Iron Rose Sister Ministries

This evening, the Downtown Church of Christ will begin the Women’s Retreat inspired by The Story (edited by Randy Frazee), that the church is reading this year. The theme for the retreat is “This is My Story.” Women will have the opportunity to share their stories and highlight God’s place in their story.

The Story Sharers were invited to provide a list of things that meant a lot to them in that stage of their story, and specific ways that women can help and support one another during difficult times.

Want to guess what one of the top suggestions was? Yes, indeed. Prayer. And notes of encouragement that simply stated you are praying.

Many have boxes of treasured cards and notes that have verses of encouragement written out or a short statement in prayer—a reminder that we are not alone in the difficult times and that we are going to the Father on that person’s behalf.

I have no doubt that you know someone who is facing a challenging time in her story: grief, pain, illness, stress, or just a bad day… So, take a moment to pray—to truly pray for that person—and then sent them a note, card, Facebook message, or text letting them know that they have been lifted up in prayer. The cost of a piece of paper and a stamp is minimal compared to the positive impact and reminder of hope that it can impart in someone’s life.

May prayer become a highlight in your story today.

One of the things we are passionate about as a ministry is small groups.
The books I write are designed to be studied in small groups.
After every class in the seminars, we provide handouts with guided discussion questions to be answered in the context of small groups. It brings the lessons to a much more personal and practical level, rather than just the theoretical with examples I have shared during the teaching.
By opening up in the setting of small groups, we learn from each other’s perspectives and grow in our relationships with God and one another.
Another of the other vital aspects of small groups is prayer.
By praying together, we help carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), spur one another on (Heb. 10:24), rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15).
Prayer forges bonds that Satan cannot break.

One of the things we are passionate about as a ministry is small groups.

The books I write are designed to be studied in small groups.

After every class in the seminars, we provide handouts with guided discussion questions to be answered in the context of small groups. It brings the lessons to a much more personal and practical level, rather than just the theoretical with examples I have shared during the teaching.

By opening up in the setting of small groups, we learn from each other’s perspectives and grow in our relationships with God and one another.

Another of the other vital aspects of small groups is prayer.

By praying together, we help carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), spur one another on (Heb. 10:24), rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15).

Prayer forges bonds that Satan cannot break.

Prayer points us to the Father and puts us in step with the Spirit, as we follow the example of Christ.

Phone a friend and pray together today. Set up a time to grab coffee with some friends—beyond just a time of catching up—be intentional about lifting each other up in prayer while you are together.

And I want to personally invite you to participate in a small group study in which you spend time praying together, studying the Word together, and deepening your relationships with God and one another. We have two interactive Bible studies available for purchase through our website (Human AND Holy and In God´s Right Hand: Whom Shall I Fear?—both books are available in English and Spanish).

Prayer in the life of Katie Forbess

Meet Katie Forbess, President of the Iron Rose Sister Ministries Board of Directors!

Katie, tell us a little about yourself and your family.
My husband Jeff of 17 years and I were brought together by our passion for missions, specifically in Latin America, that has increased over the years. After spending several years on the mission field in Bolivia, we returned to the states and have been actively involved in local missions in Little Rock, Arkansas. We have 3 beautiful children and are actively cultivating a passion for the Lord in each of them. Prayer has always been a vital part of our marriage and our relationships with our children.

How has your prayer life changed over the years?
Prayer is something that I used to work at all the time. I fought with myself and was frustrated many times by the “state of my prayer life.” The birth of my first child transformed my prayer life completely. I was full of so many emotions, including thankfulness and awe, and at the same time in need of wisdom and guidance that I was praying without thinking about it. I was communicating with and relying on God in a way that I had never done before.
Returning to the states was an additional time of growth for my prayer life. It was during this time of change and searching for my new normal that Michelle wrote her article for the Wineskins magazine and, soon after, outlined her vision and calling to start IRSM. It was an organic and automatic response for me to call her and say, “I am in!” And what a journey of prayer it has been!

How has Iron Rose Sister Ministries influenced or affected your prayer life?
The ways in which I have been privileged to apply the many facets of prayer to IRSM has been a marvelous blessing: Praying prayers of thanksgiving. Praying for so many women I have never met. Praying for wisdom. Praying for health and safety, of Michelle in particular. God has answered the prayers as He does in scripture with yes, no, maybe, maybe yes, maybe no, absolutely, and wait. All of which have requited different but equally important levels of patience.
I have been blessed beyond measure working with IRSM. I can say without reservation that being an Iron Rose Sister and particularly how that works itself out in daily contact with Michelle has made me even more of a woman of prayer.

Thank you, Katie. And what has prayer meant for you in your relationship with God?
Prayer is the medium by which I communicate to God and yet somehow so much more. It’s the way to take a pulse of my spiritual life. If I am not communicating with God, then I have to evaluate the other activities of my life. Prayer is cement that holds my relationship with God together.

How has prayer affected your relationship with your family or with others?
Prayer is one of the most valuable gifts that we give each other. In my family, prayer has mended broken hearts and spoke in holy places and done what human conversation found impossible to do. With my friends, prayer has allowed me to help when I literally could not do anything and did not have any other words for the situation.

As Iron Rose Sisters, we want to encourage and equip each other to connect to God and one another more deeply. Any other words of encouragement or equipping for our Iron Rose Sisters as it relates to prayer, maybe a specific Bible verse that has been an encouragement to you for your own prayer life?
Take the step and offer to pray with someone as soon as they ask for the prayer. Even if it is someone you have just met or someone who doesn’t understand prayer very well. Step aside and pray with them. Remember that prayer isn’t a laundry list, it is a conversation between you, the other person and your Heavenly Father: someone who knows them and loves them infinitely more than you.

I have often heard you share a famous quote about prayer. Can you share it with our readers in closing?
Sure! I’m not sure who said it, I think maybe Richard Foster. “The hardest thing about prayer is the moment between deciding to pray and praying.”

Thank you for sharing, Katie. I have personally been truly blessed by our prayer time together and by the example of your prayer life as a prayer warrior! We appreciate your insights on prayer and for the role you play in Iron Rose Sister Ministries on our board. Thanks again for your time and for sharing your story! And we invite you, our readers, to respond to Katie and chat with her through this blog.

 #IronRoseSister, #prayer, #mystory

In my early years of prayer journaling, I began with the practice of listening, and then writing. The further I have gone from that practice, the more self-centered and frustrated my prayers have become.
When I was in high school, one of the youth workers introduced me to My Partner Prayer Notebook, by Becky Tirabassi . I clung to that teaching like a lifeline of communication with the Father.
According to Tirabassi, LMNOP represented God’s Part:
Listening
Messages (notes from sermons, other books, etc.)
New Testament
Old Testament
Proverbs

Paul describes the Armor of God in Ephesians 6. A visual application for children and adults alike, we “put on the full armor of God to take [our] stand against the devil’s schemes.” Life is a battlefield and we are in a spiritual battle.

Four times in the span of the same number of verses (Eph. 6:11-14), we are encouraged to stand. We are then provided the tools with which to build our spiritual armor and stand against all of what Satan throws our way.

Verse 18 may not be considered an official part of the armor, but I suggest that if we are going to prepare to stand, we must first kneel.

“And pray in the Spiriton all occasionswith all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on prayingfor all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

How many times do we see a reference to prayer or a command to pray in that one verse immediately following the description of the Armor of God?

How effective is the Armor of God without prayer?

Prayer is the glue that holds the armor together and that holds us together when we are in the throes of battle.

What are you battling today? Have you lifted it in prayer to God?

Let’s get ready for battle and start our day with prayer.

Paul describes the Armor of God in Ephesians 6. A visual application for children and adults alike, we “put on the full armor of God to take [our] stand against the devil’s schemes.” Life is a battlefield and we are in a spiritual battle.

Four times in the span of the same number of verses (Eph. 6:11-14), we are encouraged to stand. We are then provided the tools with which to build our spiritual armor and stand against all of what Satan throws our way.

Verse 18 may not be considered an official part of the armor, but I suggest that if we are going to prepare to stand, we must first kneel.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

How many times do we see a reference to prayer or a command to pray in that one verse immediately following the description of the Armor of God?

How effective is the Armor of God without prayer?

Prayer is the glue that holds the armor together and that holds us together when we are in the throes of battle.

What are you battling today? Have you lifted it in prayer to God?

Let’s get ready for battle and start our day with prayer.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, refers to the spiritual battle we each face. As his final admonition, he encourages the Ephesians to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11).

Paul was familiar with the challenges and struggles of spiritual battle. Whether being stoned, beaten, or snuck out of town to avoid another flogging, Paul’s faith was tested often. Even by writing the Ephesian letter from prison, we affirm that Paul was no stranger to spiritual battle.

At times, we hear Paul reflect on the weariness and weaknesses he felt in spiritual battle... Know what helped him get through? What a key source of his strength was? The prayers of others.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Eph. 6:18-20)

At the end of the description of the spiritual armor (Eph. 6:11-17), Paul reminds his readers of the importance of prayer—the glue that holds the armor together in the midst of the battle.

Jesus affirmed this truth as well. Throughout His time on earth, we see Him place a priority on the time in communion with His Father. He would even spend all night in prayer (Luke 6:12). Jesus was keenly aware of the struggle that came with every spiritual battle. On the cusp of one of the biggest spiritual battles He faced, not only did He spend the night in prayer, but He also asked his inner circle to keep watch with Him and pray (Matt. 26:36-38).

No matter what we face, like Paul and like Jesus, we are strengthened in the spiritual battle when accompanied in prayer. It is an important part we play in the spiritual battles of others.

Thank you for being a prayer warrior with us! Please know that we join with you in prayer as well.

Written by Corina Díaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Argentina

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt. 6:6)

Throughout my Christian life, I have experienced different stages in my connection with Jesus, determined by the way in which I have practiced prayer.

During the first years, I learned to repeat prayers and the structure in which one should pray (call on Him – thanks – requests – blessing/praise). This gave me the foundation to practice what, years later, I came to know as Lectio Divina or contemplative prayer/reading—a deep search for silence. For me, silence is the perfect opportunity to listen to the Father and speak to Jesus from the depth of my heart.

First step, Lectio (reading): understand the Word (its literal meaning), responding to the question, what does the text say? It is important to contextualize through the following approaches: literary (word analysis), historical (sociocultural, economic, political, and religious situation), and theological (what God says).

Second step, Meditatio (meditation): receive the Word, what does the text say? We enter into an intimate dialogue with God through a series of questions that question our reality, and that help us to discover a message for life.

Third step, Oratio (prayer): respond to the Word, what does the text lead me to say to God? We respond in prayer, moved by the Holy Spirit.

And the fourth step, Contemplatio (contemplation/action): inspire life in the Word, to what conversion and action is the Lord inviting us? We receive what is discovered through dialogue with God, and the good news is that He sends us to find it with others.

In this final step is where we truly come together in prayer, when we are bathed in silence, and we have heard the voice of the Father to inspire our daily lives.

¡Be still in the presence of the Lord! (Ps. 37:7)

I invite you to practice this exercise through a passage of the Bible, maybe the same text in which Jesus teaches His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:5-15.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Phil. 1:3-5)

Prayer is vital. At the end of the description of the armor of God in Ephesians 6, Paul speaks of the importance of prayer - a glue, of sorts, that holds the armor together in spiritual battle. He asks the Ephesians to join with him in prayer that he may proclaim the gospel fearlessly.

Prayer is relationship. Paul prays for others with joy because of the partnership they have in the gospel. Prayerful communication with God is a deepening of that relationship as well.

Prayer is powerful. James reminds us that the prayer offered in faith can make a sick person well or can bring rain upon the earth. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

In anticipation of our 24-hour Prayer-a-thon next Tuesday, I invite you to continue to be part of the Family of Prayer Warriors for Iron Rose Sister Ministries. We are a family and we cannot do this alone. Thank you and blessings on your weekend.

In light of the shooting in Orlando yesterday, I want to provide, through this blog, the opportunity to offer up a moment of silence and prayer for the families of those who lost their lives, for the injured, the rescue workers, and others who have stepped in to assist after this tragic event.

Psalm 61:1, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.”

Written by Iron Rose Sister Ministries team and Board Members


As President of the Board and self-appointed, glorified cheerleader for IRSM, my prayer request is for unity and wisdom as the team and board work together to God’s glory.
~ Katie Forbess, President of the Board

Thankful for all of the resources provided by God, I pray that we will calm our hearts enough to allow us to step back and look at the many needs in the ministry, the wisdom to discern and set priorities, and the will and strength that trusts in God’s power and strength to do everything possible to tend to them. In Jesus' name,
~ Fernando Butch Sandoval, Board Member

My prayer is that IRSM will be integral to more churches in equipping and encouraging their women members.
~ Mark Vaughn, Board Member

I pray for all our Iron Rose Sisters to find peace amidst the chaos, and to seek the glory of God. May we store up our treasures in heaven.
~ Wendy Neill, Advancement Coordinator

I pray that IRSM continues to be strengthened as a community and that these resources may bless and connect people.
~ Alex Marins, English/Portuguese Translator/Editor

Thank you, Lord, for what you do through this ministry. Continue using it to equip women and show them how much You love and care for them.
~ Débora Rodrigo, English/Spanish Translator/Editor

I pray for direction for the Ministério Irmã Rosa de Ferro so that it will glorify God in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries in 2024.
~ Laurie Diles, Board Member

My prayer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in 2024 is for God to continue to be glorified in all it does, for women to continue to be equipped, encouraged, and empowered through its resources, and for relationships to continue to deepen in Christ.
~ Amanda Nitsch, Director of Operations

My prayer is that God may direct us to the women who hunger and thirst for the gospel—that we can provide them with Bible teaching and study materials to help them in their walk and share with others around them.
~ Judy Larsen, Office Assistant

May God open the doors so that we can present the ministry in person in more places in Brazil, organizing and participating in events.
~ Beliza Kočev, Brazil Coordinator

My prayer is that God will continue to bless the areas where IRSM is already having an impact and open up new places in the world for IRSM to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
~ Juana Hall, Financial Assistant

I pray that all that we share in social media may, in one way or another, impact the women who follow us. May we encourage them to draw closer to God and each other with the help of the ministry.
~ Francia Oviedo, Creative Assistant

May God continue to use us to equip, encourage, and empower women in their walks with God and each other, especially through the new book that will be released this fall and the new video resources rolling out in Spanish and Portuguese.
~ Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director

We request that you pray with us for those who need the connection and encouragement to find their way to our ministry and that our ministry will bring them closer to the Lord. Similarly, please pray for all of us Iron Rose Sisters, that we will be welcoming and genuine representatives of Jesus when others cross our paths.
~ Hannah Hackworth, Virtual Assistant

May God allow the team and board members to work together to fulfill God’s calling for Iron Rose Sister Ministries by remaining committed to Christ individually, and that all our efforts during the year will encourage, equip, and empower women across the Americas to seek God’s kingdom and remain committed to Christ!
~ Brenda Brizendine, Assistant Director

I pray that all the women who have been blessed by IRSM will use the teaching and resources they have received and share them with others this year. In this way, those who have been blessed may become a blessing to many others.
~ Bill Richardson, Board Member

I pray that 2024 will be a year of banner growth for IRSM! I pray for good health and wellbeing for Michelle and the entire IRSM team and board. Most importantly, I pray that each and every woman who connects with IRSM grows exponentially in their faith or comes to know Jesus through this beautiful ministry.
~ Kat Bittner, Board Member

My prayer is that God will use each of our gifts and talents for this ministry to build and support women's efforts to fully commit to Christ in 2024 through blogs, books, workshops, prayer, and fellowship.
~ Brenda Davis, English Editor

“Thanks for listening to me. I feel better even for just having talked about it.” This expression of thanks came from a sister with whom I had a lengthy, tearful conversation. She had shared some things that were weighing on her—things affecting her family.

When we verbalize what we are going through, to God and to others, we alleviate the weight, we minimize the pain, and we lower the level of intensity. Also, when we share the burden of what we are carrying, we remember that we are not alone (Gal. 6:1-2).

When we bottle it all up, we can suffer from what I call “pressure cooker syndrome.” If we keep it all inside, the moment will come when we cannot handle it anymore and we will explode, thus creating a huge mess that we are cleaning up for weeks—all over the kitchen and all throughout our lives.

On the other hand, when we talk about it, in prayer, we release some of the pressure. We remember that we are never alone, and that God always listens. Therefore, prayer is one of the most powerful ways to alleviate stress, express frustration, rejoice, and find peace.

Prayer is one of the opportunities to deepen our intimacy with God. The constant contact and communication with our Creator, Father, and Great Physician are vital for our wellbeing. And when we give everything over to the Great I AM, we keep our eyes fixed on the Whole... not just our part.

In addition, prayer is an opportunity to deepen our relationships with one another. When we pray together, we join as one voice in thankfulness, petition, and intercession. My Iron Rose Sisters encourage me through their prayers for me and for others.

We pray about the ways in which we want to grow or bloom. We pray that God will eliminate the thorns we recognize and that He will reveal the ones we don’t yet see. We give thanks to God for the opportunity to deepen our friendship as iron sharpening iron.

We share burdens in prayer and when we join in prayer, we strengthen the bonds between the different parts of the Whole.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Whole by joining with us in prayer during our Prayer Month!

Written by Johanna Zabala, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

It is comforting to live according to what is set out in this passage, since the joy of the Lord is our strength through today's trials.

I believe that constant prayer goes deep within us, living out the desire to be in communication with, and linked to, the Power of God at all times. Then that communication and intimacy with God through prayer becomes a full part of us that truly unites us with Him.

Knowing how to be thankful for everything, whether good or bad, teaches, serves, and helps us to grow in faith, remembering what Romans 8:28 says.  ^“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

When we see both the will of God and ours, we know they must be intertwined with the Holy Spirit because the Heavenly Father wants to give us the best; and what is best for us is edification, as 1 Corinthians 10:23 says. Living in the will of God builds the character of Christ in each one of us, and that is why it should be a priority to seek His perfect will through absolute communication with the Maker of Life.

I faithfully believe that prayer will bring perfect and essential intimacy with the Heavenly Father, that communication with others will be achieved, and that we will radiate Christ through our faith and dedication as indicated in Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Knowing and loving the Lord, and as a follower of Christ, His teachings on prayer are of great inspiration to me. In Luke 22:42 NLT, the Lord Himself says, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” We see here that although on many occasions our will is different than the will of God, we must seek the Lord’s will every day. In times of tribulation, His will is perfect and we will only understand it and make it a reality when we are in constant communication with Him.

Everything Jesus did to save us certainly was not easy for Him; but His immense love, obedience, and faith led Him to fulfill the will of the Father and not His own as a human.

Another great prayer inspiration for me is Hannah, Samuel's mother, as described in 1 Samuel chapter 1, verses 1-28. Hannah, full of faith in her heart, was constant and very specific in her prayers. She ultimately received her desired answer—having a child—despite her advanced age and sterility, then offered him to the service of God in gratitude for the favor granted.

On this earth, through the Holy Spirit that unites us, many brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus teach us to be unwavering servants of faith through prayers to God.

Today, I remember, with great admiration and respect, Sister Carmen Franco, a reverent, faithful, and fervent woman of prayer. Sister Carmen grew up in a Christian home, describing her life as one full of great battles. Even so, she obtained material blessings, but more importantly, spiritual blessings.

One day in 2017, as she was praying about her need to meet with the Lord's church but not knowing where to go, some members of the Church of Christ La Mesa de Los Indios, in Mérida, Venezuela, knocked on her door and invited her to their worship service. She accepted their invitation. When she attended, she arrived with a heart full of gratitude because her prayers had been answered.

Beloved Sister Carmen never stopped meeting with the congregation. Even during the pandemic, she continued to attend. She would say, “God with us, nothing against us.” She was vigilant, following Covid guidelines when attending all gatherings. Her valuable example is inspirational because she was praying each time we visited her. She taught us to strengthen, as a Christian family, the need for prayer as a means of daily communication with the Lord, through every circumstance.She always prayed for everything and everyone. Without a doubt, Sister Carmen Franco inspired us with her commitment to prayer.

Although her living conditions were sparce, she was constantly grateful and shared what the Lord gave her. Hers was a house of prayer; she lifted everything to the Father.

Sister Carmen went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2021, praying and praising the King of Kings, who answered her prayers for a peaceful end.

Dear sisters, let us be women of prayer with hearts full of faith. Will we be willing to pray without ceasing?

Written by Michelle J. Goff, Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

February is Iron Rose Sister Ministries’ Prayer Month. We invite you to pray with us daily, following our prayer prompts and reading the Bible verses. The Prayer Calendar and instructions are available for download. Each year, we also join as one voice for a 24-hour Prayer-a-thon on the 24th.

This year, an additional facet of what we are celebrating during the first week of our Prayer Month are the prayers of single and single-again women.

Taken from One Single Reason: Conversations with Single Women, page 193:

“Anna, a widow in the temple after only seven years of marriage, chose to live a life of gratefulness and service to God. Her words of thanksgiving were expressed as worshipful praise, fasting and praying. God honored Anna with the blessing of meeting the Christ child before the end of her life (Luke 2:37-38). Imagine her words of thanksgiving!

Songs and psalms of praise can be helpful when we don’t have the words to express thanksgiving in the moment. Many of the psalms start with a frustration or a lament, but then end in words of praise. When we take things to God, no matter how we are feeling or what we are thinking, He is able to put things in perspective. In the same way the persistent widow sought justice before the judge in Luke 18, we know that when we go to God in prayer, we are presenting our requests to the one who has the power to do something about it. God is not afraid of our emotions, our frustrations, even our anger. He gave us those feelings and can guide us to know what to do with them.”

Miriam, another single woman in the Bible, expressed her feelings through prayerful, worshipful song, and led other women in that spirit of celebration, after crossing the Red Sea.

Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.” (Ex. 15:20-21)

Hagar, who later became a single mom (Gen. 21), lifted a cry of prayer to God before the birth of her son, Ishmael.

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Gen. 16:13)

Who are some of the other single women of the Bible whose prayers we hear in Scripture?

Prayer in and of itself is an act of obedience and submission. We are commanded to pray continually (1 Thes. 5:16). Jesus taught us how to pray (Matt. 6:5-15; John 17). His examples of public and private prayer, personal prayers and prayers on behalf of others, heartfelt prayers as a cry for relief, and simple prayers of thanks demonstrate that there is no one way to “pray continually.” It is better described as a life of prayer or a constant communication with God.

This month, we are grateful for those who have joined us in prayer on behalf of Iron Rose Sister Ministries. As you pray for us, I ask that you also pray for me personally and the ministry as a whole to be obedient to God’s calling and vision for us.

Late last year, I was given the word “obedience” by the Spirit. I believe it was in preparation for the current project of the book, Single and Lovin’ It, Mostly. As I have continued to work obediently and prepare diligently for this task, the temptation to quit has been strong.

Trust and obey. For there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

The chorus of that hymn echoes in my mind as one part of me wants to shy away into a shell of self-protection. Another part of me wants to shout from the mountaintops of all God has done in the lives of many awesome single women.

Yet as I am tasked with imparting God’s wisdom and sharing it from the perspective of single women, I am humbled and recognize that I can, in no way, speak for others and tell their stories. I cannot speak on behalf of all single women to give practical advice for how to address some of the challenges faced by single and single-again women in our church.

God has not asked me to speak on His behalf nor to speak for all single women. He has asked me to be obedient and to be His instrument.

I am grateful to not only be able to speak from my own experience, but also from the experiences of others with whom I have walked. I am even more grateful that God sits at the head of the table where we all sit to have this conversation.

As we draw our focused month of prayer to a close, and as we pray together for the project of the current book, I encourage you to pull up a seat at the table. Join in the conversation and pray with all of us that God will help all of us to be obedient.

Thanks for being obedient prayer warriors with us!

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

What is prayer? Lifting up words to God? Communion with God?

Is there a difference between praying and saying prayers?

We train our children to pray, which may start as saying prayers, but can transform into a prayer-filled relationship that fulfills the verse that admonishes us to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is as much a lifestyle as an act.

So, should you “fake it till you make it?” What do you do when you don’t know what to pray?

Actor Cary Grant said, “If you don’t have faith, pray anyway. If you don’t understand or believe the words you’re praying, pray anyway. Prayer can start faith, particularly if you pray aloud. And even the most imperfect prayer is an attempt to reach God.” Do you agree? I do!

And one of the ways to pray words that lead you to a deeper faith is to pray using Scripture. Yes, the Spirit interprets the groans we cannot express (Romans 8:28), but we also have the prayers of others that can express what we are unsure how to say.

Here are a few examples from the Psalms:

Troubled? Psalm 4:8

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, Lord,

    make me dwell in safety.

Grateful to God? Psalm 100

Alone? Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

Repentant? Psalm 51

Impatient?Psalm 27:4

Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.

Written by Kat Bittner, member of Iron Rose Sister Ministries Board of Directors in Colorado Springs, CO

If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s that life here on earth is increasingly unpredictable. Political unrest, social chaos, and a global pandemic left many of us questioning, “What next?” Some in the faith may have even wondered when God would just end it all and call us home. Amid all the ambiguity and anxiety, how do we settle our hearts into a state of rest? How do we find peace?

Peace amidst all the trouble can only be found in real relationship with God. A real relationship with God entails regular communication with Him. It depends on regular prayer. And if there was ever a time for developing or improving our prayer with God, 2020 was the catalyst for doing just that. Prayer has always been our intercessory means to God. It’s like fuel to an engine or water for the body. It is a crucial part of our life. And prayer is paramount to relationship with God.

Personally, 2020 redefined prayer as an immediate and more deliberate intercourse with God. It became a daily interchange with God rather than the occasional speaking to God. My prayers now involve a reading of Scripture followed by moments of silent reflection so that I might listen to what God has to say to me, too. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jer. 33:3, NKJV).

Prayer has become a genuine dialogue in that respect rather than a one-sided discourse. I call on God and He listens. “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jer. 29:12, NKJV). He calls me to Him and I listen. “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart" (Prov. 4:20-21, NKJV). Through prayer, God and I come together mutually. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8, NKJV). As a result of this reciprocity in our relationship with God, His peace envelopes us. And when we accept the peace He offers us, we can assuage the anxiety of this world. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

Prayer is key. It is key to relationship with God. It is key to accepting the peace offered in Jesus Christ. And prayer is key to the unpredictability of our life here on earth. We need only to be mindful of it. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17, NKJV). Will you be mindful of prayer? Will you, too, be redefined by it?

MICHELLE: Katie, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions about prayer. I know you are a prayer warrior, but I also know that prayer has not always looked the same in your life. Can you describe how it has been redefined for you over time?

KATIE: Where do I start? I have so many things that I want to share about prayer! I have so many notes and thoughts and examples, literally a lifetime of being redefined. I want to share a message of hope and encouragement. But I feel like if I don’t watch out you are going to get my life story through prayer.

My life - literally before I was born - was a prayer.

Me, my marriage, my family, my friendships, my works, Iron Rose Sister Ministries (IRSM) in particular…

The ministry would not be here if it were not for prayer. Prayer can be the alpha and omega of our lives, our days, our decisions and our relationships.

What a beautiful way to connect us with others and with our Father—the mission of IRSM—through prayer!

My prayers have redefined me in many, many ways.

Prayer has changed from a laundry list of requests to an open conversation.

Prayer can look different to many people but as a child of the 90’s in a small-town USA in a church of Christ it looked and sounded just about the same to me. It could be predicted almost as easily as the three songs and a prayer. I know now that there were prayer warriors in the room, one of which, who I never heard pray out loud while I was a child, may easily have been my own mother. She may not have formally prayed with me, but her willingness to listen and teach me to share played a part in my own prayer life.

As a child my nightly prayer was, “As I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep and if I die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Mommy, Daddy, Sissy, Gigi, Grandma, Grandpa etc. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

My prayers as a child
My prayers in college
My prayers as a young mother
My prayers as a missionary
My prayers as a mother of young children - lots of anger
My prayers as a wife
My prayers as IRSM Board President

For a long time, I found my identity in being a missionary and therefore when that was missing I was scared and angry. I knew my identity was found in Christ, not in anything else… but I didn’t believe it or put it into practice until I was refined through prayer.

Prayer was where I found that identity, when my prayers were authentic and real—that lead to prayers with others that were the same way.

MICHELLE: Is there a facet of prayer that you feel has been especially transformative or redefining?

KATIE: One of the biggest examples for me which also has refined other most important relationships in my life is forgiveness. Unforgiveness in my life created a fear that was manifested as a warning sign of anger. My marriage and family were suffering and I found relief through forgiveness that comes through prayer. Not just prayer and not just forgiveness from God but open conversational, untraditional prayers with prayer warriors of different ages and strengths.

Right now, I am going to focus on the prayer of forgiveness and how it has removed the sin of anger in my life. It was a process of refinement that used the fire of forgiveness to remove the impurities of anger and unforgiveness that redefined the way I pray.

I cannot underestimate what prayer has done in my life. Like so many things in our relationship with God, it’s simple but not easy.

The simplest and most important message for this blog is that through prayer, real conversation with Eloah selikhot, God of forgiveness (Neh. 9:17), we can find forgiveness and transformation. Nehemiah chapter 9 is actually a beautiful example of prayer. My prayers have become conversations and meetings, and laughter, and tears.

MICHELLE: What a beautiful thought, to talk with the God of forgiveness! Is there anything else you have learned from Him?

KATIE: I am close to God when I recognize His presence and I believe “Pray without ceasing” is the fact that God is always with us and we need to recognize that.

I can look at passages of Jesus’ interactions and hear prayers of longing, cries for help and fulfilled promises. He shows so many examples of prayer—even His conversations with the disciples and restoration of sinners are prayers. When He lists the Beatitudes, He is saying these people are the blessed and blessing the faithful at the same time.

MICHELLE: What other blessings have you seen through prayer?

KATIE: Encouraging others to pray has been a great blessing for me. How? By praying in the moment. In a time of COVID one of the weirdest things has been the hesitation to hold hands during a prayer. Connecting to others physically during a prayer.

I would say that praying with you, Michelle, over the last 7 years has been 90% over the phone. But we have had a those very special moments, usually around your kitchen table where we were able to hold hands, many times with others, and pray it up!

We have prayed for peace, strength, births, deaths, thanksgivings, and forgiveness.

Many times, the prayer leads to action.

Being redefined changes the definition. God can literally change the definition of something that I am going through or change me.

Like the transformation of the cross… or the transformation of a butterfly… or the transformation through prayer.

MICHELLE: It sounds like God has redefined prayer itself for you. Would you agree?

KATIE: I have never been a very traditional prayer. My husband has questioned my banter with God. But those who know me well know that I can get lost in a conversation with my Father just as I can get lost in a conversation with others.

Writing this blog has produced pages of notes and reflections and conversations with a couple of my greatest prayer partners. They both agreed that my prayers are like conversation and jokingly that I can get lost in a prayer as I get lost in a conversation. They know that I think a missed opportunity for prayer is like the greatest conversation I never had. They have witnessed the interweaving of how our open and honest relationships combined with open and honest prayers have led to great things.

Iron Rose Sister Ministries is a beautiful example of the power of prayer in my life and in the refining of myself and Michelle especially. I will wait to talk more about that in a future blog.

As far as the takeaways from this moment… Pray. Lay your heart before God and especially when it comes to forgiveness for yourself or others don’t wait. I pray it will be a great conversation!

One final thought: Don’t let prayer be the greatest conversation you never had.