When I pray for you, part 2

This book is amazing.  Ann Voskamp featured Matthew Paul Turner on her front porch, as she often does, and he shares the meaning and motivation behind this book.  I love her description that this book bring heart- bursting joy, that is a great way of explaining how the reader feels.  I find this book to be a living example of 1 Thessalonians 5:17- how to "pray without ceasing."  

The book begins with this page....

and here are the other sample pages that I can share... some are proofs and some are larger print and smaller images to give you a sense of the book.  The whimsy that it's written with, and the tone and levels of prayers mentioned, such depth and knowledge of God shows forth throughout the story.  

Below I will share some connections that I can see being made with your children about prayer if you have the book.  

Throughout the book there will be opportunities for the following conversations:

• Types of prayers (Both big and small, whisper)

• When and where you can pray (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

• What love means (God's love- John 3:16, I John 4:10, Romans 8:38) 

• Thanking God (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

• Being prayed over (as we learned from how Jesus was in constant prayer in all situations)

• Adults needing prayer too, dependent on our Great Big In Control God.  

• Thinking- Mindset being positive (Living in Christ- Galatians 2:20)

• Prayers when emotions come and go, in activities, and throughout all of life prayer

• Character, values, and GRIT

• Morals or doing the right thing

• Future dreams and reality, relationships (1 John 4:7) 

• In all the phases of a child, tween, teen life- the fun, the real, and the stretching of soaring from home.  . 

• Choice to follow God's plan or to make your own.  To live life as a prayer to God.  (John 15:7)

All about God's character, nature, worth, who He is.  

• God's story becoming your child's story-

•  I think this is my favorite line.  

• "That the story God writes is the one that you tell."  

• Becoming like God. 

• Shining God's Light. (John 8:12)

• God's perspective for His children and that His big perspective comes to be in your child. 

• Choice- hope vs. fear, when you don't know what to do or what choice to make.

• For life purpose, meaning and role in God's plan

• God's unconditional love for His children. 

Verses that fit with the book:

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

John 14:12-13  “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Psalm 34:15: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.”