Author Tierra Burns offers a timely resource to help people tap into the power of prayer. Her new work, “Bombarding Heaven in Unity: A Prayer Book for Healing” aims to assist those who may be uncomfortable communicating with God.
Explaining her reason for addressing this topic, Burns said her two-fold goals are to encourage people to increase their prayer life and learn to pray before a crisis occurs.
“My ultimate goal is to express the power of prayer in God’s healing process and introduce prayer as a lifestyle to build a relationship with God,” said Burns. “I felt called to put into writing prayers that can be used to intercede for others and pray for a situation that one may encounter in their daily life.”
Her prayer samplings cover a range of contemporary topics such as mental illness, physical disabilities and relationship dilemmas. She also suggests entreaties that speak to domestic violence, racism and sexual trauma.
“I live by the motto, ‘Live to Inspire, Dare to Dream, and Hope for Healing.’ I think this book provides hope for healing in this broken world,” said Burns. “This is just the first step with communicating with God, but when God speaks, there must be more action of obeying God in the midst of the trials and tribulations.”
Certainly, Burns overcame trials to reach this point in her life. After earning a Bachelor’s degree at North Carolina Central University, she served as an automated logistical specialist in the U.S. Army. From there, Burns enrolled in the University of Southern California where received her Master’s of Social Work degree in 2015. She also participated in the school’s ROTC program, which led to her being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
Shortly after graduation, her journey entered another phase when she accepted her call to the ministry. She preached her trial sermon at Walker Temple AME Church, also in 2015, and the next year joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Candidate Program.
“I also started seminary at Pepperdine University in 2016 and then transferred to Fuller Theological Seminary in 2017. I will graduate with my Master’s of Divinity from Fuller this December,” said Burns, who plans to become a social worker at the VA Hospital and serve as a chaplain candidate (first lieutenant) at the 420th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade.
Currently attending Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine, Burns recently entered the denomination’s ordination program as well with the support of her pastor, the Rev. Mark E. Whitlock Jr., who said, “Tierra is a very thoughtful woman with many gifts. She is an answer to our prayers for Christ Our Redeemer AME Church.”
Although her schedule is full, Burns remains confident that she can achieve her goals with God’s help along with promoting “Bombarding Heaven in Unity: A Prayer Book for Healing.”
“One of my favorite scriptures is Luke 10:19, which reads, ‘Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.’ This scripture gives hope and reminds us that God has given us everything we need to get through our trials, tribulations, and anything the enemy tries to throw at us.”
“Bombarding Heaven in Unity: A Prayer Book for Healing” is available on Amazon.com, christianbooks.com, goodreads.com and in local bookstores.
