Melissa Kruger is a mother of three and serves as Director of Women’s Content for The Gospel Coalition. I have listened to her on various TGC podcasts and found her to be trustworthy and helpful.
I needed some help to better pray for my family, not just praying about immediate needs but also praying scripture for spiritual needs. This book is short, inexpensive, and a worthy addition to your library.
Below is a portion of the introduction from 17 year-old Emma Kruger:
“My mom once said that learning to pray was like learning another language. If you grew up with parents who prayed regularly in the home, it would feel natural – like a native language you’d spoken since birth. But if you waited, it became harder to learn. It wasn’t that you couldn’t learn to pray, but it might take more time for it to feel natural.
My parents’ example also taught me what to look for in Christian community. Prayer is an essential part of their friendships, and I’ve sought this same type of community with my high school friends. Now, as I prepare to leave home for college, I’m looking for this same community of prayer and care for one another that my parents have shown me.”
The book is divided into 4 sections, with 5 things to pray in each category/scripture passage. I have included one or more from each section:
- Praying that God will…
Fill my child with spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Praying that my child will…
Have confidence in Jesus (Hebrews 10:22-25)
Experience God’s greatness (Isaiah 40:28-31)
Delight in God’s word (Psalm 19:7-12)
- Praying that I will…
Share the goodness of God with my children (Psalm 78:1-7)
Create a home of patience and kindness (Colossians 3:12-14)
4. Praying when my child is…
Lonely (Psalm 16)
Making a difficult decision (Philippians 1:9-11)
This book is a tool to use during your prayer time. When I came to the section on loneliness, I thought of my friend, in a very difficult marriage and prayed for her. And I have been praying through the Hebrews passage, in section 2 for my family lately:
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.”
Quote: Praise God that by the blood of Jesus we have access to a new and living way into God’s awesome presence (v19-20). Jesus paved the way, so we can walk in fellowship with God. Pray that your child will draw near to God today, thinking about him and seeking him with a sincere heart.
May the Lord make us into examples for our children and grandchildren, and all those around us, to learn to pray and trust in the Lord.
In addition, I recently learned that the next book in the series comes out February 1, “5 Things to Pray for Your Spouse,” written by Melissa Kruger and her husband, Michael Kruger. This is at the top of my books to buy list!