I Say a Prayer for Me: One Woman's Life of Faith and Triumph (Hardcover)

by Stanice Anderson (Author) "Beware of guys with matchbook covers torn off at the end," my father warned me as he walked away..." (more)
Key Phrases: yellow binder, windowless bathroom, Mary Jane, New King James Version, North Carolina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
One Sunday afternoon in the 1980s, Anderson locked herself in her deserted office suite, prepared some heroin and, after searching 10 minutes for a usable vein, injected herself. Three days later she awoke in intensive care, recovering from an accidental overdose. A co-worker had found Anderson's nearly lifeless body and called 911. Though grateful for rescue, Anderson was hopelessly addicted. Even before leaving the hospital she was using drugs again, despite signing herself into the psychiatric ward for help. Today Anderson, clean for 17 years, is an author (12-Step Programs: A Resource Guide for Helping Professionals) and motivational speaker who credits God, a treatment program, AA and a circle of caring friends for her recovery and for the subsequent fulfillment of her deepest aspirations. Each of the more than 40 chapters in this book tells a gripping personal story, alternating devastating experiences of rape, abuse and failed relationships with inspirational accounts of miracles, forgiveness, successes and tough love. Following each story is a brief spiritual application, a prayer and a quotation from the Bible. Combining African-American preaching cadences and King James phrasing with a novelist's ear for dialogue, Anderson's stories bring to life her conviction that "when we ask God for a dream or a vision for our lives, our prayers will not only be answered with tailor-made dreams prepared in advance for us; but we will also be given absolutely everything that we need to realize the dream."
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Anderson is a recovering heroin addict who offers an inspiring and compelling look at her long journey to self-destruction and her ultimate recovery through religion. Anderson chronicles her slow downslide from one drug to another, one thrill-seeking party and abusive relationship to another, until she overdoses on her job and nearly dies three times on the way to the hospital. She loses her job, custody of her child, and all sense of self-restraint before she finally gathers the courage to find peace in her relationship with God to recover herself and her life. She looks back on a life of 18 years of drug abuse, rape at the age of 13, a failed marriage, and abandonment of her child, and her eventual triumph. Anderson intersperses her recollection of treatment and recovery with Bible passages and affirmations. Readers with their own personal struggles with addiction will appreciate this profoundly inspiring story of recovery and redemption. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Walk Worthy Press (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446530344
• ISBN-13: 978-0446530347
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,057,379 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired Words, December 31, 2002

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

I Say a Prayer for Me is part autobiographical, part self help, and one hundred percent inspirational. Stanice Anderson has shared more than just her life story, but also her personal testimony. She shared her experiences with drug addiction and the lifestyle that goes along with it, as well as her strained relationship with her parents and child. The story chronicles her spiritual journey from addict to the strong Christian that she is today. The book goes far beyond the mere description of events by delving into the emotions related to the decisions she made. Each chapter of the book covers an important emotional lesson, Anderson uses her own life to illustrate a problem and then uses Biblical text to shed light on the lesson she learned. The chapters conclude with a scripture reading and a prayer.

I highly recommend this book because of the variety of subject matter it covers including, relationships with God, parents, children, friends, spouses, and coworkers. Indeed, it has something for everyone. While the format of the book was confusing at times because the experiences were not always presented chronologically, it was still a pleasure to read. Stanice Anderson has truly been blessed and her candor and willingness to share her testimony will be an inspiration for anyone who reads this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMEN! - Author of "BrainChild: Visions of a Blind Poet", December 6, 2002

By	Derek M.A. Alexander (Wilmington, DE United States) - See all my reviews

My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Anderson at one of her book signings. As she revealed to me what her book was about, I knew that I had to buy it, and read it as soon as possible. I am definitely glad that I did.

"I Say a Prayer For Me" is not just about a woman who had a heroin addiction and was able to overcome it. It goes much deeper than that. It is about Ms. Anderson's realization that our lives are not our own to do with as we please. Rather, she learned to know and to trust God, and how to allow him to direct her steps throughout her life jouney. She was able to do this despite outside distractions, her own feelings of unworthiness, and while fighting off her own shortcomings and weaknesses. She helps us to understand that in all of our lives, we will face many different types of challenges. We may have our own types of addictions to deal with(ANYTHING that detracts from and interferes with our spiritual growth or well being). She shows us by her example how we too can unburden ourselves on God and seek his wisdom and guidance.

She also tells us that we should not hesitate to enlist the help of others when we need it, and not to miss the opportunity to help others if we see that they need help.

"I Say a Prayer For Me" is a very good book that contains very powerful messages. I am glad that I was deemed worthy to have the opportunity to meet Ms. Anderson, and to have the chance to buy a copy of this book to share with others.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Women Do Recover!..., November 14, 2002

By	Lloyd E. Hart Jr. "theblacklibrarycom" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Are you recovering from something? Do you think that you're alone in that process? Read this Sistah's book and see that you are N-ever A-lone. You Go Girl!...