Carol Kraft's book, Birthed by the Spirit, is a gentle, quiet reminder to us of the many ways in which God speaks to his people. She says, "About 30 years ago, I began to notice an occasional image in my mind while praying for someone ... I didn't know why the images were there." She goes on to say, "In the course of time, however, it occurred to me that they were a general suggestion of the situation at hand in the life of the one seeking prayer. ... Over time I have discovered that they always fit."

Listen to what else Carol says, "Images are everywhere, but in order to recognize them as such, we need to exit the blur of life and take a quieter, less hurried approach. Without a quieter pace, without a quiet listening, we may miss the riches of the Spirit of God and will be therefore much the poorer."

For thirty-six years Carol Kraft was a professor of German language and literature at Wheaton College (Illinois). A ministry of listening and spiritual companionship to many students, faculty members, ordained ministers, and others developed over the years. She is an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church, serving at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

In Birthed by the Spirit, Carol says that sometimes in our prayer, we just don't have the right words; to guide us, images may suggest how to pray. She reminds her readers: "remember that images themselves are not and should never, ever, become objects of worship. ... Images are reminders only. They point the way."

Each section of this small book contains an illustration, a scripture to ponder, a few comments on the context of the illustration, a few general thoughts, questions for reflection, and a prayer. For any of us who wonder about how to pray for ourselves, or for others, this is a book that will encourage the reader to not lose heart, but to trust themselves to the guidance of the ever-present Holy Spirit when we pray
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Order your copy of Birthed by the Spirit: Meditations on Images in Prayer today.

118 pages -- $14.00 (includes shipping and handling)