Praying for My Life

by Marion Bond West

When life experiences became overwhelming and her faith was severely tested, popular author and Guideposts magazine contributor Marion Bond West found herself praying for her life--praying a desperate prayer for confidence in God's promise of faithfulness. In her new spiritual memoir, the author shares her story and the prayer that changed her life. Bond West is no stranger to adversity, and in these pages she relates some of the challenging situations she has faced. She struggled as a mother of four, particularly after the birth of her youngest children--twin sons. She watched her beloved husband Jerry succumb to cancer and faced raising her children as a single mother. And later, she watched her two now-adult sons struggle with addiction, mental illness, and simultaneous hospitalizations with life-threatening injuries. Through it all, even when things seemed bleakest, Marion prayed the prayer of "Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines...Yet I will exult in the Lord." She "For thirty years, I have loved and identified with this Scripture. It's from a tiny book--pastors rarely preach from it. But I marvel at the prophet's astonishing faith--his stubborn, determined faith that was never altered. Never." Written with honesty, uncompromising faith, and wry wisdom, this book is a treasure readers can turn to again and again to witness the transforming power of prayer.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2006

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Marion Bond West for a long time. This book was a compilation of her trials in life, some of which were re-hashed "Guideposts" articles. Despite that, I took away a couple of encouraging truths. Her book outline is divided into chapters with titles from verses from Habakkuk 3: 17-19, a gorgeous, gorgeous passage; look it up. I learned:

1)"Hind's feet" referred to in this scripture refers to "hinds", a noun, meaning a special kind of deer (did not know that; thought "hinds" feet was an adjective...yes I'm animal-challenged). Hinds were deer with unusual feet enabling them to walk where other animals or even men couldn't walk. The idea here is that with God, we can walk in places that would be impossible to walk without his help. Love that.

2)Scriptures indicate that our prayers accumulate in
heaven. There are bowls in heaven in which our
prayers are stored". I have read this verse many
times in the book of Revelation, but it didn't
"sink in" until I read this. (from "Intercessory
Prayer" by Dutch Sheets). Love that too. My bowl
must be pretty huge!

[fpk · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE 7/12/2012: re- read this last week. Still love it, though I'd forgotten how all over the place it is..West jumps from present to past to recent past and back again-w/her stories, etc.. But I loved, loved her stories, her wit, her realism. I am going to read her other books now.




I loved this book. It was a sort of memoir, mixed with prayers and Scriptures that challenged me to pray more. I loved the Scripture she quoted in the book from Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

This verse says it all- even though it seems like the Lord is not hearing, not working, not doing, He is. He is working in your life. I recommend this one; it's a great encouragement for those despairing. And those not despairing too!

[Rebecca Baughman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author tells of her personal experiences in life ,and how she depended on God to help her cope with all the upsets in her life.

[Andrea Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The review mainly relates to the timeliness of the message of the book in my life. The writing I quality is good, but I think the book will be enjoyed most by people who are feeling overwhelmed with life and need the ability to be more lighthearted about it.

[Curtiss Matlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a bio, actually. I've read West for over 25 years. Down-to-earth, inspiring, encouraging.

[Kathy Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and relatively easy read. Anyone who has raised boys in a spiritual framework should like this.

[Stacie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of my time.

[Rachel Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book!