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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.