'One Prayer Away' Offers Inspiration for Women

The University of Mississippi instructor's debut book, a 90-day devotional, is a collection of inspirational messages, prayers and encouragement that Fortenberry hopes will reach women precisely when they need it most.

"My prayer is that women who need this book will find it," said Fortenberry, a writing instructor in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric. "It is a 90-day journey to the heart of God.

"It is a journey to healing, to forgiveness, and I think it's a journey to God's peace and hope."

The inspiration for "One Prayer Away" (Zondervan, 2024) came from Fortenberry's personal experiences, particularly when her father was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2018.

"I felt like everything in my life collapsed," she said. "My grief, my emotions – so much of my life fell apart. I looked for any book that could speak to what I was feeling, and I found nothing."

During this challenging time, Fortenberry developed a daily routine of prayer and Bible reading.

"I learned how to trust God with the pieces of my life," she said. "I really learned how to cultivate a rich prayer life with God."

Fortenberry's writing journey began nearly nine years ago on her 30th birthday. She launched an online blog that features a blend of poetry and prose. Some of those pieces "went viral" and were featured by NBC's "Today" show and ABC's "Good Morning America."

Stephen Monroe, chair of the Department of Writing and Rhetoric, praised Fortenberry's work both as an author and an educator.

"Lauren Fortenberry is a wonderful teacher," he said. "Her own writing practice informs her approach in the writing classroom.

"She cares very much about UM students, and we are lucky to have her as a colleague."

Looking ahead, Fortenberry hinted at future projects and said she would be open to writing another book. She said she is grateful for the supportive writing environment in Oxford and at Ole Miss.

Signed copies of "One Prayer Away" are available at Square Books in Oxford. The book is also available at most major retailers and as an audiobook, recorded by Fortenberry at a studio in Oxford.

Top: Lauren Fortenberry (left), writing instructor in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric, and Amy Schumacher-Rutherford, a speech instructor in the department, participate in a reading at Off Square Books in Oxford. Photo courtesy Sonum May Photography