Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments

by Rachel Wojo

Overview

Our ninth-hour pleas, contain a powerful secret: Our most desperate moments are the times we realize our deep need for our Creator God, and realize how meager life is without Him—and that knowledge enriches our non-desperate walk with Him.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Through the centuries, this phrase has been attributed to many authors in various languages. Even though its beginning can’t be fully determined, its continued use strikes a chord in our culture today. Why? Because in our most profound moments of constraint, we search for something beyond our abilities, knowledge, or experience—something beyond ourselves—to pull us through.

For many of us, the desperate measure is prayer. Crisis hits, and in agony, we turn to God. Whether we are experiencing a change in circumstances, need healing from sickness, or confirmation to gain peace for a particular course of action, prayer seems to be our best method for getting it. Yet we often wonder why it seems God isn’t listening to or answering our pleas. We struggle to talk to the God of the universe when Heaven feels so far away.

How can we know that God hears our prayers? Why do we pray if not to get what we need or want? If God is sovereign and has a plan, why do we need to pray at all? Does God still miraculously answer prayer the way He did in the Bible?

And beyond the desperation: What if praying in a moment of panic is practice for something more?

Author Rachel Wojo is the ideal pray-er to shed light on these questions. God has often miraculously answered her prayers, but of those answers have come during seasons of deep personal heartache and loss. Let her teach you how to use the answers given during moments of anguish to enhance the whole of your relationship with God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510781627
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	171,116
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Rachel Wojo is an inspirational author, public speaker, and podcaster known for her popular blog, rachelwojo.com. Through her biblical approach and personal life experiences, Rachel empowers women to discover strength and hope in everyday situations. Despite enduring the loss of her mother, adult special needs daughter, and father, Rachel remains resilient. She has authored the uplifting book, One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up, and is set to release her new work, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments (10/08/2024). Rachel is crazy in love with her husband, Matt, and cherishes her motherhood with six children on earth and two in heaven.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Desperate Prayers

"If you’ve found yourself in a dire situation—reeling from loss, gripped with fear, or experiencing anxiety about something or someone—your mind knows that you should turn to God, but often your heart just can’t seem to follow. However, it’s during these times of desperation that our faith can flourish as we rivet our souls to God and discover his relentless faithfulness. Rachel Wojo’s Desperate Prayers will help you to do just that.  This biblical resource is saturated with scriptural examples and chock full of gut-honest and relevant real-life stories. Its practical encouragement will enable you to forge a deeper connection with God during—and more importantly despite—the darkest days of life." 
—Karen Ehman, New York Times bestselling author of 21 books including Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day

"Captivating. Encouraging. Challenging. If you read only one book on prayer this year, make it Desperate Prayers. Rachel Wojo skillfully writes with biblical wisdom, tender transparency, and gut-level honesty about the transformative power of prayer. At the end of each chapter you'll find prayer principles that should be framed and memorized. This is a not-to-be-missed book that will forever change the way you pray."
—Carol Kent, founder and executive director of Speak Up Ministries, speaker, and author of He Holds My Hand: Experiencing God's Presence and Protection
 
"In this transformative book, Rachel Wojo grabs your hand and leads you on a prayer-filled journey to exchange panic for peace."
—Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker
 
"What do you do when your heart is so broken and burdened that you can't even find the words to pray? Rachel Wojo has been there and come out on the other side. With the tenderness of a compassionate friend and the tenaciousness of a fighting warrior, Rachel shares personal stories of hope and gives practical and powerful action steps to move you from desperate to expectant. I love this book!"
—Sharon Jaynes, bestselling author of twenty-six books, including When You Don't Like Your Story: What If Your Worst Chapters Could Become Your Greatest Victories and Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe: A 30-Day Guide to Powerful and Effective Scripture-Based Prayer
 
"We all experience desperate moments where we feel lost, abandoned, or forgotten. We have moments of great loss and terrifying fear. And we have small moments of simply wondering if God sees us or hears us. Because of this, we need this book. Rachel Wojo has been there, and she shares much-needed wisdom on these pages. "
—Jill Savage, Host of the No More PerfectPodcast and author of Real Moms . . . Real Jesus
 
"Desperate Prayers is a heartfelt and inspiring testament to resilience and faith. Rachel Wojo, with her vulnerability and strength, reminds us on every page that God is always present and always providing, even in life's toughest moments. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking encouragement and proof that prayer can transform every aspect of your life."
—Katie Fisher, executive director and founding pastor of Rock City Church in Columbus, Ohio
 
"From page one, Rachel gave me permission to feel my pain. But then she pointed me to hope. This is not another book of Christian platitudes on how to make it through difficulty or despair; these are the tender words of a friend, holding out her hand to help hold you up. When you don't know what to say or where to turn, you don't know what to do, and you feel helpless or hopeless, this book is the answer you've been waiting for. Help is here."
—Erica Wiggenhorn, international speaker and author of An Unexpected Revival: Experiencing God's Goodness through Disappointment and Doubt (Moody Publishers)
 
"Are you in a desperate place struggling to find the words to pray? If so, Desperate Prayers is the resource you need. With empathy and vulnerability, Rachel Wojo shares her own despairing pleas and God's loving responses. She has discovered firsthand the power of prayer and encourages us to believe in its transformational power too. Through biblical and real life examples, Rachel serves as a guide in your darkest moments. This book will renew your faith and invigorate your prayer life—changing your heart and circumstances.”
—Rachael Adams, sought-after speaker, host of The Love Offering podcast, and author of A Little Goes a Long Way
 
"In Desperate Prayers, Rachel Wojo delivers a powerful and inspiring guide to help you trust God's heart and believe in His power. Rachel teaches you how to communicate with God for everything you need: comfort, guidance, freedom, miracles, and so much more. Her heartfelt words and practical advice will lead you to a deeper reliance on God, no matter what challenges you face.
—Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of Growing Slow and It's All Under Control
 
“Rachel has written a collection of stories that are balm and salve to the soul. We all grieve, and when we do, Rachel's words are a warm blanket offering advice and application, comfort and calm. This book is a reminder of the biggest power we possess: prayer.”
—Bryan Crum, author of Neighbor, Love Yourself  
 
“Raw, honest, hopeful—these three words came to mind as I devoured this book in two sittings. Rachel draws heavily from the heart-breaking death of her daughter and her own wrestling with God during Taylor's degenerative disease. Yet, in the midst of deep grief and confusion, Rachel turns pain into purpose and weeping into wisdom as she shares powerful lessons with us. As soon as I finished this book, I immediately turned back to the beginning, so I could review all of my highlights I'd made.”
—Scott Savage, pastor, author, speaker, and YouVersion partner
 
“I know what it is like to be in a desperate place with life in the balance and to have Rachel Wojo pray for you! In Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life’s Darkest Moments, you will be encouraged like a dear friend is lifting you and your need up to our Abba Father, and you will get equipped to be the kind of faithful friend who prays for others when life becomes a challenge.”
—Pam Farrel, author of sixty-one books, including the co-author of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti and Discovering Hope in the Psalms: A Creative Bible Study Experience 

From the Publisher