The 30 Day Praise Challenge is a simple directive coming from the author, Becky Harling, herself: “If a woman will praise God intentionally for twenty minutes for thirty consecutive days, her life will change.” Releasing by David C Cook in August, 2013, Becky Harling invites any woman to participate in a challenge that will radically change her life, one that her own life powerfully testifies too.
Twelve years ago, Harling was diagnosed with cancer. She prayed for healing. A friend of hers, however, challenged Becky with another idea: spend twenty minutes a day in praise. Becky thought, What if I’m not feeling thankful? But as she intentionally praised God, she began to experience new joy and a transformation—her relationship with God has never been the same.
So how does someone begin this transformation? Harling’s book is divided into three sections. The first is an invitation to participate in the thirty day praise challenge. Women are told what they will need for the challenge. The second section, the central focus of this book, begins with an invitation as if written from God Himself, encouraging the participant to come and praise God, focusing her praise on a particular aspect of God. Each day of praise also includes a music selection to enhance the reader’s praise journey which also introduces women to new and dynamic worship musicians.
The final section of the book includes creative methods and tangibles ideas for continuing to cultivate the habit of praise. For example, participants are shown how to praise their way through the Psalms, how to praise God using His names, how to praise God using the benedictions of the Apostle Paul, how to praise Jesus through His “I Am” statements and other special tips. A special section on praising God to defeat the enemy is also included.
This book comes with a promise: If readers praise God for twenty minutes every day for a month, their lives will change. Women will experience more joy, less insecurity, more courage, less anxiety. “As I continued the practice of private praise, God’s presence became more tangible and I began to change into a more positive, confident and secure woman. It has now been twelve years since that initial challenge and I am more convinced than ever that establishing intentional time for private praise is critical to transformation in the life of the believer.”