Praise for The Prayer Chest
The Prayer Chest is a delightfully meaningful story of struggle, and the strength to find hope through faith. The characters, intimate and imaginative, capture our hearts, and together we discover the power of prayer to transform pain into purpose.
Rev. Deborah L. Johnson, author of
The Sacred Yes and Your Deepest Intent
Prayer is the meeting ground between spirituality and science the place where the invisible world touches practical daily life. So why is prayer such a mystery to us, why are we surprised when it works? The Prayer Chest gives us big clues. It teaches us the lessons of being open to those invisible resources that can guide, support, and even heal us. Whats more, this lovely, engaging parable inspires us with hope that no matter what suffering, misfortune, or bad luck befalls us, there are principles of truth that can light the way.
Mark Thurston, PhD, author of The Essential Edgar Cayce
The Prayer Chest is a simple yet profound tale of loss, acceptance, and emergence. Filled with timeless truths about the secret to making faith real and creating the life you want, this book will touch your heart and inspire you to believe all things are possible when you really know how to ask and receive.
Caroline Reynolds, author of Spiritual Fitness
Can our wishes really come true? The Prayer Chest gives us every reason to believe they can. In this charming, gracefully written tale, August Gold and Joel Fotinos show how everyday miracles unfold. My bet is theyll have you scrambling to find or make a prayer chest for your most cherished dreams.
Joan Duncan Oliver, author of Happiness and Good Karma
The Prayer Chest is a powerful, heartwarming story but, even more so, it is a treasure trove of prayer principles drawn from the wisdom of the ages. In it, you will find truths that speak to your greatest yearnings and challenges. I love and recommend this book, for it reveals the container of prayer power hidden within us all.
Dr. Roger W. Teel, senior minister,
Mile Hi Church, Lakewood, Colorado
There is nothing like a good story that captures ones heart, imagination, and soul! A story like that is hard to put down, for the urge to embody it fully is so strong. The Prayer Chest is one of those stories. As the characters and wisdom of the prayer chest are revealed powerfully and poetically, the urge to keep reading grows and grows. Of course, good stories always contain lessons for living, and this story does not disappoint in that regard, either. All that is contained within the pages is delightful, powerful, and nurturing, and secrets for living are revealed!
Dr. Michelle Medrano, community spiritual leader,
New Vision Spiritual Growth Center, Scottsdale, Arizona
The Prayer Chest resonates on so many levels. The story sings, the lessons abound, and the loving truth we all seek pours out of every page. I fell in love with every character and was pleasantly surprised at every turn. If I doubt prayer ever again, Ill reread it to get my conviction back. This is one for the ages. Bravo!
Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What?
For all who have agonized over seemingly unanswered prayers now comes this stirring parable that allows us to see with our hearts what we always knew. Written with quiet eloquence, this is a story youll turn to again and again to savor its pearl of great price. Only from the incomparable team of Joel Fotinos and August Gold could come such a rare and precious book.
Joanne Williams, author of The Song My Soul Remembers
The Prayer Chest reveals the open secret of the heart of heaven that lies within each of us. Just as the biblical prophet Malachis vision proclaimed the promise of the Lord saying, I will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings for you, so do the authors of this book bestow upon us a gracious blessing of faith and love through the wisdom of one of its main characters, Malachi Hutchinson. This book is destined to touch the hearts and minds of its readers for generations to come.
Rev. Marcia Sutton, spiritual mentor and teacher
From the very first page, this compelling story gently took me by the hand and led me home to a deeper-than-ever assurance of the power of raw, honest, simple prayer. Anyone who has struggled with anguish, doubt, bone-chilling fear, and/or sheer despair will find strength, hope, and grace in The Prayer Chest. The entire experience of this inspiring book is as textured and comforting as the richness of an old-fashioned patchwork quilt.
Rev. Karen Wolfson, founder and senior minister,
Center for Spiritual Awakening, Sarasota, Florida
The Prayer Chest is a beautiful love story that held my attention with its riveting mysteries that changed peoples lives, about faith overcoming fear. It is wonderful.
Marilyn Leo, author of
In His Company: Ernest Holmes Remembered
The Prayer Chest
The Prayer Chest
A Tale about the Power of Faith,
Community, and Love
August Gold and Joel Fotinos
New World Library
Novato, California
Copyright 2007 by August Gold and Joel Fotinos
Originally published in hardcover by Doubleday
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
Text design by Tona Pearce Myers
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gold, August, date.
The prayer chest : a tale about the power of faith, community, and love / August Gold and Joel Fotinos.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-60868-049-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Farm lifeFiction. 2. PrayerFiction. I. Fotinos, Joel. II. Title.
PS3607.O423P73 2011
813'.6dc23
2011028701
First New World Library paperback printing, October 2011
ISBN 978-1-60868-049-8
Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper
New World Library is a proud member of the Green Press Initiative.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Cat,
the answer to my prayer
For Alan, Raphi, and K. Lorraine,
proof that prayer works
Contents
I first heard of The Prayer Chest when a friend emailed me and said I had to see an interview with the authors of a new book. There was a link to a short video with August Gold and Joel Fotinos, and I watched it with a growing fascination. Then I watched it a second time, sitting very still, absorbing their words.
Next page