Local author encourages prayer for young children
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Having a strong, active prayer life can be difficult to navigate, especially when it comes to praying over and for children.
Young children are a blessing from God and most parents want nothing more than to see their children succeed in life.
Tabitha Goodling understood this desire for a healthy prayer life over children and wanted to help moms feel competent in this area as they grow spiritually on their own.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, Goodling began mapping out the idea of a Bible study that would help mothers navigate the process of active prayer. Many of the first chapters were written during the lockdown and it was later continued in 2021.
"At first I used my rough unpublished copies to teach women," Goodling said. "I then began exploring self-publishing opportunities. I write for Pregnancy Help News, an online publication with an audience of pregnancy center workers and those supporting the pregnancy help movement. While writing a story about an author from another part of the country, I learned about Paraclete Press, a self publishing company. I approached them about my manuscript, and we worked together from March 2024 to September 2024 to put the book together."
By the fall of 2024, Goodling released her Bible study, "Praying For Your Child as You 'Grow Up' in Him."
The Bible study is broken into 12 chapters. The first two chapters focus on exploring one’s own faith and how to commit to prayer. The remaining 10 chapters cover areas of prayer such as “Pray for Health,” “Pray for Solid Friendships,” “Pray for Character,” and so on, according to Goodling.
As a mom of four, Goodling has spent countless hours praying over her children and studying the Bible on the importance of praying over children. Writing a Bible study was her way of encouraging other moms.
"I hope that moms will be passionate about praying for their children and not giving way to fear," said Goodling. "Prayer is meant to be an open dialogue with God where we come in agreement with Him for His will for our lives and the lives of others."
Goodling has expressed interest in appearing at speaking engagements in which she would "talk about praying for our children or other parenting topics."
The book can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, and Guardian Angel Bookstore in Richfield.
Goodling also has a blog that can be found at www.tripletsmakesix.blogspot.com.