The Power of a Praying® Parent

This book is great. Until your child dies and you wonder why all the prayers you prayed that she recommends didn't "work". The book is not Biblical; she does not understand that God's ways are mysterious and He is not a God who answers prayer like a vending machine; put in a prayer and get the answer you expect. The chapter on praying for safety and protection for your child is misleading. It focuses on their physical safety. So what are praying Christian parents to believe if their child dies, gets horribly injuried, disabled, raped, or has a mental illness or handicap? That we didn't pray the right way? Or for the right things? Jesus clearly said that in this world we will have trouble, and that this world is under the control of the evil one. And that death will be defeated once and for all when Jesus returns. Since my daughter died, I no longer pray the same way from how I learned in this book. I don't pray grasping, anxious prayers for my surviving children. Instead I pray for them to have God's peace, love, endurance, patience, etc; the fruits of the spirit. God knows what we need and what our children need; He doesn't need us to pray down a list to make sure every eventuality is covered. Don't fall for this book only to be disillusioned. My daughter died, but she is truly safe now, in the arms of Jesus. Can you pray to release your children to God, even if it means their death? Then you have truly learned to trust Him and have a faith that will endure any hardship. Here is a picture of my beautiful daughter, Fiona Rose, who lives in heaven.

Please note that most of these prayer focused books by Stormie Omartian are offered as (1) a book, (2) a study guide, and (3) a prayer book. The original book is the BEST purchase if you are looking for just ONE purchase. THIS book is the first, the original "Power of a Praying Parent" book. The book is broken down into 31 chapters each focusing on a different area you can direct your prayer for your children. Each chapter has an explanation/teaching that usually includes a real life example from the author and is followed by a sample prayer as well as a page of related Bible verses. It is a must have for every parent and the 31 chapter format is a great way to incorporate the teaching into your every day life by covering one each day and starting over each month. The chapters are short, but very powerful. I highly suggest making the purchase and then making a commitment to read from it daily. It is not a book to just merely read, but a book to mediate on and live by. As an added bonus there is an extra chapter on praying for adult children which includes a specific prayer for each topic covered geared towards adult children (Note that she has also written a new book that specifically deals with adult children, "The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children"). Also, there is an appendix covering praying together with other parents.Beyond this book you can also purchase the study guide which does not include prayers or any content from this book, it is only a book of study questions to help inspire thought and discussion. The third book available is a small (perfectly pocket-sized) book that is JUST prayers, but handy to carry around with you always. I highly recommend all of the books; just be aware of which one you are purchasing, each series uses the same cover art on all three books.

I was reluctant to write a review, but here goes. I purchased this copy for a first-time mom. I actually purchased my copy from Family Christian Stores in 2007. My sister had introduced me to The Power of a Praying Woman earlier. God blessed me to give birth and to become a first-time mom at 43. I do not have a religion. Thankfully, I have a personal relationship with God. As I am His child, my child is His child. I am just my child's steward. My mother always told me to ask God for what I wanted, and she told me to be specific. She told me to pray without ceasing and to give thanks, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. She also told me, "His will be done, not my will." Basically, what I want may not always be in God's plans for me. With the above said, this book covers a lot of specifics; specifics that had not come to mind as I prayed for my child, which I had begun praying the moment I found out I was pregnant. I want my child to be all that God has created my child to be. Since I read the book in 2007, I now give thanks when I pray the prayers. I thank God for planting His Word in my child's heart. I thank God for His protection over my child. I thank Him for my child's health and healing. I thank Him for instilling the desire to learn in my child. I thank Him for handpicking my child's teachers...and on and on...and regarding my child, I know, "God's will be done, not my will." Sometimes I need help, and this book has been helpful for me. I thank God for Stormie Omartian. ...My review :-)

Overall okay book- I really appreciate that the author got me thinking about how important it is to pray, and to pray specifically. That truly has been valuable in my life. However she seems to believe that any bad things in life are a direct result of not having prayed specifically, and I'm not sure I agree with that. For example she mentions her kids got along when they were younger and began fighting as they got older. She realized she had stopped praying for them to get along, and when she began to pray again they stopped fighting. She talks about how certain problems in her life could have been avoided if she only had praying parents. So as much as I appreciate the power of prayer and if anything value it more after reading this book, I also think God allows bad things to happen EVEN if we pray against it sometimes. I will absolutely pray for my kids to get along, to be healthy, etc. but I had wonderful parents who prayed daily for my sisters and I and we still made some pretty poor lifestyle decisions that can't be blamed on their lack of specific prayers for us.

I found this book helpful in guiding me to pray for my child. The actual prayers and verses are a really useful reference, and something I think I'll keep coming back to. The table of contents is easy to use, and it's easy to find what I'm looking for.The chapters preceeding the prayers have a somewhat judgemental tone, and at times it feels a bit like it's saying "Children who struggle in this area only struggle because their parents didn't pray enough!" or "Pray and this will never happen to your children!". I think this could be incredibly unhelpful to vulnerable parents who interpreted it this way, especially as in my experience parents who pray can and do experience difficulties, challenges and tragedies with their children.All in all a good resource, but read with discernment.

As a new parent, I was feeling anxious with a lot of what ifs for now and the future . What if he gets bullied, kidnapped, abused, get into an accident etc. The prayer topics in this book was written by a mother and I felt it covered all areas of concern. It also was very helpful to have words given, sometimes I don't know what to say, and the verses provided for. the topics give you reassurance of what God's will is, and also helps you to pray in your own words.

Love this book, ive used it to pray for my children since they were little once i found this book, i buy it for friends, with young children, when i feel it would really help them to trust God with every area of their kids life's, praying crafted scriptural prayers, for their children, full of truth and promise, without having to search what the word says about every area of their lives because Stormie has done all the work already. All we need to it faithfully pray

This book is fantastic! I use it every day and the prayers in it for your children are wonderful. I would recommend this book to any parent. So glad I bought this x

Have read several other books in the series and have found them all practical, powerful and empowering. This is no exception. I most appreciate that I can easily identify with aspects of the book, and that the spiritualality is clear and simple therefore having a mass appeal, and not a taxing read for the new mum with limited time. It is encouraging and inspiring. I can read it and come back to it easily too, spending as much or as little time on each chapter or aspect as I want / can.Would make an excellent gift, and can be used for groups of parents too.

I bought this after my mum recommended it top me and I have to say i have enjoyed reading it and applying it to my life. I always seem to be able to find a chapter which which applies to whatever is troubling me about my child at the time. I would recommend Power of a praying wife and husband, also by the same author.

I recommend this book weekly to other mums. A must as parent to pray our children through life

This book is life changing both for us as parents and for our babies. We have gifted it to many of our friends and relatives and they love it too. The praying husband and praying wife books as phenomenal too!

Great book

Excellent writing to support and encourage you as a parent with scriptures to back up. I would have liked cases studies added especially for non believers

easy to read and understand. clear guidelines on how to pray for your children. Certainly a good book to start you off praying for your children if you are not sure how or where to start.

An absolute treasure! This writer is gifted in inspiring readers and uplifting spirits. It is amazing and readable again and again.

This book has changed the way I pray in such a positive way. worth buying for every Christian parent

great book. i already had it but had to share it as its so useful! arrived promptly also

Very explanatory and practical. I love this book and how easy it is to relate to. I recommend it as a 'must read' for every parent.