Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child

by James Banks

When you're the parent of a prodigal, you know you can never pray enough.  But how do you persevere when you're tired and discouraged? Prayers for Prodigals offers encouragement for parents to "come boldly before the throne of grace" and intercede daily for their children through a series of inspirational prayers. The book also includes fourteen brief reflections, which are drawn from Scripture and the writer's and others' personal experiences with prodigal children, such as Ruth and Billy Graham and Monica, the mother of Augustine. This unique and helpful book encourages and inspires parents in a sustained, daily prayer effort for their prodigal children.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Parenting, Devotional

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Dr. James Banks is the author of Prayers for Prodigals, Prayers for Your Children, Praying the Prayers of the Bible, Praying Together, and Praying with Jesus. Through books, blog posts, and magazine articles, he regularly encourages people to pray. Dr. Banks has been a pastor and church planter for more than twenty-five years and lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife, Cari.

Reviews

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing devotional for those with children who are in trouble, whatever that trouble might be.. It is a resting place for parents, who for a few minutes a day can feel the love coming from someone who has been there and knows what you are going through. James Banks has been there with both of his children, and he provides scripture and well thought out daily devotions that encourage, strengthen, and support. For parents who feel all alone and don't know which way to turn, this is a guide that provides scripture and understanding to help you take on each day.

Having a kid who has lost their way can be very depressing and this is an uplifting guide that is focused when you may feel scattered, helpful when you may feel helpless, and supportive when you are searching for support and understanding. The scriptures you are searching for are all there. Mr. Banks has found them during his journey and shared them with us.

If you are a parent praying for a child or anyone praying for someone in trouble, this is a great resource for daily strength and encouragement.

I received a free copy of this book from Our Daily Bread Publishing via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can’t stress enough how comforting this book was for me.
I’m a parent who struggles with a prodigal. I’ve had lots of sleepless nights. I’ve been overly concerned and often distracted by their decisions. And sometimes I just can’t pray.
This book helped keep things in perspective for me and refocused my life. Each prayer was like a hug that encouraged me to trust the Lord. I looked forward to it each day and sometimes I read it several times.
If you need something helpful and encouraging then I believe this book will help. This journey is full of difficult times and I believe that this has lightened my burden. Refocused my prayer life.
This was a NETGALLEY gift and I’ve given my honest opinion.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this book as part of my daily prayer time. It has been a tremendous encouragement to me. Scripture is incorporated in each of the prayers, and the most common thread is HOPE, something that parents of prodigals need since it is often hard to see beyond the immediate crisis or worry. This will be a book that I will recommend and give to struggling parents.

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Book of prayers for the prodigal you love and worry about***

What makes this book of prayers special? It’s filled with prayers for prodigals on behalf of those we love and have concerns for! Although we worry about them, fear for them and pray for them when time passes without change, discouragement and fear can set in. That’s why Pastor James Banks penned Prayers for Prodigals, a small book that features ninety days of prayers for “…mothers and fathers who agonize over wayward children.” To remind readers that God “…understands exactly what you’re up against because God knows what it’s like to have a world full of prodigals.”

The book, organized into thirteen weekly themes, includes ninety, page-and-half, scripturally based intercessory prayers that cover an array of “emotional and practical challenges” parents of prodigals and those who love them face. Such as:

• When you feel like a failure as a parent
• When you’re stuck in the blame game
• When you’ve said something you regret
• When you need encouragement
• When you’re afraid for your loved one and can’t sleep
• When you let your imagination run away with negative thoughts
• When you doubt God and need to remember God’s promises
• When you need to pray but don’t have words

Simple short narratives recount tales of answered prayer to begin each week. The inspirational accounts inspire…Full Review: www.examiner.com/list/prayers-for-pro...

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book, feeling extremely discouraged because of different things that have gone on for years with our oldest daughter (my husband's from his first marriage).

In the first day's prayer was this:
I am encouraged! You are God, and you answer prayer!

And you know what? It's true! I AM encouraged after just that first day. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't even think about that daughter, much less pray for her. But prayer changes things. It has reminded me that she is still our daughter, and God can still move in her life.

I love how the prayers-almost every line of them-are centered around Scripture. God says that His Word will not return void, so what better way to pray than with Scripture?

I think this is a wonderful prayer guide for parents of prodigals. Not every prayer will fit your situation of course, but all prayers are customizable.

[Danica Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing this book has been to me in my life as we pray for our children. Even if your child is walking close to our Savior it is a book that has so many promises from God’s word that you will want to claim and pray over your children. I know that God will answer every prayer I have claimed in this book for my children. Satan will not win this battle for I have read the ending. God WINS

[Sharee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayers for Prodigals is a great devotional made for the heart of a parent seeking God’s will for their child. I loved the daily prayers and found them touching and applicable. The book offers the promise of God’s word with the acknowledgment of the painful desire to see a prodigal child return home. I highly recommend this!

[Amy Sparks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christians use devotionals to improve their relationship with God. Prayers For Prodigals is a simple devotional guide that offers a basic prayer template but little else.

Devotional guides typically follow a structure to encourage the reader to develop a habit. Black’s guide is targeted toward faithful parents whose children are not religious. My teen sons are agnostic, so I was pleased that I could develop a practice of prayer for them.

This devotional guide is undated, my preferred format. Dated devotional guides are a challenge if you don’t start using it on the first day in the book. It doesn’t feel right to me to start in the middle, and I wonder if there will be a flow issue because I didn’t start at the beginning. Another benefit of undated guides is that you can miss a day (or two) and just pick up where you left off. If a guide is dated, then I feel guilty if I don’t use it everyday and am more likely to abandon it.

Most of the devotionals follow a consistent pattern. They start with a Bible quote, add a prayer based on Bible verses, and end with a call to action for the reader. Other devotionals were a few pages longer and focused on a specific Bible story or passage. Short entries made it easier to find time to read one each day. The call to action was a good way to keep the lesson in mind throughout the day.

Unfortunately, Prayers For Prodigals' flaws outweigh its strengths. The devotionals had a sameness to them because of the format’s rigidity. Too many of the prayers turn into word soup, where snippets of scripture are extracted and thrown together. These days short bits of scripture carry additional suspicion, with the reader speculating on what parts of the passage His banal quotes - “you have said”, “trust in your word” - offered little insight and opportunities for growth. Using so many short quotes diluted the message. His insight for quoting “you have said” was “you promised.” While the call to action may have provided a good takeaway, the devotion itself was easily forgettable.

Prayer For Prodigals chose an underserved audience - parents whose child don’t believe - and offered guidance on praying for them. The devotional guide failed to provide substantial support for those seeking spiritual growth.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this book.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent simply for the discipline and help of a focused 90 days of prayer. Not all of the prayers were particularly relevant - a good many seemed to light on wonderful Bible verses unrelated to prodigals and lead into a prayer for Christians that the author wishes were true of prodigals. But some, especially days 66 and 69, were well-crafted from a very pertinent text.

It's easy to grow weary of praying for prodigals, especially when you don't see signs of life or change. This book will hold your arms up.

[Robin Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mom of a prodigal I found this book very helpful. It reminded me to keep praying for her to return, not so much to me, but to her Heavenly Father. Thank you James Banks for writing this timely book.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a huge blessing. Opened up my thoughts and prayers for loved ones

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great choice for parents and a blessing for their children. However, it is not only for parents, I am a grandparent and the wisdom it gave me is one I can share with my children and grandchildren. It does not matter if you child is walking God's path or not, prayers are our way of protecting them through all the difficult and various times in their lives.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Our Daily Bread in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. When your prayers have waxed repetitive and feel ineffective, this is such a fresh sweet reminder of the power of praying God's word.

[Regina Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have resource for any parent with a child who is struggling with addiction or mental illness. The book is filled with experience, strength and hope from a dad who has been there. The prayers are meaningful, thoughtful, and moving. The book is well written and well organized. I cannot recommend this book enough. Every church, treatment center and therapists office should have a copy in their library.

An early copy of this book was made available to me by the publisher through netgalley. This is my honest review.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each prayer is filled with Scriptures and there is so much encouragement! Mr. Banks truly understands the hurting heart of a parent and the parent's guilt over her prodigal.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a timely suggestion from NetGalley. Although my wayward child is still physically at home, it often feels like she is miles away in a spiritual and emotional sense. Day one had me in tears by the end of reading the provided prayer and led to continued prayer with more focus than I had ever been able to muster before.

Prayers for Prodigals is organized as a 7-day a week devotional covering a total of 90 days. Each week starts with a scripture and anecdotal story from parents who have been down this road. This is followed by an inspirational quotation. The daily devotionals consist of a scripture and prayer starters with plenty of scripture sprinkled throughout.

The daily prayers can be read word for word with minor modifications such as substituting the correct pronoun for your child’s gender and substituting your child’s name when “my child” is written in the prayer. Each day ends with an open ended question or prompt to help you continue praying from your heart.

While not every weekly anecdote and daily prayer will resonate with every situation, there were many that were impactful and instructive for my situation. I think any parent with a prodigal child could get some benefit from going through the devotional.

This book was originally published in 2011.

Thank you to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for providing this ebook for review.

[Sunflower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praying for a prodigal child is a difficult thing for parents who are heavy of heart and lost at heart; As a parent, we want the best for our children, but sometimes, for whatever the reasons maybe, the life we pray for our children, often takes a different turn.

"90 Days of Prayer for Your Child", is a mix of parables from the bible, devotionals, inspirational poetry and prayer, to lift up a grieving parents' heart, give them hope and encouragement, and help the parent of a prodigal child, work through the many emotions that find themselves at battle with.

Sometimes we don't have all the answers, or know the right words to say, but what I like about,"90 Days of Prayer for Your Child",is that this a book that helps parents, find a way to deal with their difficult situations and in many cases, find the necessary words or prayers, to help make them through the time, as they seek for answers and hope about their child.

Appropriate for families that we may know who are going through the process of praying for a prodigal child or if you are such a family dealing with a similar situation, "90 Days of Prayer for Your Child", doesn't have all the needed answers that would be great to have, but what it does offer, is a source of hope and encouragement.

Short chapters and good for private devotional use, maybe in a group study to encourage discussion, "90 Days of Prayer for Your Child" is the ideal book to help families who are praying for prodigal children.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and encouraging! I highly recommend this to anyone praying for a prodigal child.

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prayers for Prodigals by James Banks is a 90-day prayer guide for parents to pray for their child. A prodigal is a child who has turned his back on his parents, taken from The Story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 115:11-32. Prodigals can teach parents the need for patience, forgiveness, and continual dependence on God in prayer. Mr. Banks has personal experience with dealing a prodigal child as both his children had a prodigal period in their lives. He designed each week with a theme, for instance one week is entitled “God’s Timing.” Each week opens with a brief meditation and a personal story how Mr. Banks and his wife experienced the prayers for that coming week. Within each week is a day of a Scripture based prayer for your child. Covering the emotional and practical challenges faced by parents of prodigals, James Banks offers a guide for parents to learn to lean on God and allow His movements in their child’s life.
Prayers for Prodigals is a great tool for parents who are dealing with children who may be wandering and rejecting their parents’ help, advice, and guidance. One of my favorite weeks is Week 9 entitled “Waiting for an Answer” in which Mr. Banks reminds Christian parents that God always answers prayers with a yes, no or wait. Wait answers are often confused with no answers and parents must wait on God when we pray. He may answer yes but we may not see the result right away or even in our lifetimes. He provides examples of parents’ prayers being answers years after the parents’ have passed. I also liked that in the book as well as at the end, Mr. Banks wishes to hear from parents who have been affected by his book. Overall, Prayers for Prodigals is a great tool for parents of prodigals and even parents in general to pray for their children as they grow up to be more independent and go out in the world on their own. I highly recommend Prayers for Prodigals.

Prayers for Prodigals
is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayers for Prodigals
90 Days of Prayer for Your Child
by James Banks
Pub Date 01 Mar 2022
Our Daily Bread Publishing
Christian | Parenting & Families | Religion & Spirituality




I am reviewing a copy of Prayer s for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayers For Your Child through Our Daily Bread Publishing and Netgalley:




Are you a Christian parent, with a child whose fallen away? If so this book may be just the encouragement you need.



One of the most devastating experiences a Christian parent can face is when a Child falls away from that relationship with Jesus. James Banks experienced this once but not twice, he has also experienced the joy of answered prayer, of a prodigal restored. In this updated and expanded Prayers for Prodigals, you will be directed to the source of peace in painful circumstances.



Each week you will find encouragement from a father who understands your heartbreak. And you will find daily scriptural prayers and prayer tips to help you come to the heavenly Father with gut-wrenching honesty and hope-filled persistence. As you face heartbreak and hopelessness, this book points to the ultimate source of hope God. And encourages you and your family to trust Him.



I give Prayers for Prodigals five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents who pray for prodigals go through seasons. Sometimes the prayers come from their guts, and are heartbreakingly real. Other times they rise from Scripture given for just such a season. Then at other times they feel so repetitious, like they have been praying these same prayers for so long, and just don't know what else to say. This book will be such a wonderful resource for just such times. Parents will be given a fresh way of speaking to God not only for their child(ren), but for themselves as well. The book is divided into thirteen weeks, each beginning with a devotion which is followed by seven prayers. The subjects are real and relevant. The book is heavily Scripture based. There is much hope to be found in the pages of this book.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Prayers for Prodigals from Discovery House an affiliate of RBC Ministries via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

[Marybeth Shoffstall · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have started a praying moms group at our church to pray for prodigals. We are using the updated and expanded version of this book! It is fabulous! Really beautiful prayers full of scripture and all touch on different aspects of relationships, parenting, struggles, emotions. Each day also has a question to ponder. In the back of the book there are 5 questions for each week. We have used several to discuss each time with our group. Each week also has a nice intro, telling a story. I really love this book! It makes me so sad so many parents struggle with wayward children, but it so helpful to know we are not alone and we can fix our eyes together on God who is really the only one who can save them. I believe coming together as a group snd praying Gods word over our loved ones is so very powerful!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Quit studying the problems and start studying the promises." shouted out at me as I read the beginning of this book. How often do we get so overwhelmed by problems and drama, that we remove our eyes from God along the journey, and forget His promises. This is a 90 day devotional/study book where we can direct our thoughts, prayers in measured reading, time, prayer one day at a time, and record our reactions, hopes, thoughts, dreams, and reflect on God's Word and promises to put our prodigal children in God's hands. This book makes a great gift, and edition to your own personal library. Perfect for troubled parents, teachers, counselors, and ministers.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prayers for Prodigals by James Banks is a 90 day prayer guide rooted deeply in bible verses that can be used to pray for anyone who may be separated from loved ones . This novel goes very well with and additional novel entitled Hope Lies Ahead by this author and his son. When you are not sure how or what to pray for or about this novel will lovingly guide you. I have never seen a prayer guide like this. I’m sure this would be helpful to anyone who is discouraged but wants to pray for a son or daughter who needs the support of parents and God. I would highly recommend this prayer guide. I received this novel from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important book in today's culture. Every day I see parents struggling with their relationship with a child, with a child's life choices and consequences, parents struggling with how to help and where to start. This book brings the focus to scripture. Each day has a scripturally based prayer for a prodigal. The paper copy has room for journaling additional thoughts. I think it has relevance for anyone with a family member who is struggling, to learn how to effectively pray for them. It also serves to let us know we're not alone - we aren't the only ones facing seemingly impossible circumstances.

[Flora · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's inevitable....when we pray for something close to our heart every day, day in and out, our prayers will become repetitive and sometimes we even run out of things to say.

That's why I am giving this book 5 full stars. We do regularly need help with our prayers and what better than the Word of God to give us those words, those phrases and even those promises.

Prayers for Prodigals is actually a 90-day devotional with prayers that borrow from the rich texts of Scripture. Almost every sentence gives the Biblical reference.

Thank you Netgalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for the chance to read this title. This is my honest review.

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

. From the beginning I had goosebumps run over me! “Quit studying the problems and start studying the promises.” This book has given me hope and strengthened my faith. I don’t think it matters if our children are wayward or docile. We always worry or think of potential problems that they may fall prey too. It is true that I worry more for my adult children then when they were young and under my protection. This wonderful collection of prayers, scriptures and daily thoughts has enlighten me and let me turn my fears over to the Lord. I will use this book daily, to strengthen me so I can strengthen my children

[Denae Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped to strengthen my faith as a praying mother of a prodigal.
It helped me to stay devoted to the urgency and participation of moving God through prayer. It kept me focused on the task of targeted prayer and built up my belief by declaring the truth of Scripture.

On my last day of reading, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a promise that the Lord gave about our child returning.
Psalm 126:5-6 says, “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”
This promise and those held within Prayers for Prodigals are for you too!

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic Spiritual Growth book that featured focused prayers, thoughts, and insights from the author for 90 days. Typically a day consisted of about a page and a half. Although my prodigal is still living for himself, I will continue to fervently pray for him to turn to the Lord in His Will and timing. I also appreciated the additional resources at the end, a couple of those books I already own; they're next on my TBR list! Highly recommended for anyone who loves their prodigal and desires to spend focused prayers on his/her behalf, while keeping the Lord's will as you trust Him for the future.

[Siobhan Newman]

It is so hard to let our children fly free... and even harder when they don't make "good choices!" This easy-read (10 minutes a day) takes you through 90 days of prayerful meditations about those children. I prayed/read this with a friend who needed it... and quickly saw the power of this daily read for all parents! All parents want the best for their children and most parents at one time or another, think that their "babies" need more protection or guidance. This book invites you to sit quietly and talk with God about those precious children! It should be on every parent's reading list.