Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait [Paperback]

Ruth Bell Graham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

Ruth Bell Graham knew about prodigals--two of her five children were spiritual wanderers. This is not a "how to" book that dispenses easy advice on ways to win back a prodigal. Instead, it is a collection of readings one woman turned to for comfort when her children wandered from God. It shows how Graham's faith persevered and grew regardless of the outcome of her prodigals' stories.
Part One introduces readers to five prodigals who "returned to the father." Part Two offers comfort and encouragement through Scripture, poems, hymns, prayers, and more. Readers will be touched by the honest feelings of pain, frustration, and uncertainty Graham expresses so eloquently. And they will share in the lessons she learned about God's sovereignty and ultimate peace. Now beautifully repackaged, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them brings peace and hope to all parents of "wayward" children.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

For anyone waiting for a prodigal's return.

There is perhaps nothing that brings more angst to a parent's heart than waiting for a prodigal to return home. Beloved author Ruth Bell Graham knew about prodigals--two of her five children were spiritual wanderers. In this time-tested classic, she offers encouragement to those who anxiously wait.

This is not a "how to" book that dispenses advice on ways to win back a prodigal. Instead, it is a collection of readings one woman turned to for comfort when her children wandered from God. It shows how Graham's faith persevered and grew regardless of the outcome of her prodigals' stories.

In Part One, Graham introduces you to five prodigals who "returned to the father." In Part Two, she offers comfort and encouragement through Scripture, poems, hymns, prayers, and more. You will be touched by the honest feelings of pain, frustration, and uncertainty Graham expresses so eloquently. And you will share in the lessons she learned about God's sovereignty and ultimate peace.

Now beautifully repackaged, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them brings peace and hope to all parents of "wayward" children.

Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007) was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and the wife of well-known evangelist Billy Graham. She authored a number of books, including Ruth Bell Graham's Collected Poems and the bestselling One Wintry Night.

About the Author

Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007) was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and the wife of well-known evangelist Billy Graham. She authored a number of books, including Ruth Bell Graham's Collected Poems and the bestselling One Wintry Night.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801071550
• ISBN-13: 978-0801071553
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for parents with rebellious children May 12, 1999

By Becky Vierling [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

Ruth Bell Graham writes about famous historical men who lived rebellious lives before submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. She gives parents hope as she unravels these men's crooked paths and shows how in the end they were used mightily of God. In between these chapters she interjects her own words, poems, and prayers of encouragement taken from her many years of journalling during her own sons' rebellious times. She unveils the pain of a mother's heart and at the same time gives great hope for all readers to trust God to do amazing things with their own children. Ruth Bell Graham stresses the need to turn our "borrowed" children over to God and let Him do His work---and often that work is in our own lives first.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great encouraging book to give away. September 11, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have had this book in my library for years and it is a great source of encouragment. Mrs. Graham's insightful way of sharing her heart with others fans the flame of hope. This "my" book to give to other whose children are "in the far country."

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading for the discouraged parent of a prodigal. July 4, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I found the book to be a very encouraging word in a time of need when my teenage son had turned his back on the Lord. Ruth's words were helpful and insightful. It was a nice reminder that others have gone through the same or similar thing and come out the other side victorious in the Lord.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars hope for hurting parents November 30, 2005

By Debbie d

Format:Paperback

this book came into my hands in 1995... there is also a study guide that was available with it... I found that about a month after I found the book... my two sons were in 9th and 11th grade at the time and were going into scary territory in their lives... they both had started using drugs and hanging out with really disfunctional kids... they would bring them home and my husband and I would be shocked by what their home lives and their parents were like... using drugs themselves, or just plain abusive or crazy home lives... so at some point our sons had stopped being the "helpful friends" for their friends and started getting messed up themselves... so all this I say to say that this book on prodigals came when we were getting scared for our sons... in this book, Ruth Belle Graham has collected personal poems she wrote, stories and clips she collected and scriptures and prayers as she went through her two sons being prodigals as well... every story, every line was a lifeline to me to help me see God was still able to help my sons and was going to help me learn how to pray for them and continue to love them through their crazy years... I have given it to several friends already... I highly recommend it for encouragement...also Franklin Graham's book "Rebel with a cause"... it is excellent from the opposite point of view because he was one of Ruth's prodigal sons...=)

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Internal Peace May 25, 2003

By "bschmolt"

Format:Paperback

This book lead me to an internal peace that I cannot describe. My son was a runaway and I had not seen him in 4 months when I purchased this book. Reading it gave me strength and hope and the peace that only our Lord can give. I continue to recommend this book to others facing tough teen agers and to mention stories in the book that helped me through a most difficult time.

The peace which came as a result of reading this book has brought me to a higher level in my relationship with God.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Prodigals...and those who love them November 24, 2007

By G. Madsen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is an excellent read. It is a fast read, and a treasure to have in one's library. We have 3 prodigals in our extended family, so this was a much needed book for information and encouragement. Besides this, I love the author and have read other books by Ruth Bell Graham. She is a role model for today's Christian woman, even though she is no longer living on this earth.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book! December 17, 2008

By Sharon Storm

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this because I've loved passing it along to anyone struggling with a loved one "going the wrong way". The hope of God's redemption is unbelievable, and this book shares encouragement that worked for Ruth Graham (Billy Graham's wife).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars God gives us hope for those who wander. March 2, 2006

By Pastor Andrew Martin

Format:Paperback

What a great book! God's kindness and healing is what every prodical needs. I recommend it.