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GrandMamma's Prayers

by James Langston

94 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0018; ISBN 1-55369-205-5; US$15.50, C$18.00, EUR13.00, £9.00

GrandMamma's Prayers takes a real-life look at the faithful prayers of a godly Grandmother and how it affected the life of her Grandson. Through each trial, each test, each situation and circumstance, you will see how these fervent prayers helped to shape the life of this young man.

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About the book      About the author      Sample excerpts      Catalogue info

About the Book GrandMamma's Prayers' records the godly influences made by a GrandMamma on the life of her Grandson. The book follows the authors' experiences from adolescence through adulthood. Just as life has its ups and downs, some of the events are humorous, while others at times are sad. Yet, the purpose of the book, to testify of the unbending faith in a Saviour that can never fail, remains intact! The climatical moment comes after a series of trying events, which at first seem unfair. However, we are told in the Word that, " . . . all things work together for the good . . ." (Romans 8:28). The book emphasizes how each person although called, must first accept this calling (this occurs at the moment of their salvation) before they can be placed within the framework of God's divine plan for their life. Without accepting this free gift, God's plans for our life cannot and will not be enacted. GrandMamma's Prayers, beautifully portrays the old story and truth, "It's not I but Christ that liveth in me."

About the Author James was born the 3rd of 8 children in El Campo, Texas. During his early years, he attended East Gate Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend O. D. Ford. He accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour at the age of 14. He began his evangelism ministry at 15 years of age. He fondly remembers going into the local jail in Wharton, Texas and asking the deputy if he could share the Gospel with the prisoners. The deputy looked over the desk and kindly said, "Son come back later, the sheriff is out." However, with that simple experience his ministry had begun. At age 17 James joined the U.S. Navy. In 1978 he took his ministry to the streets. His first 'contact' was with a drunk. James asked him the simple question that has changed countless lives; "Do you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?" The elderly man was very kind to this young 19-year-old. He told James words that he still remembers today, "Son I appreciate what you are trying to doing." James married the woman he affectionately calls his rib, Cecilia Langston in 1979. From their union have sprang forth four girls (Maria, Lorena, Jacel, and Jennifer) and two boys (James Jr. and Cedric). Although James was given the vision, "Go Ye into all the world and Preach the Gospel," many years earlier, this ministry did not come about until 1998 when the Pilgrim Outreach Ministry was birthed. God has blessed this ministry with a dynamic group of leaders who as well have this same burning desire within them. Through the power of the Holy Spirit James has seen many folks saved, healed, delivered and baptized in the Holy Spirit. God is truly raising this ministry up to have a worldwide impact. James is stationed overseas in Italy. He is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy.

Sample Excerpts

Page 14

We slept on an old feather bed mattress. You say, "a what?" Well way before there was sealy-posterpedic and many of the other fancy names of today there was the "featherbed." That, by the way, was high fashion for those days.

Momma would bring us out to the country during the months we were out of school. She always said it was good for us to be there. At the time I tended to disagree, but those thoughts never leaked out of my posterior temporal lobe (brain).

Since space was limited at GrandMamma's, we often slept four or five to a room. All eight of us (four boys and four girls) would be sprawled out all over the place in this small four-room house.

Page 16

I mean who could pass up this assortment of delicacies? There was homemade grits, fresh bacon, buttermilk biscuits, fresh hen eggs, homemade syrup, fig preserves, and homemade butter. Then to wash all this down we had fresh squeezed juice or cow's milk (not the store bought kind but straight from "old Daisy"). As I eagerly eyed these dishes, I knew that before any of us could take one bite, Grace had to be said.

Now mind you I was a pre-teen. Food was very high on my list of priorities. But good old common sense told me I'd better not "act up" as GrandMamma was about to bless the food.

GrandMamma would start her prayer by praying for folks in the United States. And then she'd extend this prayer to other countries as she slowly made her way around the world. She'd pray for folks in China and other far away places, simply asking the Lord to bless those who were less fortunate than we were (I thought everybody was as well off as we were).

GrandMamma always finished her prayer by saying something which only years later would I begin to fully understand. She'd say, "Lawd save them their chullen" (southern for children). If you're a grammatical intellectual or a proponent of correct grammar, your mouth is probably wide open with astonishment at what you just read. However, please just bare with me. As they say, "let your curls down and loosen up for a moment."

I always thought GrandMamma was referring to our life then. But as I found out many years later, she was speaking prophetically ("...speaking those things that are not as though they were...") on our behalf. She believed God that each of us would be saved, blessed and living for the Lord. And before her death she saw this seed Faith come to fruition!

At the conclusion she would ask the Lord to bless the food and then say, AMEN.

Page 21

"Get up and get dressed, we ain't gonna be late for church!" With those words echoing through the house, we knew another Sunday morning had arrived. We also knew GrandMamma meant every word she said. She took all the guesswork out of her intentions. She was one southern women who meant what she said, and said what she meant.

Page 24

I've always believed that going to church should not be like a stroll in a graveyard! On the other hand, neither should praise and worship be relegated to fleshly entertainment. There is a freedom found in worshipping God that mere words cannot describe.

Page 31

On the day GrandMamma was to make her first drive, Momma parked the car in the front yard, far away from any obstacles. I took a front row seat on the porch to watch this historic event unfold.

I listened as Momma gave the preliminary instructions and directions to GrandMamma. I call these the "oops and the don't you dares." GrandMamma nodded her head in agreement as each one was explained.

I could sense the excitement building as each second passed. When the time came for GrandMamma to start the car, she gently pulled the choke and then stepped on the starter. I heard the Chevy's motor start to turn. After a slight hesitation it sprang to life.

Page 39

After about an hour of trying, I finally got my balance. I was moving, but then realized I had no control over where I was going or even worse, what I was to do now that I was moving.

I guess I had traveled about 20 or 30 feet before the skates and I tried to go in different directions. As I was falling somehow something felt different. I couldn't explain it, but there was just something uncommon about the way things happened this time.

Somehow, both my legs had gotten tangled, with my left knee being positioned right on top of my right leg. As I made contact with the wood floor, both legs impacted in that same position. I immediately felt this sizzling pain shoot through my body. I didn't know what had happened, but I knew it wasn't good.

Page 44

I was called to preach the Gospel. That's my whole life. Everything else I do revolves around this. I do not make that statement boastfully or apologetically. I make it with the full assurance that it was God who placed this distinct calling upon my life. And it is He and He alone that has equipped me and sustains me to do what I do.

Page 47

In order for us to learn to work together, especially for a common cause and purpose does not just happen. It takes commitment, responsibility; sacrifice and good old fashioned hard work. It also goes past the way we may feel or think about something or someone. Remember; in order to be a successful leader you must first learn to recognize the uniqueness and worth in each person that you are entrusted responsibility for.

Page 52

God as well has made an investment in us. When His son, Jesus Christ died on Calvary, that was the greatest act of love the world has ever known (John 3:16). But in order for us to realize benefits from this, our trust and Faith must be anchored in that event. So no matter what others are saying, the Lord has said, "If I am for you, who can be against you?"

Page 64

All the commotion out back had aroused Momma's curiosity and interest. I found out later that as soon as she came outside, some big mouth told her about the squirrel and what we had done. Seems funny how there are always those who love to tell what they know or have seen!

Page 86

In spite of our many quirks and peculiarities, the Lord will not expel us from His school as long as we keep attending (praying) and trying (believing). If we really want to know more about Him, He will keep working with us, molding us and shaping us so that He may present us blameless and spotless before the Father.

Catalogue Information