Beside Still Waters

Lt. Colonel Marlene Chase structures this devotional around three directions of prayer — upward to God, inward to self-examination, and outward toward others — and the framework gives the book more shape than most devotionals manage. She draws on biblical prayers across both Testaments and pairs textual exposition with poetry and Diane Tolcher's photography, creating a reading experience designed for reflection rather than speed. Her credentials as The Salvation Army's USA editor in chief and national literary secretary lend genuine authority to the scriptural handling. The honest caveat is that the book is rooted in Salvation Army tradition and speaks most directly to that community; broader Christian crossover is possible but not guaranteed. For readers seeking to deepen their prayer life through structured, Scripture-grounded reflection, this is a thoughtful resource.