Like Oya, the Yoruba goddess, Iyanla Vanzant, 49, has ridden the winds of change and carried the sword that clears the way for new growth. She is at once a guru and girlfriend, talk-show advicemeister and best-selling author, whose first book evolved from an empowerment booklet she wrote for African-American women. Iyanla, which means "great mother" in Yoruba, has intimate knowledge of life's dark painful side as well as its sparkling upside, and emphatically testifies for the latter.
Born Rhonda Harris in the back of a taxicab in Brooklyn, New York, she lost her mother to cancer at age 2, was raped by an uncle when only 9, had three children before she was 21, and fled a violent and abusive marriage.
She proved herself a feisty survivor, earning Bachelor and law degrees, and working in the public defender's office in Philadelphia for several years. Her real calling and success, however, came as an inspirational writer and speaker boosted into national prominence and best-sellerdom by appearances on Oprah.
Although industry observers say the prognosis for her new talk show, Iyanla! is not good, she has garnered her share of acclaim, being named one of the "100 Most Influential African Americans" by Ebony, one of "100 Leaders of the New Millennium" by Vibe, and one of the "Women of the New Century" by Newsweek.
Simon and Schuster recently published her 13th book, "Every Day I Pray," a collection of prayers culled from her prayer journal. She spoke with senior producer Anne Simpkinson about the nature and power of prayer.
On September 11 and the days after, thousands of families and friends prayed for the safety of their loved ones. Many of those people prayed in vain. How does a person keep a prayer life going when their prayers aren't answered.
The first thing you have to do is realize and understand the purpose of prayer. The purpose of prayer isn't a command. The purpose of prayer is to put you in alignment with the highest forces of the universe, whether that's God or the angels or the Goddess.
When you recognize the reason you're praying in the first place, it becomes easier to stay on track.
