Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along: Day 15 (Conclusion)

Welcome to Day 15 of the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along - the last day of our three-week event!

I've had an absolute blast experiencing Persuasion with you all - from discussing the book together to our Twitter movie watch-along - and celebrating the release of The Prayers of Jane Austen. To anyone and everyone who left a comment, participated in the giveaways, and/or simply expressed excitement for this event and the books we've read: Thank you. Your enthusiasm and friendship mean the world!

If you'd like to look back through our discussions of Persuasion and The Prayers of Jane Austen, just click on the read-along tag or the button in the sidebar. (Some of the participants posted on their blogs, as well: My Favorite Pastime, Flowers of Quiet Happiness) You can also check out the fun we've had on other social media sites: #InspiredByAusten on Twitter and the Inspired by Austen Pinterest board.

And one more thing: Terry Glaspey, editor of The Prayers of Jane Austen, has a new website! I'm sure he'd love it if you popped on over to check it out (and maybe order a signed copy of the book from him :)).

Now, we still have one last discussion scheduled for this event. Today we're talking about the third part of Jane Austen's prayers from The Prayers of Jane Austen (the lovely book that inspired this whole read-along!).

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The Prayers of Jane Austen: Part III

Discussion Format: One quote to ponder, one observation, and one question for each day's reading.

Quote to Ponder

"Teach us, Almighty Father, to consider this solemn truth, as we should do, that we may feel the importance of every day, and every hour as it passes..." - Jane Austen

Observation

This is such a lovely concluding prayer, with a theme of making the most of our time, our blessings, and our relationships. It addresses the paradox of needing to truly live each moment, but also needing to understand that our journeys require patience. It's the perspective of eternity, to realize that all we have is now, but this "now" is shaping us bit by bit for the endless "now" that awaits beyond time.

Don't the sentiments expressed in this prayer fit well with the lessons of Persuasion?

• Time is short; don't let pride hold you back from the love you're meant to give.
• Hardships come and meaningful things take time, so we must follow Jesus's example of patience and endurance.
• We all mess up, and the knowledge of this ought to make us humble before God and with each other.
• All in all, God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28), and we're deeply and truly blessed.
• We need God's mercy to save us from our self-centered and hard-hearted tendencies.
• "Everyone needs compassion," as the worship song "Mighty to Save" (Hillsong) sums up. We've all suffered in our own ways. We all need love.

I really want to "feel the importance of every day, and every hour as it passes." I think I need to let myself feel that more, and then let that understanding better influence how I choose to use my time.

It's a constant battle, but it's one worth fighting through prayer, with God's grace.

Question

Did this prayer speak to you and your current situation in life? If so, how?

Giveaway!

Today's the last day to enter for a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen, which includes an introduction and essay from Terry Glaspey on Austen's faith, in addition to the prayers and beautiful illustrations. Be sure to submit your entries using the Rafflecopter form below!

(Giveaway open to US residents only. Prize donated by the book's editor, Terry Glaspey. Thanks, Terry!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I had such a great time with this read-along that I'd love to do another! This has provided fun motivation to finally read more of Jane Austen's work and to tackle a classic that I might not have gotten to otherwise. I hope you've enjoyed the experience, as well!

You might have noticed the poll I had in the sidebar this past week or so. From the seven who cast their votes, we had two votes each for a read-along of Emma or Pride and Prejudice, and three votes for Northanger Abbey. For some reason, it surprised me that Northanger Abbey would pull ahead...but why should I be surprised when we're talking about Henry Tilney? I mean, he has such an understanding of muslin! ;) (Plus, I'm sure people are probably less familiar with that title than the other two.)

In an ideal world, I picture doing a read-along of Northanger Abbey in October (perfect for the month of Halloween, am I right?), Emma in February (Valentine's Day!), and Pride and Prejudice next summer. But I hesitate to set any firm schedule just yet until we get closer to those dates. I think it might be good to have some recovery time in between the read-alongs, for sure. ;) Know that I'll be thinking about future possibilities, though, and I appreciate knowing what interests everyone! 

It makes me happy to think of doing more read-alongs and watch-alongs with my #BookBesties (← Rissi's awesome hashtag)!

Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along: Day 10

Welcome to Day 10 of the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along! You can follow along on this three-week discussion of Persuasion and The Prayers of Jane Austen by checking out the read-along tag or by clicking the button in the sidebar.

Today we're discussing the second part of Jane Austen's prayers from The Prayers of Jane Austen (the lovely book that inspired this whole read-along!). But first, here are a few links you should definitely check out...

• In addition to the read-along giveaways (you still have today to enter this week's giveaway - see the form at the bottom of the post!), there's another giveaway of the book happening on Harvest House's Facebook page. More chances to win this lovely book for your nightstand or for a friend? Why, yes! 

• Kara of Flowers of Quiet Happiness has been participating in the read-along with posts on her blog - lovely, thoughtful, and really fun posts! Check them out: Days 1 & 2, Days 3 & 4, Day 5, Day 6, Pictures!, and Day 7

• Did you know this read-along conversation can also be found on other social media sites? Check out the hashtag #InspiredByAusten on Twitter to chat with us, and/or visit the Inspired By Austen Pinterest board to take a visual journey through the read-along and all things Austen. (Leave a comment if you'd like to be added to the board!)

(Have you been participating in the read-along via your blog? Or have you written a review of Persuasion or The Prayers of Jane Austen that you'd like to share? Leave a link in the comments, and I can include it in one of next week's posts!)

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You're Invited to a Twitter Watch-Along!

Kara (@flowersquiet) and I have had an absolute blast in recent months with events we like to call "watch-alongs." :) Basically, we meet up on Twitter and begin watching a movie at the same time, proceeding to tweet our observations and favorite quotes and all the goodness of the characters and story. Fun, am I right?? It's the next best thing to actually getting all your blogging friends together in front of the TV in your living room!

Well, we'd like to invite you to join us for a special viewing of Persuasion (1995 version) next week! Here are the details:

Who: You, me, and whoever wants to join in!
What: A watch-along of Persuasion (1995), with commentary to be live-tweeted during the viewing
When: Tuesday, July 21st at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST
Where: Twitter (#InspiredByAusten; I tweet with the handle @SeasonsHumility)
Why: Because you know you want to watch the movie now! ;)

*Note: I hope this time works all right for everyone! Because I work until 5:00, I can't really start much sooner, and I know we wouldn't want to start any later, or we'd be keeping the East-Coasters up all night! But if the details change, I'll be sure to let you all know.

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The Prayers of Jane Austen: Part II

Discussion Format: One quote to ponder, one observation, and one question for each day's reading.

Quote to Ponder

"We bless Thee for every comfort of our past and present existence...imploring their continuance from They Fatherly goodness, with a more grateful sense of them, than they have hitherto excited."
- Jane Austen

Observation

I think this line sums up this poignant prayer well: "We are helpless and dependent; graciously preserve us."

Austen's humility rings clear in her desire for mercy and the strength to do better...in her gratitude and her longing to be even more grateful in the future...in her requests for the preservation of herself and her loved ones. The attitude of this prayer is admirable, and I could certainly learn from its example of honesty and reverence!

I believe I tend to take way too much for granted and don't appreciate my blessings as I ought. Austen's reminder to have a heart that's growing in its sense of gratitude is much-needed.

And not only does this prayer serve as a reminder to speak words of gratitude and praise to God, but it also reminds me that I should live in a way that expresses my gratitude. Does my life reflect the excitement of a thankful heart? Do I show my gratitude to God in the way I spend my time and through the choices I make?

Those last questions strike a nerve for me. The way I spend my free time and prioritize my activities and exercise generosity - those are all areas where I especially need God's mercy and strength to do better, to develop "a more grateful sense of [my blessings], than they have hithero excited."

Question

Did this prayer speak to you and your current situation in life? If so, how?

Giveaway!

Today's the last day to log your entries for this week's giveaway! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen. (You'll have one more chance to win this book next week!)

(Giveaway open to US residents only. Prize donated by the book's editor, Terry Glaspey. Thanks, Terry!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We'll resume our Persuasion read-along on Monday (discussing chapters 17 and 18)!

Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along: Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along! You can follow along on this three-week discussion of Persuasion and The Prayers of Jane Austen by checking out the read-along tag or by clicking the button in the sidebar.

Today is a special day, as we'll be discussing the first of Jane Austen's prayers from The Prayers of Jane Austen (the lovely book that inspired this whole read-along!). But first, I have a few links I'd like to share...

Reviews of The Prayers of Jane Austen:

• "I truly can't find words to describe how deeply this book blessed me! If you have read any of Jane Austen's other books you will recognize her delightful writing style and voice. These are prayers that I will read and pray over and over again!" - Caitlyn @ Just Your Average Reviews (Click HERE to read the full review.)

• "[The prayers] are beautifully written and show more of Jane's insights into human nature. They are filled with humbleness before God.... If you love all that Jane Austen has written, then this is definitely an addition that you will want to get for your collection." - Julie @ My Favorite Pastime (Click HERE to read the full review.)

Many thanks to Caitlyn and Julie for their reviews! If you've reviewed the book (or will be reviewing it in the next couple of weeks), leave a comment and let me know. :) I can link to it in next week's prayer post.

Blog post by the book's editor:

• The Forgotten Side of Jane Austen: A Woman of Genuine Faith

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Introducing The Prayers of Jane Austen...

As an introduction to this discussion, I'd like to talk about the book for the moment. You might have heard of Jane Austen's prayers before - or possibly even read them elsewhere. But for a sweet little prayer book to have on your nightstand or to give to a friend, this hardcover suits the purpose perfectly. :) It includes images from the British Library's collections, as well as an introduction and essay from Terry Glaspey that discuss the nature of Austen's faith. 

I freely admit I work for the publisher that released this volume, so yes, I can hardly claim to be unbiased! But people who work for publishers can get excited about books, too, right? :) And I take particular delight in the style and care in which this book is presented. On a purely tangible level, it's a precious book to hold in your hands.

But on a deeper level, beyond pretty covers and illustrations, the prayers themselves are even more precious. I've only scratched the surface of Austen's work by reading Northanger Abbey and now getting into Persuasion (and watching various Austen movie adaptations - that should count for something, right?), but I can see that the keen insights and observations on human nature which have made her famous are also the key to what makes these prayers so moving. 

Terry mentions this in the book and in the blog post linked above, but it's worth repeating: Austen was heart-wrenchingly honest in her portrayals of humanity's flaws and desperate need for God's grace. I see her honesty in Persuasion: the way she describes Anne's fears and heartaches, Captain Wentworth's bitterness and frustration, and their true-to-life awkward meetings. And I see Austen's honesty in these prayers. 

Let's discuss the first one, shall we?

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The Prayers of Jane Austen: Part I

Discussion Format: One quote to ponder, one observation, and one question for each day's reading.

Quote to Ponder

"May we now, and on each return of night, consider how the past day has been spent by us, what have been our prevailing thoughts, words, and actions during it..." - Jane Austen

Observation

This prayer covers so much, moving inward to outward: touching on our relationship with God, our need for mercy and honesty with ourselves, what we have to be grateful for; then moving on to praying for others and seeking awareness and appreciation of God's work. The parts that especially resonate with me right now are the ones regarding sin and repentance. Austen pushes the theme of sincerity: sincerity in how we view ourselves, in how we feel the weight of our sin, and in how we go about the task of doing better.

Austen appeals for mercy, refers to salvation, and writes with tenderness in addressing God - so I don't think she's overlooking God's grace and the freedom He gives. I think perhaps her words offer a much-needed reminder of just how costly sin is. It can affect the way I spend my time, possibly hurt others, and pull me further away from God.

And the thing is, sin isn't as clear-cut as a laundry list of bad behaviors. As Austen alludes to, sin is also wrong thoughts and habits and attitudes. Something that's harmless to someone else can become a harmful obsession for me that absorbs my spare time and finances and heart. It's all in where my heart is at, and I've been feeling convicted of having my heart in a selfish and greedy place. Austen's prayer reminds me that sincerity with God and myself, each and every day, is crucial in realigning my heart.

Side Note: This "observation" is already long (sorry!), but I have to add that reading the Made to Crave Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst has also been a big help to me in this area. It's reminding me to check my heart motives and to recognize what (or rather Whom) my heart is really craving when I overindulge in things. I'm far from constantly living by that philosophy right now, but I want to be better.

Question

Did this prayer speak to you and your current situation in life? If so, how?

Giveaway!

Today's the last day to log your entries for this week's giveaway! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen. (You'll have two more chances to win this book over the next two weeks!)

(Giveaway open to US residents only. Prize donated by the book's editor, Terry Glaspey. Thanks, Terry!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We'll resume our Persuasion read-along on Monday (discussing chapters 9 and 10)!

Announcing a Special Jane Austen Read-Along

Occasionally a special project comes along that sneaks up on you and begs to become a labor of love.

When you're in marketing, it's sadly easy for individual books to get lost in the vast list of upcoming releases. It's just the nature of the ever-hungry, never-satisfied beast that is the world of publishing (pardon the cliché).

But The Prayers of Jane Austen is one delicacy I'd like to take the time to savor with you. To pause and ponder and enjoy for a little while.

So many of us have been inspired by Jane Austen in one way or another. By a heartfelt moral lesson embedded in a character's journey. By the hope of her brilliantly conceived happily-ever-afters. By being a part of the welcoming community of her many fans. (Looking at you, #BookBesties!)

Now we can be inspired in a whole new way (at least for many of us). Jane's prayers are not nearly as widely known as her novels, and we don't have a large collection left to us. But the few samples we do have are rich and sweet and certainly worth mulling over together.

So won't you join us for a thoughtful celebration of the release of this precious gift book?

I'm delivering you a formal invitation...

Dear Friend,

The honor of your presence is requested at the read-along of Persuasion and The Prayers of Jane Austen. 

This event will begin Monday, the 6th of July, and conclude Friday, the 24th of July. Gifts to be awarded and inspiration to be had by all. 

To clarify...

• The read-along will last three weeks.

• We'll discuss Persuasion Monday through Thursday of each week. (If I've done my division right, that means we'll discuss 2 chapters a day for a total of 24 chapters. Do let me know if that's not adding up for you with your copy of the book!)

• We'll discuss one prayer from The Prayers of Jane Austen on Friday of each week (for a total of three prayers). 

• One hardcover copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen will be given away to a U.S. participant each week of the read-along, with winners notified on Saturdays (the 11th, 18th, and 25th). With thanks to the generosity of the book's editor - huzzah!

So pen this event in your planner or note it on your calendar, and get ready to get further inspired by the beloved Jane Austen.

P.S. Feel free to take the button above and share it on your blog or social media page to announce your participation in the read-along! You can also join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #InspiredByAusten or tag along on Pinterest via the Inspired By Austen board. (Just leave a comment here or there if you'd like to be invited to pin on the board.)

P.P.S. The Prayers of Jane Austen officially releases on July 1st. You can order your copy now on the Harvest House website, Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, Christianbook.com, or another e-retailer. Available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Disclaimer: I am employed by the publisher of The Prayers of Jane Austen, but this read-along is something I'm doing in my free time because I want to. :)