Answered Prayers: Love Letters from the Divine

by Julia Cameron

An original and inspiring work from the bestselling author of The Artist's Way.

This enlightening companion to Julia Cameron's bestselling Prayers Trilogy (Blessings, Heart Steps, and Transitions) is for anyone who has yearned for a more spiritual life, for anyone who has felt that their prayers have gone unheard. In this luminous book God answers our prayers with a prayer of His own: It is His greatest wish that we recognize the divine grace and goodness present within all of us.

In Answered Prayers, the divine creator who watches over us-regardless of religion or creed-reveals that He is with us in every moment, that He in fact never leaves our side. In a language that is at once simple and eloquent, He responds to all of our fears and all of our longings are understood, and are answered. Answered Prayers is truly a gift from God.

Award-winning writer Julia Cameron is the author of twenty books, both fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling works on the creative process The Artist's Way, Walking in This World, The Vein of Gold, The Right to Write, and The Sound of Paper. A novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has extensive credits in theater, film, and television.

Genres: Spirituality, Prayer, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years, with fifteen books (including bestsellers The Artist's Way, Walking In This World and The Right to Write) and countless television, film, and theater scripts to her credit. Writing since the age of 18, Cameron has a long list of screenplay and teleplay credits to her name, including an episode of Miami Vice, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film, God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making film, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. Her profound teachings on unlocking creativity and living from the creative center have inspired countless artists to unleash their full potential.

Reviews

[jadedjypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend to any friends of Bill W. or anyone struggling with seeing a higher power as a loving God. Julia Cameron knows the “language of the heart” ;)

[Liaken · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a horrible book! And I like Julia Cameron. The idea behind the book isn't bad ... answers to prayers. But the execution did not work. At least it didn't for me. The book is basically written from God's perspective. And it feels horribly condescending. Ah, here you are again, my child, rejecting my help and blaming things on me ... but I love you, and if you would just trust me then everything would work out fine because there are easy answers to everything if you just have enough faith, because, you see, you always harden your heart against me when I'm waiting to help you. Yes, this is how the tone came across to me. I read further, hoping that it was just the first part of the book, but no, it continues this way until the end.

The problem with this book for me is that first, I wouldn't want to pray to a God who feels this condescending toward me, and second, I don't believe this is what God is like, nor do I buy the easy answers.

Now, maybe ... just maybe, if you were feeling absolutely pathetic and wretched or if you were going through something that made you feel that God was against you and the world was ending (I'm thinking death of a child, devastating illness, loss of a spouse, aftermath of abuse, etc.), maybe this book would work for you.

[Diana Rajchel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a trick to using this book - you can't really read it cover to cover and get anything out of it. You have to use it as a form of old school bibliomancy. Do your morning pages. Then open the book to a random page. Most of the time I have found a relevant prayer answering what is on my mind in that moment. It may not work for everyone, but thus far that has been my experience with it. I might now always like what the answered prayer says (when you're made and your ego is running the show, you generally don't) but it does have consistent relevance for me.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this little book of insightful prayers and meditations

[Gloria Maria Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the style of "Jesus Calling", Julia has gifted us with a beautiful devotional full of wisdom, and insights. I loved it so much, that I purchased a copy for myself!

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring and helpful through Hard times

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this may be my favorite Julie Cameron book. It is great.

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I skimmed though several of the chapters but didn't finish all of them.

I think that it's OK as an introduction to prayer. The focus is strictly on the individual. Which is ok in a way, 'cause we all need to know God's love for us as individuals. But spiritual maturity requires us to get beyond ourselves and expand our hearts to include others. At some point we need to feel confident enough in His love for us so that we can reach out and be embodiments of his love for others who are hurting.

I would recommend River Jordan's book, Praying for Strangers. Her New Year's resolution to pray for a different stranger every day lifted her out of her own concerns and thought her important lessons about the heart of God.

Jesus even challenges us to expand our hearts to include our enemies in our prayers, praying for those who persecute us and spitefully use us.

If you were moved by Julia Cameron' Answers, try taking the love you find in your Father's heart and pour it out for others ad Daniel does in Daniel 9 & 10, or as Ezikiel does in Ezekiel 37:9, "Come frome the four winds, O breath, and breath upon these slain, that they may live."

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book gave me exactly what I needed every time I opened it. Something's it hugged and comforted me and other times it slapped me upside the head and told me to look at the world in a different way.

[Maureen Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps the reader to get to a place of acceptance and heart opening through the letters that she has written. It gives a good glimpse into the spiritual realm and how we choose to intrepret it and how it really is. Open your heart to prayer and you are already there.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me by a friend in recovery. I find it very reassuring that we are all part of God's abundance.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection of insightful and moving "answers" to prayers. Loved it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps strengthen my faith and relationship with my Higher Power as I imagine how my HP would lovingly talk to me about my deepest thoughts, fears, anxieties and shortcomings.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to get you through difficult times.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and a half stars.