of God together in His house on the Lord's Day." Dr. Matthew Everhard, Pastor, Gospel Fellowship PCA, Valencia PA.

"It seems books like this were once quite popular, a century or so ago, yet are once again regaining that lost popularity and usefulness. The prayers presented here by Rev. Michael Philliber are grouped conveniently into prayers of confession (31), prayerful meditations on selected Scripture portions (31 in all), and an assortment of brief prayers addressing various topical concerns (16 of these). Interestingly, those three divisions—of confession, Scripture and petition—do themselves form a good pattern for how we ought to approach our heavenly Father in our prayers. I see three main benefits to this book. These prayers can first of all assist those who either don't know how to pray or who otherwise don't feel confident in their ability to pray. For these people, I suggest reading these prayers aloud, perhaps even reading aloud in small groups. Second, even those confident in their prayer life may well find examples of new things to pray for, or may find their eyes opened to how better they can pray for others or pray for specific needs not previously addressed in their own prayer life. Lastly, pastors have here yet another tool for forming prayers for use by their congregations, and so too congregations currently without pastors have available to them in this book prayers that may be used as they gather together for worship. And perhaps the greatest benefit of the book is the motivation to take the examples provided and go beyond what is written here, bringing in your own creativity with application to the needs at hand where you are. May our Lord bless His church abundantly as we learn to approach Him daily in faith-filled expectation of His mercy and grace." Wayne Sparkman, Th.M., Director, PCA Historical Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

I am so deeply grateful for the kind words and reviews by these men, and several others.

You can pick up a copy of the book here: To You I Lift Up My Soul