The Power of Prayer: A Gateway to Transformation

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools in the life of a believer. It’s not just a ritual or a habit, but a direct line of communication with the Divine – a way to seek guidance, find peace, and align ourselves with God’s will. Prayer can transform hearts, minds, and circumstances, and it’s through prayer that we often experience some of the most profound moments of spiritual growth.

In her book The Reasons I Pray, author Deberann Tinson invites readers on a journey to unlock the true potential of prayer. It’s more than just an act. It’s a way of life. For those seeking to deepen their prayer practice or develop a meaningful connection with God, this book serves as both an instructional guide and a powerful source of inspiration. Whether you’re just starting your prayer journey or looking to reignite a passion for prayer, The Reasons I Pray offers essential insights that can help transform your life through the power of prayer.

Book Description

Prayer is more than words. It is a powerful, transformative force that can lead to a life of obedience, faith, and supernatural encounters with God. In The Reasons I Pray, Deberann Tinson provides an inspirational and instructional roadmap to developing a meaningful and continuous prayer life. This book is designed to help individuals, leaders, and entire ministries unlock the full potential of prayer and witness its divine impact.

Meet the Author: Deberann Tinson

Author Interview: Insights on “The Reasons I Pray”

Question: What inspired you to write The Reasons I Pray?
Answer: There was so much inspiration that it is hard to narrow it down to one. Perhaps my biggest inspiration would be my mother. For as long as I can remember, as a child, I would watch her pray, especially when she was going through an abusive period at the hands of my father. This childhood experience carried over to other life experiences with my daughter and inspired me to develop a prayer life that almost mirrors my mother. I often wrote about these experiences and the answers to my prayers in my journal. One day, the Lord spoke to me and asked, ‘Why not turn these lessons into a book?’ So the inspiration, yes, primarily my mother but also my daughter and all the real-life challenges, the ups and downs during my spiritual journey. I was also inspired to show how I was victorious and overcame them all.

Question: What makes The Reasons I Pray stand out from other books on prayer?
Answer: This is not your normal prayer book. It’s a teaching book written with the intent of being a prayer tool to teach the church about prayer or for someone who hopes to form a prayer ministry. It gives real-life tips from my experience of how to get results for not only personal life but also for the church.

Question: What was the driving force behind writing this book?
Answer: Writing this book is a culmination of over 40 years of work in the church. I drew on the experiences from being a part of many different denominations, churches, and ministries. And yet, as I looked back, I realized that there was a gap that continues to be a missing piece because of the lack of prayer. Yes, I acknowledge that people and the church may pray at times, but where it truly matters, there still remains a gap. You have to understand that intercessors are needed in this season to set the atmosphere. I remember when the Lord gave me the assignment to pray hours before the doors of the church were opened, so I obeyed and would go in at 6 a.m. and pray for hours. I know they thought it strange what I was doing, but little did they know that I was there praying over the minister, the church, the various ministries, and the people who would be sitting in the seats. I was setting the atmosphere to make it easier for them to minister and for the people to receive the Word. This is a very serious and important role that prayer plays. I always say, a church that prays stays, and a church that prays lasts. In fact, if you examine prophets, you can tell if they have a prayer life.

Question: Now that you have written a complementary book to this foundational book called The Reasons I Pray Devotional, can you share a little about how it complements the main book?
Answer: The devotional was strategically set up to parallel the main book. Devotionals typically follow a date format, e.g., Week 1 or Jan 2. This devotional does not have dates, so there is no pressure to catch up to a specific date. It is relevant anytime and in any season. I started the devotional with Genesis to provide a beginning context, and I take it all the way to the end with Revelation. So, when a reader opens the devotional that day, it will relate to something that they are experiencing right in that moment or that day. The great thing is that it is relevant to anyone, it is not just for Christians.

Question: You also created The Reasons I Pray Workbook. How does that differ from the other two?
Answer: The Workbook perfectly correlates to the main book because it includes intentional questions to prompt the reader to reflect and to be transparent with themselves. Each page presents the reader with hard questions about their prayer experiences and prayer life. For example, one section asked, ‘Why do I have to pray?’ It would then explain why and how to pray and, very importantly, how to hear from God. I made it easy to study the Bible by including written scriptures. I wrote out the scriptures for people who do not go to Church or may not have cracked open the Bible ever. I was given specific instruction by the Holy Spirit to do it this way. It was divinely inspired.

Question: How do you hope these books will impact your readers?
Answer: I hope it touches the reader in a very personal way. I pray that each page brings timely encouragement, clarity, and a deeper connection to their faith and purpose, whether they are in a season of joy or walking through challenges. I want them, most of all, to know they are not alone, and through prayer, reflection, and faith, they can find strength, healing, and direction. Even though this was originally published in 2017, the content will never grow old. You can still relate and see how intentional God is. I take no credit for this; it is all God!

Question: How can someone who struggles with consistency in prayer stay motivated?
Answer: There are 4 or 5 things you can do:

1. I have broken down the principles in small nuggets so that you can start small and celebrate small wins.
2. Focus on the purpose and not on the pressure of getting it right. Remind yourself why you started in the first place. When purpose is clear, motivation will follow. The WHY is what keeps you grounded.
3. Set a daily time, even if it is 5 minutes. Consistency isn’t about perfection, it’s about repetition.
4. Surround yourself with encouragement whether it’s a friend, a devotional, or a sticky note on the mirror. Speak life over yourself.
5. Be kind to yourself. Missing a day doesn’t mean you fail, it means you are human. The goal is to progress, not perfection.

Question: Where can people get a copy of your books?
Answer: There are a variety of places to purchase the book, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and directly on my website, Tinsonenterprises.com.

Question: Do you have any final words for readers who may be struggling with their prayer life?
Answer: If you are struggling, know that God is not measuring your prayer life by the length of time praying, or your eloquence or consistency. He is simply longing for your heart. Even a whisper, tear, or thought directed to God is a prayer. Don’t let guilt or shame keep you from talking to God. Start where you are… one word, one moment, one breath at a time. He is listening and not letting go.

Question: What’s next for you? Are there more books on the way?
Answer: Yes, certainly. I am currently working on a few journals:

• A Journal based on The Reasons I Pray
• A Journal based on A Mother’s Heart, a book I wrote last year, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
• A Journal for Prayer Is My Logo
• A Journal for What If I Could, which will have unique inspirational scripture-like prompts.

Question: Do you have a favorite scripture that guided you while writing these books?
Answer: This is a hard one because there are so many scriptures that I refer to pray, but here are a few that come to mind right away:

• James 5:13-15 asks if there are any among the brethren who are suffering or sick, and instructs them to call the elders to pray.
• James 5:16 refers to the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails much.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages everyone to pray without ceasing.

My Thoughts on The Reasons I Pray by Deberann Tinson

I decided to read and review The Reasons I Pray because, to be honest, my prayer life has faced some challenges in recent years. Growing up Christian and being deeply involved in the church, I’ve experienced a range of emotions and moments that have affected my connection to the church, but not to God. However, when I found myself at my lowest point, I remember my last thoughts being a prayer to God—a prayer that came from a place of feeling like I had done all I could and was of no use. I told God that if He still saw purpose in me and had more for me to do, then I needed His guidance. I placed it in His hands, trusting that He would lead me forward.

While depression can severely cloud your thinking, I still knew enough, even in the depth of it, to commit my life to Him. Looking back, I see that things were set into motion that brought me to where I am today. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

Reading The Reasons I Pray has been a journey for me. There were parts of the book that I could easily grasp, areas that challenged me to improve my own prayer life, and, honestly, a few sections that I chose to skip due to personal beliefs. This book is undoubtedly one that speaks strongly to those within the Christian faith, as its values and teachings align with traditional Christian doctrine. While some readers may disagree with certain portions, I believe there are numerous lessons throughout the book that can enrich and strengthen anyone’s prayer life, regardless of background.

Two chapters in particular spoke to me:

Chapter 8: Confessing the Word of God

This chapter, especially the section on the “10 Steps to Start Your Day With God,” resonated deeply. These simple yet impactful action steps have completely transformed my morning prayer routine. The steps encourage a more intentional connection with God, allowing me to acknowledge Him, praise Him, present myself and my day to Him, and speak life-affirming words over my life and circumstances. I now begin each day with a focused, heartfelt prayer, and it has truly made a difference in how I approach each day.

Chapter 11: Breaking Barriers Through Prayer

Chapter 11 is another one that I’ve returned to multiple times. It’s a section that dives into the power of prayer to break down barriers – whether they be personal, relational, or spiritual. This chapter gave me a deeper understanding of how prayer can be a tool for overcoming obstacles, and it reinforced the importance of maintaining a consistent and powerful prayer life.

The Reasons I Pray is a book that I feel should be read slowly and intentionally, with a Study Bible by your side for further exploration. It’s a resource you’ll want to highlight, take notes in, and return to when you need guidance in your prayer life. Whether you’re just starting your journey of prayer or seeking a deeper connection, Deberann Tinson’s insights and teachings provide a valuable framework for growth and transformation.

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