By Karizma Howard
When K.E. Cummings first picked up a pen, she didn’t envision herself as an author. In school, she dabbled in poetry, freestyle raps, and even shared her journal entries with classmates. She had a natural gift for storytelling, often helping her peers put their thoughts into words. But it wasn’t until her own daughter’s journey with faith and prayer that she was inspired to write Pray Girl, a book that would not only change her daughter’s life but also spark meaningful conversations in households everywhere.
The Birth of Pray Girl
For Cummings, Pray Girl wasn’t just a book—it was personal. The inspiration came from her daughter, whose experiences shaped every story in its pages. Cummings recalls her own struggles with prayer, admitting that she had religion but lacked a relationship with God. At first, she was afraid to pray out loud with her daughter. Then, after experiencing PPCM (Peripartum Cardiomyopathy), she found herself physically too weak to pray.
This experience ignited a passion within her: she wanted her daughter to know how to pray out loud and seek God for herself. One day, after affirming her daughter’s ability to pray, her daughter called herself “Pray Girl”—a name that stuck and became the foundation of her book.
Impacting Her Daughter’s Life
Through this journey, Cummings has watched her daughter grow in boldness. While she still speaks when she’s comfortable, Pray Girl has empowered her to share her story and influence others.
The Simplicity of Prayer
When asked to describe prayer in three words, Cummings chose: Personal, Relevant, and Simple.
“People think the Bible is outdated, but God is calling us back to the simple things—to childlike faith. Kids don’t need big words to talk to God,” she explains. This simplicity was inspired by her time with her son, Justus, and her desire for children and adults alike to approach prayer in a relatable way.
Strengthening the Mother-Daughter Bond
Writing Pray Girl has deepened the relationship between Cummings and her daughter. Between school, work, and everyday life, they often spent more time apart than together. But through Pray Girl events—whether getting their nails done, shopping, or just spending time in prayer—they’ve created meaningful moments together.
“As a mom, I’ve learned to appreciate our differences and meet her where she is,” she shares.
The Future of Pray Girl
Cummings envisions Pray Girl going beyond the pages of a book. She wants to incorporate read-aloud events and expand its message into children’s ministry development and strategies. One of her teaching tools includes the PIG acronym: Praise, Invite, Give Thanks. She hopes the book will not only encourage dialogues in homes but also serve as a starting point for parents who are unfamiliar with guiding their children in prayer.
Breaking Barriers Through Storytelling
One unique aspect of Pray Girl is its illustrations. Cummings intentionally used animals to ensure the book was relatable to everyone, not just one specific community. Her daughter, Dakota, loves pigs and enjoys mimicking their sounds—this became a fun and inclusive way to engage young readers.
“This book has been a barrier breaker,” she says proudly.
Looking Ahead
For Cummings, Pray Girl is just the beginning. She plans to continue traveling, speaking, and creating content that makes God famous. When asked about her favorite part of the book, she recalls a scene where she transitions into her superhero pajamas for prayer time—a reminder to silence the noise and create space for God.
As she moves forward, one thing remains clear: Pray Girl was written for children with adults in mind.
“The Bible tells us to have childlike faith. That’s what I want to activate in people’s lives,” she says.
With Pray Girl, K.E. Cummings isn’t just sharing a story, she’s starting a movement.
For more information or to book K.E. Cummings for events, visit KEinspires.com or email [email protected].
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