Prayer Starters: Talking with God about Hard Times
()
About this ebook
In hard times, many of us shy away from God, not sure how to talk to him about what we're feeling. Through her own battles, Suzie Eller has experienced the peace of knowing that prayer is not about the number of words that come out of your mouth or how eloquent you sound. It's about being in God's presence.
When you can't figure out what to say to him, these 90 prayer starters will begin the conversation you've been longing for. Each one is birthed from a specific Scripture, and on each page, journaling space is provided so you can complete the prayer in your own words or simply write what you're feeling.
Don't let your hurts, fears, or doubts keep you from freely talking to God. He loves you and wants to hear what's on your heart.
"Connect with God in ways you've always hoped for but haven't been sure how to make happen."--HOLLEY GERTH, bestselling author
Read more from Suzanne Eller
The Mended Heart: God's Healing for Your Broken Places Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Come With Me Devotional: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCome With Me Prayers: 31 Prayers for the Journey Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Well Done Good and Faithful Mommy: Finding Fulfillment as a Mom-on-the-Go Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Prayer Starters
Related ebooks
Jesus Everlasting: Leaning on Our Counselor, Defender, Father, and Friend Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFreedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJoyKeeper: 6 Truths That Change Everything You Thought You Knew about Joy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne Good Word a Day: 365 Invitations to Encourage, Deepen, and Refine Your Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSettle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCreate in Me a Heart of Peace Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Prayers of REST: Daily Prompts to Slow Down and Hear God's Voice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5100 Days of Prayer for Women Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith without Borders Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTrusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCome Sit with Me: How to Delight in Differences, Love through Disagreements, and Live with Discomfort Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFlooded: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life Is Hard and Doubt Is Rising Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 28-Day Prayer Journey: A Daily Guide to Conversations with God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Your Powerful Prayers: Reaching the Heart of God with a Bold and Humble Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPeace with the Psalms: 40 Readings to Relax Your Mind and Calm Your Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings5-Word Prayers: Where to Start When You Don't Know What to Say to God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMore Power to You: Declarations to Break Free from Fear and Take Back Your Life (52 Devotions) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When Change Finds You: 31 Assurances to Settle Your Heart When Life Stirs You Up Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCourageous Kindness: Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnd Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prayers for Every Need Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPursuing More of Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Raw Faith: What Happens When God Picks a Fight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Follow God's Will: Biblical Guidelines for Everyday Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsToday Is Going to Be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSaying Yes in the Darkness: 7 Weeks in the Book of Psalms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMay His Face Shine upon You: 90 Biblical Blessings for Mother and Child Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReach Out, Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Surrender Your Story: Ditch the Myth of Control and Discover Freedom in Trusting God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Prayer & Prayerbooks For You
Pocket Prayers: 40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Common Prayer: Pocket edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anam Cara [Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition]: A Book of Celtic Wisdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dear Abba: Morning & Evening Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus Listens: Daily Devotional Prayers of Peace, Joy, and Hope (the New 365-Day Prayer Book) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Diary of Private Prayer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children Book of Prayers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of a Praying Husband Book of Prayers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prayers of the Cosmos: Reflections on the Original Meaning of Jesus' Words Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Let Nothing Disturb You: 30 Days with Teresa of Avila Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pray First: The Transformative Power of a Life Built on Prayer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship With God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens: Discover How to Pray God's Purpose for Their Lives Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Miracles and Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of a Praying Parent Book of Prayers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Book of Hours Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Le Petit Prince Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oremus: A Treasury of Latin Prayers with English Translations Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Book of Catholic Prayers – Prayers for Every Day - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Book of Pagan Prayer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When You Don't Know What to Pray: 100 Essential Prayers for Enduring Life's Storms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Prayers that Avail Much More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Really Pray Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for Prayer Starters
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Prayer Starters - Suzanne Eller
Oh how I love Suzie Eller’s heart for prayer. It spills onto the page of this life-transforming journal. What a gift to those who struggle to find God in difficult times. This is a beautifully written, spiritually deep invitation to the joyful life you’ve been longing for.
Mary DeMuth, speaker and podcaster
"Struggling to find the words to chat with God? Suzie Eller’s Prayer Starters will give you ideas for ways to start up—and continue—this most life-affirming conversation. I especially appreciate the mini Bible studies. Enjoy!"
Amy Boucher Pye, author of 7 Ways to Pray
If prayer has ever felt intimidating, confusing, or like one more to-do on your list, then Suzie Eller will be the gentle, wise guide you need to connect with God in ways you’ve always hoped for but haven’t been sure how to make happen.
Holley Gerth, bestselling author, cohost of the More Than Small Talk podcast
If you’re like me, connecting with God in challenging seasons is hard. Suzie’s book gently meets you in those places, providing God’s words and creative ways to begin your conversations with God. Her biblically grounded prayers and starters come alongside you like a good friend and guide you every step of the way.
Wendy Blight, biblical content specialist, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Suzie Eller’s prayers are a gentle invitation to walk with her into the loving arms of our God—and they’re so much more. They teach us how to pray. Show gratitude and humility. Reveal biblical insights. And model for us an honest, intimate relationship with Jesus. They are simply beautiful.
Kelly O’Dell Stanley, author of Praying Upside Down, Designed to Pray, and InstaPrayer: Prayers to Share
"Suzie Eller is a seasoned guide in those seasons that require pressing in, asking hard questions, listening in the silence, and hearing from God’s heart. In Prayer Starters, she’s taken the mystery of our prayer relationship and provided the words to begin going deeper with God, with gentleness, wisdom, and honesty."
Julie Lyles Carr, bestselling author of Raising an Original; speaker; host of the AllMomDoes podcast
Our lungs need air. Our lives need prayer. Don’t know what to say? Don’t know how to pray? This book has beautiful prayers to help you start, with extra space to write from your heart, so you can learn to pray and make it a part of each day.
Amanda Hinds, founder and writer, bebraveboldstrong.com
"Prayer doesn’t always come easy, especially when life’s storms are raging. Suzie’s Prayer Starters lead you into a beautiful space of prayer and worship, gently guiding you into needed prayers with God. Simply show up with an open heart and allow the prompts to spark your conversations in prayer."
Kathryn Shirey, founder and writer, prayerandpossibilities.com
"If your problems seem overwhelming, but your prayers have dried up, Prayer Starters is here for you! In this Scripture-soaked resource, Suzie equips you with real words for real talk with God. She’s a battlefield prayer warrior who points you to the hope and divine wisdom that you need from God in your challenging times."
Barb Roose, speaker, author of Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Breakthrough: Finding Freedom in Christ
Books by Suzanne Eller
Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads
Come With Me Devotional: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus
JoyKeeper: 6 Truths That Change Everything You Thought You Knew about Joy
The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places
Prayer Starters: Talking with God about Hard Times
The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith without Borders
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness
© 2022 by T. Suzanne Eller
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3922-5
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Cover design by Brand Navigation
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements 1
Half Title Page 3
Books by Suzanne Eller 4
Title Page 5
Copyright Page 6
A Note from Suzie 11
How to Use This Prayer Book 15
PART 1 Trusting God in Hard Seasons 19
1. You Are My Source 21
2. Help Me Remember 22
3. In This Hard Place 23
4. I Say Yes 24
5. Nothing Misses Your Eye 25
Think on This
6. One Step at a Time 27
7. I’m Really Tired, Lord 28
8. My Strong Place 29
9. You See 30
10. Open My Eyes 31
God Is Listening
11. You Are My Constant, Jesus 33
12. Secure 34
13. Greater than the Heavens 35
14. I Will Live in Truth 36
15. Help Me Choose My Battles 37
What Are You Asking Me to Do, Lord?
16. Increase My Faith 39
17. When I Don’t Have Words 40
18. Running to You 41
19. Shine through Me 42
20. Open Hands 43
Hey, Friend, Just So You Know . . .
21. You Are My Stronghold 45
22. Yes to That Miracle 46
23. Deep and Wide 47
24. This Is Who You Are 48
25. Where Would I Go? 49
What Is So Different about Them?
26. I Am Seen 51
27. Help Me Hear You 52
28. On Every Day 53
29. Hold My Tears 54
30. You Make Me Brave 55
Write It Down. Make It Plain.
PART 2 Growing in Hard Places 59
31. You Know Me 61
32. Draw Me to Truth 62
33. I Have a Helper 63
34. Complete 64
35. My Part in Your Plan 65
A Mantra of Hope
36. Break Down Those Walls 67
37. In the Heart of the Storm 68
38. You Fight for Me 69
39. Seed Sower 70
40. On My Knees 71
When You Are Afraid
41. Meet Me in the Fire 75
42. Holding Fast to You 76
43. Not Just Me, but Me and You 77
44. In the Wilderness 78
45. I Am Hurting 79
The Beauty of Battle Scars
46. Light Me Up 83
47. Change the Way I See Things 84
48. A Deep Soaking 85
49. You Are Compassion 86
50. Hey, I Love You, Jesus 87
51. Wisdom 88
52. Thank You 89
53. Shut It Down 90
54. This Is Who I Am 91
55. Today Is a Hard Day 92