What do you think?
Rate this book
Praying for Your Children
God uses people to help others; can He use you? Can God use you to make a difference in the lives of your children? Do you know what to pray and how to pray? First, you must pray for them because intercession touches the heart of God. Pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children (Lam. 2:19). We want you to know how to pray for your children, or grandchild, a niece, a pupil in your Bible class or a neighborhood child. We want you to know what it feels like to have God on your side. You don t have to be a great spiritual prayer warrior for God to answer your prayers for your children. The secret is God, not you. You don t get great answers because you re more spiritual than others, or because you ve prayed longer or better. No, not at all. The secret is God! The simplest prayer launched with the simplest faith can set the wheels of heaven in motion. God can do all things. So the issue is God. Trust Him to do great things for your children. We pray this book will change your life and the child of your children. May God use you to change the life of your children as you pray for them.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2010
615 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Elmer L. Towns
337 books48 followersDr. Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works (the editor of two encyclopedias), a popular seminar lecturer, and dedicated worker in Sunday school, and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education. He began teaching at Midwest Bible College, St. Louis, Missouri, for three years and was not satisfied with his textbooks so he began writing his own (he has published over 100 books listed in the Library of Congress, 7 listed in the Christian Booksellers Best Selling List; several becoming accepted as college textbooks. He is also the 1995 recipient of the coveted Gold Medallion Award awarded by the Christian Booksellers Association for writing the Book of the Year, i.e., The Names of the Holy Spirit.
He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).
He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.
Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.
His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).
He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.
Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.
His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 4, 2018
This is a basic book. Those who are just beginning on the path of prayer may find many things which are useful in it. (For instance, in Chapter 6, a list of daily Scriptures you can use to pray for your children for one month is particularly good.) If you are already familiar with intercessory prayer, this book will probably not add to what you already are aware of.
Chapter 3 included a few paragraphs, written by Elmer Towns' co-author, of negative opinions and generalizations on homeschooling, which I felt were offensive, inaccurate, and unnecessary for a book focusing on prayer. Someone obviously has some owies which still need healing and was hitting back!
Occasionally, the positions of the authors became rather formulaic. We were assured in the chapter on blessing our children, that there is a specific pattern for blessing, and if we don't follow it to the letter, our blessing prayers won't be effective. I find no basis in Scripture for some of the nitpicky points made there and in other chapters.
In that same chapter (10), Mr. Towns repeatedly talked about how our blessings over our children give them "added value." I would take the position that while blessing our children verbally will help their self esteem, their value can neither be added to, nor subtracted from, in God's eyes.
I did like the authors' encouragement to keep pressing in to the Lord until we see the answers come for our children, as well as their assertion that the prayers of parents are powerful and touch the heart of God.
On the whole, I would suggest that there must be better books out there on the subject than this one.
Chapter 3 included a few paragraphs, written by Elmer Towns' co-author, of negative opinions and generalizations on homeschooling, which I felt were offensive, inaccurate, and unnecessary for a book focusing on prayer. Someone obviously has some owies which still need healing and was hitting back!
Occasionally, the positions of the authors became rather formulaic. We were assured in the chapter on blessing our children, that there is a specific pattern for blessing, and if we don't follow it to the letter, our blessing prayers won't be effective. I find no basis in Scripture for some of the nitpicky points made there and in other chapters.
In that same chapter (10), Mr. Towns repeatedly talked about how our blessings over our children give them "added value." I would take the position that while blessing our children verbally will help their self esteem, their value can neither be added to, nor subtracted from, in God's eyes.
I did like the authors' encouragement to keep pressing in to the Lord until we see the answers come for our children, as well as their assertion that the prayers of parents are powerful and touch the heart of God.
On the whole, I would suggest that there must be better books out there on the subject than this one.
January 6, 2020
As someone who does not have the prayer life that I feel I should have (though it is getting better, especially the smaller, impromptu prayers, just relying on God throughout the day) I thought this would be a good book to help me to help my children to pray.
With my girls, I have always said a set prayer with them at bedtime from when they were little:
God, Our Father, I've come to say
Thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family
And all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night
And in the morning, send your light. Amen.
DD1 now considers herself an atheist, so doesn't want me praying with her any more.
DD2, otoh, is happy for me to pray this prayer with her, and we have started adding our own prayers at the end of it. Though she often wants me to say the prayers on her behalf, I'm trying to encourage her to talk to God directly.
Personally, I found some of the suggestions to be a bit formulaic (as in 'if you do this, then God will listen'), however, this book is still worth reading (especially if you can get it for free!) because there is lots of encouragement within. Dispersed throughout the text are lots of small prayers for you to say, asking God to help you praying for your children, and at the end, there are some set-prayers that you can use too. When I was growing up, my mum said a prayer with my sister and I before bed, and I can barely remember it now, though I recognise it when I see/hear it. And it was in this book, so that made me smile, too (though it listed two different endings, and I can't remember which it was my mum used to say, but think it was the first one).
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep:
May God guard me through the night
And wake me with the morning light. Amen
or
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
With my girls, I have always said a set prayer with them at bedtime from when they were little:
God, Our Father, I've come to say
Thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family
And all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night
And in the morning, send your light. Amen.
DD1 now considers herself an atheist, so doesn't want me praying with her any more.
DD2, otoh, is happy for me to pray this prayer with her, and we have started adding our own prayers at the end of it. Though she often wants me to say the prayers on her behalf, I'm trying to encourage her to talk to God directly.
Personally, I found some of the suggestions to be a bit formulaic (as in 'if you do this, then God will listen'), however, this book is still worth reading (especially if you can get it for free!) because there is lots of encouragement within. Dispersed throughout the text are lots of small prayers for you to say, asking God to help you praying for your children, and at the end, there are some set-prayers that you can use too. When I was growing up, my mum said a prayer with my sister and I before bed, and I can barely remember it now, though I recognise it when I see/hear it. And it was in this book, so that made me smile, too (though it listed two different endings, and I can't remember which it was my mum used to say, but think it was the first one).
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep:
May God guard me through the night
And wake me with the morning light. Amen
or
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
August 5, 2017
I got this book when it was offered for free on Kindle because I thought it would help me to be more effective in praying for the kids in my Sunday School class. This book has lots of prayers included right from scripture and then lists specific points to pray specifically for. It is helpful in praying for specific spiritual needs for the children instead of just asking God to bless them and their families. I recommend it to parents and Sunday School teachers. It would be a great baby shower gift for any Christian. The one thing I found slightly annoying though was repetitiveness; some scripture passages were repeated. (Karen's review)
March 1, 2019
Spiritual or biological children - ignores us with adopted children
Early on, the book makes the distinction about how much ‘we love our biological children’. Lucky author! Excuse me, but I strongly believe we adoptive parents love our adopted children just as much, if not more since we couldn’t take procreating for granted as some biological parents might. After reading that bit of non-inclusivity, I subsequently perused the book. It looked like good principals the author had in mind for their biological children, that I imagine could have applied to the rest of us.
Early on, the book makes the distinction about how much ‘we love our biological children’. Lucky author! Excuse me, but I strongly believe we adoptive parents love our adopted children just as much, if not more since we couldn’t take procreating for granted as some biological parents might. After reading that bit of non-inclusivity, I subsequently perused the book. It looked like good principals the author had in mind for their biological children, that I imagine could have applied to the rest of us.
September 1, 2017
While this was a good book for a younger audience, clearly I was not the intended audience. I was looking for a book on how to pray for children of all ages since my daughter is an adult. This book was written for parents of young children and children who are of school age, but doesn’t really cover how to pray for children who are grown and have children of their own.
I do not recommend this book for parents of adult children. I do recommend it for parents of young to school age children.
I do not recommend this book for parents of adult children. I do recommend it for parents of young to school age children.
October 19, 2017
Important reminder
This book challenged me to up my game in praying for my children and grandchildren. What a vital way to spend my time! It also provided specific prayers for parents and children. The chapter on blessing children gave me pause. I will revisit it. I want to bless my children with what I say and how I live.
This book challenged me to up my game in praying for my children and grandchildren. What a vital way to spend my time! It also provided specific prayers for parents and children. The chapter on blessing children gave me pause. I will revisit it. I want to bless my children with what I say and how I live.
September 7, 2017
Prayers to share
I liked the lists and all the prayers included here.. I can hold on to their leadings. Focus was on spiritual needs more than the physical. But there was practical suggestions too.
I liked the lists and all the prayers included here.. I can hold on to their leadings. Focus was on spiritual needs more than the physical. But there was practical suggestions too.
July 12, 2018
Excellent Book
It offers practical and helpful ideas on ways to pray for your children as well as praying with your children. There are many additional resources recommended through out each section of the book.
It offers practical and helpful ideas on ways to pray for your children as well as praying with your children. There are many additional resources recommended through out each section of the book.
August 3, 2018
I received this book as a gift for a fair and honest review
This was an excellent book,I really enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend this book to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
This was an excellent book,I really enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend this book to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
August 1, 2023
Praying for Your Children
This is a wonderful book of how we can pray for our children at any age. It is best read as a study guide. There is much we can learn from the words of wisdom from this book while reading along with our Bible.
This is a wonderful book of how we can pray for our children at any age. It is best read as a study guide. There is much we can learn from the words of wisdom from this book while reading along with our Bible.
June 28, 2025
Pray for our children
When you are not sure what else you can do in raising your children, please read this book. It is a book, but also contains prayers throughout that you can apply and bless your children.
When you are not sure what else you can do in raising your children, please read this book. It is a book, but also contains prayers throughout that you can apply and bless your children.
April 16, 2018
Practical and personal guide for all parents of children of all ages. I will certainly read this one again and again.
August 27, 2018
Love
What better way to live your children then to pray for them. I've highlighted many of the prayers in this book to pray for my boys.
What better way to live your children then to pray for them. I've highlighted many of the prayers in this book to pray for my boys.
August 3, 2019
Praying for your Children made me remember my mother.It also helped me to start a new habit.One of remembering to praying not only for my chidren but for other children.
October 13, 2019
powerful prayer
This book contains the stepping stones on how to pray. I wish i had this insight when my children we younger.
This book contains the stepping stones on how to pray. I wish i had this insight when my children we younger.
February 13, 2021
Makes good points. Would have liked more information on children as adults rather than young children.
April 15, 2023
Great resourse
This is one of the most informative and exciting perspectives I have read . I especially like the sections about praying like Jesus and Paul.
This is one of the most informative and exciting perspectives I have read . I especially like the sections about praying like Jesus and Paul.
September 13, 2018
A good and quick read with excellent tips on how to pray for, with, and over your children. Well worth the time to review and pick up some excellent and great tips to pray with you kids and bring them up in a healthy relationship with God at the helm of their lives!
September 18, 2023
Insight and Wisdom For Praying For Children
This book has great insight on how to pray for your children but can be beneficial for anyone with children in their lives. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
This book has great insight on how to pray for your children but can be beneficial for anyone with children in their lives. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews