Praying with Jane at the Jane Austen Centre, Bath

Hello, my dearest readers, the big news around here is that the Jane Austen Centre in Bath has selected Praying with Jane for their online gift shop. Signed books are now available to people around the world!

{Quick, bring the smelling salts! This is where I swoon and am carried to a couch to be revived.}

I’m so full of joy I could burst. This is the result of much prayer and a lot of hard work. Working with the Centre has been a wonderful experience. I am honored they selected the book. To God be all the glory!

When I first started praying about and drafting Praying with Jane, I had a vision for the people who might want to read it. I thought of the Christian women and the Jane Austen fans who would enjoy it. However, I remember the day I prayed over the book and realized God wanted the message of the book to reach people in the US, in the UK, and around the world. At the time, the idea seemed far-fetched (and way beyond me). However, God loves to work in surprising and even far-fetched ways!

Jane Austen Centre Blog Article

The Centre asked me to write an article for their blog. I titled it “Prayers Composed by my ever dear Sister Jane” because I love that Jane’s sister Cassandra wrote that inscription on the outer sheet of Jane’s prayers. Isn’t it so dear? In the article, I write about my inspiration and writing process for Praying with Jane. Here’s an excerpt:

“My first introduction to Jane Austen’s prayers, over a decade ago, happened by chance. I was in graduate school, working on my master’s thesis on Pride and Prejudice, when I found them at the back of the Chapman edition of Austen’s novels (in the Minor Works volume). At the time, I thought the prayers were beautifully written and wondered why I had heard so little about them.”

As I began to study Austen’s prayers more closely, I discovered that they are, of course, much more than beautiful. They provide a unique glimpse into her private life and offer clues as to how her faith impacted the way she lived, worked, and wrote. To continue reading, please click here.

Also, I’ve included a photo of the original prayer manuscripts. I took this photo when I visited and transcribed the manuscripts.

I hope this finds you well, dear readers. It’s cold and rainy where I live, but I’m snug at my writing desk with a heated blanket, surrounded by my favorite books. What’s it like where you live?

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  • Faith: For encouragement in your walk with God, click here.
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Signed Books and Gifts

For those of you in the US, you can purchase a signed copy of Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen from me directly. I also have enamel mugs, prayer journals, and other goodies available:

All products include free U.S. shipping. Please contact me for a shipping quote to your country or for special pricing on multiple orders.

6 Comments

  1. Congratulations! What a perfect gift for the centre and its guests.

    1. Thank you, Kim!

  2. That is wonderful news, congratulations! It’s almost like an Austen validation of your work and what you sensed from God in prayer. He does move in mysterious ways!
    Since you asked, here in Michigan, like a lot of the Midwest, we’ve just come out of the polar vortex. Here it was -15F with -40 windchills. We had 2 beautiful days and now they’re predicting an ice storm. Ugh. Allall we can do is grin and bear it. Congratulations again.

    1. Wow, it sounds cold there! I think it’s cold when it freezes overnight. Alas, I confess I’m a wimpy Northern Cali girl!

      Isn’t it amazing to stand back and ponder God’s ways at times? I think we notice it more when we slow down, don’t you?

  3. Congratulations, Rachel!
    Now that I am halfway through reading your lovely book I wish to add my praise to the many ones it has already received.
    I am really enjoying my time praying with Jane and I love the bits from the Bible that you put in; they give a greater insight into the prayers.
    (Thank you for your dedication inside the book!)

    Claudia

    1. Thank you, Claudia! It’s great to hear from you. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the book! That blesses my heart!

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