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Upside-Down Prayers for Parents: Thirty-One Daring Devotions for Entrusting Your Child--and Yourself--to God
Because God Loves Them Even More Than You Do
It’s our instinct as parents to shield our children from harm. But our true responsibility is to raise children equipped to live well for God even in the midst of struggle. Upside-Down Prayers for Parents encourages us to pray for our children in ways we may never have
• I pray you’ll get caught doing things wrong—and experience the power of confession.
• I pray your prayers will go unanswered—and you’ll find a deeper trust in Him.
• I pray you’ll fail in things that don’t matter—and learn what matters to God.
• I pray you’ll encounter battles—and discover that God is your greatest ally.
By turning our prayers “upside down,” we not only learn to release our children to the care of God alone, we also uncover how our own desires need to be submitted to God’s will.
Each entry in this thirty-one-day devotional includes a short reflection, a Scripture verse, and ideas to jump-start conversations between you and your child or teenager. Together you’ll discover a deeper trust in God that will help you make it through the upside-down times with a right-side-up perspective.
It’s our instinct as parents to shield our children from harm. But our true responsibility is to raise children equipped to live well for God even in the midst of struggle. Upside-Down Prayers for Parents encourages us to pray for our children in ways we may never have
• I pray you’ll get caught doing things wrong—and experience the power of confession.
• I pray your prayers will go unanswered—and you’ll find a deeper trust in Him.
• I pray you’ll fail in things that don’t matter—and learn what matters to God.
• I pray you’ll encounter battles—and discover that God is your greatest ally.
By turning our prayers “upside down,” we not only learn to release our children to the care of God alone, we also uncover how our own desires need to be submitted to God’s will.
Each entry in this thirty-one-day devotional includes a short reflection, a Scripture verse, and ideas to jump-start conversations between you and your child or teenager. Together you’ll discover a deeper trust in God that will help you make it through the upside-down times with a right-side-up perspective.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Tawn Bergren
102 books3,801 followersAbout
Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 60 books, with more than 4.5 million copies sold. She recently released The Sugar Baron's Daughters Series (KETURAH, VERITY and SELAH), and recently finished a teen series called Remnants (SEASON OF WONDER, SEASON OF FIRE, and SEASON OF GLORY). She's also written the River of Time Series (WATERFALL, CASCADE, TORRENT, BOURNE & TRIBUTARY, DELUGE) and The Grand Tour Series (GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES, GLITTERING PROMISES), time-slip romance duology called River of Time: California (THREE WISHES and FOUR WINDS), and some contemporary romances (ONCE UPON A MONTANA SUMMER and ONCE UPON AN IRISH SUMMER are the newest releases).
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, consulting and helping Tim with his business. Her husband Tim is a sculptor of ducks-out-of-fenceposts (RMRustic.com), graphic designer and musician. They have three big kids–Olivia (who just got married), Emma (who is about to get married) and Jack (who is a junior in high school).
The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 60 books, with more than 4.5 million copies sold. She recently released The Sugar Baron's Daughters Series (KETURAH, VERITY and SELAH), and recently finished a teen series called Remnants (SEASON OF WONDER, SEASON OF FIRE, and SEASON OF GLORY). She's also written the River of Time Series (WATERFALL, CASCADE, TORRENT, BOURNE & TRIBUTARY, DELUGE) and The Grand Tour Series (GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES, GLITTERING PROMISES), time-slip romance duology called River of Time: California (THREE WISHES and FOUR WINDS), and some contemporary romances (ONCE UPON A MONTANA SUMMER and ONCE UPON AN IRISH SUMMER are the newest releases).
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, consulting and helping Tim with his business. Her husband Tim is a sculptor of ducks-out-of-fenceposts (RMRustic.com), graphic designer and musician. They have three big kids–Olivia (who just got married), Emma (who is about to get married) and Jack (who is a junior in high school).
The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2013
Great new twist on how to pray for your kids. We all want our children to be happy, healthy, and prosperous, but without some struggles in life it is difficult to develop character. As parents our goals for our children should be that they become more like Christ and learn to fully rely on God. Do our prayers reflect that goal? You may not agree with all Lisa has to say, but I thought this was a great book to add a new perspective to the way I pray for my kids.
*Received from Blogging for Books for review purposes. Only required to give my honest opinion.*
*Received from Blogging for Books for review purposes. Only required to give my honest opinion.*
August 17, 2023
3.5 Stars
October 19, 2023
The devotions are so-so but the prayers are so brave. EVERY parent needs to pray these over their child. Highly recommend.
February 14, 2013
Lisa T. Bergren is a well-known author of many books. I have enjoyed her children's books, so decided to choose this new one she wrote for parents.
The book includes 31 devotions to help parents entrust their children to God’s love and care, in way that you would not normally expect. Each devotion has a Scripture verse, thoughts from the author about a specific area parents need to pray about for their children, a suggested prayer, and an area to answer a question or reflect on what you have learned. It also includes a discussion starter to use with your children such as, in devotion #11 which speaks about loneliness and finding intimacy with the Lord, “Have you ever been lonely?” and “How do you see God around you?”
The devotions are good and thought-provoking. They are not too long and give good insights to various ways we need to have a deeper trust in the Lord. However, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being excellent), I would only give this book a 3. The reason is because I don’t care for the way the book words its introductory titles/prayers (at the beginning of each chapter). For example:
I pray you’ll get caught doing things wrong...
I pray you’ll fail in things that don’t matter...
I pray you’ll get lost...
I pray you’ll experience unanswered prayers...
I pray you’ll know fear...
While I understand where the author is coming from, I don’t agree with praying for my children (or anyone) to have “bad” things happen to them. It is a fact that things WILL happen to them without our need to specifically pray for them that way. So, instead, I would say:
WHEN you do things wrong, I pray you will get caught.
WHEN you fail...
WHEN you get lost...
WHEN... etc...
I would not say to forego this book all-together, as it does have a lot of good thoughts. But, just wanted to mention this one area I didn’t agree with. If anything, it wouldn't hurt to pick it up just for the conversation starters to have with your children.
NOTE: I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.
The book includes 31 devotions to help parents entrust their children to God’s love and care, in way that you would not normally expect. Each devotion has a Scripture verse, thoughts from the author about a specific area parents need to pray about for their children, a suggested prayer, and an area to answer a question or reflect on what you have learned. It also includes a discussion starter to use with your children such as, in devotion #11 which speaks about loneliness and finding intimacy with the Lord, “Have you ever been lonely?” and “How do you see God around you?”
The devotions are good and thought-provoking. They are not too long and give good insights to various ways we need to have a deeper trust in the Lord. However, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being excellent), I would only give this book a 3. The reason is because I don’t care for the way the book words its introductory titles/prayers (at the beginning of each chapter). For example:
I pray you’ll get caught doing things wrong...
I pray you’ll fail in things that don’t matter...
I pray you’ll get lost...
I pray you’ll experience unanswered prayers...
I pray you’ll know fear...
While I understand where the author is coming from, I don’t agree with praying for my children (or anyone) to have “bad” things happen to them. It is a fact that things WILL happen to them without our need to specifically pray for them that way. So, instead, I would say:
WHEN you do things wrong, I pray you will get caught.
WHEN you fail...
WHEN you get lost...
WHEN... etc...
I would not say to forego this book all-together, as it does have a lot of good thoughts. But, just wanted to mention this one area I didn’t agree with. If anything, it wouldn't hurt to pick it up just for the conversation starters to have with your children.
NOTE: I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 21, 2013
Described as "31 Daring Devotions for Entrusting Your Child - and Yourself to God". The author turns 31 prayers into devotions. They begins with the prayer and a Bible verse. The author breaks down the concept of the prayer and ends with a prayer. The last part is divided into how to make it personal and making it relevant. The relevant part is interactive with the child and has two options depending on the age of the child. A sample prayer - "I pray you'll have to wait--and learn the value of patience."
This was an interesting devotional. I loved the concept of praying for my child. The idea of turning our typical prayers upside down is wonderful. I think my only issue was how the prayers were worded. Every person needs to face trials and adversity to grow character. But to pray for my child to "brush up against death" just rubs me wrong. My five year old DID brush up against death last year. But his little friend had to die to make that happen. And I just can't bring myself to prayer for death in order for my child to gain a strong character. There were several of the prayers that I would have worded quite a bit differently. That being said, this is good book if you can take the idea and use it to make your own prayers for your children.
I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook in exchange for my honest review.
This was an interesting devotional. I loved the concept of praying for my child. The idea of turning our typical prayers upside down is wonderful. I think my only issue was how the prayers were worded. Every person needs to face trials and adversity to grow character. But to pray for my child to "brush up against death" just rubs me wrong. My five year old DID brush up against death last year. But his little friend had to die to make that happen. And I just can't bring myself to prayer for death in order for my child to gain a strong character. There were several of the prayers that I would have worded quite a bit differently. That being said, this is good book if you can take the idea and use it to make your own prayers for your children.
I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook in exchange for my honest review.
May 7, 2013
I loved the reality shown in this book. Yes, kids (and their parents!) will mess up, and yes, God will be there with His grace and mercy when we fail.
These 31 devotionals serve as a great starting point for praying for your children in specific troubling situations. The begin a dialog between parents and the Father that will continue for years to come.
These 31 devotionals serve as a great starting point for praying for your children in specific troubling situations. The begin a dialog between parents and the Father that will continue for years to come.
December 9, 2014
I will come back to this book again and again. It has a lot of advice that was useful to me as the parent of small children, but as my children get older, I will mine this book for insight into parenting through each stage.
October 15, 2016
We used this book as a summer women's book club. Great way to think through praying for our children and thinking of ways to let them go and sit in God's hands.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews