Editorial Reviews

I SAY A PRAYER FOR ME:
One Woman's Life of Faith and Triumph
by Stanice Anderson
Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books

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 the 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 cadence and King James phrasing with a novelist's eye for dialogue, Anderson's stories bring to life her conviction that "when we ask God for a dream or 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 © Reed Business Information, Inc., Publishers Weekly

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 will appreciate this profoundly inspiring story of recovery and redemption. Vanessa Bush Copyright © American Library Association. All
rights reserved

BET.com chose I SAY A PRAYER FOR ME for their Best Books of 2002 list. "An uplifting story of self-renewal, self-discovery and spirituality, Anderson tells of her devastating decline -- from the depths of her heroine addiction and overdose at work -- and how her life subsequently fell apart in the aftermath. How she pulls herself together through her faith in God, drug rehab programs and help from loved ones, is truly a remarkable and compelling story, but most of all, it is inspirational and triumphant." Copyright © 2003 BET.COM. All rights reserved

More than a memoir, this is a devotional book for anyone needing encouragement. Stanice Anderson grew up with money and good, though not always attentive, parents. She lived a relatively carefree life until a chance encounter changed everything. Her introduction to heroin eventually led to a vicious cycle of addiction and a downward spiral of self as she lived through abusive realtionships and prostitution. Drugs killed the pain, filled the void and made her feel invincible. But then she found something stronger than smack: God. In this inspirational book, Anderson shows how her faith got her life back on track and how God can help anyone willing to put their trust in Him. Includes prayers, exercises and scripture references. Copyright © 2003 Black Expressions. All rights reserved.

Now in paperback, Stanice Anderson's engrossing book offers lessons of God's faithfulness as she recounts her journey through addiction, tragedy, and pain to eventually emerge whole. When Stanice Anderson first began experimenting with drugs, she never imagined she'd become an addict; she just wanted to get her feet wet. However, she quickly descended into full-fledged addiction, becoming what she describes as "a lonely, desperate, moral-less, and bitter woman hell bent on self-destruction." Caught in a vicious and deadly cycle of drugs and abusive relationships, she almost didn't survive. But God had another plan. One day, while shooting drugs and watching television she heard someone on the 700 Club saying that God loved her, and slowly she began to undertake the arduous journey to reclaim her life. Offering reflections on her past and the prayers that got her through her darkest hours, Anderson delivers a message of inspiration and hope as a living example of the healing and restorative power of God.

On a more serious note, Stanice Anderson has released “I Say A Prayer For Me.” 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 and 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 looks back on a life of 18 years of drug abuse, rape at the age of 13, a failed marriage, abandonment of her child, and her eventual triumph. Anderson intersperses her recollection of treatment and recovery with Bible passages and affirmations. It’s an inspiring read. If you’re facing struggles and personal dilemmas, you should walk away feeling encouraged! -- Jawn Murray

Diana Pedersonis BellaOnline's Christian Literature Host
God, through his son Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit is the only being capable of changing a person’s life totally. Stanice Anderson shares her very personal story of a life that went down hill from the time of a horrible rape at age fourteen. By age 20 she was doing drugs. To most people, her life seemed pretty worthless. After overdosing on drugs, she was admitted to a treatment center. There she began working the “twelve-step program”. The participants in this program convinced her to deal with the cause of her drug use – back to the rape.

And so began my journey—as painful as it had been sometimes—to deal with scars and open wounds left by rape, abortions, a failed marriage, an abandoned son, and the lifestyle. I had to go to God because it was too deep and the inner pain was too great. … I started praying constantly, reading all I could about God, asking questions, watching other people who walked in faith and trying to emulate them. Even in my new faith-walk, I only meant to wet my feet—but it pulled me in—the waters of God’s love for me ran deep—even deeper than drugs. [Page 10]

This book documents Stanice Anderson’s journey from a drug addict to the wonderful Christian speaker and writer she is today. Some parts are painful to read. Other parts seem incredible to the person who has never experienced the horrors of her prior lifestyle. She shares the painful details of fighting to stay alive because of an abusive boyfriend and later an abusive husband. The details of her illegal abortion as a young college student are revealed.

Stanice freely shares her thoughts as she becomes a new Christian and begins walking a new path in life. It wasn’t easy to turn her back on many years of living the alternative lifestyle. She had to learn to walk by faith through counseling from wise friends, study of the Bible, and Prayer. She shares how God can heal the worst wounds a person has and turn them into a triumphant Christian.

I Say A Prayer for Me may be difficult for some to to read simply because it is almost mind boggling to think that people are willing to live the lifestyle Stanice describes. Yet, we only have to look around our neighborhoods today to find some young person that has started down the path that leads to drug addiction or alcoholism or promiscuous sex or an abusive relationship. If you do nothing else to help that person, hand them this book. It shows how God is willing to reach down to fallen man and make them into a new creature in Christ.

Anderson’s writing style is outstanding. You feel like you are right next to her living through every detail. It’s clear the author shares her heart with the reader. Appropriate scripture and a prayer follow each chapter. This book could easily be used as a devotional by someone struggling to break free of the lifestyle described inside the book. Every chapter points the reader to the Lord as the only answer for our problems.

Recommendation

This book should be on every pastor’s shelf for the day a drug addict walks through the church doors. Too many of our trained leaders really don’t understand what the addict has been through. All too often they simply refer the person to some public agency for help without trying to show the addict that Jesus Christ is the only true help.

It will be difficult to put down this book once you start reading it. You’ll want to know what happens next and how God solves the next crisis this new babe in Christ experiences. I am sure you will rejoice as you see God clean up a person most people simply would have given up as being hopeless. God has proven faithful in Stanice Anderson’s life. He will be faithful in your life too. If you are not a Christian, pick up this book and read it through. I really don’t believe anyone can continue believing that God doesn’t want to intervene in the affairs of any single person after reading this incredible story.

Jabez Entertainment Group

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prospr you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." Jeremiah 29:11-14

How is it to be and live as Stanice Anderson? How is it to be and live as you? Have there been times where you have felt ashamed about your life and that your struggles are unique and different and that no one will understand if you told them about it?

Relax, you are not alone there are others out there experiencing maybe the ame or worse encounters. God is always there for us and is carrying us through despite what we may see, what we hear or how we feel. This book was truly a blessing for us to review because it was a "blunt" depiction of life. We saw the story as "parables" written in the Bible of modern day times.

Her table of contents displays a hint of the action packed words of wisdom that you will find in this power packed book: Invite God In Your Life; Faith; Trusting God's Perfect Plan; Surrender To God's Will; Forgiveness and Hope to name a few. After each story about her life (that we can all "definitely" relate to at some point) she provides a prayer and a scripture related to that particular struggle to assist you in dealing with that pain, or adventure entering into your life. "All things work together for good..." Romans 8:28 leading the way in getting closer to God.

If you want to read something that you can relate to I Say A Prayer For Me is for you.