The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, by Stormie Omartian (Harvest House Publishers, 2014 Updated Edition)
Because parenting doesn’t end when the nest is empty – or filled with adult offspring – the call to pray for our children doesn’t end. The specifics of those prayers, however, may be quite different from how we may have prayed when they were younger.
In The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, Stormie Omartian highlights specific areas to target in prayer. In each case, as well as discussing the issue and offering insights, she gives a sample, Scripture-based prayer that parents can adjust to suit their particular situation.
I found it encouraging that before even tackling prayer for the children, the book addresses the parent’s needs, including straightforward talk on the importance of forgiving ourselves, the child’s other parent, and anyone else who may have contributed to harm in the past. This doesn’t absolve anyone of guilt, but it recognizes that we’re human and that what’s in the past can’t be changed but that it’ll hold us back if we can’t let go of it.
Topics for prayer include revelation and insight, freedom and healing, purpose, protection, relationships, attitudes, resisting temptation, work and finances, and more. This updated edition includes a chapter on prayer that adult children who believe in God will recognize their need for Him as part of their daily lives.
This is a book to pray through again and again, whether your adult children are securely planted or struggling. The wealth of Scripture verses will be good ones to memorize and add to your prayers.
Stormie Omartian is the author of The Power of Praying series. For more about the author, her books, and her prayer ministry, or to share a prayer request, visit stormieomartian.com.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
I used to sell Christian books, and loved to promote Stormie’s work. So very helpful and encouraging. Her suggestions motivate us to keep our prayers alive and realize how much effect they have, not because we are praying, but because of the God we pray to. He’s the one with the power.
Thanks for the review, Janet.
God is the one with the power, indeed, and with a love far greater than ours! I’ve read a few of the books in the Power of Praying series, and found them valuable. I appreciate how they give suggestions and areas for prayer that we may not have considered — and that they’re not just as a last resort when we have a loved one in trouble — proactive prayer can avoid all kinds of pitfalls, especially prayer for leading, guidance, protection etc.