I was attracted to this book by the title. My mind went immediately to a prayer box necklace I have. My daughter gave it to me, when going through a rough season of my life, many moons ago. I'd write out prayers for others and dropped into the box. After the prayer was answered I'd remove the prayer and placed it in my answered prayer bag. I'd almost forgotten this box. Haven't used it in years. Now I keep up with my prayers electronically. I may need to go back to this box for sentimental reasons, plus its a great conversation piece. An excellent witnessing tool to share about the goodness of Jesus and how He answers our prayers and is a listening ear, especially in the time of trouble.This book is about a mother of two children who ran away from a troubled marriage and ended up "leasing" a cottage home. The owner of the cottage passes away one day and Tandi Jo is the one who discovers her laid out in her bedroom. Tandi feared she'd be thrown out of the cottage home for being behind in rent, but to her surprise the church, now caretaker of the home, offered to pay her or deduct from fees if she would clean out the deceased, Iola, home.While cleaning out the kitchen, strange occurrences began in the home. Tandi was frightened, but needed the job, continued with the task at hand. One day the water in a bathroom upstairs suddenly came on. Tandi ventured upstairs to discover the culprit was an ugly cat who was very comfortable/protective of the home. The cat was instrumental in Tandi discovering a lifetime of letters from Iola written to her Father. We are told that Iona was placed in an institutional home when she was a young grade school girl, but a nun encouraged her to write letters to her Father expressing things in her heart, and whatever she desired. These letters span at least ninety decades. Oh the history/things Iona experienced in her lifetime. Reading these letters helped Tandi come to grip with her own past as well as learning about the person Iona was.As children of the Most High, aren't we related/connected to one another in some way? Do our path cross at some time or in some way? Prayer can reach us anywhere. Are we ever truly alone? Isn't there someone guiding our steps? Is there a connection between Tandi Jo and Iona Anne?This is a wonderfully written story of love, charity in action, reaching out to others in a most compassionate way. We see how once thought of recluse, Iona, really touched the lives of so many people. She indeed was a servant of the Most High God. One can imagine how the life, through the reading of Iona's letters, of Tandi was impacted. Watching Tandi Jo transformation is well worth the read. Such a wonderful, awe inspiring story of which I could identify and empathize as the story unfolds. Please get this book and read...it will be a blessing, and may even touch the strings of your heart. I gave this book 3/5 stars, not because it was a bad book but because the climax didn't happen in the story until the last 80 pages. I am giving it 3/5 because there were times at the beginning where I literally wanted to put this book down and never pick it up again but I didn't. I didn't because I felt a connection to Tandi, not because my upbringing was anything like her's but because I can relate to falling for the wrong guys and trying hard but accomplishing nothing. This is such a down-to-earth amazing story and I enjoyed it. I won the second book off a GoodReads giveaway so I will definitely be reading it and looking forward to the adventures that Lisa Wingate has in store for me next!
What do You think about The Prayer Box (2013)?
I loved this book! I will be reading more of her books..Can't wait to start my own prayer box.
—Tamie101
Nice story line. More could have been done with the sister but all in All good read
—ammintugas
The first Lisa Wingate book I read, and I truly enjoyed it!
—loueva2001
