Endorsements
Oh how I love Suzie Ellers 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 youve been longing for.
Mary DeMuth, speaker and podcaster
Struggling to find the words to chat with God? Suzie Ellers Prayer Starters will give you ideas for ways to start upand continuethis 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 youve always hoped for but havent been sure how to make happen.
Holley Gerth, bestselling author, cohost of the More Than Small Talk podcast
If youre like me, connecting with God in challenging seasons is hard. Suzies book gently meets you in those places, providing Gods 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 Ellers prayers are a gentle invitation to walk with her into the loving arms of our Godand theyre 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 ODell 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 Gods heart. In Prayer Starters , shes 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. Dont know what to say? Dont 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 doesnt always come easy, especially when lifes storms are raging. Suzies 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. Shes 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
Half Title Page
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: Gods 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
Title Page
Copyright Page
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 meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout 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 A M P are from the Amplified Bible (AMP), copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled E S V 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 M S G 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 N I V 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
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Books by Suzanne Eller
Title Page
Copyright Page
A Note from Suzie
How to Use This Prayer Book
PART 1 Trusting God in Hard Seasons
1. You Are My Source
2. Help Me Remember
3. In This Hard Place
4. I Say Yes
5. Nothing Misses Your Eye
Think on This
6. One Step at a Time
7. Im Really Tired, Lord
8. My Strong Place
9. You See
10. Open My Eyes
God Is Listening
11. You Are My Constant, Jesus
12. Secure
13. Greater than the Heavens
14. I Will Live in Truth
15. Help Me Choose My Battles
What Are You Asking Me to Do, Lord?
17. When I Dont Have Words
18. Running to You
19. Shine through Me
20. Open Hands
Hey, Friend, Just So You Know...
21. You Are My Stronghold
22. Yes to That Miracle
23. Deep and Wide
24. This Is Who You Are
25. Where Would I Go?
What Is So Different about Them?
26. I Am Seen
27. Help Me Hear You
28. On Every Day
29. Hold My Tears
30. You Make Me Brave
Write It Down. Make It Plain.
PART 2 Growing in Hard Places
31. You Know Me
32. Draw Me to Truth
33. I Have a Helper
34. Complete
35. My Part in Your Plan
A Mantra of Hope
36. Break Down Those Walls
37. In the Heart of the Storm
38. You Fight for Me
39. Seed Sower
40. On My Knees
When You Are Afraid
41. Meet Me in the Fire
42. Holding Fast to You
43. Not Just Me, but Me and You
44. In the Wilderness
45. I Am Hurting
The Beauty of Battle Scars
46. Light Me Up
47. Change the Way I See Things
49. You Are Compassion
50. Hey, I Love You, Jesus
51. Wisdom
52. Thank You
53. Shut It Down
54. This Is Who I Am
55. Today Is a Hard Day