Several months ago I got an email from Lisa Tawn Bergren. She is an author. Like an author who I think is famous. I’ve read several of her historical fiction novels (Glamorous Illusions is my fave) and am madly in love with her Young Adult series, River of Time.
We became online friends because Mary, Jessie and I regularly tweet about how much we love the River of Time series. It’s kind of embarrassing actually.
Anywhoo, back to the email. She asked me if I’d review her new book coming out about praying for your kids. Well, hello! Yes! That’s totally up my alley! And at this time, I was in the middle of writing Praying God’s Word for Your Kids so I just knew we were going to be BFFs.
Then, after another email or two, I realized she didn’t want me to write a blog review. She actually wanted a little blurb, a quote, an ENDORSEMENT for her book. She wanted MY WORDS INSIDE HER BOOK.
Are you kidding me?!
I got the rough draft thingie of the book, which honestly, was exciting enough. And read it with tears in my eyes.
This book is gorgeous. It’s called, Upside-Down Prayers for Parents: 31 Daring Devotions for Entrusting Your Child and Yourself To God. And really, as you read it, your heart will be flipped upside down and inside out. It’s the kind of prayers you’ve always wanted to pray. It’s the kind of heart you’ve always wanted to have and pass along to your kids. It’s a perfect, loving, empowering book that will take you to a great new place in praying for your children.
And if my endorsement isn’t enough (*ahem*) and to whet your appetite for the book, I asked Lisa a few questions this week. Ready?
I saw these 31 Prayers as a list on your blog several years ago. What finally pushed you to write this book?
It was really the response to that blog post–and from bloggers like you–that made me think, “Hmmm…maybe there’s more here to delve into. Could it be a whole book?” As I started fiddling with it, and pressing into the content in more than a cursory, surface-y sort of way, that I realized there was a great deal there for me to process and pray through. I figured other parents might have the same reaction.
Honestly, some of these are so tough I only “prayed” them through the writing process. It takes complete submission and bravery to pray that if your child is shattered–when he is shattered–that your Savior will put him back together, back on his feet. But I want to be THAT kind of brave mama. That I trust my kids so thoroughly to the Father’s care, that no matter what they face, they can do so, hand in hand with Jesus. I want to be THAT kind of mom…discipling her children to be amazingly deep, steady, strong warriors for Christ, even in the heat of the worst battles. So in that sense–we can’t honestly want some of these prayers to come to pass. But we can honestly want God to do his good work in our children, regardless of what comes.
The biggest thing that happened for me, is what I hope happens to readers. That they face their own privately held fears, so they can prepare their children to walk through future fires, trusting in God with everything in them.
I know it can be overwhelming! Start small. Even if you can just read through this book, it might shoot out some seeds in your soul that can start germinating. And all prayers count! The Holy Spirit intercedes. So don’t think any prayer goes unnoticed, or doesn’t count. They all do!We might not see the answers to our prayers for days, weeks, years, or even a generation. But God is after our hearts, a living, breathing relationship with him, and prayer is our key connection. Talk to him. Read a devotional or Scripture and imagine it all, written just for you. What is he saying to you in it? What does he want you to face, learn, trust? He’s speaking, all the time. We’re just too busy–or buried beneath the noise of children–that we don’t stop to listen. And the beautiful part of kids? They bring us face to face with our God–or to our knees in intercession–our whole life through. They’re a gift that brings us to God in a whole other way!
Holy smokes. Do you love her or what?! Ready to read the book? To pray it?
(And did I mention my name is on the inside cover? Next to Robin Jones Gunn’s? And Tricia Goyer’s? I’m still having heart palpitations just thinking about it.)
So, who’s ready to be turned upside down?!
Amber says
I want to join the book club!! So excited. 🙂
Nadia says
I’m in!!!
Jen Pighini says
I’m in! I just finished reading Praying Circles around your Children which I LOVED and am working through your ebook too. Prayer has always been one of those areas I’ve felt inadequate in but now that I have kids I see how very important it is so I’m thankful for tools like this to help! Can’t wait to dig into this (although I gave up Facebook for lent so I’ll probably just check in on the blog.) 🙂
Liz says
I want yo join the book club
Janet says
I would like to join. The code did not work for me, though . Advice?
ohAmanda says
Did you try LEADER30? Make sure it’s all caps.
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Janet says
My email gave the code as BOOK 30. LEADER30 worked! Yay!!! This is perfect for me right now! Thank you!!
Stacy says
LEADER30 didn’t work for me either, but BOOK30 did. I’m going to try to get some of my Bible study ladies to join in too!
Linda says
Thank you so much! Us Mama’s need this motivation and encouragement. My sister and I are in. :o) !!!!! One problem….but either of us use facebook. Can we follow along via email or Pinterest?? Either way we know how excited you must be and rejoice with you! :o)
Candace says
Oh this book sounds right up my alley!! I’m so passionate about this and would LOVE to read this book with ya’ll. I think my book “allowance” is up but I’m going to see if I can finagle my budget and sneak it out from somewhere else. HA!! 🙂 Going to check out your links now…
Candace says
Ok, replying to myself here…but I just clicked over to amazon and had enough points to get the book free. YAY!! So, it’s on its way to me. Thanks so much and such a perfect time to focus on prayer for our children – lent and easter!
oh amanda says
Yay!!
a
Devan Simmons says
I want to join the book club!
Lisa Bergren says
Oh, I just love you. Come over. We’ll have lunch, and talk long and move on to wine and invite the hubbies and kiddos to join us. (The hubbies for the wine part, not the kiddos.) 🙂 Can’t wait for the book club!
oh amanda says
On my way…
*wink*
a
Melissa says
Me me me! I want to join!
Jacquie says
Looks really good! I’d be interested, but looks like they only ship to the US? I wish there was a Kindle version or other ebook, but I couldn’t find one. 🙁
Lisa Bergren says
Jacquie, where do you live? It’s available on Kindle in the USA–should be available in English where you are too. Let me know if you can’t find it.
oh amanda says
Lisa, I think it’s that the coupon code doesn’t work on Kindle. 🙁
Jennifer says
I want to join the book club!
Lauren says
count me in!
Bethany W says
Joining in from Ohio!
Danica says
I’m in for the book club!
Sarah says
I want to join the book club!!!
Amanda says
I want to join book club 🙂
Amanda says
Me me me!!!! Count me in!!!!
Kara says
I would like to join! Just ordered my book! 🙂
Megan Spires says
I AM joining the book club. Cannot wait! The Twitter party was awesome, by the way! I can’t explain how blessed this entire thing feels to me. Your site is where I found the simple and perfect version of the sinner’s prayer to pray with my sons last year and now a book club all about praying for my children!!!! So thankful, Amanda!
Jan says
I want to join this book club.
Amanda says
I would like to join the book club
Michelle says
I want to join the book club! 🙂
Dori says
I would so like to join the club