As you read this, I’m in Pennsylvania preparing for a parenting conference (How’s that for alliteration?). Friday night, I’ll teach about writing the truth for the church’s local writer group. Then Saturday I speak about this crazy culture and how to prepare our kids for it. My keynote will be about conversational parenting. I’d really, [...]

Jesus, I pray for my friend who is reading this prayer, that You would encourage him/her today in a very specific them-shaped way. Please show up. Please make Yourself truly evident. Speak words of encouragement and power over each fear, each worry, each conundrum, each halted area of faith. May 2012 be the year my [...]

At the Hillsong concert last week (that’s hubby and me there in the pic), we raised our hands in surrender as we worshipped over two hours straight. My shoulders and arms grew tired from all that giving up. But as I look back on it, I wonder what it all really meant. Did I mean [...]

I’m just so thankful for prayer. As an insomniac, I am often awake at night. Sometimes I’ve let that frustration lead to despair, but now I’m learning to use that time to unleash all my concerns and intercede for my hurting friends. What about you? What keeps you up at night? What prevents you from [...]

This is part of my “Mind if I pray for you” series. My question this week is, “What holds you back from joy?” In other words, what prevents you from living the abundant life Jesus promised? I know for me, it’s been lingering too long on the past. Of course it’s good to seek healing [...]

In my ongoing series about prayer, this week I’d like you to consider your dreams and hopes for today and the future. What has God breathed within you? How have you obeyed His call to walk in that dream? What obstacles have you experienced? Which ones have you overcome? What looms in front of you? [...]

As a part of my “Mind if I pray for You” endeavor, I’d like to pray for you today about your biggest burden. What presses in so hard you can’t seem to see your way around it? What captures your thoughts? What niggles at you? Please share your request (of course you can do it [...]

I mentioned earlier this week that I’ve started a new part of this site called Mind if I pray for you. I’m really excited about that, and so thankful for the privilege to pray for you. But before I open it up to your sweet prayer requests, do you mind if I share a few [...]

Recently a reader of this blog, Ann, wrote this to me: Mary, would you please consider having a section on your site available for your prayers? There are a lot of believing women who are years older than you who read your writings who struggle with many age-related challenges. To name a few: health, financial, [...]