I agree. I disagree.

I finally finished Steven Furtick's Sun Stand Still this weekend. It has been such a hard book to finish. I eagerly opened the book hoping to be challenged to be bolder in my prayers. Furtick's catch phrases "Sun Stand Still prayers" and "audacious faith" are definitely appealing. And, the account in Joshua of the Lord's provision of extended daylight and victory in battle for the Israelites is amazing.

Furtick writes, "if you're not daring to believe God for the impossible, you're sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life." I agree completely.

He asks, "does the brand of faith you live by produce the kinds of results in your life that you read about in the biblical stories of men and women of faith? Chances are, not even close." Again, he seems right on the money. I, too, believe we're inherently sinners and often fail to experience all God has for us. We rely on ourselves and our abilities instead of asking the Lord. But, we're not that different from the men and women of the Bible. They sinned and made mistakes, too. God used them anyway.

Furtick explains that we limit God by not asking and believing Him for seemingly impossible things. We need to dream big and look beyond our circumstances. Our vision needs to be based on who God is and not what we can do. Agree.

He warns "if the dream in your heart isn't biblically based, focused on Jesus, affirmed by the key people in your life, and tethered to your passions, gifts, and life experiences, chances are, you're way off prompt."

My struggle with this book was what I saw as a "me" focus instead of a God focus. Our ways are not His ways. Our dreams and desires are not always His best for us. All that happens on this earth, all of the events of our past, present, and future should be for His glory. I wish Furtick had driven that point home more fervently.

His way of writing was a bit too self-glorifying for my taste. When I read a spiritual book, I want to finish it with a bigger picture of who God is and a greater desire to glorify Him. Instead, I finished with a desire to get through the book as quickly as possible. 

I disagree with anything that promotes self and our ability to do anything for ourselves. While we need to pray fervently, we need to be responsive to the Lord's leading each moment of the day. I am concerned that some may read this book and see in it a possible way to get what they want in life.

I did like Furtick's chapter "When the Sun Goes Down." He addresses the reality that God does not always answer our prayers in the way we desire. I just wish he had approached the book from that starting point.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.