This is a devotional for readers who have experienced racial trauma, although Christian practitioners working in this field will also likely find value in the messages of hope and growth in Seeds of Racial Healing by Sheila Wise Rowe, particularly through its use of rich imagery and storytelling through the Bible.
Many thanks to InterVarsity Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content to be aware of: self-forgiveness; first-person direct messages from God; contemplative prayer techniques that readers may be unfamiliar with or choose not to practice such as breath prayer and listening prayer
Book Synopsis
A Spiritual Journey Toward Healing and Justice for Christians of Color
You are born from a seed that cannot die.
In a world filled with discrimination, racially motivated violence, and miscarriages of justice, hope and joy can feel unattainable, and lies denying your personhood try to dim the truth that you are created in the image of God.
In Seeds of Racial Healing, counselor and spiritual director Sheila Wise Rowe offers you a season of rest and restoration. Her spiritually formative approach enables you to deepen your faith as you pursue healing from racial trauma, past and present.
Anchored in daily Scriptures, these fifty-two devotions help you become more aware of God every day, even as you confront interpersonal racism and systemic oppression. In each devotion, Rowe inspires readers to share your stories and reminds your weary soul that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
In these devotions, you'll find
- personal stories,
- prayer and encouragement,
- Scripture passages,
- questions for reflection, and
- actionable steps to help you pursue both healing and justice.
If you're a Christian of color looking for a an accessible, trauma-informed devotional, Seeds of Racial Healing will help you confront challenges, embrace your worth as a child of God, and sow seeds of healing and transformation, whether on your own or as part of a group. You'll find encouragement to employ rest, resilience, and the power of faith to nurture growth in yourself and your community.
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
This is a book meant for those who have undergone racial trauma and as such, is specialized in its terminology and concepts (code switching, monoliths, microaggressions, etc.), which may be new for people without firsthand experience of the topic. As a resource for those seeking racial healing, the devotional content offers teachings from the Bible—along with personal stories—and takes readers on the journey of a seed from fruition to harvest while grouping themes together systematically. I love the progression that this book takes and am encouraged by the hopeful and growth-oriented stance that is presented throughout this framework. From exploring the soil that we may be planted in to the fruit that we may one day bear, Seeds of Racial Healing is meant to empower Christians to remain rooted in Christ.
Where some readers may have concerns involves the practice of employing first-person direct messages from God throughout the book, which could detract from focusing on biblical texts. This form of listening to God in contemplation did not resonate with me, nor did some of the prayer practices employed, such as listening prayer and breath prayer. For Christians who do not engage in these practices, the sections are easy enough to skip; however, each devotional does include either a first-person message or one of these forms of prayer, so that is something to be mindful of. That being said, the devotional aspects of this book are well-worth reading as the content is beneficial in pointing to how God can provide strength to His children as they persevere through trials and hold fast to Him in the midst of unfair and unjust treatment based on our racial identity.
Book Summary
- Format of book: 📱
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
- Recommendation: 👍 (if you fit the target audience and appreciate a variety of prayer techniques)
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