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 Tweet

Even 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.

In Jesus’s Name, Amen

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2019: Finding Peace to Overcome: Author Maria Henriksen: All Rights Reserved 

Meet Our Contributor

MARIA T. HENRIKSEN

Maria T. Henriksen is the author of Not Again (Maria T. Henriksen Publishing), a young adult Christian romance novel. She is working on the sequel entitled, Not Again: The Fallout (Maria T. Henriksen Publishing), to be published in 2021.

She is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More and a contributing author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).

Maria hosts a ministry through her blog, Maria’s Ministry. She manages a Facebook group, Maria’s Muses: Inspirational, Christian, & Close-to-the-Heart Readers, which consists of Christian writers, readers, and contributors.

Maria graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. She has experience in graphic arts, finance, banking, health, fitness, and beauty, and substitute teaching.

As a wife for over two decades, Maria considers herself blessed. She and her husband are the proud parents of twin boy/girl teenagers. In her spare time, she runs, writes poems and songs, creates graphics, enjoys family activities, and reads. Maria’s greatest desire is for lives to be transformed through her inspirational writings.

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BOOK LINKS: 

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