Book Review: Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter

Written by Janet Thompson
Reviewed by LaTayne C. Scott
    
This is a meaty, often-gritty book about the realities of having a child who has taken a path away from the Lord, and often from her parents as well.  It asks the reader to face the fact that patterns of behavior can often be traced to one’s forebears and replicated – if not deliberately stopped—in the lives of children and later generations.

It is particularly apt and revealing when the author’s once-prodigal daughter shares the effect of her mother’s actions and words when they were spiritually estranged:  painful, but helpful, honesty.  Also of great insight were the “personalizations” or paraphrases that the author did of favorite scriptures when she was in the midst of the great turmoil of her situation.  

Thompson covers subject matters such as setting boundaries, nagging, the definitions of a “prodigal,” and ways to ease back into some discussions on touchy subjects.  I also really appreciated the extensive bibliography and a section on “Forty Days of Praying Scripture for Your Daughter.”

This is a book of both experience and practical advice.  For instance, the author suggests setting a place at the table each day for one’s absent, distant daughter.  

Now, that’s hope!

I highly recommend this handsome, useful, optimistic book.

Latayne C. Scott is the author of over 15 books, including The Mormon Mirage. Latter-day Cipher is her first work of fiction, is a featured book in The Great Escape 2009. You can find out more about her at www.latayne.com.