Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness [Paperback]

Maureen Pratt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2005

Millions of Americans experience pain every day of their lives, their conditions unalleviated by the myriad medications and treatments available today. Maureen Pratt, who has had lupus for more than a decade, is intimately aware of the toll chronic pain takes on patients and their families.

In this practical and spiritual guide, she shares how she navigates through the frustrations, fears, and complexities of living with chronic pain and illness.

Using a combination of Bible passages, her own observations and insights, and prayer, Pratt provides help on issues that include dealing with isolation, coping with medical expenses, and learning to say no. Written with unstinting honesty and humor, Peace in the Storm will help readers identify their own spiritual and physical needs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Peace in the Storm
“Maureen Pratt has done a masterful job of turning her own personal painful experience into a work that brings hope, comfort, and inspiration to others who are confronting physical, spiritual and psychological pain. Her deep and abiding faith shines through every page of this important work.”
—Rabbi Levi Meier, Ph.D., chaplain / clinical psychologist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles

“Maureen Pratt’s faith and courage grace every page of this book. Each reflection is like a window into a very deep soul which has gone through a severe refining and is now accessible to us as a treasure . . . This is a true gift to the chronically ill person and also a valuable resource for those whose problems in life are not physical.”
—Rev. Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.

About the Author

Maureen Pratt has been writing and speaking about faith, prayer, illness, and pain for nearly 10 years. Her first-hand experience with health challenges and her unwavering faith in God's comfort and presence  thread hope, encouragement, strength and humor throughout her book Peace in the Storm. Maureen has spoken at medical, faith-based, and patient advocacy venues, including Crystal Cathedral, Northwestern Memorial Medical Center, and the Behcet's Disease Association National Conference. Through Loma Linda Broadcasting International, she co-produced and hosted the television program, "Peace in the Storm," is a regular guest on the Catholic radio network Relevant Radio, and is a syndicated columnist with Catholic News Service.

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Image; 1 edition (April 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385510799
• ISBN-13: 978-0385510790
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Chronic Pain

More About the Author

Even as this has been a challenging period health-wise, I'm delighted to say that my new book, "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy," is now out and reaching people who suffer from chronic, serious pain. As with all my books, I strive to encourage people in a positive way to reach beyond their immediate limitations and see all the wonderful potential that they possess in talent, time, spirit, and other resources. I hope that, if you choose to read it, "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy" will provide you with extra sustenance for your journey - a journey that I, too, travel each day.

For more about me and information about my upcoming interviews, television show, and books, please see my website: www.maureenpratt.com, or visit me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/maureenpratt) and Facebook (MaureenPratt).

May you be blessed with joy, comfort and peace!
Maureen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritually Uplifting, August 26, 2006

By 

B. J. Wilson (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness (Paperback)

I am a 27-year-old woman with Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Osteoarthritis in both knees and in my spine. It is a gross understatement to say that it's a hard thing to deal with. This book has helped me to see my health problems in a different way. Instead of seeing them as a burden to me, and seeing myself as a burden to others, I now see my afflictions as blessings. I don't feel helpless anymore. I feel like I can deal with my illnesses gracefully. I cannot even begin to tell you how much peace this book has brought to my life! Anytime I'm feeling sorry for myself or I am in a great deal of pain, I open this book and read another chapter or two. Instantly, I feel more at peace in my body. It doesn't physically make the pain go away, but somehow I feel God's hand touching me, comforting me, and reassuring me that He is always with me. I love the scripture excerpts at the beginning of each chapter, and the original prayers at the end. If you have a chronic illness and you are having a difficult time coping with it, you MUST have this book! It will definitely bring peace amidst your storm...

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We need more books like this!, June 19, 2005

By 

Lisa Copen "RestMinistries" (San Diego, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness (Paperback)

I was delighted just to know this book existed. As the founder of a Christian organization for those with chronic illness I often fall short of books to offer that I know will provide someone with hope; but also confront the challenges one faces each day when living with chronic pain. This book will be a true source of hope and comfort to anyone with a chronic illness. As author of a devotional book on chronic illness myself, I know just how hard it can be to press on when you are in so much pain. Way to go, Maureen! You've filled a much-needed gap in the publishing industry and have done it with both grace and joy!
Lisa Copen

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maureen captures real feelings and issues of those that are chronically ill., September 18, 2006

By 

Catherine Fornabaio "President ABDA" (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness (Paperback)

Maureen Pratt has detailed many issues that come about when one becomes chronically ill. Not only was Maureen right on when it came to her description of the problems one can deal with, she also has keyed into the emotions that go with it. Maureen suggest many ideas on how to deal with this issues, which leave you very inspired. I could not put the book down. I was educated, moved and very inspired. I recommend it to all that are chronically ill and to those who want to understand exactly what a sick person is feeling and going through.What a great book!!