A Practical Guide for Praying Parents

by Erwin W. Lutzer

Instead of an Anxious Parent, Become a Praying Parent Any Christian mother and father, or grandmother and grandfather, desires what is spiritually best for their children. However, knowing how to pray for them can often be as challenging as knowing what to pray. Without proper guidance, our prayers are prone to become dry, repetitive lists of requests. With the help of Dr. Erwin Lutzer, you can learn how your best, loving intentions can become enriching, effective intercessions for your children or grandchildren. Trade your lists of requests for Scripturally-based prayers that will immerse you in God’s promises and will. In A Practical Guide for Praying Parents , Dr. Lutzer addresses: -How to pray when children have hardened hearts
-How to pray for children who have become wayward prodigals
-How to become a prayer warrior who prays in the face of spiritual warfare This small guide will help you pray scriptural prayers that both bring you closer to God and bless your children. You’ll also find daily Biblical prayers crafted by Dr. Lutzer himself to help you begin your prayer journey. With your love for your children, your desire to help, and Dr. Lutzer’s guidance, your prayers can become effective ministry in the lives of those you care for the most.

Genres: Parenting

112 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2020

About the author

Erwin W. Lutzer is senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Loyola University, he is the author of numerous books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner "Hitler's Cross" and the best seller "One Minute After You Die". He is also a teacher on radio programs heard on more than 700 stations throughout the United States and the world, including "Songs in the Night," "The Moody Church Hour," and the daily feature "Running to Win." He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and have three married children and seven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Carolyn Litfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. Simple, but not simplistic. Easy to read, digest, and retain the information in this format. Encouraging as we pray, not only for our kids, but in general. Answers common questions in effective ways regarding fasting, spiritual warfare, examining our own hearts, etc. Highly recommend.

[Linda Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I have listened to Pastor Lutzer's teaching for many years, when his new book became available for review, I jumped at the opportunity and was not disappointed!
"Our children belong to God. If we want to honor them, the best way we can do that is to pray for them regularly, fervently and optimistically...expecting God to answer. Do you love your children? Prove it by praying for them! So often when we pray for our children, we either fall into meaningless repetition, or we submit a grocery list of requests to God.
As a grandparent who has prayed for her children and now grandchildren, I can identify with repetition and grocery list prayers. Pastor Lutzer, where was this book and your godly wisdom when my children were small? Had I had such a book, I can assure you it would have been dog-eared and falling apart by the time my children became adults. I am so thankful to have it now to apply the wisdom given to praying for my precious grandchildren!
In this small volume, Pastor Lutzer shares a much better way to pray for the children and/or grandchildren in your life. Praying Scripture can change the focus of our praying from what we hope God will do to focusing on the character of God and that which is His stated will, the Word. That can be a game changer, although praying for your children/grandchildren is no game. It is serious stuff!
The book opens with some much needed foundational chapters which include: Lord, Change Me, (yes, change ME, the pray-er), Change Their Hearts, Lord, Let Sin Become Bitter, so Grace May Become Sweet, and Lord, I Refuse to Let Satan Have My Child. Once the foundation is laid, we then jump into the "how to" of praying Scriptures...Let's Start Praying. The chapters after that are arranged by days of the week which cover specific subjects. For example, Friday's prayer is: A Prayer to Grasp Their Identification with Jesus Christ. There's even a postscript titled: Should I Fast for My Child?
This book is only 107 pages in length and should be manageable for even the busiest of parents/grandparents. The ebook format seems to have some issues with missing letters in several words, but I was always able to figure out the word due to context.
So again, I ask the question that was asked before: "Do you love your children? Prove it by praying for them." Praying Scripture is the surest way to grab God's ear and touch His heart on behalf of the children you are praying for.
I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley in exhange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Alexandria Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes a statement that prodigal children exist primarily because of self righteous/ legalistic homes or because of parents that lose their own moral authority through hypocrisy . In other words, it’s always the parent’s fault 😆 I would say prodigals/rebellious children exist because sinners exist. Could a family dynamic create more fertile ground for a rebellious child? Sure, but it’s also true especially as children become adults that adults are responsible for their own choices, behaviors and actions and nothing parents do/don’t do can change that. Sometimes, parents do everything right and children go wayward. So this book has a very formulaic attitude. Do this, this will result. Pray this, God will respond.

Talks about Absalom and says that he rebelled because David lost his moral authority through adultery and murder with the Bathsheba and Uriah situation. I think God actually states that the sword will not leave David’s house because that was God’s judgment toward David’s sin. Lutzer does correct the facts because Absalom actually rebels because his sister Tamar is raped by a half-brother and David responds by doing NOTHING. Absalom provides justice for his sister imo by killing her rapist so is that rebellion or justice? 😂 the problems with using biblical characters for modern day moral lessons. Are you a parent whose daughter was raped by your other child and you chose to do nothing? Ha. Then again, blaming the victim is very common and rape culture is an issue so this actually could be more relevant than you think. I think the lesson with Davis is that you can be a “man after God’s own heart” and STILL be a crappy father. Also, polygamy always leads to problems, like your daughter being raped by a half brother. Ugh.

Makes a statement affirming soul ties when it comes to sexual sin. While I think that could be an issue in some cases I don’t affirm belief in soul ties. Logically, belief in soul ties would mean that a rape victim is forever connected to his/her rapist. Or that a spouse that commits infidelity is forever connected to their lover. Sexual sin is different in the sense that it is a sin against your own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). But Jesus is greater than any sexual sin. Honor God with your body, walk in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6, Galatians 5).

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lutzer starts out with a bold statement. “It is a sin for you to not pray for your children.” (11) So we know we must pray but how do we do it day after day? How do we pray knowing we pray God's will? How do we pray and not repeat the same requests over and over?

Lutzer says the prayers for his children changed when he began praying Scripture. He helps parents and grandparents pray scriptural prayers and remain faithful when it appears prayers are not being answered.

One aspect of the book I really appreciated was Lutzer's teaching on spiritual warfare and specifically curses. He is clear that for believers, any curses from previous generations are broken in Christ. Christ bore our curse. (59) That is such good news as many Christian parents have worried about possible generational curses plaguing their children.

Another insight I really appreciated was Lutzer's clarification, “Some of the prayers and promises in the Old Testament that refer to the material blessings of God for Israel do not apply directly to the church.” (63) Christians are not to use Old Testament Scriptures to demand God pour physical blessings upon their children. His plea is for believers to exercise discernment. (66)

This book is aimed at getting parents on the journey of a life of prayer. I really like his insights into what to pray for, such as the child's heart condition, their attitude toward sin and realizing their identity in Christ. I like how Lutzer shares his own weekly prayer practice as an example for readers. I like his sample prayers, more examples of praying Scripture. I like his chapter on praying beyond the family, for the nation.

This is a very good book to get parents and grandparents on a rewarding and effective prayer journey. I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents looking to "up their prayer game" for their children need look no further for a concise, biblical, and practical resource. Simply grab a copy of respected pastor and leader Erwin Lutzer's new release, A Practical Guide for Praying Parents, because in this small volume, you'll find renewed focus and energy for your prayers.

Readers begin by learning how their prayers should begin with the attitude, "Lord, change me" and then move to prayers for God to change their children. Lutzer covers some basics--asking God to let sin become bitter to your children so that grace becomes sweeter and doing spiritual battle for your child. After that foundation, Lutzer provides readers with some daily prayer guides, each day's prayers focusing on a different topic or idea, such as protection from evil, grasping their identity in Christ, and freedom from self-incrimination. I found the brief intro to each topic enlightening, biblically-based, and encouraging. As for the prayers at the end of each chapter--they're not just for memorizing. Sure, you can do that, but you'll come away actually feeling that Lutzer has come alongside of you, the reader, to mentors you and model how to pray through different and difficult topics. Helpful, hopeful, practical, and well worth the investment.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Reyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don´t know how to start or how to pray you may find this book very helpful. My two grandmas have always prayed for me, every day, by name (even when they have several grandchildren). One of them passed away, she was the one who prayed every night and I always think: Now I only have one grandma who prays for me every day... what a legacy. I want to be that kind of parent for my children. One who always prays for them and they can be sure not a single day passes without prayer. I still have the grandma who prays every morning... I want to tell the same to my children, and if God allows to my grandchildren. This short book gives you the ideas of topics to pray every day of the week, also for your family and the nation, it involves the fast for them as well. Wednesdays are the day I have chosen to focus on them. Sometimes I forget the power of prayer, but then I see the grace and care God has with me and I know it is because of some other people's prayers. I want to have prayers that matter, not just meaningless repetition or a grocery list of requests. It is important to pray scripture. This book is helpful for parents and grandparents. I think it would be lovely if teachers and leaders read it to and get involved praying for their students more often.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing to remember about parenting is that your children belong to God. More than anything, God wants to see your children turn to Him and follow Him. Praying for our children, especially if they have hardened their hearts toward God, is something parents should be intentional about doing.

Erwin Lutzer's "A Practical Guide for Praying Parents" guides parents into praying scripture-based prayers that will bless them and their children. Praying for your children will bring you closer to God and give you an effective ministry to those you care about most. Dr. Lutzer has included many prayers to get you started and covers a variety of situations. Drawing on his examples, you can develop an effective prayer life and cover your children and grandchildren in prayer.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Publishers, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Phillip Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents cannot keep children protected from the dangers of the world by themselves. Some kids reject Christ outright, some drift away, some accept Christ and follow Him. The best tool that parents have to help their children is prayer. Erwin W. Lutzer gives practical help in A Practical Guide for Praying Parents.

Praying for your kids is something that you know you need to do, but may not know how to do more than just ask God to guide them and keep them safe. Using passages from the Bible, and showing how to use them to form your prayer, the book gives you a basis for going beyond generic and repetitious prayers. This has the added benefit of strengthening your faith as you ask God to help your child.

This book is written in simple language, and is a great read for any parent or grandparent. The information also can be extended to any family member that you want to pray for.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Zacarias Rivera, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As parents who are God-fearing, we acknowledge that it is imperative to pray for our children. As they were growing, our prayers for them also changed and mutated.

In this new book by the esteemed Dr. Lutzer, in about 100 pages addresses the need to pray earnestly for our children. He begins by focusing on some key reasons for prayer, and moves towards the second half of the book to concentrate on the practical applications by providing us with some daily prayers.

Although I am an empty-nester, I was able to glean some practical advice for my own prayers for my adult sons.

I appreciate how Lutzer begins the prayers by addressing our own needs for prayer and then for our children. As sinners saved by grace, we need to look at ourselves first and then our children.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Practical Guide For Praying Parents by Erwin W. Lutzer is an amazing resource that every parent should have. This book will help you with not only what to pray but how to pray as well.
This book addresses:
-How to pray when children have hardened hearts
-How to pray for children who have become wayward prodigals
-How to become a prayer warrior who prays in the face of spiritual warfare
This book has helped me in the daily spiritual discipline of prayer and had helped me grow in my relationship with God. I really appreciate the prayers that are provided in the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has children.

[Rebecca Siedschlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there are many books on prayer, I love how Dr. Lutzer's wording is concise and to the point without sacrificing depth and insight. There were several places throughout this short work where I returned to a previous chapter or section to replay (I bought the audible version) what I needed to hear again —not for lack of clarity on the author's part, but for the sake of not wanting to miss anything in the application. I've marked several areas where I've clipped sections and taken notes. A Practical Guide for Praying Parents is an easy read and well worth any time spent indulging in the wisdom of its pages.

[Mary Elsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Erwin Lutzer has written a short but timely book for parents called “A Practical Guide for Praying Parents.” Using Scripture as the basis for our prayers, Lutzer encourages parents and grandparents to help children “…understand that the changes God makes in our lives is profound and lasting.” If we want to see our children grow up with a strong foundation and moral compass, we need to pray for them daily. This is a great resource, filled with prompts for daily prayers.

[Liza Tabita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had higher expectations from this book. The end of the book is more practical, with a day by day prayer for children. The book is basic, I personally did not feel like it renewed my mind about praying for my children. There are some valuable principles presented, but it is just a starting point.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written book by a respected author, A Guide for Praying Parents addresses the issues surrounding praying for our children, even adult children.

[Lee L · Rating 5 out of 5]

We can always use advice and encouragement on how to pray for our kids and grandkids. This book will give you excellent pointers and prayers you can pray.

[Lori Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and encouraging

[Dwight Croy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lives up to its title and is well worth reading.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and encouraging

[Jehiel Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book, even if you are not a parent. This book will help you to focus your prayer