I Pray Anyway: Devotions for the Ambivalent

Joyce Wilson-Sanford isn’t afraid to admit her doubts and short-comings. I Pray Anyway is an insightful collection of her thoughts, devotions, and wisdom. There is one for each day of the year, plus a personal story for each month. Also included, is a list of books Wilson-Sanford uses for inspiration.

It is refreshing to read the innermost thoughts of a person who willingly reveals her human frailty. The reader will recognize and relate to her confessions of spiteful moments, harsh words, and guilt. It takes courage to write this honestly.

The collection consists of devotions that are encouraging and others that express doubts and fear that we all feel. 345 is a wonderful example of encouragement: “Living with ‘what is’ is/Not defeat/ Not submission/ Not cynicism/ Not Anger/ But peace.” The perspective provided by 345 is powerful and reasonable in situations where change is simply not an option, or within our grasp.

In 162, she prays “ . . . for all the jerks in the world . . . who I prefer to hate/But try to bless instead.” Throughout the book hope and faith vie with pain and doubt making it personal and authentic.