442 Praying Through Psalm 98: The Surprising Story Behind Joy To the World

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!This week’s guest on the Praying Christian Women podcast is living proof that prayer has the power to completely change the trajectory of a family’s legacy. Monica Schmelter, host of the Hope for the Journey podcast, invites us into her incredible testimony of how God saved her as a rebellious teenager and how that moment began a lifelong journey of rewriting her family’s history through prayer. In our conversation, Monica highlights the reality of perseverance, sharing how she prayed for 25 years before seeing her family members—including her Muslim grandfather and atheist father—come to Christ. She also shares a stunning story about a specific prayer she wrote in her youth regarding her father joining the church orchestra, and how God faithfully answered it nearly four decades later. You won’t want to miss Monica’s wisdom on how to battle discouragement when waiting on the Lord, the importance of sitting in silence in your "promise room," and the powerful reminder that God is always working in the details to redeem your loved ones. Visit monicaschmelter.com to connect with Monica 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! What if the joy of Christmas is deeper, steadier, and more triumphant than the noise and pressure that often surround it? What if true praise isn't a performance we have to perfect, but a victory we are invited to rest in? In this uplifting devotional on Psalm 98, we explore the surprising and hope-filled connection between this ancient scripture and the beloved hymn, "Joy to the World." We discover that this hymn  wasn't originally written about the nativity, but as a powerful declaration of the King who returns to rule with equity. From the rivers clapping their hands to the mountains singing for joy, we see a picture of a God who makes His blessings flow "far as the curse is found." Join host Jaime Hampton on the Praying Christian Women podcast for a warm scripture meditation filled with encouragement, reflection, and prayer. Whether you need permission to be still amidst the busyness or a fresh reminder of God’s faithfulness, this episode offers a sanctuary to refocus your heart. Come ready to trade your to-do list for trust, celebrating the Savior who has come, and the King who will come 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!Is the hustle of the holidays making it hard to hear God’s voice? In this special Christmas meditation, Jaime invites you to pause and embrace the holy work of waiting during Advent. In a world wired for instant gratification, waiting can feel like a burden, but Jaime reveals how the entire Gospel story—and the Christmas season itself—is steeped in patience. She challenges the fear that God’s silence means He is absent, offering a fresh perspective on how to trust His plan when the answer hasn't come yet. Drawing from Biblical Christmas stories, Jaime explores the tension of waiting on God's promises. She reflects on the 400 "silent years" before Christ's birth and the incredible suspense of Mary’s pregnancy, illustrating how God is often working behind the scenes long before we see the results. She also cautions against taking "spiritual shortcuts"—like Abraham and Sarah did—urging listeners to trust God’s perfect timing rather than settling for less than His best in their relationships or careers just to end the wait. If you are struggling with unanswered prayers, loneliness, or the weight of past mistakes this holiday, this episode offers a gentle message of Christmas hope and redemption. Jaime reminds us that God delights in blessing us right in the "messy middle" of our circumstances. Tune in to shift your focus from the frustration of delay to the peace of Jesus, finding courage in surrender and the assurance that God is actively working on your behalf this Christmas.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! VISIT OUR PARTNER PODCAST, Mindful Christian Prayers TODAY! This is a guided prayer meditation for Christians about air travel. You can pray these prayers when you're in the air, about to take off, before you go on a flight, or to pray prayers of safety and blessing for a loved one who is traveling. Mindful Christian Prayers is a space to slow down, connect with the Lord, and focus on His renewing presence. With short, inspiring prompts, Scripture readings, and plenty of silence to allow you to turn your heart towards God, Mindful Christian Prayers are a resource you can use any time ... as you're getting ready for the day, before you go to bed at night, or as you're going about your busy schedule. 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 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.