PORTLAND, Maine — Joyce Wilson-Sanford is a former executive of the global Delhaize Group and of Hannaford Brothers in New England and an expert on leadership development—not necessarily a background that one would expect to lead to writing a book on spiritual exploration. Wilson-Sanford says her new book, I Pray Anyway: Devotions for the Ambivalent, is not so very unexpected. As a businesswoman, she recognizes emerging trends and growth markets, and the religiously ambivalent is certainly a growing trend. The number of religiously unaffiliated adults in the United States has increased by roughly 19 million since 2007. These are the religious “nones” as described in the Pew Research Survey of America’s Changing Religious Landscape (2015). There are now approximately 56 million religiously unaffiliated adults, or nones, in the United States; many of whom remain spiritually curious.
These genuine prayers will inspire readers to pray despite fluctuations in one’s soul and in the world. KIRKUS REVIEW
Throughout the book hope and faith vie with pain and doubt making it personal and authentic. SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW, 5/5 Stars
I Pray Anyway gives Wilson-Sanford’s personal, and often funny, voice to this growing number of people who are disillusioned with and/or don’t affiliate with any formal religion. While working on a leadership book, CEO: Note To Self, Wilson-Sanford began to jot down reflections—or prayers—as she turned to an exploration of faith after years with no religious engagement. The result is a book of 365 daily reflections with 12 personal stories interspersed—ideal for holiday giving. Wilson-Sanford’s very personal, humorous and honest writing illustrates the dilemmas faced by the nones. She reframes the modern spiritual struggle by leaping over obstacles built by an overreliance on intellect, reason and common dogma to deliver the reader to a place of curiosity that allows the freedom to explore.
While more and more people are disassociating themselves from an official religious affiliation, most of us still crave the sort of wisdom that faith provides. Here are 365 “prayers”—you might also call them poems or musings or mantras—that offer tastes of this knowledge like sips from a glorious wellspring. Consumed all at once or savored over time, these prayers will make you reflect on your own understanding of the divine. Often funny and always heartfelt, they act as a guide to a greater sense of gratitude and awe. CORINNA NICOLAOU, Author of A None’s Story
Among her other endeavors, Wilson-Sanford is a keynote speaker and presents workshops on the topics of prayer and emerging religious trends. She writes a weekly blog, I Pray Anyway, on the subject at readjoyce.com. Her website shares her range of original thinking on leadership and life and is home to two additional blogs, CEO: Note To Self and Truth Burps.
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