The Dieter's Prayer Book
by Heather Kopp
Overview
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Friendly Support. Daily Encouragement. Spiritual Empowerment.
Diets and diet books have never been more popular. At the same time, recent studies show that Americans have never been more overweight. It's no wonder, then, that women who are trying to lose weight—be it 10 or 100 pounds—are among the most frequently discouraged people around. Every day we are faced with fridge wars, bad mirror moments, diets that don't work, skinny friends who can eat whatever they like, and husbands who reminisce about the size 8 they married.
Yet victory can be yours. Increasingly, scientific studies are indicating that in health matters, prayer works—and in The Dieter's Prayer Book, you'll find that daily ounce of spiritual encouragement you need. Not tied to any one particular diet, The Dieter's Prayer Book can be used in conjunction with any healthy-eating program, or on its own. Each day, these upbeat prayers will remind you what really matters, make you feel less alone, and empower you to achieve your goal of healthful living.
My thoughts
First of all, ditch the idea that this is a diet book. This is a prayer book if ever I saw one! Second of all, ditch the notion that this is some Holy Roller Hocus Pocus diet scheme. It's not.
I discovered this book when I was on an Internet site and saw a prayer from this book. It was a beautiful prayer so I did a bit of research and found another prayer. And another. I bought the book for the prayers that I found so inspiring and full of self-examination.
What I didn't know when I bought the book is that along with each prayer is a one-page devotional-type story, along with a Bible verse and a motivational saying. It's really got a lot of depth to it.
If you're buying this book for a quick diet fix, yeah, I don't know about that. If you're wanting to find a book with some prayers that help you examine yourself and build self-esteem, give this book a try. It's something I carry around in my car with me, and open almost every day.
Favorite Passage
Use these prayers, if you'd like, just as they are. Or modify them slightly to steer away from weight loss to other areas of your life. That's what I do.
Dear God,
Sometimes I feel as if I'm pedaling a bike
up a hill in the wrong gear.
Lord, You say You understand and want to help.
You watch me with compassion, and You call, "come to me!"
But so often I ride by, unseeing,
unwilling to believe that You would take
this load of failures and troubles on Your own back
and ride in tandem with me,
making even the hardest uphill paths seem easy.
I want to please You, and I want to obey You.
I want to put forth effort to do what is right.
Show, me, Lord, how to work hard
and how to love you with all my heart.
But don't let me ignore Your sweet invitation
to rest, to peace, to partner Your strength
as I go on my way today. Amen.
Dear God,
Today I pray for all people everywhere
who struggle with overeating.
Have mercy on them, Lord.
Have mercy on me!
Give Your church grace and wisdom
to reach out to people who are caught
in a cycle of overeating and underexercising.
May there be no spirit of judgment toward them,
but one of love, mercy, and genuine caring.
Show me how I can reach out
to help others who need support.
May there be no prejudice
in how I treat other fellow strugglers in Your church.
Make us one in You, God, thin and heavy alike.
May we lift one another up in prayer daily
and lift a hand to help whenever we see a need.
Gather to Your heart all who love You
and need Your power at work in them.
Have mercy on us, and forgive us.
Amen.
