You know how it feels to meet someone for the first time but instead of the awkward pause, you settle in quickly, like they’re a long lost friend?
Crickett Keeth is one of those people for me. We first “met” on the Facebook Blue Ridge Bible Study Writers page several years ago. From the get-go, I think we both knew we’d discovered a peep for life. We’ve prayed for each other and cheered one another on with all the sis-boom-bah we could muster.
Here’s one thing I know: when Crickett says she’s praying for me, she is⏤there’s no well intentioned fluff here. She’s on the battle lines for women around the world, those in her church, and the participants of her NEW release, “On Bended Knee: Praying Like Prophets, Warriors, and Kings” by Moody Publishers. Notice I didn’t say, readers. In this 8-week study, participants are encouraged to engage with the Word and the questions along the way. The goal isn’t to form a perfect answer, but to allow God to use those questions to probe our hearts and deepen our prayer life.
So without further ado, it’s an honor to introduce you to Crickett.
Welcome, Crickett! So tell us, how did you get started writing Bible studies?
I led a small group when I lived in Dallas, and we used a number of popular Bible studies on the market. I would add questions to help facilitate discussion and get them to think deeper about the passage. One summer, they challenged me to write our next Bible study. As I prayed about it, I felt God was leading me to say yes. So, I wrote that first Bible study on the characters in Hebrews 11 found in the Book of Genesis. I loved writing it and knew I wanted to continue. And twenty years later, I’m still writing Bible studies!
Why did you choose to write a study on prayer?
I actually wrote this Bible study several years ago for the Women’s Ministry at my church. At that time, my life was out-of-control busy, and my time with the Lord was becoming more of a ritual than a relationship. Yes, I still had quiet times, and I was praying. But I felt like my prayers were rushed and missing something. I was just going through the motions, but not enjoying that intimate time alone with God in prayer. So, I cried out to God one day, asking Him to change my prayer life and bring me back to that sweet intimacy with Him through prayer that I had previously experienced. He led me to begin looking at prayers in the Bible, and that’s how this study was born.
Can you tell us a little more about the study and what we can expect?
On Bended Knee is an eight-week study looking at the prayers of eight men and women in the Bible. Each week is divided into five days, and each day has four parts. Looking to God’s Word directs us to the Scripture for that day, guiding us through observation and interpretation questions. Looking Upward challenges us to wrestle with thought-provoking questions and promotes rich group discussion. Looking Deeper encourages us to look at additional passages that will deepen our study. Looking Reflectively focuses on application and reflection of the lesson.
I don’t give a lot of commentary before and after each question because I want to guide you into discovering what God’s Word is saying instead of telling you the answers. I don’t want it to feel like you’re reading a book, but that you’re digging deeper into God’s Word as I guide you. However, some of the questions are challenging and make us wrestle with the answers. So, there is a Leaders’ Guide at the back of the book to walk you through those more challenging questions.
Which prayers do you highlight, and why did you choose those prayers?
We look at the prayers of Jesus, Paul, Job, Hannah, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Nehemiah. I chose the prayers that I continually go to in my life situations—prayers that have helped me when I couldn’t express what was in my heart. There are many more prayers in the Bible we could have studied, and I wish I could have written on all of them. Maybe that will be a Part 2.
As I “listened in” on the prayers of these men and women, I wanted to look at the heart behind the prayer. What motivated them to pray? How did they approach God? How did God answer? How did their relationship with God deepen as a result of their prayers?
Who is this study for, and how will it impact their lives?
On Bended Knee is for anyone who wants to go deeper in their relationship with God through prayer. If you’re dissatisfied with your prayer life, wanting to be more consistent in prayer, or looking to deepen your intimacy with God, then this Bible study was written for you.
Where can we find this study?
It’s available now on Amazon, Moody, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com
Crickett Keeth is the Women’s Ministry Director at First Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she writes and teaches the women’s Bible studies. She is the author of The Gift of Rest, Sumatra with the Seven Churches (co-authored with Sandra Glahn), and her newly released study from Moody, On Bended Knee. Crickett was on staff with Cru for ten years and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. In addition to teaching regularly at her own church, she also speaks at women’s conferences and retreats. Learn more at www.crickettkeeth.com.
Thank you, Crickett, for taking time for this interview, and for offering a free copy of this much-needed study to one blessed reader of mine.
Before you go, is there some way Crickett and I can pray for you today? Share your request in the comment section, or email me privately using the icon in the sidebar, if you like.
To enter the giveaway, share who you’ve recently met that feels more like a long lost friend.
Thanks Cathy for your review on our friend Crickett’s new book. I have my copy as well and will be digging in soon. Prayer is not just a “go-to” when we can’t figure life out. Prayer is what keeps our hearts open and in communion with the Father flowing as we walk life out by faith, moment by moment, day by day.
We are construction missionaries so we visit meant churches to help build. At each church, I’ve met wonderful people. I’ve gained brothers in Jeff, Mike, and Chris. I’ve gained sisters in Cindy and Tami and Brenda.
God bless you, Margaret! I have a feeling you’ll have countless friends you never met on the other side of heaven. I can’t imagine what a blessing your work means to these churches. Thank you for stopping by and sharing.
Margaret, thank you for sharing! Love what ya’ll are doing in ministry.
Yes and amen, Melanie! Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings…
Melanie, (my SISTA), I love what you said – “prayer is what keeps our hearts open and in communion with the Father . . .” Prayer is a relationship, not a ritual. Thanks for sharing!
Good afternoon, Cathy, Crickett sounds like someone I would love to meet … and pray with! I am leading a small group of women on the book Jesus Journey by Trent Shepherd. This study on prayer seems like a good follow. I first met Becky a couple years ago. God recently connected us in a way that feels like we have always been sisters. Yes, we check in, pray for each other, Becky stood beside me while dealing with opposition within the church, and God has showed me things about her life to help her. I trust her with my life. Unfortunately, I cannot say that about too many people in my current circle. May God bless you today, dear Cathy.
Trust me, Julie. Crickett is someone you would love to meet — and pray with. Praying for one another is one of God’s greatest blessings. I’m thankful you have someone like this in your life. Blessings to you!
Julie, I’d love to meet you and pray with you sometime! Becky sounds like a friend we all need in our lives. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Cathy & Cricket,
I met Diane Cunio on Facebook last summer, and after playing countless games of Words With Friends, I noticed her town was on the way back from my vacation. (I took a different way up than back.) Meeting her in person was like being reunited with an old friend. By birth, I have no sisters, and now I’ve found mine.
Blessings,
Laurie Epps
I love everything about this, Laurie. Your attention to details and your willingness to deepen your friendship through a visit. God bless your friendship!
Laurie, thank you for sharing about your friendship (sisterhood) with Diane. It’s so sweet when you meet those kindred spirits.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for the giveaway! I recently returned from the KY Christian Writers Conference, and that’s one place where people I meet feel like forever friends. Deep purpose. Deep faith in God. Deep connection.
Blessings,
Nicki
Nicki, thanks for sharing! I hope to get to the KY Christian Writers Conference one day. I’ve heard great things about it. And yes, writing conferences are places where I’ve met many of my forever friends and kindred spirits.
I would love to attend that conference one day! And I can’t agree with you more — some of my most meaningful friendships started at a writer’s conference. Thanks for stopping by, Nicki!
Hello! Wonderful interview! This book sounds perfect for anyone wanting to grow deeper in their prayer life and intimacy with the Father. I have a friend, not new, but one I was FINALLY able to meet one on one and do deeper with. She has kept a tight wall up for years. We met and visited and she was such an encouragement to me! Hoping those walls keep falling down. Blessings to you!
Praying the walls continue to crumble, Angie. Your diligence toward biblical community is inspiring. And yes, Crickett’s book is perfect for both reasons. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
Angie, sounds like you and your friend are both good for each other. Praying those walls continue to drop. Thanks so much for sharing!
Howdy, friends! I appreciate every aspect of your book, Crickett. It is clear a crystal that your heart is bent toward serving others in the name of Christ. Thank you for investing the time and service for our Father. I am drawn to this offering and pray for many to go deeper and draw closer to Him from who all blessings sweetly flow.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Charla — Crickett’s heart is obvious throughout the book. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Charla, thank you so much for your encouraging words. Thank you, too, for joining with me in praying that God will use this study to draw others into a more intimate relationship with Him. He’s using it in my life as I go back through the study again. Thanks for sharing!