Prayer Starters: Talking with God about Hard Times
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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
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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