Praying the Scripture for Your Kids {GiveAway Today!}

It was the final night at SheSpeaks. I was running behind. So many vendors to see, books to look at and friends to visit with. I made it to the banquet hall and began to scope out a place to sit. “Ah, there’s a spot.” Eventually, introductions were made. Stories were shared about callings and ministry. It was time to dine. I hadn’t gotten around to hearing the story from the neighbor to my right so as we ate I asked her what her name was.

She doesn’t know it but I about choked on my chicken.

The demure lady sitting next to me introduced herself as Jodie Berndt. Of course, there is no way Jodie could know this but her book Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens has been in my quiet time basket for the last several years. Her book took second only to my bible. (Since I usually have up to four books at a time in my basket that’s saying something!)

I was incredibly excited to meet her. It was so affirming (as it is with every attendee I’ve ever met at SheSpeaks) to see what a gracious woman she was. Bottom line I couldn’t contain all this amazingness (pretty sure that’s a word) to myself. So today I’m offering a giveaway of Jodie’s books:

And…

But the really fun part is to follow!

Jodie graciously agreed to an interview and so YOU get to meet her just like I did! Grab your cup of coffee and granola bar and hear words of encouragement from Jodie. (Details on the giveaway will be later in the post.)

{Cindy} What inspired you to write your books Praying the Scriptures for Your Children and Praying the Scripture for Your Teens?

{Jodie} I wrote the books because I needed them! My kids used to tease me when they’d catch me reading “my own book,” but even today (when they are all off to college and beyond!), Praying the Scriptures for Your Children is still one of my favorite go-to books–not because of what I wrote, but because of the Scriptures at the end of each chapter. I find that when I use the Bible as the basis for my prayers–putting my kids’ names right into one of God’s promises–my prayers take on fresh power. Plus, tapping into God’s Word really changes my perspective as uncertainty and worry get replaced by things like faith, hope, and a confidence that God really is at work in my family’s life.

{Cindy} Did you notice a major shift in your prayers as your children entered their teens. If so, what kind of shift. (ie. the type or fervency of your prayers).

{Jodie} Haha! I think almost every mom of teenagers probably notices a shift in her prayers! Not only do the issues often take on added significance (for instance, in Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, we prayed for a child who stole pencils from the school supply closet; in the Teens version, we faced eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, and self-injury), but sometimes it can be tough to hold onto hope during the teen years, as the physical demands of raising young children give way to emotional exhaustion. I still used the Bible as my chief source of wisdom and encouragement when we had four teenagers (and all their friends!) in the house, but half the time it felt like I was praying along the lines of 2 Chronicles 20:12: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” And sometimes the cry of my heart was simply, “Help!” (Truth be told, I think that’s a perfectly good prayer: Short and to the point!)

{Cindy} Do you think Mom’s/families are as in tune to the need for prayer as they could be?

{Jodie} I don’t think many of us are as in tune with the need for prayer as we could be–I know I’m not. Whether it’s a too-full schedule, an uncertainty about the power of prayer, or just the discouragement that can settle in when it seems like things will never change, prayer can sometimes become an afterthought, rather than our first and best parenting strategy. God is so gracious, though. He doesn’t ask us to get our act together before we pray, and he doesn’t care how we sound when we do. Instead, like the father in that awesome parable about the prodigal son, all we need to do is just turn in his direction–and God runs toward us, covering the distance so he can scoop us up in his arms.

{Cindy} How do your books encourage/guide parents to pray for their kids?

{Jodie} I hope my books are practical. I love big ideas and theological principles, but as a mom, often what I really want is help for my immediate needs. In Praying the Scriptures, I use real-life stories to set the stage, but (to me) the real power comes when parents stop reading and start praying. That’s what I’ve tried to do: Tee it up in a very basic way, offering fill-in-the-blank prayers and simple pull-out principles (example: “Praying for your children’s lives to be marked with a Christlike compassion opens the door for God to work on their attitudes as well as their actions”), so that anyone can pray effectively and with confidence–whether you’re a seasoned prayer warrior or this is your first day on the job!

{Cindy} If you had to choose one prayer (or your top three) for your kids what would it/they be?

{Jodie} It’s hard to choose just one prayer (or even three), because my favorites change almost as fast as my kids’ needs do. When my children were young (and not always as kind to one another as I wanted them to be), I spent a lot of time camped on Ephesians 4:29, “Let no unwholesome talk come out of _____’s mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, that might benefit those who listen.” Then, as they grew up and headed off on adventures ranging from summer camps, to trips to China, to college, I tapped into the protective promises found in Psalm 91, where God commands his angels to stand guard, to keep things like harm and disaster far away. And now, as my adult children face decisions about everything from career choices to marriage, I love Philippians 1:9-10, which says, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” See? How can you pick just one? They’re all so great! 🙂

Sweet DoAheads, I hope you enjoyed that! I promise you Jodie has made it easy for us! Her books put scripture at our fingertips.

If you’d like yet another peek into Jodie’s insight and sweet demeanor check out the video below. (It’s just a little under 7 minutes.)

Today’s post feels like one of those days that just keeps getting better and better. Here’s the scoop with the give-away.

Enter your email in the subscribe field (located on the upper right side of the page.) I’ll confirm that I’ve received it.
Your name will then be entered in the drawing. (If you would like just one of the books let me know.)
Deadline for entries will be 9/28/14 at midnight CST.
A random drawing will take place and the winner will be announced on 9/29.
The only restriction is that your mailing address is in the United States.