Sarah Young, the bestselling author known for her devotional book Jesus Calling, is experiencing "rapidly failing" health, her publisher said in a statement this week.
"We received the hard news that Sarah's health is rapidly failing," Thomas Nelson Publishers wrote in a social media post last week.
"We know that Sarah really believes in the power of prayer and prays for her readers every morning. Now, we have the precious privilege to lift up Sarah and her family. Please join us in prayer."
Young's 2004 book is a 365-day devotional. She has sold more than 35 million copies since its initial publication. In 2013 and 2018, the book was named "Christian Book of the Year," The Christian Post reports.
The original version has spawned other versions, including children's devotionals, storybooks, journals and other devotionals.
"Publishing Jesus Calling was a long, prayer-filled journey," Young said in a recent statement. "Ever since its publication, I've prayed daily for people who are reading Jesus Calling or any of my subsequent books. I consider it an amazing privilege and a God-given responsibility to pray for readers."
According to reports, Young is a private person who makes few public appearances. She has reportedly previously struggled with Lyme disease and "other health problems."
She graduated from Wellesley College in 1968 and earned a master's degree in biblical studies and counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis.
She is married to a Presbyterian missionary and has two children and two grandchildren.
In an interview with Gloria Gaither and Phil Newman, Young said that before she writes, she spends time in prayer, "including prayers for protection of my mind from distractions, distortions and deception."
"I ask God to guide my mind as I focus on Him and His Wo d. Then I simply pray, "Help me, Holy Spirit," and I wa t. I have been strongly influenced by the Bible verse, 'Be still, and know that I am God,'" she said.
"I want to make it clear that I do not have audible conversation with Jes s. Rather, it's a quiet and personal time of praying, pondering Scripture, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit."
In her introduction to Jesus Calling, Young also said, "The Bible is, of course, the only inerrant Word of God; my writings must be consistent with that unchanging standard."
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
