440 Praying Through Psalm 46: Cease Striving

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!What happens when the "most wonderful time of the year" feels overwhelming due to grief, family hurt, or a devastating diagnosis? How do you find peace when your natural instinct is to fight harder against the quicksand of life? In this devotional on Psalm 46, we explore the profound invitation to "cease striving" and "be still and know that I am God." We look beyond the surface of this famous passage to encounter the "Lord of Hosts"—the Commander of Angel Armies—and learn why our desperate attempts to save ourselves often make it harder for Him to rescue us. Through the lens of a lifeguard saving a drowning swimmer, we discover that true safety is found not in struggling, but in spiritual surrender. Join host Jaime Hampton for this encouraging scripture meditation on the Praying Christian Women podcast. Whether you are battling holiday anxiety, financial hardship, or just the noise of a busy season, discover how to turn away from fear and embrace the God who is your refuge and strength. Come ready to surrender your plans and rest in the presence of the One who makes wars to cease. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!   Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!Is your empathy making you a target for manipulation? In this vital episode of the Praying Christian Women podcast, Alana and Jaime tackle the unsettling but necessary topic of spiritual scams. While most people know how to spot financial fraud, the hosts explore a more subtle danger in the church: the theft of your time, emotional capacity, and prayer energy by those seeking attention rather than genuine help. Jaime opens up about a personal encounter with a crisis manufacturer—someone who fabricated emergencies to monopolize her time—while Alana helps listeners distinguish between a needy "emotional vampire" and a calculated "emotional scammer." Together, they define spiritual stewardship, challenging listeners to treat their intercession like a precious resource that requires wise "triage" rather than an unlimited supply for every demand. They also provide practical biblical wisdom on spotting red flags, from fabricated testimonies to those who demand to be the center of your spiritual focus. Finally, the hosts address the guilt and shame that often plague empathetic Christians who have been deceived. Whether you are dealing with compassion fatigue or recovering from betrayal in ministry, this episode offers a gentle reminder that no prayer offered in love is ever wasted. Tune in to learn how to be "shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves," protecting your prayer life and spiritual vitality without hardening your heart. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today! What happens when you feel like a "hot mess" right in the middle of the holiday rush? How do you silence the lies of the enemy when your to-do list is overflowing and your heart feels overwhelmed by imperfection? In this devotional on Psalm 45, we explore the surprising connection between "The King’s Marriage" and our own inadequacies. While this beautiful wedding song celebrates the union of the King and His Bride, it also invites us to lay down the pressure of perfectionism. We learn that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness and that He can redeem even our most chaotic moments for His glory. Join host Jaime Hampton for this encouraging scripture meditation on the Praying Christian Women podcast. Whether you are battling holiday stress or spiritual attacks, discover how to turn away from old mindsets and the lies of the enemy to fully embrace your identity. Come ready to "give attention and incline your ear" to the One whose grace is sufficient for you. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!   Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!Disclaimer: This episode discusses holiday traditions, including some that might be spoilers for young kids. Use discretion when little ears might be listening! Is putting up Christmas lights just a chore, or can it be an act of worship? In this episode of the Praying Christian Women podcast, Alana and Jaime explore how to infuse prayerfulness into holiday decorating. Whether you deck the halls early or keep things simple due to travel, they discuss shifting the focus from aesthetics to the true meaning of Christmas found in Luke 2. Jaime shares the nostalgia of her childhood nativity, while Alana opens up about the intentionality of rebuilding her collection after a move. Together, they discuss how to approach differing cultural traditions with charity and the importance of extending grace to families who celebrate differently than you do. They also offer practical tools, such as using ornaments as "prayer triggers" and creating worshipful spaces to invite God into the holiday chaos. Finally, the hosts encourage listeners to embrace freedom in their traditions—whether that means listening to Handel’s Messiah or skipping the tree entirely. Whether you love eggnog or loathe it, this episode is a gentle reminder that the most important decoration is a heart prepared for Jesus, doing it all for the glory of God. Get "Wonder of the Greatest Gift" advent book with ornaments by Ann Voskamp (mentioned in this episode)  here! Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today! What happens when you have been faithful, but God seems silent? How do you navigate the spiritual dryness of unanswered prayer, holiday stress, or broken relationships when your current struggles don't match God's past promises? In this devotional on Psalm 44, we explore the tension between "Former Deliverances and Present Troubles." This powerful prayer of lament offers Biblical permission to be brutally honest with God, teaching us how to build "Ebeneezers"—memorial stones of remembrance—to sustain our faith when we feel abandoned. Join host Jamie Hampton for this encouraging scripture meditation on the Praying Christian Women podcast. Whether you are facing injustice or simply feel unseen, discover how to turn your pain into a plea for Jehovah Rafa to "Rise up, be our help, and redeem us for the sake of Your lovingkindness."   Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!   Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This Christmas season we are excited to partner with Samaritan’s Purse, our sponsor for today’s episode. This week’s guest on the Praying Christian Women podcast has seen God’s hand at work in some of the most desperate corners of the world. Kristy Graham, host of the On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse podcast, invites us into a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to bring the hope of Christ to places marked by disaster, war, and deep need, and how you can be an integral part of this ministry through the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog. In our conversation, Kristy highlights one of the little-known gifts in the catalog: sponsoring a hospital chaplain. Kristy recently visited a partner hospital in Tenwek, Kenya and describes how she saw firsthand how desperately the staff and patients need chaplains. Through prayer, as well as practical and spiritual support, chaplains are making Kingdom difference as they meet people at their place of deepest need with the love of Jesus. You won’t want to miss Kristy’s moving testimonies, her contagious passion for the gospel, and some creative ways the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog can make gift-giving extra special this year. Visit samaritanspurse.org/praying to browse the catalog today! Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!Is Thanksgiving just a holiday tradition, or is it a spiritual battle cry? This week, in honor of American Thanksgiving, we are jumping ahead to Psalm 100; the only chapter in the Bible specifically subtitled "A Psalm for Thanksgiving." In this episode, host Jamie Hampton invites us to look beyond the festivities and see gratitude as a powerful weapon, one capable of shifting our focus from our own fragile plans to God’s eternal faithfulness. If you have ever felt the exhaustion of trying to be "self-made," this episode is for you. We explore the deep rest found in the truth that "It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves." Join us as we enter His courts with praise, letting go of the need to control our destiny and embracing the joy of simply being the sheep of His pasture. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!   Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!Can a simple "thank you" actually change the structure of your brain? In this episode of the Praying Christian Women podcast, Alana and Jaime bridge the gap between faith and science to explore the transformational power of gratitude. While the Bible commands us to "give thanks in all circumstances," modern neuroscience is finally catching up to explain why this is so vital for our physical and mental well-being. Jaime opens up about a recent car accident that shifted her perspective on safety and provision, while Alana shares the joy of completing a major writing project. Together, they use these personal moments to illustrate how gratitude acts as an anchor during both the highs and the lows of life, rather than just a reaction to good news. The conversation dives into the fascinating biology behind thankfulness, discussing how these practices release dopamine and serotonin, lower cortisol levels, and can literally rewire neural pathways for optimism. They also explore how these scientific findings perfectly align with scripture, specifically Proverbs 17:22, which reminds us that a cheerful heart serves as good medicine. Finally, the hosts discuss redefining the concept of living with "no regrets" and offer a compassionate look at grace during hard seasons. Whether you are naturally optimistic or currently struggling to find the light, this episode offers a gentle reminder that gratitude isn't just a spiritual obligation, but a gift designed by God to help us thrive. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!What if the sheer volume of life—the sudden emergencies, the relentless busyness, the lingering questions about the future—has created a wall of "clutter" between you and God? What happens when you feel buried under anxiety or anger, wondering why God allows hard things to happen, and struggling to see Him as a loving Father rather than a harsh taskmaster? How do we scoop up all those heavy burdens—the fears, the frustrations, the doubts—and actually lay them at the feet of Jesus to find rest? How do we practice the holy habit of "self-talk" when our hearts are in despair, giving ourselves permission to be real about where we are while still clinging to the promise of who God is? In Psalm 43—a short, orphan psalm often viewed as the conclusion to Psalm 42—the writer cries out for vindication and light. Without a formal title or choir direction, this intimate prayer offers a raw look at a soul demanding truth amidst oppression, bridging the gap between deep despair and the confident expectation that praise will return. Join us for this encouraging 16-minute prayer through Psalm 43 on the Praying Christian Women podcast as host Jamie Hampton opens up about her own week of uncertainty and leads us in clearing the spiritual clutter. Whether you’re ready to worship or just hanging on by a thread, discover how to shift your question from "Why is this happening?" to "God, show me what You're doing," and find the courage to tell your downcast soul: "Hope in God, for I will praise Him again." Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!   Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!In today’s episode of the Praying Christian Women Podcast, we’re joined by Tammy Franklin, a woman whose extraordinary story embodies the power of redemption and God’s relentless grace.Nearly 200,000 women in America are behind bars today, many carrying the heavy burdens of trauma, shame, and brokenness. Tammy knows that world firsthand. Once trapped in addiction and incarceration, Tammy cried out one simple prayer: “God, help me.” That desperate plea became the turning point that changed everything.Now, years later, Tammy oversees Prison Fellowship’s correctional programs across the South Central U.S., helping women discover the same hope and healing that transformed her life.In this powerful conversation, Tammy shares her journey from trauma and addiction to freedom and faith, and why no story – no matter how broken – is ever beyond God’s redemption.Whether you’re walking through your own valley or praying for someone who is, Tammy’s story will remind you that God absolutely can create beauty out of ashes.Learn more about how you can get involved in prison ministry at prisonfellowship.org. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.