praying

August 5, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Walk It Out #122: The Power of a Woman’s Words with Sharon Jaynes

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The Power of a Woman’s Words with Sharon Jaynes

“What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.” Have you ever heard that saying? What’s in the heart is what comes out in our words … and sometimes the impact of those words goes deeper than we ever think.

All of us can think back to our childhood and the words that built us up or tore us down. How did others’ words impact you? Personally, the words spoken to me told me that I could “do better.” Yes, a B is fine … but why wasn’t it an A? And I’ve struggled with that all my life … always trying to “do better, do more.”

In our podcast today, Sharon Jaynes talks about the power of a woman’s words. Our words are powerful, and they have consequences. As I’ve heard it said, the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. And that’s true for each of us. Words matter. Words can inspire or crush. Words can make us cry both tears of joy and of pain.

Most of the time we speak to communicate, but is it possible to also encourage others throughout the day?

Sharon says:

“Words that bring encouragement are:

thank you
I love you
you did a great job
I’m proud of you
you are so smart
you made me smile
I knew you could do it

These words can be inserted into most conversations for great results. Words come from our lips and they work even better if our lips are turned upward as we speak. Eye contact also helps, and a gentle touch where appropriate.”

I loved our conversation, and I love Sharon’s encouragement. We can ALL do better with our words, can’t we?

Who is Sharon Jaynes?

Sharon Jaynes is a Bible teacher and conference speaker who is passionate about helping women live fully and freely in Christ. She is a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, cofounder of Girlfriends in God, and bestselling author of more than 20 books. Sharon makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, Steve.

You can order The Power of a Woman’s Words HERE.

About the Book:

Your Words Echo in Hearts and Minds Long After They Are Spoken

Have you listened to yourself lately? Did you know that your words are shaping other people’s lives? That they are the mirrors in which others see themselves? Every day you can speak life into their souls or suck the life right out of them. The choice is yours.

In The Power of a Woman’s Words, bestselling author Sharon Jaynes will show you how to

exchange careless words that hurt for intentional words that help others succeed
recognize words that tear down confidence and replace them with words that build others up
overcome the negativity that pushes people away and become a well of positivity that draws others in
tame your tongue by practicing practical principles that help you think before you speak
stop being disappointed in your lack of control by taking hold of the power of the Holy Spirit

Words are one of the most powerful forces in the universe, and God has entrusted them to you! How will you use this gift? Your words can change the course of someone’s day…even someone’s life.

Walk It Out Scripture

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21

If you are enjoying the show, I have a quick favor to ask! If you haven’t yet hit the subscribe button and left a rating and a review on iTunes, please take a moment and do so! I love reading your reviews and it keeps the algorithms happy so new listeners can find the podcast as well!

Journal Through the Bible in 2020

Is it your goal to read through the Bible in 2020? More than that, do you want to apply God’s Will to your life in real ways? I’ve created a resource for that.

My book Praying Through The Bible in One Year is a great resource to help you reach your goal.

Praying Through the Bible in One Year is a Scripture Reading Plan and Guided Journal to help you read and apply God’s Word to your life.

My desire is for this journal to guide you as you seek God and His truth. It’s divided into three parts.

1. A Scripture Reading Plan. This plan takes you from Genesis to Revelation. Reading four or five chapters a day, you’ll read through the whole Bible in one year! Each week has five days of reading, leaving the weekends for a catch-up.

2. A Daily Scripture. Pause on these verses, read them closely, and consider how they can impact your prayers for your kids.

3. A Prayer Prompt. Through these prompts, you’ll focus on ways you can pray for your kids. Blank space is provided for you to continue the prayer or to write down other meaningful Scriptures that you read during the day’s reading.

Journal Through the Bible — Praying Through the Bible in One Year interier pages.

Finally, I want to encourage you not to give up. I didn’t date this journal because I know how much pressure that can bring. Life happens. If you get off track one week, just pick up again the next week. God is more concerned with your desire to read His Word and connect with His heart than He is with your ability to complete a weekly task. This is your journal concerning your prayers for your kids. If it takes you two years to read through the Bible, that will be wonderful! Know your efforts, whether over one year or two or more, will be worth it.

Pick up a copy for yourself and share with friends. May God’s Word transform each of us this year!

Journal Through the Bible in 2020

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and at the end question how they apply to your life. Tricia Goyer understands. For years she felt frustrated that she couldn’t stick to her commitment to read God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when she found a doable plan and wrote out a daily prayer. Tricia’s heart changed. Her life did, too.

God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you make God’s Word applicable to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Purchase a copy of Praying Through the Bible in One Year HERE.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

February 19, 2015 by Tricia Goyer 13 Comments

3 Ways to Improve Your Prayers… & Find Freedom in the Process

Prayer has transformed my life and it’s led me on wonderful paths that I never expected, but it hasn’t always been that way. It’s taken me a while to feel as if I understood prayer, and considered myself a praying person. Maybe it’s because of my misconceptions that I had since childhood. Today I want to share 3 ways to improve your prayers and find freedom in the process.

What are your first memories of prayer and how God works? Here are a few of mine that I shared in my book Blue Like Play Dough. (I am in the process of republishing this book, so be on the lookout for it this fall!)

When I was in the fifth grade, a friend stayed the night. Before we drifted off to sleep, Heidi climbed out of the bed, got on her knees, and prayed. At the time, prayer wasn’t a part of my nightly ritual. But seeing her there, it hit me that something wasn’t right. If God is God, then couldn’t He hear my prayers as I lay on my bed? Didn’t my whispered requests meet His ears, no matter what position I was in?

I remember another time I prayed in the second grade for something I wanted. It was a book of Barbie paper dolls. You know—the kind with the perforated edges and all those cool two-dimensional clothes to dress that cardboard figure in.

I desperately wanted the paper doll book, so I prayed. I told God He could make it appear, and I’d keep it just between me and Him. I made a deal, and I told Him He could drop it in my closet, and I’d only play with it when my mom wasn’t around. I prayed so hard and so long (for a second grader) that I was highly disappointed the next day when I opened the closet door and the paper doll book wasn’t there.

Disappointment trailed me for a week until I was certain that God wasn’t all people talked Him up to be. Until … my birthday arrived. And guess what I received? The paper doll book! It wasn’t my only gift, but it’s the only one I remember today. It struck me then as I pondered it with all the contemplation a seven-year-old possessed, that God had answered my prayer after all, just not in the way I expected. p. 128-129

Looking back I can see a few misconceptions that I had about prayer. Understanding and identifying these will help to improve your prayers.

Misconception #1: Prayer is an event. When I saw Heidi pray as a child it confirmed to me that prayer was an event. I understood that I didn’t need to kneel to pray, but I did think it was something that I needed to tack on to my day.

For years and years, I saw prayer as an event. It was a time when I need to be still and come before God. There are times when I do that. I love quiet mornings on my couch. Sometimes I even get on my knees before Him, but I’ve grown to discover prayer is not an event; it’s a continual conversation.

In the last week, I prayed as I rode an ATV for the first time. (I prayed I wouldn’t die!) This morning I prayed as I watched my son drive away in the snow. (I prayed for his protection and for a bubble to surround his car from crazy drivers.) Last night, I prayed for a friend when she shared a need on Facebook. I didn’t wait until the next morning’s quiet time to pray. As I sat in front of my computer I closed my eyes for a moment, and I asked God to be with her and to give her peace.

Misconception #2. Prayer is about getting what I want. As a young girl, I learned the importance of prayer from Sunday School, but I thought that prayer was a way to get what I want. I wanted paper dolls, so I prayed. Later, I wanted a new outfit, so I prayed. In high school, I wanted to make the cheerleading squad, so I prayed. Yes, God’s Word tells us to bring our needs before Him, but that’s not the only thing prayer is about.

Prayer is taking everything before God and listening for His voice. It’s asking that my heart reflect His heart. It’s begging for discernment and reading His Word. It’s not depending on popcorn prayers to get you through. Instead, it’s looking back at what God has done and considering what direction He is providing. And then it’s stepping out in trust that God will pull you back if He needs to. (Blue Like Play Dough, p. 133)

I improve my prayers when I better understand:

Prayer as ongoing communication with God. He’s our Creator, our Provider, our Guide. He is with us always, and we don’t need to make prayer an event. Prayer should flow out of every part of our day.
Prayer is more about knowing what God wants than getting what I want. The best things to pray are: “Lord, show me your will.” “Lord, guide me in your ways.” And “Lord, give me strength and peace to follow You.”
Prayer changes me. As I pray in my day I see God there. When I lift up my thoughts and concerns to Him I invited Him to be part of my life, one moment at the time. I am changed because I don’t see my tasks, my problems, or my worries as my concern only. Instead, I hand those things over to God and I am changed.

As I improve my prayers, my relationship with God improves. As my relationship with God improves I become a different person. Want to improve your prayers?

Talk to God throughout the day.
Seek God’s will for your life.
Become a person of freedom as you hand over your concerns to God.

Learning to pray has been a growing process, and I’m so thankful that God has been patient with me along the way. I’m a different person because of prayer. I’m thankful to walk in freedom, turning every need and thought over to Him.

Lord, help me to pray. Help me to turn to You through the day. I want to become a better prayer NOT so that I can get more of what I want. Instead, I desire to know your will. I also want to walk in the freedom that will come when I turn everything over to you, Jesus. Amen.

Revive your prayer life! @TriciaGoyer shares 3 tips here:

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I hope these thoughts have been helpful as you seek to improve your prayer life.

Download the printable and keep it nearby as a reminder!

More Resources:

Want to grow in your prayer life? I recommend these resources:

Live A Praying Life by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

The Power of a Praying® Wife by Stormie Omartian

Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson

Books I have written to help you improve your prayers:

Blue Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God

Praying for Your Future Husband

Prayers That Changed History: From Christopher Columbus to Helen Keller, how God Used 25 People to Change the World

January 13, 2015 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

Praying for Your Child’s Future Spouse

I adore my daughter-in-law, Katie. She and Cory have been married more than 4 years and have two beautiful babies. She’s thoughtful, caring, fun, and godly. Most of all she adores my son. (What more can a mother desire?!)

Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes . . . we do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Daniel 9:18 NIV

So what things do you pray for? These are things we encourage young women to pray for in our book Praying for Your Future Husband . . . and you can pray these very things for your child’s future spouse!

Want to pray for your child’s future spouse? @TriciaGoyer shares some starting points:

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What to Pray For

Pray for his/her heart

Pray he/she will be a God lover

Pray for patience

Pray for understanding

Pray for trust

Pray for loyalty and faithfulness

Pray for strength

Pray for protection

Pray for intimacy

Pray for “the list” (God’s list for your child!)

Pray for contentment

Pray for commitment

You can pray for all of these things for your children’s future spouses, and don’t forget to pray the same things for your children, too. I have one child who is married and one who is engaged, and I’m continuing to pray all these things for the four other children still unmarried. And since my youngest is four years old, I’ll be praying for quite a while!

Prayer makes a difference. And make sure you let your child know that you’re praying, too. Help them to form their own prayers, even at a young age. It’ll help them to prepare their heart for the person to come.

What things do you pray for concerning your children’s future spouse?

#Prayer makes a difference. Just ask @TriciaGoyer:

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More Resources:

Praying for Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn & Tricia Goyer

When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric & Leslie Ludy

Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris

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November 19, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 5 Comments

Praying for Your Husband Through Ephesians | Guest Post by Kimberly Campbell

I’ve lived in Little Rock over three years, and I’m thankful for the friendships I’ve made. Because of social media I’ve been able to connect with some amazing woman who’ve recently moved into town. I met Kimberly this way. She’s a writer, photographer, wife, and mom of two little guys. She also pours out wisdom, just as it’s been poured into her life. Kimberly recently wrote a prayer guide for women, praying through Ephesians . . . and she’s offering it to you for FREE. Here’s Kimberly’s note and more information about her free ebook, Prayers for the Journey: Ephesians Edition. By the way, be sure to connect with Kimberly over at her website or on Pinterest!

Praying for Your Husband Through Ephesians

We all need mentors in our lives. Some might call them life coaches. Some might call them discipleship partners. Some might just call them friends. But, everyone needs a mentor.
I had such a mentor and friend. She taught me the importance of a daily habit of praying for your husband. And she taught me the powers behind that habit of prayer: the Word and the Spirit.
That is why I wanted to write these prayer journals. Prayers for the Journey is a journal of prayers I’ve prayed for my husband, and by sharing with you these prayers and Scriptures, I can hopefully encourage you to build a habit of praying through the Word for your husband.

Do you #pray for your #husband? Here’s a #free ebook about it! @TriciaGoyer

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Marriages are a journey—one of the most important you’ll take in this life. And our marriages are often one of the most attacked relationships you will have. Prayer is one of the best ways to grow your marriage in the hope of the gospel.
Here’s where these Prayers for the Journey started: The first year of our marriage was a tough one. Job stress, giving up of my dream job, a potential move (which happened the beginning of the second year of our marriage), and a baby. My husband and I sat down and memorized James that year. I read through each chapter of James every day and prayed whatever verse stood out to me on that particular day. I gave those prayers to my husband later as a way of encouraging him. I found great cohesiveness in praying through one particular book. There is much richness in the Scriptures and that came out in spending so much time in one epistle.
That is why I wanted to pray through another book, Ephesians. Prayers for the Journey: Ephesians will take you through a month of prayers for your husband based on the book of Ephesians. Praying God’s Word back to him is powerful, and I pray that you also will see much fruit from it.

Why not use the #Bible as a guide to #pray for your #husband? @TriciaGoyer

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Each day I’ve given you a Scripture passage, a prayer that I’ve prayed for my husband, a space to journal your own prayer, and additional helps such as verses and quotes. This is meant to be a help to serve you in growing in your prayer life for your husband.
What’s next? Prayers for the Journey through Nehemiah. This one is about to be sent to the editor. I’m beginning Colossians now. I also am working on prayer guides for parents.
These books have tremendously helped my prayer life. My husband and I wish for them to be a free resource, so we’ve included them on my website free for the download.
May you be encouraged.
Kimberly
Romans 8:11, 26

Looking for a Christmas present to give to a reader this holiday season? Why not give a copy of By the Light of the Silvery Room?
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November 4, 2013 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Praying for Your Child's Future Spouse

Cory was just a small toddler when I started praying for his future spouse. It wasn’t something I prayed for every day . . . or even every week. But I prayed when God stirred my heart. I prayed when I struggled in my own marriage. I prayed when my marriage grew stronger and full of joy. And I honestly believe my prayers made a difference. Prayer always does.
I adore my daughter-in-law, Katie. She and Cory have been married more than three years and have two beautiful babies. She’s thoughtful, caring, fun, and godly. Most of all she adores my son. (What more can a mother desire?!)

Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes . . . we do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Daniel 9:18 NIV

Want to pray for your child’s future spouse? @TriciaGoyer shares some starting points:

Click To Tweet

What to Pray For

Pray for his/her heart
Pray he/she will be a God lover
Pray for patience
Pray for understanding
Pray for trust
Pray for loyalty and faithfulness
Pray for strength
Pray for protection
Pray for intimacy
Pray for “the list” (God’s list for your child!)
Pray for contentment
Pray for commitment

You can pray for all of these things for your children’s future spouses, and don’t forget to pray the same things for your children, too. I have one child who is married, and I’m continuing to pray all these things for the five other children still unmarried. And since my youngest just turned three years old, I’ll be praying for quite a while!

#Prayer makes a difference. Just ask @TriciaGoyer:

Click To Tweet

What things do you pray for concerning your children’s future spouse?

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
Did this post speak to you? Here are some similar ones you might want to read:

praying

The Power of a Woman’s Words with Sharon Jaynes

Who is Sharon Jaynes?

You can order The Power of a Woman’s Words HERE.

About the Book:

Walk It Out Scripture

Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Sharon Jaynes

Connect with Tricia

Journal Through the Bible in 2020

Download the printable and keep it nearby as a reminder!

More Resources:

Books I have written to help you improve your prayers:

What to Pray For

What things do you pray for concerning your children’s future spouse?

More Resources:

Praying for Your Husband Through Ephesians

What to Pray For

What things do you pray for concerning your children’s future spouse?