Praying for My Life

by Marion Bond West

Book Overview

A memoir which presents the author's story and the prayer that changed her life. It takes the reader on a journey with the author as she recalls the moments in her life when her faith was nearly shattered - upon the death of her husband, when faced with raising four children alone, and learning to say no to an addicted child.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824947053
• ISBN13: 9780824947057
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Guideposts
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Praying for My Life

Excellent book that gives the reader hope and courage in facing such trials. It shows God's faithfulness to us.

Anyone can gain strength and encouragement from these pages.

In an instant, your life can change from calm and peaceful to one filled with personal trauma. Where do you turn for peace? How do you find God's help and comfort? The key points of PRAYING FOR MY LIFE by Marion Bond West are captured in the prophetic words from Habakkuk 3:17-19, which describes a difficult personal plight. In part it says, "Though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." The phrases from these verses create the section divisions of Bond West's personal story of dealing with adversity. The mother of four, Bond West writes movingly about the difficulties she faced with her fraternal twin sons, Jon and Jeremy, after her first husband died from a brain tumor. Over a four-year period, this now-single mother had to look after these "strong-willed" brothers who stretched every boundary and limit. In an early chapter, Bond West describes her fears when Jon and Jeremy, as 35-year-old adults, are patients in two different hospitals. Jeremy suffers his fourth car accident, while on the other side of the city, Jon is hospitalized with a fever and a life-threatening bacterial disease to his hand and arm. Just when you believe Bond West is carrying more than a human can bear, she's challenged to say "no" to a grown son who wants to move back home. In a modern sense, Bond West's personal experiences capture the emotions of the prophet Habakkuk, and she declares her own determination to follow God in faith no matter what happens. Each chapter ends with a pointed personal prayer related to Bond West's experiences in that section. As she grows through the life-changing situations and walks in faith, the reader's faith is also strengthened. Not every chapter relates to her family --- several sections deal with befriending nearby neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Farmer. Despite her hardships and struggles, Bond West never stops believing and never stops praying. She continues to experience the transforming power of God in her life and in the lives of family members, providing hope to readers that they too can continue to move ahead through life's challenges. In this well-crafted book, Bond West uses vivid dialogue and rich, engaging prose to relate her experiences. Anyone can gain strength and encouragement from these pages. --- Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin

A top pick for any spirituality library.

When life became overwhelming, testing author Marion Bond West's faith in God, she found herself praying for confidence and belief - and her spiritual memoir shares her story and how this new approach changed her life. Her twin sons struggled with an auto accident, bipolar disorder, and addiction - when her husband died her faith was sorely tested as a single parent. Her wellspring of inspiration translates well to this vivid memoir: a top pick for any spirituality library. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

BEAUTIFUL BOOK OFFERING HOPE AND RESTORATION

Do you feel like you're on the verge of losing hope? Marion Bond West has been there, and in her powerful spiritual memoir, she'll show you how she survived with a little known prayer in the book of Habakkuk. Now a grandmother and contributing editor for Guideposts magazine, Bond West has had to overcome early widowhood, raising four children as a single mom, and dealing with rebellion, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder in her adult sons. Marion's honest, transparent writing will restore your hope. I loved this book, and it's the kind of book you write your name in so when you loan it to people they'll be sure to give it back to you. (I've already loaned mine out twice so far!) Each chapter is a stand-alone story that demonstrates how God brought the author through a trial -- sometimes funny (as in the time she fell through the flooring of her neighbor's attic trying to take care of a cat) and sometimes painful (as in having to say good-bye to her adult son who was leaving for a treatment center). But always, you feel a little bit closer to the heart of God when you journey alongside Marion Bond West. -- Christian Women Online Book Buzz

Almost At The End of Your Rope? Read This Book First

It happens to everyone--unexpected experiences in life. It seems like Marion Bond West had almost more than her share of difficulties. When the experiences of life seemed almost too much to bear, she turned to prayer and found unusual strength and peace. The theme of this book uses, Habakkuk 3:17-19--some little known verses from a minor prophet in the Old Testament. The world crumbled around Habakkuk as well yet he chose to follow the God of his salvation. It's a timeless choice which Marion Bond West makes in this book--and each reader can make as they reflect on these experiences. Here's a book loaded with hope and encouragement for the most challenging of life's experiences. I recommend it.