Book Review – City On Our Knees by TobyMac

When we step across the line we can sail across the sea

Amazing, beautiful things happen when people have the courage to live, work, and pray in the spirit of unity and peace. Often, though, to make these amazing things happen, we have to step out of our comfort zone and into a world we find uncomfortable or intimidating. Sometimes that world is physical; other times it can be emotional, relational, or spiritual.

City on Our Knees shows this, encouraging you to take the first step. It offers stories of people who have stepped across lines. Lines of discrimination, persecution, doubt, prejudice, pride, bitterness, self-isolation, and despair. I pray and hope that you will be inspired to see how just one person, or one small group, can be a mechanism for change. 

God can use us right here. Right now. All we need is faith that He has our best in mind. And believe me—He does.

—TobyMac

When I received this book, City On Our Knees, for review, honestly I was skeptical. Mostly because I generally don’t like “this type of book”. I thought it was going to be disjointed and not applicable to my life. All of these things were proven wrong and I’m very glad I read this book!

I have enjoyed TobyMac’s music since the days of DC Talk. This book gave me an insight into why he writes music and a glimpse into who he is. Besides just the introduction, there is a page written by him at the beginning of every section.

The book is a collection of stories, both contemporary and historical, that illustrate what people can do when they follow God’s prompting. The stories were short, 1-3 pages, which helped with reading them whenever I could. The sections in the book are based on lines from the song of the same name, City on Our Knees, which was released last year.

After reading this book, I felt like I needed to get out there and DO something! So, this Thanksgiving, instead of eating a huge feast, my family and I will be serving at a soup kitchen. (We’ll still do the feast, just a different day.)

I give this book five stars. Excellent read, to the point, engaging, and thought-provoking.

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishing as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”