The Art of Amen

From the foreword by Jami Amerine:

Prayer . . . it is complex and simple, profound and trivial, deep and shallow. It is a desperate plea for life and a flippant nod to moving the line at Starbucks. It is the carnal cry for healing and a muffled desire for last season’s jeans to zip. It is intellect and folly, perfection and disaster, fury and thankfulness. It is confident and terrified. It is rote, memorized, and halfhearted. Next it is fragrant, genuine, and heartfelt. It is song, silence, passion, and complacency. It is moving and stagnant.

It is an adventure.

An art.

And no matter the acumen or nonsense, it is the very thing that brings you face-to-face with the living God. It is a privilege to introduce you to an author who prays well and loves better. Together, we invite you to the perfected mess in The Art of Amen. May you never pray the same.

     — Jami Amerine, author of Stolen Jesus and Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors

“Seamlessly blending together sound biblical teaching, insightful personal testimonies, soul-stirring prayers, and beautiful drawings, The Art of Amen is truly a masterpiece! I cannot remember another book that touched my heart so deeply. Packed full of practical tips for building a stronger and more intimate prayer life, The Art of Amen is sure to leave your heart full and your prayer life transformed.”

     —Jennifer Bleakley, author of Joey: How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See

“The Art of Amen is a beautiful tribute to the power of prayer. Catherine Bird’s vulnerability in sharing her story invites you to rejoice in realizing that you are not alone in any feelings or insecurities you’ve ever had about talking with God. Thank you, Cat, for giving us all the tools we need to go on the prayer adventure of a lifetime!”

     — Erin Brown Hollis, best-selling author of Cheers to the Diaper Years and The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible

“Maybe, like me, you grew up feeling there was just one way to pray. In The Art of Amen, Catherine Bird breaks that boxed-in thinking, showing us how to breathe new life and creativity into our conversations with God. Here we can find what we all long for: a relationship that is deep and intimate.”

     —Lynn Cowell, author of Make Your Move and Brave Beauty

“If you are looking for a book on prayer, you don’t need to look any further than The Art of Amen! Catherine Bird has explored every type of prayer, from Genesis to Revelation. It is all here for us to read, digest, and be empowered to pray without fear. I highly recommend this book. Read and be blessed.”

     — Rev. Dr. John K. Graham, president and CEO of the Institute for Spirituality and Health

“I love The Art of Amen. You are immediately drawn into Catherine’s ‘crafty’ brilliance—no tired methods or stale prayer mechanics here! This is all about revelatory intimacy with God. Her passion for praying the Word is real. This book is perfect for falling in love with Jesus all over again.”

     —Rev. Dr. Jack Sheffield, author of God’s Healing River and Genesis Seed

“As a mental health professional, I have studied how spiritual practices like prayer lead to increased peacefulness and reduced anxiety. The Art of Amen leads readers through creative approaches to prayer with biblical examples, personal testimonies, and beautifully-designed artwork to inspire a deep calm in the midst of our hectic lives.”

—Michelle Nietert, professional counselor and clinical director of Community Counseling Associates

“Sometimes we hear the word creative and immediately feel inadequate. However, this book is an invitation for each and every one of us to embrace the reality of being made in the image of a creative God. Cat’s grace and tenderness opens wide the doors to experience the joy of living a vibrant life as we worship a vibrant God!”

—Teri Lynne Underwood, author of Praying for Girls

“Jesus modeled discipleship, relationship, prayer, and so much more in the short time he lived on earth. Cat Bird pulls from his lessons and shows us how to pass them along to our children and incorporate them in every relationship. Gather your closest friends and dive deep into your prayer life with The Art of Amen.”

—Shontell Brewer, author of Missionary Mom

“Breaking through complacency and mundane life, The Art of Amen is a delightful glimpse into the creative side of prayer. It’s perfect for the artsy creative and the craft-challenged alike.”

—Amy Elaine Martinez, host of Real Victory Radio and author of Becoming a Victory Girl

“I’m a girl who thrives when biblical content is presented in a way that is fun and relatable. This is exactly what Catherine Bird has done with The Art of Amen. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!”

—Courtney DeFeo, author of In This House, We Will Giggle and founder of Treasured

“In The Art of Amen, Catherine chronicles her connection to prayer and to the God who listens and longs to be with us. It may be an art, it may be a rote ritual, but when you read this book, an ‘amen’ is sure to come.”

—Bob Mendelsohn, director of AustralAsia, Jews for Jesus

“Prayer is an essential discipline for every Christian’s faith walk, but it is also one that we often struggle with the most. Catherine’s book is a great tool for building a great prayer life at any stage.”

—Kelly Stamps, blogger at Kelly’s Korner