by Merlin Carothers

There are many references in the Bible that tells you of people and prophets praising God. Mostly, it’s because they were granted a miracle or they were experiencing something joyful. Only a handful like Job would still praise God even when in desperate need. I read this book when I was in desperate need.

The book is a compilation of letters who read Merlin Carothers’ previous books Prison to Praise and Power in Praise. Letter senders come from different walks of life: nuns, pastors, mothers, teenagers, teachers, students, drug addicts,  wives, husbands, prisoners, etc. They all share their experiences from reading the books.

What I found helpful and enlightening are the comments and/or replies by the author to each letter. There was a sender who was saying how can she be grateful to God when she is very sick with cancer? I totally related to that. How can one possibly feel grateful when you’re in the middle of a very difficult situation? Carothers replied, you still continue to give praise and ask God for his help because it is difficult to be grateful when you feel there is nothing to be grateful for. For some, it works like a miracle. Doing so, they experience lightness and uncontainable happiness.

My dear readers, it is the truth! I tried praising God when I felt desperate. It had been five months since my last paycheck and I was running out of provisions with bills to pay. Right on the last minute, I was given cash. Well, not my full salary but I got cash, still! God did not abandon me. I firmly believe, though, that God has a grand plan for me and while He is working on it, He wanted me to strengthen my faith.

The book helps in so many ways. It inspires you to persevere with your faith. It motivates you to start praising God and be grateful for what He has already given. It gives hope to those who have hit rock bottom and left with no more human alternative. It prevents you from doing further damage to yourself and to those who care about you.

To all believers, I urge you to read this book and start living your life that is meant to be full and overflowing with abundance!

Publisher: Merlin R. Carothers
First Printing: August 1973
ISBN-10: 0943026067
ISBN-13: 978-0943026060