Yada Yada Prayer Group

What do an ex-con, a former drug addict, a real estate broker, a college student and a married mother of two have in common? Nothing, or so I thought. Who would have imagined that God would make a prayer group as mismatched as ours the closest of friends? I almost didn't even go to the Chicago Women's Conference-after all, being thrown together with five hundred strangers wasn't exactly my "comfort zone." But something happened that weekend to make us realize we had to hang together, and the Yada Yada Prayer Group" was born! When I faced the biggest crisis of my life, God used my newfound Sisters to show me what it means to be just a sinner saved by grace.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group seems invincible-until tension and distrust shake its very foundation. Jodi Baxter is slowly recuperating from a horrific car accident, but before she's fully recovered, other problems arise within the Yada Yada Prayer Group-big problems. The turmoil starts when a heroin-addicted woman charges into a prayer meeting with a knife and isn't afraid to use it. Things really take a turn for the worse when grim accusations are made against Jodi's husband. Racial division, pain, and pride are tearing this close-knit group of women apart, and Jodi isn't sure if she and her spiritual sisters will be able to survive the mess. The Yada Yadas are forced to get down to the nitty-gritty in their relationships and in their prayers. But is forgiveness possible-not just of their closest friends... but also of their enemies?

The sisters of the Yada Yada Prayer Group are learning how to be real-with each other and with God. After a particularly exhausting year with the Yada Yada Prayer Group, all Jodi Baxter wants is a break. She even asks God for a little "dull and boring" in the new year. Instead, she finds that when you're open to His plans, life is unpredictable-in the best and hardest ways. Jodi's life is suddenly full of changes, and they can be described as anything but boring. Out of all the Yada Yadas, God has Leslie "Stu" Stuart move into the Baxter's upstairs flat, which requires a lot of patience-and tongue-biting-on Jodi's part. She's continually unnerved by guilt stemming from the accident and dreads the day when she comes face-to-face with Hakim's mother. Plus, Bandana Woman, who was safely locked up in prison, has returned. Phew! Through prayer and friendship, the Yada Yadas are getting real. Dull and boring? Not a chance.

Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon. And the Yada Yadas are about to learn just how strong it really is. The women of the Chicago-born Yada Yada Prayer Group have developed a strong sisterly bond. They've had a wild year full of joy, sorrow, and a healthy dose of laughter. Lots of laughter. But just when life gets comfortable, things get shaken up. The sisters don't expect trouble to crop up so soon after the exuberant wedding of Yada Yada member Avis Johnson. But it happens, and sorrow meets their joy head—on. It's the kind of sorrow that shakes up their whole town, their whole group, their lives. And it's not just sorrow, it's fear and hate and a whole lot of tension. A white supremacy hate group targets a local university and viciously attacks Nony's husband, barely sparing his life. With their loved one balancing between life and death, the mismatched sisters get tough, really tough, and their prayer group becomes much more than just a Bible study. It becomes a lifeline.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group is in trouble, and they're having a hard time getting out. Jodi Baxter is feeling overwhelmed, to say the least. Every day it seems that more blessings, problems, and everything in between crop up among her Yada Yada sisters, and their prayer list is getting out of control. Not only are the Yada Yadas still recovering from the vicious racial attack on Mark, but Ruth and Ben's midlife pregnancy takes a dangerous turn, Avis's daughter and grandbaby show up unannounced, Florida's artistic son gets caught tagging, and Uptown is talking about merging with New Morning into one racially mixed church-raising anxiety and stress to new levels. To top it all off, Jodi keeps saying yes, to everything. It's getting harder to see God in the everyday rat race of life, especially in the face of exhaustion. With so many burdens resting on her circle of sisters, Jodi finds herself trapped by the good-and bad-habit of trying to fi x everything and everyone. After lots (and lots) of failures, Jodi begins to learn that God can use anything, even the messes we make, to accomplish His good purposes. What will it take to help the Yada Yadas focus on God's promises instead of getting caught by the lies we so easily believe?

Just when the Yada Yadas want to get comfy, they realize God is on the move. It's time for the sisters to let go... and let God take the lead. These aren't easy times for the Yada Yadas: a devastating fire, an HIV diagnosis, loss of loved ones, and possible prison time loom over the sisters' heads. More than once, they dissolve into tears and worry. But when so much seems to be going wrong, the sisters know where to turn... prayer. And as Jodi Baxter's prayer life continues to be revolutionized by the Yada Yada Prayer Group, she begins to recognize God's voice. It's still, it's small, and she often confuses it with her own feelings. But it's there. When Jodi works up the courage to open herself to God's plan, it propels her into a world completely outside her comfort zone: prison ministry. But as the sisters follow God's lead, something happens, something that knocks their socks off. Reaching out in ways that are startling to others, they surprise even themselves. Because when this eccentric group of friends gets rolling, miracles will happen.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group is in trouble-and they're having a hard time getting out. Jodi Baxter is feeling overwhelmed, to say the least. Every day it seems that more blessings, problems, and everything in between crop up among her Yada Yada sisters, and their prayer list is getting out of control. Not only are the Yada Yadas still recovering from the vicious racial attack on Mark, but Ruth and Ben's midlife pregnancy takes a dangerous turn, Avis's daughter and grandbaby show up unannounced, Florida's artistic son gets caught tagging, and Uptown is talking about merging with New Morning into one racially mixed church-raising anxiety and stress to new levels. To top it all off, Jodi keeps saying yes-to everything. It's getting harder to see God in the everyday rat race of life, especially in the face of exhaustion. With so many burdens resting on her circle of sisters, Jodi finds herself trapped by the good-and bad-habit of trying to fi x everything and everyone. After lots (and lots) of failures, Jodi begins to learn that God can use anything, even the messes we make, to accomplish His good purposes. What will it take to help the Yada Yadas focus on God's promises instead of getting caught by the lies we so easily believe?