Prayer the focus of women’s group

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Neta Jackson. Nashville: Integrity Publishers, 2003. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down Neta Jackson. Nashville: Integrity Publishers, 2004.

A new genre of fiction has hit the market – Christian chick lit. According to an article in ChristianityToday.com by Ramona Richards, chick lit is about women’s hearts and the incredible friendships that can grow between them as they struggle with the ordinary issues of life. Neta Jackson’s first book on the Yada Yada prayer group helped launch the field. A prayer conference in Chicago brings together the most unlikely women. Some are new believers, others have been in the faith for years. Some are wealthy, others poor; some white, some coloured. They come from a wide range of socio-economic levels. After spending a weekend together and seeing what prayer can do, they decide they want to meet on a regular basis. Family problems, community relations and work related situations become the focus of their prayers and praise.

The second volume builds on the first, but does not provide as good a transition as could be desired. Relationships become strained because of conflicts and assumptions. Forgiving and accepting forgiveness are highlighted.

Each book has questions at the back for book club discussion.

The books are well-written and fun to read. The relevance of prayer in the lives of the women is an encouragement to readers as well.

Susan Brandt is editor of the MB Herald.