Books Make Wonderful Gifts 1—for Those Who Love a Prodigal
Books are always part of my Christmas giving—just ask my grandchildren!! I am going to help you with your gift-giving—some wonderful ideas to enable you to enrich the lives of those you love.
Part 1 will be for anyone who loves a prodigal—or is going through a challenging time—since this has been my focus the past year. Parts 2 and 3 will include a list of practical, well-written recent books for your day-to-day life.
“Loving a prodigal can be a long and desperate road, filled with fear, worry, anger, and self-recrimination. You wait for the phone call—will it be from jail or the hospital? You plead with your loved one, then threaten him. You search for help. You feel the shame. You cry out to God, ‘How long, Lord?’”
These words from the back cover copy of my book, When You Love a Prodigal, could be said about or by anyone who has loved a wandering child, sibling, friend or parent who has chosen a negative or destructive path. And these five recently released books will provide help and hope for you on this journey.
A Prayer for Orion: A Son's Addiction and a Mother's Love by Katherine James
What do you do then you discover your son is addicted to heroin? Panic, pray, look for help? Katherine’s riveting memoir (I read it spell-bound) invites you to walk with her on this perilous journey. Her writing is exquisite, the story is frightening, but there is hope. Available in January 2019.
You Are Not Alone—Help for Hurting Parents of Troubled Kids by Dena Yohe
I remember when Dena discovered her child was cutting herself, addicted to substances and living on the street. Wide-eyed and frightened, she began a journey to draw her child back. Love, prayer, hard decisions, understanding friends, research all led to help and hope for their family. And then to this amazing book to help others. Dena and her husband Tom now lead Help for Hurting Parents.
Fighting for Your Prodigal through Prayer: 365 Promises, Praises, and Prayers by Tami Winkelman
When you love a prodigal, you keep loving, pursuing, correcting…you try everything you can think of to bring him back, restore her, save their lives. And you pray. Yet even then you need help: What to pray? How to trust God? How to not give up? Good news: Tammy Winkelman has provided the help you need. Her book is scriptural, practical and full of love, grace, faith and hope. She will get you started in believing prayer—and God will carry you the rest of the way.
Tami leads a Prayer for Prodigals ministry.
Promises for Prodigals by Karen Cox
Karen writes in the dedication for this recent book: “This book is dedicated to the community of believers who carry the weighty sorrow of a spiritually lost loved one. Be strong and courageous, for the God of the Angel Armies is in hot pursuit of your Prodigal, and His arm is not too short to save.” Karen helps you discover and claim for your loved one many promises of God in Scripture.
You can find more about Karen here. https://www.facebook.com/pg/Promises-for-Prodigals-Karen-Cox
When You Love a Prodigal: 90 Days of Grace for the Wilderness by Judy Douglass
Of course, I couldn’t leave out my book. More copy from the back cover: “Judy has traveled this road with her own prodigal—reading, learning, praying, and seeking God.” God met me every step of the way, giving wisdom, perseverance, hope and so much grace. This devotional will help you walk day by day on your own journey.
I lead a Prayer for Prodigals online secure website/ministry. Write to be invited into the community.
Many other books have been written for those who love a prodigal—these are recent and I know the authors. Your gift of one of these books to a struggling parent or spouse or friend will probably be the best gift you could give. And your gift to these authors: Pray for the books, give the books, write reviews.
What about you? What book has touched your life in powerful ways?
C2019 Judy Douglass
P.S. All these books can be purchased or ordered from any bookstore, or purchased from any online vendor.