A Short Note from Mark S Mirza

A Short Note from Mark S Mirza

My Dear Pray-ers,

I just went to my 40th High School Class Reunion and there was a lot of music from the 70’s. I don’t recall if this one, For The Love of Money, from the O’Jays was played but it fits with something I need to say about money:

  • We will NEVER “Beg and Plead” for money, and while I hesitate to write that, it is ONLY because the word NEVER is so big, but the truth is, that was how this ministry was started.
    (more…)
Review from Day By Day In Our World

Review from Day By Day In Our World

 

LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER VIA THE PRAY-ERS

review-daybyday This post, Learning the Importance of Prayer via The Pray-ers, was made possible with a digital copy of The Pray-ers / Book 1 Troubles  by Mark S. Mirza and available through CTM Publishing Atlanta for review as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

There is a long history now of authors creating a work of fiction to teach an important truth or set of truths. I’ll admit that typically the fictional allegorical works tend to capture my interest more than some of the dry nonfiction works. The Pray-ers is a title that seeks to educate in a more entertaining manner.

THE PRAY-ERS: SYNOPSIS

Enjoy Christian historical fiction? The Pray-ers takes that approach by highlighting 3 men of prayer through the ages.The Pray-ers can be placed into the genre of Christian Historical Fiction. Through the pages, you are introduced to 3 key figures across time: Alexander Rich, Dr. Dale, and Epaphras. Each man is from a different era with 2 from the United States.

Epaphras is from the early Church. He was a colleague of the Apostle Paul and is mentioned a few times in Scripture. Many believe him to be the founder of the church at Colosse. Most importantly, he is known for his fervent prayer life and fighting against heresies in his local church. His prayers often sought God to help the Colossians be made perfect in the perfection of Christ.

Alexander Rich is an itinerant preacher in Georgia. Born in Massachusetts, he is called to minister to the people of Georgia. When the Civil War begins, he is compelled to remain with his flock and enlists as a preacher in the southern army. Captured by the north, he elects to remain with the men he is ministering to.

Beyond learning about these individuals, you also see a glimpse into the nastier side of life.

In a realm we cannot see with human eyes, angels and demons are active through time. Though this work of fiction, they are shown to be working towards their own goals. The angels are there to glorify God and when sent on a mission, protect humans. The demons are constantly finding ways to drive a wedge between us and God, bringing more souls to Satan’s control.

For this story, there is a guardian angel, Hael, assigned to Dr. Dale. And there are demons doing their best to drive that wedge between the prayerful Christian men and God. Something unique for this novel is that Mr. Mirza has chosen to put demon names (e.g. katepa and joln) lowercase only. While it takes some getting used to reading this alternative formatting, I like how it removes a level of importance from them.

THE PRAY-ERS: MY THOUGHTS

So far, I am the only person in the house who has been reading this title. While I am an avid reader, I have to admit that getting through the pages of The Pray-ers has been a struggle. I’m just not entirely sure of the reason.  The writing is decent. The book is long, but not outrageously so.

My best guess is that this book is not one to rush through and my spirit senses that through the words God is speaking to me. Prayer life is important and I know that my personal prayer life has suffered in the last few years. So, I am persevering to complete this particular novel and see how the reading of others with a strong prayer life will help my own. And, that, I believe is a large part of why Mark S. Mirza authored it.


THANK YOU for this review!

 

Blessings,

mark-s-mirza

Almost Like I Was Living Your Book

Almost Like I Was Living Your Book

I won’t give you all of the email, just enough of it to get a feel for it.

But we recently did a Book Festival, The Decatur Book Festival (#DBF2016). Here is an email I received from, well, you just read it and see his comments.

#DF2016 Booth

#DF2016 Booth

I bought your book in Decatur Saturday afternoon. I started reading it and could not put it down. My mother died in May 2015 and since that time my prayer life has sunk to hardly any. You knew when you started talking to me that I needed to read your book. God led me to your booth. . . .

It was almost like I was living your book by being led to the only 2 booths I saw selling totally Christian books. I noticed several Muslim sellers and all sorts of New Age literature but very little Christian.

You asked which character I liked most in your book. It had to be the Angels since I was obviously led by an angel Saturday.

Thank you for this great blessing. I will pray for you

G. C.

This is why we do what God lays on our heart to do!

Amen, and Amen!

Humbly,

mark-s-mirza

 

Decatur Book Festival, 2016

Decatur Book Festival, 2016

BookShow-2016-Decatur

The Decatur Book Festival was the Labor Day weekend – September 2-4, 2016. Were you one of the 85,000 attendees?

We were selling a number of Christian books very inexpensively on our $5.00 table. We also sold our novel, The Pray-ers, and give away one of three books, when you buy, The Pray-ers.

One of the things I love the most about these book festivals are the opportunities that I have to pray with people, right there at my booth.

If you came by and visited with us at Booth No. 703, we would love to hear from you.

I look forward to seeing you in 2017 and to pray with you.

 

mark-s-mirza