A Prayer Journey Through Deployment: A Book Review
by Kathy Guzzo
A note from Jocelyn: The following book review is written by Blue Star Mom guest Kathy Guzzo, about a book written specifically for moms of those deployed. While I realize most of you do not fall in that category, I want you to know about this book and consider how it might be a good gift for your mother-in-law, or even your mother.
I was excited and honored when Jocelyn asked me to review this Prayer Journey through Deployment, which written by a fellow military mom. The excitement came because there are very few books written by and/or for those of us that have endured the uncertain journey of having a child deployed. After all, even though they may be adults serving our country, in our hearts they are still our children.
I was honored because as a mother whose son served in OIF and OEF, I know how hard it can be to share what’s in the deepest part of our hearts during deployments when we are most vulnerable, and here was a mom that was allowing me to read her hearts cries to our heavenly Father.
Donna wrote these prayers as part of her journey during her son’s yearlong deployment. Each of the 52 prayers touches an area that is most significant in our ability to walk with the Lord even on the toughest days. Her sharing and prayers cover a vast array of topics like, loneliness, fear, endurance, faithfulness, leadership, grace, character, anger, hope, forgiveness, and gratitude. With each prayer she brings to focus the topic asking God to not only develop that in our troops, but to bring us to the point of understanding it so we can impart it in our lives.
I remember times when during our son’s deployment that the emotions deeply hidden in my inner being consumed my mind so much that I didn’t have the energy to pray, let alone know how to express my anguish at the time. With this book, Donna has given those struggling during deployments prayers to sustain them when they just don’t know how to pray. The prayers are beautifully written, easy to pray, encouraging, relate to all Christians, speak directly to military families and most of all remind us that God is always with us to share our burdens.
I realized two things while reading this book, first, that even though a military mom wrote it, the topics are universal for anyone with a loved one in the military or those that have a heart to pray for military families. Second, I would love to reread her book using each chapter as a springboard for a week’s study on each specific topic.
I highly recommend this book and thank Donna Mull for sharing it with us.
About the Author:
Kathy Guzzo is a mom of a Marine and leader of Hope @ Home, a group of women with loved ones in the military. To subscribe to her ministry’s biweekly newsletter, send her a request at hopeathomeministry@comcast.net.
Please keep these coming. I have been looking for a book for my mil who is an avid reader and super supportive of our life in the military! These books are surprisingly hard for me to find. Thanks!