To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers and Liturgies for Parents

by Kayla Craig

Prayers to guide your journey of raising kids in a complicated world.
In an age of distraction and overwhelm, finding the words to meaningfully pray for our children―and for our journey as parents―can feel impossible.

Written with warmth and welcome, To Light Their Way gives voice to your prayers when words won’t come. Filled with more than 100 modern liturgies, this book guides you into an intentional conversation with God for your children and the world they live in. From everyday struggles like helping your child find friends or thrive in school to larger issues like praying for a brighter world rooted in peace and truth, these pleas and petitions act as a gentle guide, reminding us that while our words may fail, God never does.

At the core of To Light Their Way is the deepest of that our children will experience the love of God so deeply that their lives will be an outpouring of love that lights up the world.

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Christian Living, Spirituality

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

Kayla is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and care to her writing. She’s the author of To Light Their Way. With a poetic, prophetic voice, she created the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram account, which Christianity Today named an “essential parenting resource.”

She also hosts the Liturgies for Parents podcast. Kayla’s nuanced and accessible reflections, essays, and prayers are featured in various books, devotionals, and bible studies.

Kayla lives in a 115-year-old former convent in her Iowa hometown, where she hopes to create spaces of welcome alongside her four children, two dogs, and pastor-husband Jonny.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am not a parent, I really appreciate this volume of prayers for parents. Most parenting resources I've encountered focus on managing children's behavior and offer little to nothing on parents' spiritual and moral formation. To Light Their Way is a resource for praying during the challenging and celebrating seasons of parenthood. The prayers for holy days, of course, were my favorite, and the breath prayers are applicable for anyone. Tucking this one away to remember for new parents.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely beautiful and filled to the brim with liturgies, breath prayers, and reminders that prayer is not complicated or stuffy. I imagine I will pray these prayers for my children and family for decades to come. The breath prayers are a wonderful bonus and I really appreciate the breadth of topics included in the liturgies.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love love. Gush gush gush gush. Just gorgeous.

[Sarah Amador · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla Craig has such a gift for naming the hard things, wrapping them up in tender promises, and buoying up our hearts with the hope she weaves through each of her prayers. I so appreciate this book of prayers as it brings deep compassion and kindness to both the hard and the happy. I did not grow up in a liturgical tradition, but I have found liturgy to be a grounding, calming thing these days. In the midst of pandemic parenting, in the midst of a world that groans and weeps, her words bring a sense of calm, a rootedness in the present moment, and the invitation to see His goodness, His lovingkindess in every single moment. For any parent that feels like they have no more to give, for those who have maybe lost the ability to pray, or wonder is it even worth it to try...let Kayla gently lend you some beautiful words that may help you continue onward.

[Heather Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely beautiful. Kayla Craig so expertly gets to the heart and feelings of what is going on in the heart. There are prayers for so many moments of life-making lunches, first day of school, births, deaths, weddings, and holidays. I sincerely mean it when I say that she so eloquently expressed what I didn’t even know how to say in her prayer for raising sons. I cried while rocking my youngest baby boy to sleep.

[Sarah Stauter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla's prayers have guided me in motherhood in so many ways. Every prayer in this book meets me in the specific moment and guides me to pray. I love that it also has liturgies for seasons I have not personally experienced, in order to help me pray for the parents in my life facing them.

[Sarah Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers poetic liturgies for many moments that may go unnoticed. Reading them offers words for thoughts and emotions as a parent I couldn’t name. I would highly recommend for any parent at any stage. So beautiful. Will be gifting it regularly.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been bookmarking Kayla's wonderful prayers on Instagram for ages. I'm so glad to finally hold this collection of prayers in my hands. I will return to it time and time again.

[Sara Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful. Prayers for almost every circumstance. I love Kayla’s writing.

[Kaitlyn Bouchillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat similar to Every Moment Holy, a collection of liturgies for daily life, To Light Their Way by Kayla Craig offers liturgies specifically for parents. Each one is written from the perspective of a parent and specifically mentions parenting or children/raising children.

Although I'm not a parent, I still appreciated reading through the collection of prayers and blessings. If you need a beautiful and thoughtful baby shower gift, look no further. Here are a few of the liturgies within To Light Their Way:

- A Prayer Before Leaving on Vacation
- A Prayer for a Weekend at Home
- A Prayer for Graduation
- A Prayer for the NICU
- A Prayer After a Natural Disaster
- A Prayer for Dirty Hands
- A Prayer for the Overwhelmed
- A Prayer for Siblings

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely collection of prayers for parents. They're about big things and little things, some follow the church seasons and some are about the mundane pieces of life with kids. Some are long. Others are small breath prayers.

Every time I open the book, I find something to give me life for the next part of my parenting journey. I didn't grow up in a liturgical faith setting, but I find that written prayers allow me to actually pray more of what is in my heart. These prayers shape me, encourage me, and help me pray for my kids and our journey together in new ways.

I'm so grateful for the work Kayla put into gathering these beautiful prayers into one book. It's such a treasure.

[Angie Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. It is a prayer book so not one to ingest as much as you can in a sitting before someone needs you (!) but one to slowly savour any moment we might need it. I love that it covers so many prayers, more than 100! I love that there is a prayer for when I'm angry, when my children have seen something scary on the news, for Oscar Romero day and for foster parenting! What a great collection! I also love that I feel like a better parent simply by praying these prayers, they are what I want for my family and for myself. Kayla Craig has written the words I haven't been able to write myself and now I get to just speak them out as echos of my heart. Thanks Kayla!! So good!!

[Christine Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for awhile for a compilation of prayers for both for myself as a parent, as well as the members of my congregation and their families. This book has exceeded my expectations of a great resource and I know that this will be one that I use for years to come. It is beautifully written, with great intentionality and purpose behind every prayer. Written for times of joy and celebration, as well as times of struggle and sorrow, this book has a prayer for every occasion. My prayer is that everyone who reads this book and uses it will be moved to share it with others who long for words of comfort and joy.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So often in parenting I am at a loss for how exactly to pray in specific situations. Kayla, through To Light Their Way, gives words to my silence. It is clear these prayers have been long thought out and prayerfully considered before being put in the book. I particularly love the section of breath prayers, when literally all we can do is say a few words between breaths but experience God's presence in those moments. Definitely a book for all parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, and anyone else who interacts with children regularly

[Jasmine Stutzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book has meant so much to me. The sheer number of prayers for specific moments throughout the parenting journey is incredible, from pregnancy, to caring for newborns, all the way through taking kids to college. Raising my own two small children, I don’t have the brain power to come up with prayers, but Kayla includes the simplest of breath prayers at the back of the book in addition to all of her longer liturgical prayers. I’ll be getting this book for all of my friends who are having babies and raising families.

[Paige Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a gift for parents. It speaks words in times of celebration, frustration, and everywhere in between. It is one of those books that I will use time and time again. Kayla is particularly gifted in giving words of prayer in those times you can't seem to find the words. The liturgies and prayers in this book are just what parents need to help connect to God in the midst of life.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is even more than I hoped it would be. The prayers are beautifully written and cover an incredibly wide variety of moments/seasons of life. I love the narrative sections as well where Kayla shares from her heart.

I know I'll keep coming back to it again and again. I especially loved the inclusion of prayers for adoption and foster care. I'll definitely be buying this one to give as gifts!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book met me exactly where I was at. Every moment I felt like I was struggling the words brought me right back to where I needed to be. I am so grateful for the words on Kayla and her heart to journey with us in the times we most need encouragement.

[Ashley Knepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful collection of prayers for parents (or anyone who celebrates milestones and regular days with young people)! This is rapidly becoming a daily reference for our family and I’m already planning ways to get it into the hands of other parents I know!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this book of prayers. There are liturgies for specific moments in a child's life, like the first day of preschool; the liturgies for the mundane, normal moments, like taking a walk together or going on vacation; and a wide collection of breath prayers, which feel like they fit well into the sometimes-chaotic life of parents! I like that the author provides Scripture references for every liturgy and includes some prayers for my kids to pray with me.

[Rachel Whitmire-Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book if full of amazing prayers for every moment in a parents life. Coming out from the heart of a mom and love for Jesus this book help you intentionally pray. I keep this on my bedside table and pull it out almost everyday. I also plan on keep a copy in my office to share with new parents.

[Lauren J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I will undoubtedly return to time and again as my children grow. The raw honesty and references to scripture are incredibly valuable to me and I’m thankful to now have this resource on my bedside table, for when I need the words to pray and have trouble finding my own.

[Jamie Hawthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am "currently" reading as this is not a book through you read straight through. As a parent herself, Kayla Craig understands the humbling moments of parenthood where we need strength, wisdom, and patience beyond ourselves. The prayers in her book are nuanced, beautiful, and spot-on for my moments of need. When you don't have the words or the time to pour out your heart to God, these soulful prayers will guide you- to God and to a place of peace.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, I have found myself struggling to find words in lament and joyful moments of everyday life. This book is such a treasure and one that I will always keep close. Kayla writes about the mundane, complicated, and beauty that life holds so well. Parent or not- I know this book will bring you a renewed connection with God.

[Regina Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I’m a Grandparent. It did not stop me from reading and embracing this book -wishing I had it available to me years ago. If you have adorable littles in your life, you will appreciate Kayla praying with you. If you need refreshed, no matter your child status, her breath prayers are amazing. I will certainly be purchasing more to give as gifts.

[Brittany Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the truthfulness of these prayers about parenting. There is acknowledgment of the hard stuff and of the beautiful stuff. It holds the paradox of loving a child so deeply and the reality of how hard it is to watch them grow in a world that seems so scary. I am really grateful for the words to pray especially on days when I am struggling to find hope in humanity.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many of Kayla’s beautiful breath prayers saved on my phone, and I turn to them again and again, both for myself and for my kids. I am elated to have a lovely physical book filled with them - each so thoughtful and timely. This is one I will read ragged, and give to friends, as well!

[Natalie Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to us by a friend, and I look forward to so many moments we will have as parents to pray these prayers with and for our children. What a special gift.

[Stacey Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the highlights and dog earred pages. This book is and will be a treasure for years to come.

[Kelly Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. There are inevitably seasons when prayer is hard, the words don’t come, or our hearts are full and we just don’t know what to say. Having these prayers to pray over the days of parenting, the big events, the mundane moments, is so helpful. I think all parents should have this on their bookshelf! Kayla has done a wonderful job.