The Widow S Prayer

Margaret Nyman learned of her husband’s cancer only 42 days before he died. After four decades of marriage to Nate, she was thrown into widowhood, with all the emotions and questions that follow. She reached out to God with her aching heart, and now she’s helping other widows to do the same in her book Prayers for a Widow’s Heart. This Scripture-based book of 60 prayers brings hope and healing to widows by offering heartfelt prayers and biblical reminders of God’s promises.

Losing a spouse is always traumatic. In this book of 60 devotions, Nell Noonan candidly shares her experiences in the 26 months following the death of her husband. Emphasizing that each person's journey through grief is unique, Noonan encourages readers to turn to God for strength, comfort, and healing. Her devotions are grouped into 4 sections: Part 1: Sorrowing, Sighing, and Consolations; Part 2: Broken and Blessed; Part 3: Healing and Hope; Part 4: Mourning to Morning. Noonan reminds readers they can count on God's steadfast love and presence every day. This book is a helpful resource for women making the transition from wife to widow.

"The prayers reflect the many moods and seasons of grief. I lovingly share them with you just as I would a pot from my kitchen, a paintbrush from my tool shed or a pencil from the desk where I write. They are yours to draw strength from. The tools that will lead you to peace are courage, positive thinking and prayer….And of these tools, prayer is perhaps the most powerful. Prayer is your bridge to God, a limitless source of help and strength." —From the Introduction The prayers in Toward Peace were born out of Beverly S. Gordon's own struggle to accept the death of her life partner, her own search for peace. She penned this simple, wise and nourishing book of 33 prayers for those experiencing the trauma and turmoil of grief associated with the death of a spouse. Prayers deal with issues common to widows and widowers—loneliness, memories, anger, blame, guilt, healing and envy. And because the widowed in the early stages of grieving often find it difficult to concentrate, the prayers are deliberately brief and written in simple language. Each prayer begins with an appropriate Bible verse.

Life crises threaten our spiritual stability. Losing a loved one—whether or not you expect their death—is always traumatic. The trauma of adjusting to the new identity of widow while facing a multitude of questions and urgent decisions can be overwhelming. In this book of 60 meditations, Nell Noonan candidly shares her experiences in the 26 months after the death of her husband. She describes her journey in grief as packed with blessings and brokenness. Despite the low points, she managed to find God in the midst of bereavement. Noonan acknowledges that each person's grief journey is unique. "My writing is not meant to tell anyone what or how or when to do anything," Noonan says. "The devotions are only meant to be messages that I want to hold your hand, feel our pain, and hopefully we will be able to inch slowly, step-by-step into being more whole, less broken—into new, peace-filled life." This book will help widows, whether they choose to read it alone or with a group. A good resource for grief support groups, and an appropriate gift to show your concern for any woman grieving the loss of her husband.

Dear Father, As the anniversary of our wedding draws near, I pray again that You hold my husband in Your gentle embrace. Share with him the endless joy of knowing You. Shower him with Your love and grace. Remind him, if it be Your will, of my undying love for him. These days are sometimes hard for me, as memories of our sweet vows wring my heart and tears flow silently. As I walk this earth alone, I ask You, please, for grace. Give me courage, Lord, for in my weakness You are strong. I have placed my faith in You. O Lord, I pray that on the day my journey ends, and I come home to You, that my beloved be there waiting, too. Reunite us for all eternity in Your everlasting love. Until then, I wait in hopeful faith and pray to You. Amen. This is a prayer book like no other, written by a widow for widows. The prayers center on the emotions and situations a widow faces. It is a powerful resource for grief ministers, family members, and friends.

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