Stepping Heavenward

By Elizabeth Payson Prentiss

Book Overview

Written as a series of deeply personal journal entries, Stepping Heavenward traces the spiritual growth of Katherine, a young woman navigating life's joys, sorrows, and struggles with a longing to draw closer to God. As readers follow her from impetuous girlhood through marriage, motherhood, suffering, and spiritual awakening, they're invited into the intimate thoughts of a soul being slowly shaped by grace.

Originally published in the 19th century, this beloved classic offers timeless encouragement for those seeking a life of faith and purpose. In the thoughtful introduction by her husband, Rev. George L. Prentiss, readers gain insight into Elizabeth Prentiss' own character and convictions-qualities that shine through every page of her heroine's journey.

Now, over a century later, Stepping Heavenward remains strikingly relevant. Its honest portrayal of spiritual ups and downs, of learning through failure, and of growing in selflessness resonates just as deeply today. Whether read devotionally or as a story of transformation, this book gently inspires readers to press onward, upward-stepping heavenward.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1761832867
• ISBN13: 9781761832864
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Living Book Press
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Sweet Book

Though a little slow at times, it is a lovely exploration of a girl becoming not just a woman, but a woman of God as she navigates love, loss, and all the things in between

Impactful, interesting, creative and much more!

Whatever stage of life you are in, this book will be an encouragement to you. You begin to see a beautiful picture of grace and growth unfold throughout the pages, and you will want to walk in the same way!

wonderful

It's such a refreshing and thought provoking book; very insightful and precious.

The best catalyst for spritual grown I have ever read

This book sat on my shelf for 2 years before reading it--wow how I wish I would have pulled it down sooner! It has been very readable--better than most novels! It puts in very approachable and applicable ways some of the most profound spiritual concepts of growth, obedience to God, and the strangeness of God's purpose for each of us. Do your self a favor and get this one--you will never be the same. Worth every late-night moment of lost sleep to read it!

A wonderful look at the very real struggles Christians face

I am not quite finished with this book, but have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. In the 270+ pages I have read, Mrs. Prentiss has shown an astounding ability to put into words the struggles that I believe are universal for men and women who desire to live out their faith in Christ, yet who are continually confronted with their flawed humanity, i.e., sin!There is humor, seriousness, sadness--all the emotions one can imagine, since the book is designed to depict the different eras of a woman's life from age 16 onward, through courtship, marriage, and motherhood. I eagerly anticipate finishing the book, and then picking it up again and again as I go through my own life. I plan to have my teenage daughter read it, and will suggest it as a must-read to all my friends.

I wish I could put in 10 stars..

My best friend and an incredible Christian gave me this book and I've already begun saving to buy copies for many of my Christian friends. This is a book which, if you let it, will change your walk with Christ, and I just thank God that He dropped it in my lap just at the moment when I needed to be reminded of His closeness and greatness. I can give it no higher praise than this: I would break off in the middle of fast-paced chapters because I couldn't go another moment without praying or reading the Bible. Definitely DEFINITELY *DEFINITELY* something to buy for yourself or a friend. Ideally, buy it, read it, and then loan it to the friend. There is no Christian whom this book wouldn't help.

Should be required reading in every Christian school

I thought I was a well read Christian, but I had never even heard of this book. A dear friend recommended it, saying it had helped her in her spiritual growth and progress.I was not able to find this book anywhere in the St. Louis area libraries, so I purchased this copy.About the book - I found it to be an incredibly helpful resource in gaining a deeper understanding of our spiritual mission on this earth. And it is a very interesting book.The author really lays her heart on the line - and tells in wonderfully frank language how hard it is to truly live the spiritual axiom - "Not my will - but thine be done."And it also sums up Maya Angelou's maxim that "we are all more alike than we are different.""Stepping Heavenward" was so close to my own life that I felt compelled to keep reading it and find out how everything turned out! I read the book in two days, snatching every spare moment I could to race back to the book and see what happened next!I loved it. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. In fact, I'm buying more copies for Christmas presents and I've handed it off to a school teacher hoping that she'll consider putting it on the required reading list.If you only buy three Christian books this year - I'd recommend this book, Stepping Heavenward, along with "What's so Amazing About Grace" and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."Three powerful books. Along with the Bible, of course, but EVERYONE has a Bible. :-)If you order "Stepping Heavenward" you won't be disappointed. And if you are, donate it to the local library. This book will be the answer to many people's prayers.