What do you think?
Rate this book
When Mothers Pray: Bringing God's Power and Blessing to Your Children's Lives
When Mothers Pray is a book of hope, inspiration, and stories that will revitalize the prayer life of readers. Many women experience hopelessness when they pray for their children and see no discernible results -- yet praying is one of the most vital things we can do for our kids. Now with a lovely new contemporary cover, this bestselling book offers encouragement and a larger perspective as moms from around the world share their own personal stories, struggles, and ultimate victories. Women will find new motivation to refresh their prayer lives -- and to make a difference in the lives of their children as they intercede for them.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
15 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Cheri Fuller
102 books19 followersCheri Fuller is a gifted speaker and award-winning author of more than forty books, including The One Year Women’s Friendship Devotional, the bestselling When Mothers Pray, and A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer. Her books have been translated into many languages, and her speaking ministry has provided encouragement to people throughout the U.S. and abroad. A former Oklahoma Mother of the Year, Cheri has been a frequent guest on national TV and radio programs. Her articles on family, spiritual growth, relationships, and prayer have appeared in Family Circle, Focus on the Family, Guideposts, and many other publications. Cheri holds a master’s degree in English literature and is executive director of the nonprofit organization Redeeming the Family. She and her husband, Holmes, live in Oklahoma, and have three grown children and six wonderful grandchildren. Cheri’s books, Bible studies, and other resources can be found at www.cherifuller.com along with information on her speaking topics and how to schedule Cheri for events. To find out more about the ministry, visit www.redeemingthefamily.org.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 18, 2016
I love this book and reread it ever so often. It is a light, easy read that is like going to a pep rally to get excited about the upcoming game, or going to your Weight Watcher's meeting to keep up your resolve to stick to your diet--except that it is motivating you not for a sport's game or weight loss, but for pleading to God for your child's soul. As my children grow I am increasingly confronted with my inability to control their choices or their circumstances. But we as Christians have the awesome privilege to bring their needs to our Heavenly Father who loves them much more than we do. Through the use of stories of God's work through the prayers of mothers, Cheri Fuller reminds us of this, encouraging us to be steadfast and full of faith, not wavering in our belief in God's goodness and power to work in their lives.
December 4, 2022
3.5 stars
This was written with such a sweet spirit. I loved the humble approach, and the practical ideas at the end of each chapter. I didn't like that it was full of prayer "success stories," because in reality, many of our heartfelt prayers are answered in ways we wouldn't prefer, so a little more balance would've been more encouraging, in my opinion.
This was written with such a sweet spirit. I loved the humble approach, and the practical ideas at the end of each chapter. I didn't like that it was full of prayer "success stories," because in reality, many of our heartfelt prayers are answered in ways we wouldn't prefer, so a little more balance would've been more encouraging, in my opinion.
September 29, 2024
I finished this book and said to my husband, "I need a book called Prayer for Cynics." He suggested that I pray about my cynicism.
I've always struggled with prayer and had high hopes for this book, but it didn't quite fit the bill. There were certainly some encouraging parts and some inspiring stories, but for every child healed or prodigal returned, my heart cried, "What about the mom of the child in the hospital bed next door who didn't have a miraculous recovery? What about the prodigal child that died before he could be redeemed?" As she praised George Washington's mother for the prayers that preserved his life through a literal battle, all I could think was, "What about the men dying left and right around him? Were their mothers' prayers not as effective?"
The whole book also read a little bit as an advertisement for Moms in Touch. I don't doubt that their ministry is incredible, but it got a little tiresome toward the end.
It was funny, but also a little depressing to read this book written almost 30 years ago. The author dismayed over the direction of our nation and the troubles plaguing our children. She claimed that moms groups around the U.S. were changing that trajectory, and that we were on the cusp of revival. I was 12 in 1997, so I wasn't paying very much attention to potential revivals, but it seems like things have only gotten worse since then. The 1997 concerns about children drinking alcohol seem to pale in comparison to the rampant secular humanism that has claimed our nation. To the identity crisis social media created. To the sexual confusion and perversion taking over our culture.
Truthfully, I've felt a pull to pray for my children with more discipline over the past month or so. Largely in part to the cultural abyss they will grow up in. What will be happening 30 years from now that will cause my concerns about social media and sexual perversion to pale in comparison??
I gleaned a few bits of wisdom from this book, but probably won't strongly recommend it.
I've always struggled with prayer and had high hopes for this book, but it didn't quite fit the bill. There were certainly some encouraging parts and some inspiring stories, but for every child healed or prodigal returned, my heart cried, "What about the mom of the child in the hospital bed next door who didn't have a miraculous recovery? What about the prodigal child that died before he could be redeemed?" As she praised George Washington's mother for the prayers that preserved his life through a literal battle, all I could think was, "What about the men dying left and right around him? Were their mothers' prayers not as effective?"
The whole book also read a little bit as an advertisement for Moms in Touch. I don't doubt that their ministry is incredible, but it got a little tiresome toward the end.
It was funny, but also a little depressing to read this book written almost 30 years ago. The author dismayed over the direction of our nation and the troubles plaguing our children. She claimed that moms groups around the U.S. were changing that trajectory, and that we were on the cusp of revival. I was 12 in 1997, so I wasn't paying very much attention to potential revivals, but it seems like things have only gotten worse since then. The 1997 concerns about children drinking alcohol seem to pale in comparison to the rampant secular humanism that has claimed our nation. To the identity crisis social media created. To the sexual confusion and perversion taking over our culture.
Truthfully, I've felt a pull to pray for my children with more discipline over the past month or so. Largely in part to the cultural abyss they will grow up in. What will be happening 30 years from now that will cause my concerns about social media and sexual perversion to pale in comparison??
I gleaned a few bits of wisdom from this book, but probably won't strongly recommend it.
August 22, 2025
I was torn on this one at first. There is some really applicable material, especially the different prayer prompts for different subjects and stages of a child’s life. Yet the whole time reading something seemed off and this morning it finally came to me:
She never makes a biblical case for mothers meeting together to pray for their children! (Not to imply that it is then UNbiblical.) The imperative isn’t to just get on one’s knees for one’s children, but as the entire chapter entitled, “When God Asks Us to Put Feet to Our Prayers,” instructs us, the push is to start new branches of the author’s prayer organization. By the end of the book it felt more like a how-to-grow-my-organization message. The local church was barely mentioned at all. Maybe this is theological differences but if so, maybe this is why we say theology matters.
I felt this treatise would have been better as a blog post and a list of prayer items than a 200-paged book. The filler between the useful information was mainly anecdotes of women who got what they prayed for, even when it was unexpected or rather miraculous. The author never specifically stated so, yet so many stories left me with the idea that if we follow the steps it’s a formula to get our wishes granted. (Keep in mind the formula was to start a chapter of her organization.) There was very little discussion on what to do when God says no— the idea was to wait for Him to say yes. The topic of human free will was broached rather briefly, actually a single sentence in the prodigal chapter stating that in the end our children have free will and God will not force them to obey. This felt like opening a can of worms— I wanted to tussle with the idea of fervent prayer availing much and how and why God works through this means, but she just dropped that little item and scooted right back to anecdotes.
Would I read it again?— no! But the chapter about praying without ceasing would be fruitful to go over again, and then flagging the prompts from each chapter would also be useful. Probably wouldn’t recommend just based on that.
She never makes a biblical case for mothers meeting together to pray for their children! (Not to imply that it is then UNbiblical.) The imperative isn’t to just get on one’s knees for one’s children, but as the entire chapter entitled, “When God Asks Us to Put Feet to Our Prayers,” instructs us, the push is to start new branches of the author’s prayer organization. By the end of the book it felt more like a how-to-grow-my-organization message. The local church was barely mentioned at all. Maybe this is theological differences but if so, maybe this is why we say theology matters.
I felt this treatise would have been better as a blog post and a list of prayer items than a 200-paged book. The filler between the useful information was mainly anecdotes of women who got what they prayed for, even when it was unexpected or rather miraculous. The author never specifically stated so, yet so many stories left me with the idea that if we follow the steps it’s a formula to get our wishes granted. (Keep in mind the formula was to start a chapter of her organization.) There was very little discussion on what to do when God says no— the idea was to wait for Him to say yes. The topic of human free will was broached rather briefly, actually a single sentence in the prodigal chapter stating that in the end our children have free will and God will not force them to obey. This felt like opening a can of worms— I wanted to tussle with the idea of fervent prayer availing much and how and why God works through this means, but she just dropped that little item and scooted right back to anecdotes.
Would I read it again?— no! But the chapter about praying without ceasing would be fruitful to go over again, and then flagging the prompts from each chapter would also be useful. Probably wouldn’t recommend just based on that.
December 29, 2011
This book is a treatise on why we should pray for our children, how we should pray for our children, and when we should pray for our children. Cheri Fuller is genuine and motivational. I don't always agree with her theology but I'm OK with that. Just because we pray fervantly for something does not mean that we're going to see it happen. Sometimes the answer is no. All of her examples have happy, timely endings. We will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living and He is faithful to all His promises but it's all on His timetable baby.
January 29, 2013
This book was inspiring and I was encouraged by the ideas on how to better include your God in your daily role as a parent. I scored it lower because I eventually got lost in the "how to begin your own prayer group" stuff that was so specific, it seemed less applicable to my circumstance.
January 20, 2016
My son bought this book for me years ago at a garage sale. He was probably 6 at the time and knew that I talked about prayer at home so he wanted me to have it. I was so proud of his little heart! This book was great...I probably highlighted the entire thing!
March 14, 2009
The description gives a good review of what this book is about. I liked that it brought about good discussions at our Mom's group about prayer and being a Christian mom.
April 5, 2013
Every Mother should read this!! So great!! Thank you Susie Horner!!
April 24, 2013
Good quick read, back with interesting examples and on point Scripture. Really got me thinking about my relationship with my children and changes in my thoughts that need to be made.
July 15, 2013
Easy and well-written guide to pray for one's children.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews