My name is S.G. and i am a 33 year old addict in recovery. I have been trying to change my life for some time now. I have come to the realization that i can not do this alone therefore I have ask God for guidance to get back on the right path. I would like to get mor information from you on recovery and how you've done it. My aunt gave me you book and your stories are just like mine. My drug of choice was crack cocaine and i was bad. I hated myself and everything about me. I abandonded my child who was only about 5 months at the time. Im grateful that when she turned 3 that i was able to kinda see the light. I was still back and forth with my drug use however i knew that i had to straighten my act. Please Help.

Stanice: Thank you for taking the time to email me. I feel you, my sister. You know I do. I was there. But what God does for one HE WILL do for another… Father God, thank you for sparing S___. Thank you that you have plans for her life. Plans for prosperity and not disaster. Plans to give her a future and a hope…just like your Word promises. Walk with her Lord, talk with her Lord, remind her that she is your own. That she is in the palm of your hand and no one can snatch her out…now that she has said YES to your invitation and knock on the door to be her everlasting Lord and Savior. Her steps are ordered by you Lord so we thank you now for the healthy people that you will replace the toxic one who only aided her in going away from your path. Now she seeks your face and your way. Put people in her life like you did mine. People like Dorine and Claudia, Omie and even healthy men friends that want only to see her NOT USE ONE DAY AT A TIME. With you all things are possible. I ask this and all things in Jesus’ Name. Amen. So be it!

I suggest that you Go to www.na.org and see what meetings are in your area and attend. I found that God used people to lift me up, encourage me and help me get through each day…until now it will be 21 years clean and sober on May 20th. And for real I was skeptical that I could stay clean a full day. But God….. And that same God is blessing you, right now.

Ms. Anderson: I've been a member of AA for a few years-the 12 steps applied to other areas of my life have helped me overcome other addictions such as drug, bulimia, smoking, and sexual addictions. They have aslo been a great help in helping me manage my bi-polar (BP) and I would like to share this with other BP sufferers. I have done some research and have yet to discover a 12-step recovery program specifically for people with BP. I was wondering if you may have heard of one? If not could you at least give me a direction on how I would go about starting one, or refer me to someone who may be of assistance? Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter, and God Bless!!! -Sandy

Stanice: Check out Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA). This page on their site defines the “no fault illness” concept that a member would have in addition to the addiction - - perhaps bi-polar falls under it…I’m not a clinician so I can’t say for sure. They also have start-up meeting info. I hope this is helpful. Congratulations on all the strides you are making in your own recovery and in helping others achieve the success you have. God is blessing you, right now.

Dear Stanice Anderson,
Hello, my name is V_____ I'm 19 years old. I am fixing to turn 20 in a few weeks. Anyways, I am writing you this email to tell you what a wonderful and touching book you wrote. I SAY A PRAYER FOR ME. It's outstanding. You see, while I was growing up, I was molested by an older cousin. I was only 5 years old. When I got older I found a way to forget about that happened to me by using and experimenting with drugs. I believe I was 12 years old when I began a slow start to destruction. Then I started going to a place called Palmer's Drug Abuse Program. It was fun. There was many kids my age and older who where trying to get off of drugs, but I thought, "Hey I just started why do I want to stop". Soon I started to use cocaine.

Then when I was 15 years old I got raped twice. Anger and bitterness filled my heart. Now I wasn't a 15 year old cocaine user, I was a 15 year old heroin user. I loved the way it felt. I soon forgot about how my parents loved to help everyone out but their own daughter. I forgot the pain I felt when I asked my best friend to tell the guy who raped me to leave and she said, no. Pretty soon I was stealing just to get a fix. I dropped out of school in the beginning of my 11th grade year. I was always running away from everything.

Then in January a few months before I turned 17, I was outside of a friend's house trying to unlock her car because she locked her keys in the car. The person who never ever talked to us came out and helped and he looked at me, not her, but me and said, "_____, what are you doing with your life? You're so young. Jesus loves you and has something great for you. Why are you messing up your life hanging around these people?" I didn't say anything. I just stood there for a second and then rolled my eyes. I heard a voice in my head that said, "Yeah right. How can that be? I'm useless to this world."

Then in March of 2003, I got a wake up call. Me and my best friend went to steal some DVDS. But when I was done and waiting for her outside, a man followed her and said she had to come with him and I as well. She got taken to jail and for some reason the cop just gave me a ticket and told me to go get some help for my friend. So I left with her car. I found someone to get her out of jail. We couldn't go back to our house, so what did we do? The only thing we knew how...we ran away again.

Finally on March 23, 2003 we said enough was enough and went home. She dropped me off down the street from my house instead of in front. As I was walking, I thought, "What do I do now?" Then, I walked to the door and before I could even lift my arm to open it, to my surprise, my mom flung the door open, came out, and hugged me. I didn't understand why she, my dad, and my brother were being so emotional about it. After all, I ran away many times before.

Then, that night I was walking in my room and I thought I heard a voice say my name. Then, I heard it again and ran out my room. I started to think it was the devil himself coming after me. So I walked into my room one more time telling myself that there is nothing there, but this time I heard my name louder and I screamed. My dad came running in my room with a bat. He turned on the light and there sitting on the floor behind my TV was my best friend. My father said we only had 5 mins to talk and we decided to run a way again.

So that night i left my parents a note and took off down the street and waited for my best friend. After waiting a while, I realized she wasn't coming. When I was about to get up, a cop stopped me and asked what I was doing sitting alone on a street corner at 1:00 in the morning. He said, "go home."

That morning I lay on my bed and thought of how my life wasn't so great and fell asleep. I woke up to my mother screaming and running into my room. All she kept saying was, "show me your arms! show them to me." Right then and there, I knew that everything was about to come out. I told my parents everything I was doing. When I saw the look on my parents' faces and in their eyes, I could see their hearts breaking. After I finished confessing, I fell to my knees and cried.

The first person my dad called was a lady named _____ from the Palmer's Drug Abuse Program in San Antonio Tx. All she said was send her some where to detox her and I'll do the rest. But before I got to detox I had to get a blood test done to see if I had AIDS, HIV, or HEP C. It turned out I had Hep C. I cried the whole time I was sent away.

When I stated doing my 12 step program, I felt a way I still can't describe. But everyone loved me there. They all had known me since I was 12 years old and here I was 17. Oh yeah, you're right, they do like to hug alot--lol.

Anyways. while I was there I meant a guy named ______ who bugged me to death, but one day we sat down and really talked. He told me about Jesus and no matter how much I pushed this guy away God kept pushing him into my life--so i surrendered. I surrendered everything I had in November. I asked Jesus into my heart at my aunt's church. As I sat there crying like i have never cried before, it was wonderful. I finally felt free.

Then, the blessings started to fall from Heaven. On January 7, 2004, I was healed from Hep C. Then a few weeks after that ________ became my boyfriend. He keeps me on my toes. I finished high school. I am now in college. Me and ______ are still together. I help out in his Father's church with the children. My relationship with my parents is wonderful. They aren't Christian yet but I am working on it. Me and ______ are planning to get married in about 2 years.

Now reading your book made me see me ... if that makes any sense. You went down the same road as I. You over came the impossible. Your dreams came true and you got your books out. I bought your book about a year ago and I would pick it up read a few pages and put it back down and that's about it but this last time was different. Something just wouldn't it wouldn't let me put it down. My dream is to preach the word of God to the troubled youth and tell them my story. Reading your book has made me see I can do that and when the time is right God will provide.
Thank you for writing this book. May God bless you
© 2006 V_____, San Antonio, TX. Used with permission from V_______.

Stanice: What an awesome testimony, V_____! How blessed I am that you shared it with me. I needed it. I am encouraged. God’s timing is always perfect.

God promised long before I completed the manuscript that He would meet the readers within the pages. The readers were already assigned. You are yet another example of God being true to His word!

I am hoping that you will allow me to post your testimony on my blog, Stanice’s Open Mic, which is dedicated to talents and testimonies of others. If you’d like to change the names or use a pseudonym, just let me know. I will give you a credit line, © ___________, City and State. I know that it will bless the visitors to my site and blogs. Over 19,000 visitors come per month.

I pray God’s continued favor, provision, and peace, all other your life. I thank God that you have been saved…you AND your household. I stand with you in the unlimited and unstoppable salvation springing forth all around you as you share and live your testimony, in the Name of Jesus. Amen. So be it!

An E-mail Exchange Between Stanice and an Anonymous Mother... It begins:

Anonymous Mother:Thank you for your book.........as I struggle with a heroin addicted child, I am able to find the better of this heart wrenching part of my life......that all things are possible through God.....that God loves us all..........that we are all given the free will to choose our way.

I also thank you for your chapters on "God Bless The Child" and "Mortal Man" which so aptly explain the inner thoughts and feelings of my husband towards my son. I was convin
ced that you probably were peeking through my windows when you wrote these chapters but then of course I didn't know you and this was written long before my situation began. I realized we are not alone in our circumstances of life. It give us some feeling of normalcy to know others are experiencing the same......and the only constant through all of this is God........always was, always is, always will be.......and always ready to come to us when we're ready to open our door.

I thank you and will continue to pray for your ministry and I will remember what you have written about your life. Whenever I become frustrated or discouraged with my child's choices, I will remember that God is there, watching and waiting with open arms for my son to come to Him........

Stanice: Thank you!!!! For taking the time to read my book, share your experiences with me by writing this email. God promised long before I finished the manuscript that He would meet each reader within the pages exactly where they were…and you are yet another testimony to God being faithful and keeping His Word!!!!

I read your email to Omie (my friend since childhood and ministry partner that you met in the book) over the phone this morning and we praised God together for your testimony and for your life and for your child. Hopefully, there will come a time, when I can come your town (no matter where it is) to share my testimony and perhaps have a book discussion with whomever the Lord draws to whatever I believe that He will set up through you one day.

I love you, my sister in Christ Jesus and I look forward to meeting you on some God-ordained day. I pray that God continues to bless you and prosper your spirit as He is doing. I pray for your child, that God does for your child what He has done for me. That your child’s steps will turn toward Home to Jesus and that He will restore what the canker worm has eaten. I pray that your ministry to others in similar situation will flourish as your soul continue to flourish in all the God has deposited in you. I’m excited and expecting God to act mightily on your behalf. For Him a good Name. I’m thank You, Lord right now for the miracle you are in the midst of performing even as I write this email…seeking only your face. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. So be it, indeed!

Anonymous Mother: A few weeks ago, I sent you an e-mail entitled "I Love You". Well, the child I referred to in my e-mail overdosed lastnight..............he's alive. I called the Teen Challenge program in ________ and they said they were full.........actually my son called them and they explained they were full......I thought perhaps that my son hit 'rock botto' after overdosing lastnight.......time will tell.....but in the meantime, I pray, Stanice, that the Lord God, Almighty, make an opening for him where there is no opening.........and I know that will happen if it is in my son's heart to get the 'real deal' treatment for his heroin abuse...i.e. that he turn it over to God. What are the chains that bind him from seeking God's help?

As I love my son very much, I cannot continue to live like this anymore........I have two other children, ages 15 & 16 and a husband. Everyone tells me to 'kick him out' ........I don't know what is right or wrong anymore. What does your personal experience tell you about 'a parent no longer wanting the problem in their home'? Does it weaken the bind that perhaps gives him the will to continue to live everyday? Would I be sending him to be sacrificed by the world if I 'kick him out'?

Dear God, I thank you for Stanice and what she has accomplished and overcome.......she gives us all a glimpse of hope that my son can overcome this demon. I pray dear God, that you get in my son's head like you have never done before and provide him a way out of his 'hell' ...an opening where there is none...a determiination where there is just a little right now.....and the ability to see that we really LOVE him and he needs to break the chains that bind him. Amen! Thanks Stanice,

Stanice: AMEN!!! Thank you, Jesus! For sparing his life!!!!! Open up the doors for ______’s son, Lord. Make the help available to him and the willingness on His part to receive and actively seek that help. Plant a hope that out shines all despair and gets him to press his way…just like you did for me Lord, Do for him.

_____, let me say this, my mom – shut the door on me… my dad…years before my mom shut the door on me…and while it seem like THE cruelest thing any parents could ever do… you know what it did for me – It gave me no choice but to CRY OUT TO GOD. No one else was there. I can’t tell you what you need to do…no one can, my sister in Christ – but Christ – as He will lead you through our Counselor—Our Helper—the Holy Spirit. We have to trust, if we know God like we say we know Him we got to show it by letting go and letting Him! Trusting Him like our next breath depends on it—AND IT DOES. As long as there is breath—there is hope! You are doing the right thing…you are seeking God first. Just like His Word instructs you…

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Pray it out using God’s prescription… Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Anonymous Mother: Thank you so very much for your very thorough and personal response. Shortly after I sent my e-mail to you, the story of Abraham and his son, Isaac, came to mind ( Genesis 22:1-14 ). How difficult it must have been for Abraham to take Isaac to the mountaintop thinking that his only son would be sacrificed.....letting my son go could result in death from overdose, a killing by a drug'lord', even diseases such as hepatitis or HIV. It's almost as if I'm letting him go to be sacrificed....but like Abraham, I much trust and I believe God is testing my limitations of my commitment to Him. The test is, "Do I really trust God?" and of course, I do.

In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Psalm 81:7

Thank you once again for your kindness, Sis...I feel as if I've known you all of my life. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.

Stanice: Not letting go could also result in the same… Perhaps, check out Nar-Anon…
Nar-Anon's Purpose Nar-Anon is a twelve-step program designed to help relatives and friends of addicts recover from the effects of living with an addicted relative or friend.

their first step…

We are powerless over the addict and our lives had become unmanageable (trying the manage the behavior and life of the addict—I added this part). Go to www.nar-anon.org for more info and to see where meetings may be in your area. You’ll get the sense to that you are not alone in your struggle. There are also other programs that I have links for on my website.

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Please pray for me and my children. I am a recovering addict with almost 7years clean. I am going through a difficult time now. My marriage is all but over, I am on the verge of possibly being evicted. I am trying to find a second job. I am really scared. I don't want to use again, my family seems to think that is what I will do.I honestly don't believe I am going to use. Life has thrown me some curveballs and I must step up to the plate. Please, please pray for me that I find a job and new housing thank. Dee-Dee, you one of God's children.

Stanice: I hope that you don't see this as an intrusion...as the Glory Girl staff felt led by the Holy Spirit to forward your email to me. I am the author of I Say A Prayer for Me: One Woman's Life of Faith and Triumph, published by Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books.

I, too, am in recovery from active addiction and have been clean by God's total grace 20 years - one day at a time. There have and still are times in my recovery when I get scared but you know what, Dee-Dee, courage is not the absence of fear but going on in spite of. And of more comfort to me is God's Word which says, 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Therefore the fear is not of God and anything that ain't of God, I don't want.

I like, you, have been pressed to the max, during this time clean, I have lost a job, quit a job, got fired from one job -early on in recovery...almost lost apartments, almost lost my home, been married twice during recovery both times to abusive men...and had to pray to ask God to get me out...and He has...God has spared me from myself so many times. My sponsor Dorine once playfully told me, "Girl, you've been delivered more than anyone I know." But I know it's probably true.

They're been times where I've longed to be with Jesus more than I wanted to be on this earth. Had to go to therapy at different intervals in my recovery...just needed someone help me to sort it all out. I thank God for the 12-steps too...working through them with my sponsor who God placed in my life. Living life on life's terms was so new and foreign to me...I had run away from everything...most of my life. And then learning how to stand firm...learning how to turn my life ...every aspect of my life over to the care of God...has been a challenge for an independent self-centered fool like I've been known to be. But through it all God has kept me and I have held on to His promises. But I tell you this...If I didn't have a personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ...I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE...I WOULD HAVE NOT COME THIS FAR. He is the light that illumines my darkest periods... I hold on to this...no matter what is going on in my life. "God says, 'I alone know the plans I have for you. Plans for prosperity and not disaster. Plans to give you a future and a hope." Whatever is going on ...even now...Dee-Dee...I pray God's word back to him,..."Lord God you promised that you have plans for my life...plans for prosperity and not disaster. You promised me a future and a hope. So I'm not going to look at the things that surround me...circumstances lie, people lie. But you say you love me...that I am in the palm of your hand and that no one or nothing can snatch me out of your hand. That you will never leave me nor forsake me...so here I am standing on your promises...through it all...in it all. You are my hope.

We can't turn back now Dee-Dee. We got to see what the end is gonna be. And the best is indeed yet to be. Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens.

Father God, I pray for my sister in You. Do for her what you done for me. Lord I thank you for saving her and for keeping her safe even through the madness. We both know that each time we got put drugs in our bodies it could have taken us out...for we didn't really know what we were putting in our bodies until it was in there. But Lord, even when we were still sinners you demonstrated your love for us in this...You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. Oh, we can't thank you enough. Now, Lord my sister like me is on the other side...on Your side...and out of the madness that we full well know leads only to our total destruction...So you have plans for her life...and even though her life hurts right now...let her know that you will use even this period of her life...to lead her to the next level in you....totally God-dependent and that you will work all things together for good of those that love you and are called according to your purposes...and she is called according to your purposes. Holy Spirit, continue to teach her, and show her herself through God's eyes. How precious and loved she is...and that You will turn her hurts into joys. Grant her wisdom and discernment in all things and give her exactly what she needs at the moments that she needs it. I thank you too for the ministry that is springing forth out of her life...as she looks to you...and comes to believe even the more that greater works will she do in her days than Jesus did in His... In Jesus' Name. Amen. So be it!

Dee-Dee, if you would like my publisher to plant a copy of my book into your life, please forward me your address and I will pass it on. God promised even before I finished that manuscript that He had already assigned the readers and that He would meet each one at their points of need...within the pages. God is blessing you right now.

I doubt you will read this but I am writing anyway....I have never written to a famous author before...I am reading your book..."I Say a Prayer For Me".....I loved your story especially since I was fighting my own addiction and still am going through withdrawals...the part I am finding difficult reading is how everything seemed to go so perfect after you got clean...I am a Christian and have had many struggles trying to get and stay clean..didn't you ever struggle? God has done miracles in my life but nothing like what you are talking about...the stories make me doubt myself and whether the Lord is really going to help stay clean this time...I once had 3 years clean and then relapsed....the last 6 years have been a nightmare...I want to be a writer too...as you can see by my punctuation, I'll probably never get my book published...but it has been good for me to write...I am currently licensed to teach Jr. High and High School Math and Psychology..so obviously little experience with writing....I have never succeeded in teaching because of my addiction...before my 3 years clean I had been using daily for 27 years...I really thought I would make it during those 3 years....I went to some NA and a lot of AA meetings as well as attending church regularly....I also chaired weekly meetings in the county jail for 2 years....I am full of hope and fear at the same time, hoping this time will be different...I know if I ever use again I will die...I don't have another withdrawal in me..I almost lost my mind this time...I know this a-mail is all over the place...I am tired and I just wanted to write...I hope I am making sense...do some people struggle more than others? Dumb question I know but I would love to hear that it is o.k. for me to be struggling... that spiritual warfare is really going on in my life....thank you for your book and of course God Bless you and your ministry.. Anonymous

Stanice: Please forgive the delay in my responding. Although I did read your email on the day that you sent it and prayed for you in the moments after reading it. You really touched my heart and I know that is where the battle is fought and won—on the prayer field. My life is witness to that.

You will get through and no it is not easy. Was not easy for me – is not easy for me – but press my way I must. While my book has true stories lived through my recovery…now 20 years as of May 20th. They are not the only stories…there are more…. And they are real… My sponsor, Dorine told me once, “you’ve been delivered more than anyone I know.” And you know what I’ve been delivered for I believe the most – myself. Letting go, dying to self, turning my will and my life over to the care of God…daily…has been difficult…is difficult…but I would not trade in any day…that I’ve lived during these years in recovery and in the light of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Through it all…my testimony speaks on the love, grace and favor of God. As does yours, my friend. The greater the suffering it seems the greater the impact of our ministry. That means absolutely nothing perhaps when you’re going through but one the other side – it all seems worth every tear, every cry out to God…every prayer, every doubt, every fear and every ounce of faith that we muster up as we learn to look to Jesus for our EVERY need. When I am given the opportunity to share my experience in any way…whether in word, deed, written or spoken…and I experience the reaction of the person or persons hearing me…relating to me…believing that if God did it for me He can and will do it for them…I’m telling you know it is all WORTH it.. For the gospel’s sake… For the gospel’s sake. For the Good news that each of us needs to hear; especially in these last days. It makes my soul cry out…like Jesus…if this cup and pass me by Father God let it…but if not…Your will be done. Just give me the strength to endure, to persevere, to follow you through to the other side—VICTORY—TRIUMPH—against all hope, in hope, my hope is YOU!

I have a husband addicted to crack. He is a wonderful man at times. We have children. He is gone for most hours of the day. But when he comes home he gets high. with me and the children right there. We never see him do it because he goes into the bath room. I try to talk to him. He never listens to me. He makes me feel that I am over exaggerating. But I know this is not right. I want to leave but where can I go. If I leave he will try to hurt me. I tried to kick him out a times before and he got violent. He had broken up a lot of things. I had my purse thrown at my head and I even was knocked over the couch and shoved out of the bed onto the floor. But he swears up and down that he will not hurt me. He tells me how much of a good women I am to stay with him. but I am tired. But I do not know what to do next. Do I leave from work and never come back? what about my children? If I leave he will tear apart all the things I have worked hard for. Do I take my children and flee? But where to my father's small apartment. How will I get to work and my children get to school from ___ to _____ every day? Should I take the children out of there home? I need help to decide what I should do. My heart tells me to stay and help. But my mind and body says warning get out and quick I can. Do I stay in a shelter for battered women and children, when most of my abuse is done mentally? I can not prove it.

Stanice: I call you that because I sense your spirit. I sense your love of God and I sense that you have heard God’s whispers in your heart. Now, you must act on them. Take a step. Make the phone call. Yes, battered is “ I had my purse thrown at my head and I even was knocked over the coach and shoved out of the bed onto the floor.” And the mental and verbal abuse…the slurs, the children being witness and fearing for you because of him…and you never know the consequences of his what his behavior as it relates to whom he gets the crack from…there is no longer a code of my beef is with you and NOT your family. Listen to your spirit…and move according. Make the call…to a shelter for battered women…let the case managers/counselors help with the logistics…they have it down to a science for you are not the only one.

I can’t tell if you’ve read my book, but my story is in there as it relates to my now late husband who when I left him the first time…and he had grabbed me on several occasions, verbally battered me and made me fearful…I waited until he went to work…. I didn’t pack but I had already arranged for movers, rented a townhouse, and acted like I was going to work but went to the woods to pray … and waited until I felt strengthened and that he should be at work. I rode past his job. Saw his car. And then went back home and went into action. Grabbed up stuff and put into the trash bags…as the movers came at their scheduled time. I was out of that apartment by 1:30 as I knew he got off at 3:00… When he got home I was gone...i did leave him a bed and the utilities on…. Months later…he convinced me that he had gotten the help he needed and I moved him into the townhouse the Lord provided as a haven for me. Well true to form within a month, it was evident that he was not the changed man that he claimed, and everything escalated. He even started drinking again and I also found out he was addicted to porn…that’s another story. And one thing I know about addiction of any kind, it only gets worse if not addressed.

I called the domestic abuse hotline…I was living in Durham, NC at the time. I sensed that the Lord was leading me into this action because it was getting scary…he was retreating to behavior that showed me that it was just a matter of time before he exploded on me. The lawyer said that the judge would not sign because John had not physically battered me but I assured her that this was the course that I felt the Lord was leading me so as my lawyer please just help me fill out the papers and take it into the judge. That same day I made preparations to have the locks and the telephone number changed. I said nothing to John. I left the next morning while he was still looking at cartoons…like I was going to work. I said, “See you later, honey. And then went directly to the courthouse and met the lawyer (free provided by the court) she took my restraining order application back to the judge. To the lawyer’s amazement…the judge signed.

I went directly downstairs to the sheriff’s office and dispatched them to my townhouse to have John extracted. I gave them a description, etc. and I had already told the office what time to change the locks on the townhouse and that I would pick up the key once they changed it. I left the courthouse and drove down to Greensboro for lunch. When I came back home John was gone. We later went to court…and I had a woman judge and when she asked john if he wanted to contest what I was saying in my complaint about him he said, “No.” The Lord fought that battle for me. I didn’t let him back again other than with the sheriff to get the rest of his thing. I let him go upstairs with the officers and did not follow him around…I was like this take whatever you want because God provides my every need…they are just things. My life, my son’s and my relationship with God was all that mattered.

The lawyer said that she had seen many a woman start a case but not follow through…or wait until they were hurt…or in an out for times so that I should not feel back cause let him back it that first time. It was the Lord…I was not to worry about the how or the outcome…as I prayed the Holy Spirit led me…and God provided absolutely everything I needed including the wisdom, strength, courage, lawyer and judge….and a will to not go back. I’d had enough! And the Lord showed me that He wanted for me a man who would love me as Christ loved the church.

So, my sister, I pray right now in the name of Jesus. That if you don’t know Christ that even in this moment you will cry out to Him, ask Him to forgive you for your sins, and be to you what no one else can be… your Lord and the Savior of your soul. Ask him to live His live through you. And if you know him, I pray that even though this you will hear His voice, feel His love …experience His wisdom and courage and be so moved that you will move out of the boat and walk on the sea towards Him. ____, God alone knows the plans that He has for your live, plans for prosperity and not disaster, plans to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11-13.) Lord, do for ____ what You’ve done for me…keep her and her children protected and grant her a life that is far beyond anything that she can even ask, think or imagine. I ask this in Jesus’ matchless Name, Amen so be it!

You’ve taken a first step _____, you’ve let someone in… you’ve put your pride aside and shared what’s going on in your life. I count myself blessed to have been given the opportunity to listen to you and to share my experiences. What satan has used to try to kill me and my spirit…God would not let him do it….NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU or me my sister…will prosper. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. God will use your testimony to help somebody too…somebody who faces the same things and you will be able to tell them that “I have a friend that sticks closer than a brother, husband, mother, or father. I have Jesus, and that’s enough.

I'm a hurting wife who loves her husband dearly. At this time my husband barely come home because of his addiction and I'm so devastated. My children are also suffering too... He has been in treatment 4 times and nothing has worked. I love God so much and I know with his power he is able to help my husband. I keep praying for this miracle but I'm in need of some kind of hope because my heart is hurting and I feel I have never suffered this much in my life... This pain is so severe I keep asking God why don't you do something to make my husband stop and come back home...I won't talk to anyone because I'm ashamed that my husband has lost all respect for me and my children. He doesn't even come home and when he does he's on crack and its like he is another person someone I don't even know. It's as if the drug has taken over him. They say crack cocaine is impossible to get off of let alone drugs in general, but God can do anything but can He help my husband even if he doesn't have the Holy Spirit? The power will come when he accepts Christ, he has walked in front of the church and said he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, but there was never a life style change. Please write back I need to hear from you.

Stanice: Thank you taking the time to sit down to write me. I thank God for this preordained time. Although we may be miles apart, in the Spirit, we are standing before the throne of God together with prayers on our lips and hopes in our hearts.

As long as there is breath there is hope. I personally know many people that also had Crack as their drug of choice but who no longer use crack or any other drug including alcohol. I know many, through my experience with the 12-step programs, who are not born-again…some even atheist. God is sovereign. He has mercy on whom he would have mercy. And He hardens hearts and softens hearts… God’s ways are far and above ours. I also know people who love Jesus but who are still addicted. Remember I accepted Christ first then a while later, I broke free from the chains that God keyed open for me – from heroin and all other drugs including methodone and liquor. I’m attaching 2 stories I wrote dealing with my victory from meth and cigarettes. Cigarettes almost 4 years ago but remember I’ve been born-again for over 20 years and delivered from heroin & liquor for 20 years as of May 20, 2005.

While you continue to pray and stand in the gap for your husband there is yourself and a 10-year old that you are responsible for. The 23 year old son…well, he’s a man now.

Enabling. That is what concerns me right now. You allowing your estranged (and for real – he is emotionally unavailable) to come and go as he pleases. Polluting the home that Christ provided. Perhaps it’s time for you to fight for your own life and sanity and that of your child and your man child.

As long as there are no consequences to your husband…why not come in and out—that’s just addicted behavior. You and I know the drill. You because you’ve lived with and loved an addict for years and me because I was an addict as long as I make the daily choice NOT TO USE NO MATTER WHAT. I am delivered—and it is my responsibility to do what is necessary to stay delivered. Free will is a gift of God.

Your addiction to him has isolated you and painted you into a corner and dared you to cry out for help…but you cried out anyway. You cried out to God and yo wrote this email. This is a start. A good start. Let’s move on…

I suggest that you go to NarAnon’s (families of addicts) website to find a meeting in your area, pray and ask God to guide you to the help and the people that He has assigned to help you and your daughter and son—and attend. I strongly suggest that you go to at least 6 meetings before you decide if God is using it to help you or not. I want what God wants for you. He has a tailor made journey just for you and your family.

If you have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) affiliated with your job, contact them right away and ask for an appointment. They will help you sort through to your next steps in freeing yourself from the bondage that comes with loving an addict…sometimes they become our god… if we really love God we will let Go and let God have His way…afterall, He is the Potter, we are but clay. I’ve used the EAPs throughout my recovery process; including when I needed to detach from my loved ones because of their drug addiction and alcoholism.

I’ve learned tthat God works through people. There are also Christian based 12-step like fellowships. Go to my 12-step program links page and scroll toward the bottom.

And remember Omie from my book. She wonderful woman of God, full of compassion and prophetic insights that only God can breathe into her…Do you mind if she emails you? God often uses us as a ministry team… I also feel led by the Holy Spirit to share these scriptures with you. James 5:11, Job 42:2, Matthew 19:26, Genesis 18:14

When looking up scripture, I use biblegateway.com. An invaluable resource.

Omie: Praise God that Stanice was able to meet you in the email. She is truly blessed by God to have endured what she had to endure in order to put her life out in the open for all of us to see, hear and be blessed by. Because she over came defeat by the blood and her testimony (Rev. 12:11) we are able to see God at work in her life. My prayer for you is to put God first, you second (because without you nothing can work. Your daughter and son would suffer, your home etc.) and then your family. If you make sure you are mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually tight then everything around you will feed off of you. Always be aware of the weapons of warfare which the battleground always takes place in your mind. Learn to recognize the attacks designed to keep you off balance. Watch and pray. Watch those coming to you who could be used by the enemy and pray for them as they leave you. Always bless your enemy so that your connection with God will not be broken (Romans 12:14)(Luke 6:27-28). This includes your husband. When you bless someone who is doing you wrong what you are doing is giving them over to God so you can take care of more important things (like enjoying the rest of your life). When times are so trying and you loose the joy God has promised you (and only you can hold on to it) seek him more. When there are times you give your joy away remember the love of God and if you have put someone over him then God has left the house because he will not tolerate you loving anybody more than him (Matt: 10:32-38) This is soooo important to understand. You cannot serve two masters. You either serve your husband or God.

The last thing I want to impart to you in case we never touch basis again is the ultimate test. That test is the test of faith. God says it is Faith that pleases me, not your works. When you have passed this test you are on your way to being an ambassador of Christ (as Stanice is), one who will change the lives of those that are going through what you are going through right now with your husband. When you pass this test you will be able to reach out to those who are going through the same thing and because of your testimony they will believe you and seek God as you did and they to will be delivered. That test is to "Let Go and Let God".

Nahum 1:7 God is good a strong hope in the days of trouble and he knows them that trust in him......

Please say a prayer for my brother, ______. He is addicted to drugs. My family and I, especially my mother, are fresh out of ideas on how to help him. But after reading a few of the pages to your book, I believe that what God does for one, He can truly do for others.

Stanice: Perhaps you have a loved one caught in the grip of addiction of any kind, then this response is for you too. I believe that my prayer still wafts before the Throne of God awaiting your loved one's name(s).

God promised, in Christ Jesus, long before I finished the manuscript that he would meet each reader within the pages. You are yet another example that God is faithful and always keeps His promises.

Father God, I ask that you grant this sister, her mom and the rest of her family the desires of their heart.—freedom from the bondage of addiction for their precious ______. Lord, as you honored the requests of those who prayed for me…who had me on their minds, and took the time to pray for me…please do for this family what you’ve done for mine. Right now, everything that is coming against _____to try to steal his life and his testimony, listen now for it is not I that rebukes you but THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Your assignment is cancelled. You will not have _____for God promised this family, “You will be saved…you and your household. And _____ is a part of their household.” So Lord thank you for rebuking the enemy. Thank you for keeping _____ through everything thus far and continue to keep him safe, protected, and as you saved me and brought me home…____ is a lost sheep too…needing to be saved and brought home. It is behind Your power Father God that we stand in the Gap on behalf of _____. It is in your presence and unctioned by the Holy Spirit that we start to thank you now…for what you have done, what you are doing and what you will always do for your sheep. Shepard us, protect us and love us as one who has laid down His life for us, your Sheep. In Jesus Name we count it all done. Amen. So be it.

You spoke out of faith my sister when you wrote from your heart, “I believe that what God does for one, He can truly do for others.” I believe that God is honoring such faith as He did with the Centurion. (Matthew 8:5-10)

I think part of me is in that book, I read an excerpt from it off of your web site. I am still having the struggle of temptation of the flesh but I will say I have that balance, of the business woman and mother and also my other demons. I am struggling with going to God and I know that's where all my strength comes from, but I can not lay down other things in my life yet. It's like I keep saying I'm going to quit and change and I don't know when the change will come. I say I don't really have a reason too, it's not hurting anyone, I got a good job, my child is fine, I pay my own bills, very independent and strong minded. What is that? Why can't I say forget it, I'm yours Lord. I just had to vent. Thanks so much for keeping in touch.

Stanice:God has plans for your life, Tishia. Far greater than you could even ask or imagine. Thus, the attack is so strong on your life. The devil and all his little imps know this and anything that they can do to thwart the plans of God. But God says, that we More Than Conquerors Roman 8:28-39. This is The Word that the Lord is having you feast on for the next 7 days. On the 7th day like Joshua when he and the people shouted in victory....God commanded the walls to come tumbling down. Thus on next Thursday will you under the unction of the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit...will lay down everything that that stands between you and your destiny in God...and walk into the new level in God through Jesus Christ that you are destined to walk in. I and my sisters in Christ on this end will shout with you.

Also, I have been actively involved with 12-step programs for the whole time I've been clean and sober over 19 years now. The Lord could have just sat me down in a church period but He knew that I needed to be surrounded by people too who where struggling to stay clean one day at a time. He knew I needed people to walk with me through to this other side...especially since I had become such a loner. And now I know that people who need people are the most blessed people in the world. God has populated my life with the most incredible women and men. So I also suggest to you, as it was suggested to me...make the call...find out where meetings are in your area go. At least to 6 meetings...just listen...ask God to show you what he'd have you to see and to hear what He'd have you to hear. I took the liberty of getting the number to the NA (Narcotics Anonymous) hotline in your area by going to www.na.org. God is blessing, you right now.


Thank you, my wife is an alcoholic and we are divorcing because of some of the “wreckage” that comes along with being an alcoholic.Your story touched my heart. Thank you again

Stanice: Like the story, "An Exercise in Faith" where I go to Cali with a few dollars...I pray for you as I prayed for the guy who so graciously took me to the airport and I know that God can change and hearts in an instant...give them a love far greater than even their previous love...before the wreckage. Above all that I could ever want for you, Chip...I want God's perfect unadulterated will for you. And I ask this in Jesus' Name.

I have recenty read your book "Say A Prayer"... I cried so often during the book, I was truly touched by your story. Today is my daughters birthday she is 31. She started smoking crack on her 19th birthday, it was my hearts terror, then fear, anger, rage, and now I don't know how I feel. She had to presence of mind to stop getting high and delivered 2 healthy babies, ages 10 & 6, I have had them since the oldest one was 5 months old. At one point I gave up praying for her, it seemed at one time that was the substance of my prayers Lord, please heal my daughter, her spirit, mind and body. I fasted so many times sowed seeds of faith and believed that God would absolutely heal her, she has come around for several months but all the sudden poof, she's gone. Those days I feel as though I hate her and wish thet she was no longer alive, then I pray and ask forgiveness and ask god to continue to keep an angel of protection hovered around her. 12 years of on again off again and still no healing insight. I believe the effectual freverent prayer of the righteous availeth much, and it is hard for me to admit that the daughter that I was loved so much is now regarded by me with such disdain that I feel my prayers are void..what is a mother to do?

Stanice: Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book and sending me an email sharing your experiences.

What's a momma to do? Probably what mine did -- prayed for me. I was on again, off again, mostly on again. But God stepped in one day when I got to the end of myself...and somehow I believe that my mothers prayers kept God's favor and shield around me. Perhaps it was her prayers that kept my heart beating even though only 7 times per minute after the ambulance drivers resucitated me 3 times on the way to the hospital. And what I've been doing for other family members, over 19 years in some cases, and just perhaps my prayers are doing the same, keeping them in God's favor until they can come to their senses, like the prodigal son and like this prodigal daughter.

Just like you're doing, I suppose. Praying, getting angry, letting it go, praying some more, feeling disappointed, praying some more, getting sick and tired of the madness, letting go, praying some more...oh yes, my friend--you are not alone. There's prayers for many lost someones on every righteous man, woman and child's lips.

I know my son prayed for me. Many a time, i missed his PTA meetings, soccer games, measles, and colds...Having left him in his grandmother's care...but like your email's subject line read, "Yet I hope."

As long as there is breathe there is hope…so like someone did for me…keep standing in the gap for your loved one. Continue to do as the Lord leads, trusting the outcome to him. Knowing that He will grant you the strength and the hope necessary to endure. Be encouraged, my sister.

Stanice, I cannot express the overwhelming feeling I am having by you accepting the invitation to Speak at Rebos. I created the ppt document for you to review. Feel free to let me know if there is anything else you would like to put on the flier. It's a "sticky" subject to the "AA's" when it comes to advertising book purchases which are not part of the approved AA literature. However, I as the President of Rebos, invite you to share your experience, strength, hope and INSPIRATION to all who are willing to accept the power. I am going to purchase your "I say a prayer for me" for my own reviewing. I read the "free" chapter and must say, I am not generally up to reading, especially on a computer screen. I am here to say, that your first chapter kept me so involved, I got a kink in my neck! I am loving the book already, and haven't even purchased it. God is our gift... Anyhow, I am so excited and cannot wait to meet you. Brenda Collins, President, The Rebos Club

Stanice: It’s wonderful, Brenda. Thank you. God is going to bless you so for being so open and such a blessing to me. I’m quite excited myself. You see you and this event are part of answer to a prayer that I prayed a long while back—while I was still writing the manuscript for what is now I Say a Prayer for Me. I asked the Lord, to get the words that He was giving me to write into the hands of peers…addicts and alcoholics like me…people that can relate and be forever changed by the power that He was allowing to flow through each story…all testimonies of how loving, forgiving and kind You are. God promised me, and he used my friend from childhood, Omie, to tell me this: “God has already assigned people to buy, read, and give book that you have even finished yet. He will meet each reader in the pages.” That’s as verbatim as I remember. Her words to me were confirmation from God that he had heard my prayer and that His answer was “Yes” and “Amen.”

My publishers in Detroit and New York…thought that it would just be welcomed into every recovery club store etc., but this was not the case. But God, in His time and in His way got the book into more and more hands…my peoples hands and like He said, He was meeting them in the pages…thus they had to share their experience with the book with others and others and others, until the day…some 2 years after the book was published, I get a call from you, Brenda. You with the courage, the what I believe to be an unction from God to invite me to come to be the speaker at the Sunday meeting at The Rebos Recovery Club.

So you see Brenda, I am more than excited. I am EXCITED times 3! And watch, Brenda, I’m expecting God to bless us tremendously on Sunday evening with a powerful message of hope and a reminder that people like me—this once dead-woman-walking with her frozen once-upon-a-time dreams—can be resurrected and LIVE full and fruitful lives—WE DO RECOVER!!! Hopefully, Omie, will be able to come with me so she can witness this next move of God.

Get ready, get ready…Brenda, God is blessing you right now for your obedience and standing firm.

Hello Evangelist, I was so blessed by this email. Thank you for reminding this preacher that The battle is not mine, it's the Lord. I continue to pray and believe for my Daughter ___ recovery and that she will return to the Lord. She delivered my grandson ____this summer. He had cocaine in his system. The baby was released to his father. We are all working and praying together that this precious lamb will because stronger and no side affects. He has aready surprised the doctors because he is now taking milk and they have not found anything wrong except he grunts.

Stanice: Please, please forgive my delay in responding. I read it when it first came and I praised the Lord with you and prayed. And I made a mental and heart note to respond in writing; but I failed to do so until now. I’m believing with you for your daughter…the same thing God did for me HE WILL do for your daughter. As slow as the process may seem to us…though it tarry, my sister…WE WILL WAIT for it. For God promises that “you will be saved, you and your household.” We already see Him doing it for your grandson. Congratulations Grand Ma-Ma! I praying for him too! Father God, right now we snatch the time to say thank you and all praises are due You for the safe birth of ____. You called his name long before he even came to be and the days of his life have from long ago been written in your book. We are believing, _____and I that the generational curse has been broken and covered by the Blood of Jesus. Health and healing are swirling all through little _____ body right now…every corpuscle, every vein, ligament, brain cell, joint, and bone your shadows falls upon even now. Thank you Lord for your touch that heals. Jehovah-Rapha you are—Our Healer…Jehovah-Jireh you are—Our Provider. We love you Lord and we bless your name. Right now you know exactly where ____ is …what she is doing… what she is experiencing…. Touch her right now Lord…you say that you sent your Son Jesus to heal the broken-hearted like us, like ____…so we ask God that you carry out your will and your Word in ____ life. Breathe on her a fresh breath that will put sinew on her dry bones…give her a fresh thirst for You, allow her the grace to pant for Your Word and come back to the fold that you set aside for her even before any of us where born. Lord we thank you for the calling that is on her life, which is why the enemy seeks to take her out…but don’t let it be so Lord…You are stronger, you are omnipotent and that battle for her soul has already been fought and WON by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Her Lord and Savior. Lord we thank you as mothers standing together before Your throne, as grand-mothers before your Throne to bless our children and our children’s children both now and forevermore. Let them be men and women, girls and boys, who love the Lord as their mothers and grandmothers do. Let it be according to your Word and your Love and Your mercy Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen. So be it.

You probably don't remember me, but I used to work with you at Children's Hospital in DC, back in l977, in the Correspondence Center. I remember you as being a very nice person, and a lot of fun, but of course that was not the real you - so I don't suppose you want to hear all of that. Anyway - I have read your book "I Say A Prayer For Me" for the second time. What a wonderful journey you have had, and I am so proud of you. Your story details so vividly the intimate relationship that you have with your God, and explains how he longs to have the same with each one of us.

You spoke at a seminar at my church a couple years ago - Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, but I was not able to attend. I am training to become a certified addiction counselor at The Better Way House, which as you may know, is a highly successful faith-based drug and alcohol abuse treatment center. While I have not been in recovery myself, nor have I had a problem with drug, I do feel that this is where God has placed me. I love this work and I love the people in it. I believe drug addiction is one of the most powerful demonic weapons that ever existed, straight from hell, and each time I see a sister or brother who has overcome this - I rejoice with them. Drug addiction is a spiritual disease - we cannot just tell a person to stop using - we must heal the spiritual damage as well as help them to rebuild their lives and families. I often go to the anniversary celebrations at our center for recovered addicts - the joy and the spirit of God s so powerful there, and it is a most uplifting experience.

Again, Stanice, God Bless You and thank you for sharing your most inspiring story. It is people like you that God has put on the frontlines of the battle, as His most powerful warriors.

Stanice: Wow, Celestine. Thank you so much for taking the time to get in touch with me. To share everything you did...what a blessing. It's good to know that even then God was using me to bring some joy to others...

And to see how God orchestrates our steps. You were predestined to get that book into your hands, as I was predestined to write it. This day was already set-aside for us by THE loving, caring, forgiving and generous God. As will there be a day when we will meet again.

I would also love to have an opportunity to share my testimony with the people in The Better Way House. Is that possible?

I thank God for the ministry that He has given you and I pray that everything that you put your heart and hand to prospers. That souls will continue to be set free and set on fire for Jesus. In Jesus Name, I ask this. Amen. So be it.

Hello Stanice, I am in a relationship with a man who is a drug addict. He is basically a good person who has been there for me over the years, so I have done the same. Now it is unbearable for me to continue because it has progressed to everyday and days of bingeing. I still love him and feels guilty if I totally abandon him, I need prayer for myself as well as for him to get off of drugs (cocaine) and for myself because I am severely depressed and sad all the time. Please email me back to let me know that you have received this. I need help. I have prayed and prayed, it doesn't seem that they are being answered. Thanks for your time. Roxanne

Stanice: Somehow, I know that you know in your heart of hearts what God requires of you in this situation. You know what you need to do, Roxanne. It's just asking God for the strength to do it. I know because I been then and tried not to do that...convinced myself that all that person needed was me to get their act together...but I found through trial and much error that I am not the Holy Spirit, Jr. Just don't have that kind of power...to change a life...only God does...only Jesus can...now we just need to get out His way.

I know that God has heard your cry and help has already been dispatched. As you taped out each keystroke a prayer rose up from your heart and through your fingertips upward to the Throne Room of God. How wonderful to know that though we may feel alone and desperate we have the Savior of the world forever with us and living big in us through the Holy Spirit.

Father God, thank you for hearing my sister's prayer and continue to bless and keep her safe from the evil one. We thank you that you alone know the plans that you have for her. Plans for prosperity and not disaster to give her a future and a hope. Lord please rebuke any and everything that is trying to come against the man she loves break the bondage of addiction in his life as you did in mine; caste out the spirit of depression in and around her. Hold her close as you --promise to heal the brokenhearted like us. Show her the next step in her life and breathe life into her dry bones, as she seeks you like a thirsty woman on a desert. Thank you Lord for the streams of living water that quenches us, renews us, gives us life and even that more abundantly. In Jesus' Name I pray and count it Yes already done and Amen...so be it.

Love God and yourself enough to let him go so that if it is God's will for your life...He can bring him back to you alive, well, clean, free from the bondage, praising God and loving you like Christ loves the church. Now can I get an amen on that my sister?

Hi Stanice, I just read your Book "I say a prayer for me." It gave me alot of hope and faith concerning my 2 oldest children (both adults). They were raised as Christians but now they are so addicted to Meth and Pot and Sex That I haven't been able to reach them. They have Children and they need rehab but we haven't got the money to send them. Is there somewhere in Denver that could help them on a donations basis? Please pray for my son and daughter. I know now that The Lord is greater than their problems of Sex, drugs, and poverty. Love in Christ

Stanice: How blessed I am that you took the time to send me an email sharing your experiences with my book. God promised way before I finished that He had already assigned the readers and hat He would meet you within the pages. You are yet another example that HE IS faithful!!!

Thank God for a mother’s love. A mother like you willing to stand in the gap for her children no matter how grown—they are still children to us. And we are all children to God, our Father who loves us so much that He sent His ONLY Son to die for you, for me, for ___, for ___, for all of us. Believe that God will do as you’ve asked and I stand with you – touching in the Holy Spirit and agreeing…

Father God, thank you for hearing ____'s cry for help for her babies. Lord, rebuke Satan from their lives and break the bondage from active addictions. Do for them what you did for me. Find them right where they are, whisper to them of Your unconditional love…stir that planted Word that they have in their hearts. We thank you right now that as You promised, Your Word will not and can not come back void…but will do what YOU set it out to do. Get them the help they need, and give them the desire to receive the help that you provide, and bring them home, Father, clothed in their right minds, hearts cleansed and set aside for your mighty use. Bless their children and their childrens children and let the generational curse that is trying to set it be demolished, obliterated…in the Matchless Name of Jesus. Bring healing and heath to every limb, every fiber, vein, every parts of their bodies, and their emotional healing too, Lord. Fix that too. For we know that behind all the pain are broken hearts. But we also know that You sent Your Son Jesus to heal the brokenhearted. And thus we seek only Your face in each hour, each minute, each millisecond of prayer. We count it done. ___ will continue to bless your Name and we are thanking you NOW BELIEVING that it is ALREADY Done. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen and So be it!

You can get your shout on now, ___. God is blessing you and yours, right now!!

A mother wrote a note too personal to share the specifics; however, she wants help in helping her daughter who she suspects is addicted to drugs. So lets start with her email's ending: "Can you explain the best way for me to approach this without setting off an explosions of events, which could hurt my daughter and grandchildren even more? I really need the best way to deal with this."

Stanice: I’m not a clinician so I dare not offer advice. But I will share my experiences. My mom and dad cut me off early in my drug addiction..I came to end of my road, and called out to Jesus. There was no one else. I felt the brunt of my actions and pain can be the catalyst for change. On the otherhand, my ____ STILL (as far as I know) enabling my _____ brother, paying car notes, calling in sick for _____, and all the other madness that I no longer get into with them…and ___ is STILL using…absolutely not emotionally capable of handling life or the life of their many kids.

Anyway, bottomline, we got to allow God to be God and stay out His way. I pray for the children and interact with the ones that are within my realm…those who are grown now and out of his household. I am not able to go over ______…as I don’t know how to NOT get caught up in the madness. It is so heartbreaking and I feel so powerless… because I am as you are. So let's just take our concerns to the throne of God.

Father God, I pray for ____ and her family Lord, only You know what’s best, how best to handle any and all situations and I stand with _____and ask that you guide an direct her in the way that YOU would have her go in this. You know of her love for those that she is unable to even know what to do for them right now because you know ALL things. In the stillness of the night, Father when her heart is aching and strained to hold itself together for the pain gets so great sometimes, comfort her, hold her in your arms and let her know that YOU are the Great I AM that I AM. Keep her grandbabies safe, warm, fed, and intercede on their behalf as you have interceded for us. Bring them the help that they each need Father at the Your moments…the moments you’ve set aside. And in the Powerful Name of
Jesus I also stand with my sister, ____, and the Holy Spirit to rebuke any and everything that I trying to come against ____ and her family! We say be caste into the sea never to return. Your assignment is cancelled! And Father God where there is confusion, hopelessness, despair, and any other negative thing that sets itself against the knowledge of God…replace it with your peace, your wholeness, your forgiveness, mercy, and healing. In Jesus Name we ask this and give you the glory that is due only you. Amen and Amen.

I do hope that I have been true to what I believe the Lord laid on my heart to share with you. Bottomline…my sister in Christ Jesus, as long as there is breath there is hope. And even though my mom did not enable me, I do believe that she did keep praying for me…she just came to believe in my case that I and my addiction were out of her hands. I pray that she comes to see that about ____ as well. Yes, as long as there is breath there is hope. God is blessing you, right now!

I need all the prayers I can get and I especially want a prayer from you. I hope that you can understand and make out what I'm trying to say and that this letter and prayer request does not confuse you.

Stanice: Thank you for emailing me and sharing your heart with me. What a blessing that God has allowed me to get His message of love and grace through I SAY A PRAYER FOR ME. That He is the Healer, Jehovah Rapha.

Father God, we come before you today with the cares, concerns and burdens that you said to bring to you. So we cast them all at the foot of the cross. I stand with Joy on her requests to You that came directly from her heart and soul, help her to make peace within herself, have a greater self esteem toward herself (as she is open to learn from your Word how You see her and that once she esteems You...everything else will fall into place...as God-esteem will more than make up for self-esteem), help her learn to love and trust You more God and help her to value the life that you have given her and give her Your love in which to love with). Help her to stop blaming herself for others faults and mishaps as she comes to understand that she doesn't have that kind of relationship with a human being to take on their faults and mishaps, for each is accountable to You for what we've done or left undone. And thank you Lord, that we confess our sins and ask for Your forgiveness You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank You that our sins go into Your sea of forgetfulness and as far as from the west is from the east. And now demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself against the knowledge of God. We bind up every harmful and evil thing that is trying to come against Joy in the Matchless Name of Jesus! We rebuke the enemies of God and say with the power and authority given to us by the Lord God Almighty cast you into the dry places...your assignment against Joy is cancelled!!!!!! Thank you Lord God and with the keys to the Kingdom that You provide for us we loose well-being, peace, and fresh and anointed new beginning for Joy...and we thank you that you will turn her hurts into joys just like you've done and are doing for me. Bless her Lord, plant her in a church home that will love her, nurture her, stir up her gifts so that she may bring You all the Glory that is due You, our Lord, Savior and Redeemer. Reveal to her, as she's so humbly asked the marvelous and wonderful plans that You have for her life. Plans for prosperity and not disaster. To give her a future and a hope. Thank you for the privilege of prayer. Thank you that time, space, miles, can not hinder our prayers...but that You are Omni-present and Omnipotent. And that you've already dispatched your ministering angels to minister mental, spiritual, physical, emotional health and well-being to your servant, friend, and child, Joy. Thank you Lord God Almighty for this and all things. In Jesus' precious Name Joy and I pray. Amen. It is done!

Just start praising Him Joy...quietly, loudly, it doesn't matter...just praise Him for what He's done, what He's about to do, and above all for WHO HE IS the I AM WHO I AM.

My name is Lawrence and I am reading your book which is very uplifting. I know my girlfriend bought your book for me because she just told me she did yesterday. It has probably been sitting here for months, but the time probably was not right for me to pick it up until yesterday and I really needed to read what you say.

I won't go into the lo-o-ong drawn-out story of Lawrence M. just know that:
1. I'm a drunk and druggie since the age of 12 (now 43).
2. Crack since 24.
3. AA since 1987
4. NA since 1991
5. Clean since May, 2003
6. Managed to stay clean 1 time for 15 months, sadly I returned to what I know best (haven't given up, though only thru God's grace cause I've been to a few bottoms).
7. My father just died after many years of waiting for me to change.
8. I started a business and I'm officially a "fish out of water".
9. I feel like such a failure and I'm starting to close in on myself instead of continuously praying and reaching out, which by the way is a pattern for me.
10. I don't want to give up.

I just wanted (or felt compelled) to write to you not knowing if anything will be any different just hopefully a little more willing to change.

Stanice: Thank you for reading my book and for taking the time to email me. All I know is this, my friend, only Jesus can fix it for you and in my case it took that kind of pain for me to cry out to Him and once I did all I know is “He loved the Hell out of me.” I had relapsed just before 6 months and I hadn’t even missed meetings but I wasn’t talking to anyone, including my sponsor, about the exact nature of what I was feeling and experiencing. I wanted to use most every day…but I didn’t tell anybody. I didn’t allow the people that God answered my prayer with to help me though…I didn’t allow them to give me the help that God had prepared in advance for them to give me.

But sometimes, it takes that…like a nuclear blast to blow away the walls of denial. I had to dummy up. Realize and live like I new as little as I did about the life in recovery and life as a new babe in Christ. I had to reach out and let people know that I didn’t know as much as I proposed to have known. If I did I wouldn’t have relapse…as I came to understand that unless I get to the roots, to the core of what caused me to use in the first place, I didn’t stand a chance.

Thus, I got utilized the sponsor I had prayed for, the church God had planted me in, His Word as best I could…baby steppin’ it all the way, prayer…whatever tools the Lord blessed me with I was determined to use come what may.

And Lawrence, call out to God saying "Lord, if You can do this for Stanice, can You please help me too". HE HAS, HE CAN,. And HE WILL. He has heard your cries in the stillness of the night and help has already started to pour into you… He is no respecter of persons…what He will do for one He will do for another…That is the message of the book. That’s why I am compelled to tell my stories whenever given God presents an opportunity.

Get ready, get ready…you’re about to receive mega blessings!!! To God be the Glory. I’m excited for you Lawrence. And remember don’t give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens.

Bless Lawrence, Lord as He pours out his heart to you. Give him a second touch so that He will never be the same again. Hush the whispers of the enemy…remind Lawrence that the battle has already been won. Satan is defeated and the victory you have paid for with Your precious blood…once for all.

Now, praise Him, Lawrence, praise Him from the depths of Your soul praise Him like you never have before. And watch the walls come tumbling down just like they did or Joshua at Jehrico.

Stanice: People in 12-step programs gave me this simple advice based on their experiences, if you don’t pick up, you won’t use. Whatever it is…a beer, a joint, etc. I went to bars at first in the beginning of my clean time…and they didn’t fit anymore…I watched people and wondered did I act that stupid or smell that putrid when I was drinking AND using drugs…YES, I was and did. But I just got sick and tired of existing Michelle. I wanted to come out of the “nevers” - I’ll never be a good mom, I’ll never write a book, etc. But with Jesus’ - surrendering my will and my life to Jesus Christ - I became pregnant with possibilities. Not saying it will be easy Michelle. It wasn’t but I’ve found that with Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Including me staying clean and free from drugs and alcohol (which is the oldest known drug) for over 18 years now…one day at a time. But the key was I could not do it by myself…I asked God to populate my life with people that could and were willing to be used by Him to help me…Thus the Dorines, Mary Janes, Delphines, my son, etc, etc. who have and are helping me become the woman that God predestined me to be.

You’ve taken the first step…you’ve asked for help. Now pour your heart out to Jesus Christ…ask Him to forgive you for falling short of His best for your life (sins), acknowlege and thank Him for dying for your sins, and His resurrection so that you may have new life cleansed from all that and my friend cross over from a life that leads only to spiritual and physical death to one that leads to LIFE Eternal and Abundant.

God has a tremendous plan for your life., “God says, ‘I alone know the plans I have for your life, plans for prosperity and not disaster, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

Also go to my website and click “12-step programs” and you will be taken to a page with many programs including Alcoholics Anonymous. Check for meetings in your area. Go and ask God to show you if this program is for you. Go to at least 6 meetings before confirming that it is or is not for you.

Father God: Help Michelle, as it has been birthed in her heart that there must be a better way. Show her, even as she sleeps, walks and goes about her life, that there is a better way. That you are The Truth, The Way, and The Life. And that you stand at her door knocking…awaiting her to dedicate or rededicate her life to you so that you can be Her Lord and Savior and show her the marvelous plan that you have for life that includes a life free from the bondage of alcohol and other drugs. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen. So be it.

Email me with your testimony, Miss Lady J….expect God to act on your behalf. I know you like me, only meant to wet your feet…but God’s Love will bring you safely to shore. God is blessing you, right now!

Comments From A.J.: I have been praying and reading to increase my relationship with my Higher Power. Just to let you know that I have been struggling with the “program” (in and out of the rooms) Things are better now. The more I let go and let God, the pain is lessen and the memories are not so bad. You see they (the memories) are brought into the light so they have no more power to hurt me, thus I can forgive and act like I did. I came across this scripture and want to share it with you.

2 Peter 1 4-7“…,For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.. Now for this very reason also, applying a diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in you godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness love…,

Now talk about incorporating Spiritual principle in all your affairs- this is AWESOME. I know that you could have read it for yourself but writing it down was an affirmation for me.

THIS YEAR I HAVE TURNED 40 YEARS OLD. I HAVE PRAYED AND ASKED GOD TO HELP ME OVERCOME MY WEAKNESSES (I AM EMAILING FROM MY WORK SO I CAN’T BE VERY EXPLICIT) BUT I NEED YOUR PRAYERS AND GUIDANCE. I HAVE A 15 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I WOULD LOVE TO CHANGE MY LIFE. I AM LOOKING FOR OTHER WOMEN IN MY AREA THAT MAYBE I CAN FELLOWSHIP WITH AND BEFRIEND. AFTER READING “I SAY A PRAYER FOR ME BY STANICE ANDERSON” I AM CONVINCED I NEED TWELVE STEPS AND JESUS TO TURN MY LIFE AROUND. PLEASE HELP. SINCERELY T.

Stanice: People in 12-step programs gave me this simple advice based on their experiences, if you don’t pick up, you won’t use. Whatever it is…a beer, a joint, etc. I went to bars at first in the beginning of my clean time…and they didn’t fit anymore…I watched people and wondered did I act that stupid or smell that putrid when I was drinking AND using drugs…YES, I was and did. But I just got sick and tired of existing . I wanted to come out of the “nevers” - I’ll never be a good mom, I’ll never write a book, etc. But with Jesus’ - surrendering my will and my life to Jesus Christ - I became pregnant with possibilities. Not saying it will be easy . It wasn’t but I’ve found that with Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Including me staying clean and free from drugs and alcohol (which is the oldest known drug) for over 18 years now…one day at a time. But the key was I could not do it by myself…I asked God to populate my life with people that could and were willing to be used by Him to help me…Thus the Dorines, Mary Janes, Delphines, my son, etc, etc. who have and are helping me become the woman that God predestined me to be.

You’ve taken the first step…you’ve asked for help. Now pour your heart out to Jesus Christ…ask Him to forgive you for falling short of His best for your life (sins), acknowlege and thank Him for dying for your sins, and His resurrection so that you may have new life cleansed from all that and my friend cross over from a life that leads only to spiritual and physical death to one that leads to LIFE Eternal and Abundant.

God has a tremendous plan for your life., “God says, ‘I alone know the plans I have for your life, plans for prosperity and not disaster, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

Also go to my website and click “12-step programs” and you will be taken to a page with many programs including AA & NA. Check for meetings in your area. Go and ask God to show you if this program is for you. Go to at least 6 meetings before confirming that it is or is not for you.

Father God: Help T___, as it has been birthed in her heart that there must be a better way. Show her, even as she sleeps, walks and goes about her life, that there is a better way. That you are The Truth, The Way, and The Life. And that you stand at her door knocking…awaiting her to dedicate or rededicate her life to you so that you can be Her Lord and Savior and show her the marvelous plan that you have for life that includes a life free from the bondage of alcohol and other drugs. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen. So be it.

Email me with your testimony. Expect God to act on your behalf. I know you like me, only meant to wet your feet…but God’s Love will bring you safely to shore.

I have a son who has a problem with stealing. Is there to your knowledge a 12 step program for this? Sally

Stanice: If you go back to my site and click “program websites” it will lead you to links to over 100 12 step programs’ official web sites. One program that comes to mind for you son is Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous (CASA) . I offer up a prayer. Father God, help Sally as she attempts to help her son. I pray that the help that’s needed is available and that her son’s heart will be open to receive the help that you have already set aside just for this family. Thank you for answering the prayers I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Thanks for taking the time to write and know this Sally, as long as there is breath there is hope.

Can you discuss 13 stepping with me. I think this is something I need to find more out about. I have had a situation. What can you tell me please?

Stanice: Stay focused on your recovery!!!! I say this from experience. I was 13th stepped (no such thing really just slimmed by an old timer is what I’ve come to know it as). Any way the moral of the story is…I used…made it back (by God’s grace and intervention) and he from last I heard is still using and in jail…and that close to 17 years ago. On either end of it is trouble. You deserve better…hold on…the best is yet to be.

I am currently in a Christian Twelve Step program for healing damaged emotions. We are currently on step six, but I feel that we were not thorough enough doing steps four and five. I would appreciate it if you could send me some guidelines for working these steps. Thank you. Christina

Stanice: Perhaps, if you go back to my website and click "program websites" it will take you to links to over 100 12-step programs, including Emotions Anonymous. With a bit of research you should be able to find information on the steps included on their sites, or at the minimum it will lead you to their literature on the steps. In the meantime, Father God, I ask that you guide Christina to exactly what it is that she has need of. I thank you that you are the Author and the Finisher of our faith and are ordering our steps. Bless her Lord and grant to her as you promised the desires of her heart. She is seeking you in this experience Lord, and we know that she will find. Thank you for healing our damaged emotions, In Jesus' Name. Amen.

My girlfriend is in recovery and when she tells me about her meetings or about a call she receives from someone, she won't give me names. i don't think it's breaking anonymity by telling me since we are in a relationship and in the same program. am i breaking anonymity if i tell her "so and so" called me from tuesday's meeting and vented about work?

Stanice: I asked someone with that experience. Here is the reply: I can only tell you how Jim and I operate. If a person one of us is sponsoring calls and has some private issue to discuss, that's where it stops- with the one who is the sponsor. But if one of us hears from a mutual acquaintance that both of us see in meetings (we only go to the same meetings), then the caller and the subject may be discussed between the two of us-but NEVER with anyone else and NEVER if the subject is presented in confidence even if it doesn't come from a sponsee. I have a couple of secrets I've never told Jim because I was asked not to share them with anyone. To me, that includes him. As an aside, relationships come and go; therefore, I would adhere strictly to the tradition of maintaining annonymity in this case. I side with the girlfriend; it's none of his business who called and why. And she'd be in the wrong if she shared the information with him. It's no different from chatting with any other friend.

Is it alright for a 16 year old to go to s.a.a.?

Stanice: I suggest contacting the SAA headquarters directly with your question. You can also access that programs and MANY others at my website's "12-Step Websites" page. I pray that you are led to the help that is needed in this situation.

I am in recovery now and on my 90th day clean. I am confused about how to work the twelve step program. It is hard to find a sponsor or I am just not looking in the right spot. I need some help on finding the right books and the next step to take.

Stanice: Congratulations on more (hopefully) than 90 days clean now. What an accomplishment and blessing. Clean and free from the bondage of active addiction!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Now, on to finding a sponsor...the perfect sponsor doesn't exist...so just pray and ask God to show you who your sponsor is to be. Also on my site, you will find text from my 12-Step Resource Guide's chapter on Sponsorship.

As for books, there is always God's love letter to you, the Bible. My sponsor had me start reading some of the stories, like Jonah, Daniel, Esther, so that I could relate to their experiences and get encouragement to press my way. Also depending on the 12-step program you are attending...most have their own program text book; i.e., Narcotics Anonymous has what they call the Basic Text. Check with other members at the meeting. Let them know you are new and tell them that you need help with doing your first step...STEP ONE...We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction and that our lives had become unmanageable.

I pray God's protective hedge all around you and His strength for your journey. Welcome to a fresh beginning!!! Remember, don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens.

I am trying to better understand what my new boyfriend is going through with the 12 step program. He is telling me that this lasts for 1 year and I am just trying to get a better understanding of how it works so I can be more supportive to him. He is a very important part of my life and I want to help him in anyway that I possible can. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much for putting this on here, I can't seem to get anyone to help me to better understand what he is going through and why we can't be together during this time. He told me that I helped give him the strength to get better and that the love I have for him and the love he has for me has made him want to get help. I am sad but also happy for him and I want to support him in anyway that I can. Thank you so much and any information that you can give me will be greatly appreciated.