Maria Henriksen: Finding Peace to Overcome
As a writer, I faced challenges when I was ready to publish my book. With each stage, I experienced issues that felt monumental. It was almost unbearable. Yet, here I am, a published author of a novel that was inspired by God. How did I get to this point? It took perseverance, tenacity, and faith in God’s promises.
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the LORD your God goes with you;
he will never leave nor forsake you.
~Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
When pursuing my goal seemed too challenging, the Lord faithfully sent me a lifeboat. Most of the time, it was in the form of a random person who didn’t know me. These people at different stages swooped in to save the day. Each time this happened I was reminded of God’s faithfulness. I made a promise to myself that when I encountered the next stumbling-block I would remember God’s promises and how He had already proved He was capable of sending me help.
Prayer is a powerful weapon against interference from the enemy so we can be there for each other in this way. #VineWords #Prayer #Lifeboat Click To TweetEven after making this promise to the Lord, I experienced times that I would doubt I would ever reach my goal. This is when I decided to ask select prayer warriors to lift me up. I reached out to a selected few and expressed my need. Before this, my heart would race and my body would shake whenever I faced obstacles to overcome. However, after asking for these select friends to intercede for me, God gave me an unusual calm. In the midst of the next obstacle, which was a major publishing crisis, I remained calm. I truly believe the power of prayer created this inexplicable peace within me. It was as if the pray-ers were calling in an invisible, yet powerful shield around me. Although I still had obstacles to overcome, the challenges did not have power over my emotions.
Friend, God can do the same for you as He did for me. Trust Him. Consider asking friends to intercede for you, and, in return, do the same for them. Prayer is a powerful weapon against interference from the enemy so we can be there for each other in this way. God says in His Word,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
As believers, we are not granted a life filled with roses and sunshine. We will have challenges to overcome. My prayer is that you and I will be able to handle them with grace and dignity while resting in the assurance that God’s got us covered. The Lord says in His Word He sets the lonely in “families.” That is what my prayer warrior friends have become to me.
God sets the lonely in families.
~Psalm 68:6a NIV
Friend, establish a prayer group. Be committed to pray for each other regularly and to respect each other’s confidences. Intercession is like an umbrella against the torrential downpour we may face. The next time around I’m expecting to see rainbows after the storm settles.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
~Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Who can you partner with to form a team of praying friends?
Father God, thank You that You love us enough to set us into “families” of like-minded pray-ers. Help me to pray for my friends, and they for me, as together, we navigate the storms of life, confident You will bring us through. Thank You for the answers You provide in Your Word. Help us to learn and believe each of Your Bible promises. Amen
Copyright 2019: Finding Peace to Overcome: Author Maria Henriksen: All Rights Reserved
Meet Our Contributor
MARIA HENRIKSEN

Maria T. Henriksen is the author of the novel, Not Again. As a mother of boy/girl teenage twins and a substitute of all ages, Maria is immersed in shaping the lives of young adults for Christ. During the revisions of her novel, Maria experienced tremendous amounts of physical pain and stress. As a result, she included coping mechanisms she learned into her novel. Not Again is a page turner that draws the secular teen reader into the story-line, and then immerses the teen in the transforming power of God found in Jesus Christ by sharing biblical values and Scriptures towards the close of the book.

About Not Again: Christina De Rosa holds a deadly secret–she has been the victim of sexual assault. She searches for ways to function as a “normal” teenager, but she is riddled with guilt, shame, and subsequent nightmares. A chance encounter with her longtime crush, Avery Evans, sparks a fire she cannot extinguish. He offers the security Christina craves. In her quest for internal peace, she must make decisions: Will she be able to overcome the assault? What are safe, moral boundaries she must set with Avery Evans? Find out if true love triumphs in this edgy, faith-based, young adult page-tuner, set in the 1980s. Not Again is not your typical Christian coming of age story. Fierce faith does not come without a fight. Prepare for heartache, self-harm, traumatic events, real romance, as well as Scripture within its pages.
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Maria, I really needed to hear your inspirational words tonight ! God brought me to you! Keep writing and you’ll find yourself with many more prayer warriors in your time of need when the going gets tough! Thank you for your timely message. God is Great!
Very nice! God is amazing!
Anne, God is forever faithful and I am truly blessed He put people in my life to help me through the tough times.
Thank you, Maria, for your words of wisdom! I remember praying greatly when I had teenagers and I’m still praying greatly now that they’re adults!
Thank you, Maria! Words of wisdom as there is great power in prayer!
Thank you Maria, for the encouraging words.
Glenda, You are quite welcome. The wisdom comes from above and I feel it’s my responsibility to share it.
Praise the Lord for your encouraging words! There is power in prayer and your testimony makes in tangible in many ways. Keep writing, keep inspiring. God is good!
Teresa, Coming from you that is a huge compliment! Yes, God is good! 🙌
Can’t wait to read your book I just received! Itsounds very interesting and a book I am going to enjoy! God bless you and be well!
Pat, I truly hope you enjoy reading Not Again. It was a labor of love to write it. 💜
I remember the journey well. You’re doing great! I love your obedience to God.
Lori, You are are one of the prayer warriors mentioned in my devotion. Thank you, my friend! 💜
This is an awesome interview by an author with a grace-filled heart.
Great job, Maria. Your words are well-timed and offer hope. God bless you for it! ❤️
Julie, I appreciate your encouraging words! 🙌