This is my first book review relating to faith and children which I am excited about! I know the importance of prayer in my own life and now I have the blessing to be able to pray over my own son. As a new mum, it can be overwhelming at times to get through the day let alone read a book. However, Melissa B. Kruger’s chapters are only a couple of pages long, split into five points on a particular theme of prayer with a small verse and paragraph under each point. It is designed to work around you and there is even space at the top of each new chapter to write your own prayer points.
The introduction was written by the author’s daughter which is a touching tribute to the power of prayer and praying parents. Emma Kruger shares how she is grateful to have grown up with prayerful parents and how she ‘simply learned by watching them pray each and every day’ (pg.7). It has provided a strong foundation as she has looked for Christian community in both high school and as she prepares to go to college. She shares:
‘Prayer is a vital part of walking with God. I’ve seen the way it strengthens faith. My parents have faithfully encouraged me in it. I’ll forever be thankful for the ways in which they’ve taught me and supported me in prayer, showing me what it means to have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (pg.7)
The author provides a helpful section on how to use the book. There are 21 different areas to pray through with five points in each section. Each prayer suggestion is based on the Bible – prayers based in the confidence of God’s Word. I found that it helped to have guidance on specific areas to pray for – sometimes it can be hard to know what to pray. It brings fresh life and meaning to a conversation with God about my son.
To give you an idea of some of the areas that you can pray through, here are a few and the five points will be based on the verses:
- Praying that God will… save my child (Ephesians 2:8-10)
- Praying that God will… watch over my child (Psalm 121)
- Praying that my child will… have confidence in Jesus (Hebrews 10:22-25)
- Praying that my child will… delight in God’s Word (Psalm 19:7-12)
- Praying that my child will… love others (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
- Praying that I will… share the goodness of God with my child (Psalm 78:1-7)
- Praying that I will… create a home of patience and kindness (Colossians 3:12-14)
- Praying when my child is… suffering from disappointment, loss, or hurt (Romans 5:1-5)
- Praying when my child is… making friends (selected Proverbs)
- Praying when my child is… experiencing change, uncertainty, or fear (Joshua 1:8-9)
…and others!
This small book is a perfect way to pray for your child, for other children, for grandchildren, godchildren, kids in the church, at any age or stage of life. Watching our children grow, we can see all sorts of triumphs and challenges that they face. A foundation of prayer over their lives can cover them and us in all seasons. When it can get busy, tiring or frustrating, this book will be a companion to keep our eyes, minds and hearts Christ-centred as we communicate to the Lord who loves them dearly.
You can buy ‘5 Things to Pray for Your Kids’ from your local Christian bookshop, The Good Book Company, Eden or Amazon.
Melissa Kruger serves as women’s ministry coordinator at Uptown Church (PCA) in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the author of The Envy of Eve, Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood and In All Things. She blog at Wit’s End, hosted by The Gospel Coalition. Her husband, Mike, is the president of Reformed Theological Seminary, and they have three children.
An Anchored Hope 
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