Book Club: Book Review of Prayer Starters

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Books are a wonderful resource. They provide information, data, encouragement, wisdom, and more. In Prayer Starters: Talking with God About Hard Times by Suzanne Eller, readers find a useful resource for developing their relationship with God and working through their own battles. 

Prayer Starters is a 168-page paperback book divided into three parts containing prayer prompts, Bible quotes, short readings, coloring pages, and references for you to explore. The author, Suzanne Eller, speaks briefly of her own hard and challenging season and reminds us that all we need to do is show up because God is waiting for us. He will carry us in our difficult times. And we don't need anything special when using this book. "Prayer Starters is a creative, interactive invitation to help you pray right where you are" (12). 

What is Prayer Starters? 

After an introduction with recommendations about how to use the prayer book, readers are greeted by Part One and a quote from Elizabeth Elliot. Each part focuses on a different area: 

Part One - Trusting God in Hard Times

Part Two - Growing in Hard Places

Part Three - Freedom in Hard Places

In Part One, prayer prompts are inspired by verses from Jeremiah, Isaiah, the Psalms, Hebrews, and more. God provides hope, a place of comfort, a stronghold, and guidance. Eller reminds the reader in Part Two that Jesus knows us and our hardships. We are a part of God's plan. We ask through one prayer starter to fall on our knees and seek God's help. 

When we read through the prayer prompts in Freedom in Hard Places, we trust God, seek Him, and ask for help in realizing that God takes care of us at every moment and offers us ways to talk to Him.

What Do I Think? 

As I started reading Prayer Starters, I realized how valuable this book would have been when I was taking care of my mom during her battle with Alzheimer's. That was a very hard season, and I needed to be reminded to take it "one step at a time" often. Eller also shared "Jesus, I am tempted to lie down, to give up, and at times to throw my hands in the air and just quit" (29). This was me. My heart was aching, and I needed to be reminded that God's love was deep and wide – that God offers comfort and assistance in every hard time.

For those who seek to talk with God in and about hard times in a more structured manner, Prayer Starters is a wonderful resource. For those who don't know where to start, Eller offers prayer prompts and the space to write down our prayers and ideas. We then can read the scripture quotes and reflect upon them. 

I recommend Prayer Starters to those struggling and suffering in hard times. You are not alone. God is there to stand with you. Prayer Starters would make a good gift for those dealing with hard times.