Podcasts about praying wife

 Join us in this insightful episode of our Marriage Talk with the Ramos family as we conclude our Marriage Talk session, diving into the crucial aspects of work-life balance and household chores. From dividing household tasks to prioritizing quality time, we explore the keys to maintaining a thriving marriage while managing the demands of daily life. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable tips to enhance your work-life integration and foster a stronger partnership in your relationship.Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this heart-to-heart episode of Marriage Talk, we sit down with the amazing Ramos family to explore two pillars of a thriving relationship: keeping romance alive and managing finances as a team.

In this episode join husband and wife team, Ronnie & Corain as we discuss the importance of communication in any relationship and effective ways to communicate with your spouse.Replay: Season 3 - Episode 20Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this episode, you will find five key strategies for supporting and encouraging your husband's dreams and purpose though prayer (see Stormie Ormatian's book The Power of the Praying Wife), being patient, offering encouragement, providing support, and of course, using my workbook Pinpoint Your Passion couldn't hurt either.

Have you ever felt frustrated when your carefully crafted plans don't unfold the way you hoped? In this episode of The Praying Wife Podcast, we dive into the tension between our plans and God's perfect will.Together, we'll explore:✨ How to discern the difference between God's plans and our own desires.✨ Practical steps to surrender your goals to His guidance.✨ Encouragement for those moments when His plans feel unclear or challenging.Through scripture, reflection, and real-life examples, we'll unpack the beauty of trusting God's blueprint—even when it looks different from what we envisioned.

It's Christmas time and the holiday season fills the air! But in the midst of the cookies and gifts, let's not forget the true reason where we celebrate this time of year -  it has, it is and always will be about the gift of Jesus Christ to humanity. So dive in with host Corain Cash for a end-of-year quick discussion with a special announcement at the end!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join Pastor Dave, Pastor Shaun, Nathan Webb, and Amy on the podcast this week as we chat with Marty Ferenc, leader of our Prayer Ministry and Addiction Recovery Ministry. Later on in the episode, we answer the listener question “How do we approach relationships with older Christians who are not following scripture and hurting others but also want to show them respect?” If you have questions you would like to submit, please head to gocoastal.org/podcast or email us at getinfo@gocoastal.org. Show Notes: Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian: https://a.co/d/j9dkGuY

The Praying Wife joins you from beautiful Uganda for this exciting episode with special guest, singer & songwriter Sade Lemons!! We discuss not only the importance of having faith during trials but how you can have faith and persevere in the middle of struggles, knowing that God has everything under control!  Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Author Talia Lavin (whose Wild Faith is out on 10/15/24) talks Moira and Adrian through the Christian Right's takeover of American life, through objects that are unlikely to appear on your bookshelf, but that nevertheless shape the way many Americans live and what policies they have to live with. From the parenting manuals like James Dobson's Dare to Discipline to Stormy Omartian's marriage guide Power of a Praying Wife, Talia lays out how an image of the family and child-rearing built on subservience, authoritarianism and often enough violence has become part and parcel of our American landscape. (A big trigger warning on domestic, physical and sexual abuse.)

Life can often feel like a series of storms—whether it's unexpected challenges, heartache, or uncertainty. But in the midst of the chaos, there's a peace available to us that surpasses all understanding. In this episode, we explore how to find and hold on to that peace, even when the waves of life seem overwhelming. Drawing from the story of Jesus calming the storm and walking on water, we'll unpack practical steps to strengthen your faith, focus on God's promises, and trust in His power to bring calm to the storms you're facing. If you've been feeling anxious or burdened by life's trials, this episode is for you. Let's discover together how to rest in God's peace, no matter what storms come our way.Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

We are approaching some troubling times in our nation and our world. This is the time, more than ever, to be vigilant and be prayerful! Seek the face of God for His plan and will for your life and how you can prepare for the things that are to come. May God Bless You!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this episode of The Praying Wife, we dive into the connection between what we put into our bodies and what comes out of our mouths. Join me as we explore how the food we eat impacts our health and how the words we speak shape our spiritual well-being.Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!Ask Ralph - Christian FinanceJoin financial expert Ralph Estep, Jr - Daily tips for balancing your faith and finances. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyThe Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join us as we go before the throne in prayer in thanksgiving and worship and praise to our Heavenly Father!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Welcome to Season 6!! Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with our special guest and long time friend, Macarra Ferguson, as we explore the age-old question: "Why Did I Get Married?" In this episode, we'll delve into the purpose of marriage, discussing what it means to choose the right partner and build a strong foundation for a lifelong commitment.We'll also examine what it means to be a Godly wife, exploring the biblical principles and values that guide a successful and fulfilling marriage. Whether you're newlywed or celebrating decades together, this episode is for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of marriage and its divine purpose.Tune in for a inspiring and insightful conversation that will challenge your perspectives and enrich your relationships!Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUNESctSefIEnjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! Ask Ralph - Christian FinanceJoin financial expert Ralph Estep, Jr - Daily tips for balancing your faith and finances. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyThe Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Hello to all of my wonderful listeners and supporters around the world. This is your host Corain Cash and I am so excited to always have the pleasure of being in your homes or in your car, on your job or wherever you are tuning in from. I'm also excited to announce that we're on a short break as we prepare to enter Season 6 of the The Praying Wife Podcast where Episode 1 will be airing Wednesday, August 14th and we kick-off with a special anniversary episode so you don't want to miss that. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 14th 2024 for our new season and a brand new episode. Over the course of the next few weeks I'll do some replays of previous episodes you may have missed so you'll still get to feed your spirit and encourage your soul. But until then, I pray God's blessing and favor over you and your household and I pray that you, as I plan to, will get some rest in this season and that your eyes will be opened to see where God is taking you. Again, be blessed and we will talk again in a few weeks for Season 6. Here's my little Bella to remind you of our mantra: Remember you are beautiful, you are powerful, You are made in the image of God and You are Loved!! Bye!!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

There is something to be said about a woman who prays. There is a trust that she has in her God that once she takes her cares to him, her who attitude and perspective is lifted. We must remember that our prayer life is a weapon against the plans of the enemy. We can lose a lot of things but nothing can take our relationship with God and our prayer life. Now we can surrender or underutilize it but it is ours to value. Prayer really does change things. Before we panic, throw in the towel or be led by frustration, may we remember the privilege, opportunity and need for prayer. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ms-wade/support

Join us as we go before the Father in prayer as a group, lifting up the name of Jesus and praying over our homes, children, community and lives! May you be blessed!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! Light in the DarknessA supernatural & paranormal podcast with Christian perspectiveListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyThe Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this inspiring episode of The Praying Wife, we delve into the importance of steadfast faith, especially during life's most challenging moments. Join us as we explore stories of resilience and perseverance, reminding us that no matter the trials we face, holding on to our faith can provide the strength and hope we need to overcome. Tune in for an uplifting discussion that encourages you to never give up, trust in God's plan, and keep your faith strong amidst adversity.Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join us for a special episode of The Praying Wife podcast, where we're flipping the script and getting real in a Q&A session! I'm sitting down with my 15-year-old daughter, Lyric, and we're answering each other's questions about life, faith, technology and more!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In today's episode we revisit an old episode as we address the popular question: Should a married man or woman have friends that are the opposite sex? How does that affect their marriage if at all? We invite you to join in on the conversation by leaving comments on our website or on Facebook and/or send us an email: support@theprayingwife.com.Replay: Season 1 Episode 10Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text!The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join us for a thought provoking discussion on why it is essential to guard your heart, especially in a busy world. Host, Corain Cash also dives into how we can safeguard our hearts to protect our integrity and develop our character. Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this episode, join the Praying Wives group led by Minister Stacy Ramos in a discussion about our response when God asks for us to return something He blesses us with. In the case of Abraham and Isaac, how would you respond if God asked you to sacrifice your promise? Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this conversation, Kristin interviews Amanda Beilke, a Christian marriage coach, about restoring and healing relationships. They discuss the importance of healthy marriages and the impact they have on other areas of life. Amanda shares her journey to marriage coaching and how she helps women strengthen, heal, and restore their marriages. They explore tools for effective communication, addressing triggers and unresolved issues, and the significance of self-care and reflection. They also emphasize the importance of understanding the needs of spouses and creating a safe environment in the marriage. The conversation explores the importance of creating a safe space for intimacy in a marriage. It emphasizes the need for women to feel safe and express themselves freely. The role of boundaries in maintaining safety is discussed, along with the power of journaling and expressing fears and concerns. The conversation also highlights the significance of prayer and surrender in strengthening a marriage. It encourages couples to pray together and surrender control to God. The concept of ego and its impact on relationships is explored, emphasizing the need to focus on God and let go of control. The conversation concludes with information about resources and programs offered by the guest.TakeawaysHealthy marriages have a significant impact on other areas of life.Effective communication and addressing triggers are essential for restoring and healing marriages.Self-care and reflection play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy marriage.Understanding the needs of spouses and creating a safe environment are key to strengthening relationships.Connect with Amanda at AmandaBeilke.comOther ResourcesThe Power of the Praying Wife by Stormie OmaritianTheGet My Joyful Living Devotional Journal(free download here)Grab My Reignite Your Passion Workbook (free workbook here)Join my email newsletter here. FaithFueledWoman Newsletter.Connect with me on Instagram here @kristinfitch.Get ready to let your faith guide you, fuel you and fill you with God's incredible peace, wisdom and joy. From finding calm in the chaos, to forming deep Christian friendships, to everyday ways to connect with God- we'll cover it all.Do you want to feel less frazzled and more joyful in your daily life? Join host, Kristin Fitch, as she helps Christian women deepen their faith, reconnect with God, and find peace in their journey as mothers, wives, and friends.With practical tips, personal stories, and spiritual guidance, Faith Fueled Woman equips Christian women to put God first in their daily lives, promotes fellowship and friendship, and provides a roadmap to experiencing more of the fruits of the Spirit: joy, peace, love, and kindness. Podcast for Christian Women, Christian Devotionals, Bible verses, Scriptures, Biblical Principles#worth #findworthfromgod #god #christianmarriage #marriage #healingrelationshipsSome links above contain affiilate links.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:33 The Importance of Relationships01:01 Amanda's Journey to Marriage Coaching03:17 The Significance of Healthy Marriages05:19 Assessing the State of Your Marriage08:08 Tools for Restoring and Healing Marriages11:30 Addressing...

Are you tired of feeling like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done? Do you find yourself constantly stressed and overwhelmed by your to-do list? In this episode, we're talking all about time management! From prioritizing tasks to avoiding distractions, we'll share practical tips and strategies to help you make the most of your time. So tune in and learn how to take control of your schedule and achieve your goals.Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join husband and wife team Corain & Ronnie Cash as they continue their raw and honest conversation on marital conflict. In Part 2, they dive deeper into the essential tools for building a stronger, healthier marriage. Listen as they share their personal experiences, successes, and setbacks, offering valuable insights and practical advice for couples navigating the ups and downs of marriage. Don't miss this inspiring and informative episode where you learn how to:Practice forgiveness and let go of grudgesAddress issues head-on to avoid resentmentSeek therapy and counseling to strengthen your relationshipMaster the art of apologizing and making amendsAnd more!Enjoyed This Episode or Have Feedback? Send Us A Text! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this episode, join Ronnie and Corain, a husband and wife team, as they share their insights and experiences on how to overcome marital conflict and build a stronger, more loving relationship. With honesty, humor, and biblical wisdom, they'll discuss practical strategies for communicating effectively, resolving conflicts, and cultivating a deeper connection with your spouse. Whether you're facing challenges in your marriage or seeking to strengthen your bond, this episode is for you! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join us for a heartfelt episode as we offer a prayer over our home. With gratitude in our hearts, we invite God's divine presence to fill every corner, seeking His protection, peace, and guidance for our household. Together, let's consecrate this space as a sanctuary of faith, hope, and love, dedicating it to His glory and purposes. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join us on episode 290 in our Spring 2024 Author Mini Series! Marriage Interrupted, by Julie Plagens is about how to deal with unexpected conflict as a couple and stay in love. First of all, Julie is hilarious! The way she story tells, brings you right into the room. She's full of wisdom, perspective, and hope as she guides the reader through growth. Step into her story has she shows the key to forgiveness, boundaries, and growing in marriage. Be prepared to laugh along the way as she uses humor in her vulnerability. CLICK FOR FULL SHOW NOTES Links from the show: Marriage Interrupted (book) by Julie Plagens Julie Plagens' Instagram Julie's site Power of a Praying Wife (book) When to Walk Away (book) Good Boundaries and Goodbyes (book) Therapy and Theology podcast  

Love is a powerful force that can transform lives, mend relationships, and bring healing even in the most trying times. As praying women and wives, how do we navigate the complexities of love when faced with adversity, misunderstandings, or pain? Join us as we explore:The essence of unconditional love and its transformative powerBiblical insights and wisdom for nurturing lovePractical tips and strategies for loving unconditionally, even when it hurtsWhether you're a praying wife seeking encouragement, a woman on a journey of spiritual growth, or someone curious about the profound depths of love, this episode offers insights, encouragement, and inspiration for embracing love's challenges with grace, faith, and resilience.  The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we have access to the peace that comes from God. In the Bible, Jesus says in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." We should therefore all experience peace in our lives as it has already been given to us and is there for us to take hold of.  It is my prayer that your spirit is blessed as you listen to this episode and tune your hearts to the word & promises of God!Season 3 Episode 13 ReplayThe Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

  Welcome back to the REALIFE Process podcast. In this episode, EP278 titled "Captivating Stories of Faith". we are thrilled to welcome Jay and Rebecca Madden, authors of "Breathless: Finding God in Ordinary Life." Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through their personal stories shared from 30 years' worth of journal entries, transporting us into moments where God made His presence known in the most unexpected ways. Join us as our hosts, Teresa McCloy and Jay and Rebecca Madden engage in an enriching conversation about the profound impact of spiritual practices like solitude, journaling, and the Sabbath. We'll hear firsthand how these practices have transformed their lives, offering insights into overcoming the fast-paced buzz of life to find a more sustainable and fulfilling rhythm. From Jay's inaugural experience with solitude to Rebecca's paradigm shift that led to embracing God's direction, we will explore the heartfelt revelations that come from paying attention to subtle nudges and discerning significant life decisions. Don't miss the powerful lessons on slowing down, actively waiting for God's visions, and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Get ready to be inspired, and perhaps you'll discover the beauty of holding things loosely and the peace that comes from being present in the moment. So, let's dive into this enriching discussion on the REALIFE Process podcast. Time Stamps: 00:00 Discover God's movement in "Breathless Haste." 03:34 Stories shared resulted in writing a book. 08:06 Journals provided concrete evidence of divine intervention. 12:45 Scripture exploration and its significance in decision-making. 16:26 Embrace everyday life and offer it to God. 19:59 Praying Wife book helped in unexpected moments. 20:26 Finding purpose led to a life-changing move. 25:12 Implementing daily practices for grounded, intentional living. 29:30 Solitude varies, but I prefer being active. 32:40 Monthly reflective time; embracing different 33:18 Feeling stuck, finding freedom through choice. 39:20 Practicing the Sabbath brings reflection and real stories. 41:28 Beautiful conversation with Jay and Rebecca, dive in. About our Guest: Rebecca and Jay Madden were born and raised in South Carolina, where they first met and later tied the knot. At mid-life, Jay left the business world to answer God's call to a life dedicated to serving and impacting others. This new chapter took them to Chicago, Illinois, and eventually to Atlanta, Georgia, where they both currently serve at Peachtree Church: Jay as the executive pastor and Rebecca as women's ministry director. Their writing began with personal journals that they have kept throughout the years. Rebecca and Jay have a deep passion for sharing their experiences with God, both in the extraordinary and ordinary moments of life, with the hope of encouraging and inspiring others in their journeys of faith. Link to Jay and Rebecca Madden breathlesshaste.com findinggodtoday.com Grab a copy of our new book, Breathless Haste: Finding God in Ordinary Life, on Amazon and all the places books are sold. Visit findingGodtoday.com to download two free resources to help you find God today. One has three questions to ask yourself daily and the other is a resource on finding god in scripture – weekly.    IMPORTANT LINKS: Email: teresa@therealifeprocess.com https://www.therealifeprocess.com/join https://www.kimaverycoaching.com/podcasts/ https://www.onelifemaps.com/   Coach Certification Link https://www.therealifeprocess.com/ FREE RESOURCES: Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. https://www.therealifeprocess.com/needsandvaluesassessment   FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn't matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! https://www.therealifeprocess.com/freeoffer Get to know the story behind the REALIFE Process® through our film, Rested Success! CLICK HERE to watch the 15-minute documentary film where you'll hear Teresa's story, how the REALIFE Process® began and developed, plus how our Certified Facilitators are using the Process in the work that they do. https://www.therealifeprocess.com/restedsuccess   OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDgZh9XIoKi4hyfBrf6jA3w   My Book Link My book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. http://www.dowhatmattersbook.com/   LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out these tools here https://www.onelifemaps.com/   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. https://www.facebook.com/groups/therealifeprocesscommunity   Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy https://www.facebook.com/realifeprocess Instagram – teresa.mccloy https://www.instagram.com/teresa.mccloy/ LinkedIn – teresamccloy https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresamccloy/   About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®. The REALIFE Process® is dedicated to equipping others and providing community, training, tools, and resources, to cultivate both personal and professional development and growth. Teresa's mission is to see individuals and groups grow in self-awareness, develop sustainable rhythms, and increase their influence and impact at the intersection of faith and work in their everyday life story.  

A failure to plan is a plan to fail.  It is so important to set goals for your life in all areas and then more importantly, to set a plan in place for you to actually accomplish those goals. God did and does everything with intent. In this episode we discuss how you can become more intentional about achieving your goals and living a purpose driven life. (A Season 2 Episode 4 revisit)The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Did you know that the U.S. is one of the most active sex-trafficking countries in the world? Amid these sobering statistics, Vicki Proffit spends her time caring for survivors and pointing them to the love of Jesus. Vicki is the Executive Director of Sarah's Home, a sanctuary for survivors of sex trafficking in Colorado. In this live interview, she shares powerful stories of how God has revealed Himself as the ultimate provider, guiding her work and transforming lives. You'll be encouraged by Vicki's testimony of listening to God's voice, leaning on Him completely, and the miraculous ways He has worked through prayer. Listen to the end to hear an audience Q&A.    Sarah's Home  Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry Blackaby  The Power of a Praying Mom: Powerful Prayers for You and Your Children by Stormie Omartian  The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian  The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian  The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom by Larry Loftis  The hotline numbers are:  Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline:  844-264-5437     Colorado Hotline for Human Trafficking call 866-455-5075 or text 720-999-9724     National Hotline for Sex Trafficking 888-373-7888  Life Decisions.me    Creation is about more than HOW God created the world. It's about why. From the beginning, God's purpose has been to dwell with His image bearers in unbroken fellowship. It's tempting to think that our sin ruined that plan, and that Jesus was God's Plan B. But as Edward Klink says, Jesus and the Church were always Plan A. More than that, God is not replacing creation; He's renewing it, and you and I have been invited to participate in that renewal as God's agents of redemption. Klink's latest book, The Beginning and End of All Things, will give you a bigger, more accurate perspective on God's plan for creation and your place in it. Request a copy by giving a gift of any amount to the Colson Center in April at colsoncenter.org/swklinkresource.   The Colson Fellows program was designed for men and women with full, busy lives. The program combines theological, spiritual, and worldview formation through a carefully curated combination of readings, daily devotions, live webinars, and monthly meetings with your peers. Interesting but wondering if you have the time or what it takes to complete the program? I assure you, it's well worth your investment and has been completed by many women in all stages and seasons of life. Interested in learning more? You can explore the program and submit an application at colsonfellows.org.  The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly journal: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women  Join Strong Women on Social Media:   https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc/  https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/  https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc 

In this special episode of "The Praying Wife Podcast," we delve into the transformative power of prayer within the context of marriage. As we reflect on the recent celebration of Resurrection Sunday, we're reminded of the hope and renewal that can be infused into every aspect of our lives, including our relationships.Whether you're a newlywed or celebrating decades of partnership, this episode is designed to inspire and equip you to deepen your spiritual connection with your spouse. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Join us as we delve into the transformative role of intercessory prayer in supporting husbands and nurturing strong, successful marriages. From biblical foundations to practical strategies, we offer insights and inspiration for wives seeking to actively participate in their husband's journey towards personal and professional fulfillment.  The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this episode, join the Praying Wife Refresher Prayer Group session, hosted by Minister Stacy Ramos as we discuss how our lives should be a living reflection and ongoing testimony to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this episode, we discuss listening for the voice of God and courageously responding to His call amidst the noise of everyday life. The cost of ignoring God's call can be far greater than the discomfort of stepping out in faith. This episode is a rallying cry for all who seek to live purposefully and faithfully, reminding us that true fulfillment lies in surrendering to the will of God our Father. Tune in to this inspiring episode and embark on a journey of spiritual awakening and divine alignment. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In this transformative episode of "The Praying Wife" podcast, host Corain Cash leads us on a heartfelt exploration of prayers over finding and fulfilling our purpose. Join us as we go before the throne to cover our God-given purpose. We invite you to pray this prayer over your life continually, that God will open your eyes to your purpose and give you the grace to carry it through to completion. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Unforgiveness can be a heavy burden, poisoning our hearts and hindering our spiritual growth. Through heartfelt discussions and insightful reflections, we explore several strategies to overcome unforgiveness and embrace the liberating power of forgiveness.Join us as we navigate through the complexities of forgiveness, offering practical advice and spiritual guidance for wives seeking healing and restoration in their marriages. Together, we uncover the importance of forgiveness in fostering deeper connections, promoting emotional healing, and experiencing the boundless grace of God. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

In Season 4 Episode 12 of the Forever Marriage Podcast, we talk about not judging one another. In Romans 14:13, Paul says, "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way." We tend to judge those who don't think, believe, feel, act or behave the way we do. Why is that? Oftentimes, we are uncomfortable with differences. We also talk about praying for one another. James 5:16 says, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Why would James tie together the concepts of confession of sin and prayer for one another as a means of healing? Mentioned in this episode:Scripture: Romans 2:1-3, Matthew 7:1-5, James 5:16, Psalm 32:3, Psalm 51:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 5:13The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

Whether you're a newlywed or a seasoned veteran, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and encouragement for couples at every stage of their journey. Tune in as husband and wife team Ronnie & Corain  explore the joys, challenges, and unexpected blessings that come with saying "I do," and discover how to build a strong and resilient marriage rooted in love, respect, and unwavering commitment. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Welcome to Season 5 of The Praying Wife podcast! In our premiere episode, we're diving into the heart of marriage with five powerful strategies to strengthen the bond between spouses. Join us for practical insights to rekindle the love in your relationship. Tune in now for a transformative journey towards a deeper, more enduring marriage. The Praying Wifewww.theprayingwife.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | YoutubeEmail: support@theprayingwife.com

Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth is one of the most popular women's bible study books used in churches across North America. But what does the book actually teach about marriage? About sex? About divorce and abuse? It's scary, and today Gretchen Baskerville and Natalie Hoffman join host Sheila Wray Gregoire to analyze the harmful messages in Lies Women Believe.Things Mentioned in the Podcast:Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our work https://patreon.com/baremarriageOr, for tax deductible donations in the U.S., support our Good Fruit Faith Initiative through the Bosko Foundation: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/goodfruitsDownload our One Sheet on Lies Women Believe: https://baremarriage.com/podcast-problems-lies-women-believe-nancy-demoss-wolgemuthNatalie's Podcast Flying Free, and her website https://flyingfreenow.comNatalie Hoffman's book Is It Me: Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage https://baremarriage.com/the-orgasm-course/Gretchen Baskerville's site The Lifesaving Divorce: https://lifesavingdivorce.com/Gretchen Baskerville's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lifesavingdivorceGretchen's book The Lifesaving Divorce: https://amzn.to/3Sywly8Our podcast on The Power of  Praying Wife (featuring Gretchen): https://baremarriage.com/2023/06/podcast-the-problems-with-power-of-a-praying-wife/Our podcast telling Natalie's story: https://baremarriage.com/2022/09/podcast-how-christian-marriage-books-set-up-for-failure-with-natalie-hoffman/Our book She Deserves Better, which deals with Nancy Leigh DeMoss' book Lies Young Women Believe: https://baremarriage.com/she-deserves-better/

Does the Lord's timeline ever seem to stretch on and on? Gail Alverson of our Memphis community, reminds us not to give up. With decades of dedication in the face of fear, Gail endured a tumultuous marriage to an angry and unbelieving spouse. Her story will teach you that even when the Lord does not immediately shift our circumstances, he still works to change us and those around us.    In this episode, you will learn: The Lord's timing can be trusted, even when his work spans many years. Eventual freedom is found when we surrender to Jesus in faith. Persistent prayer opens Spiritual doors for us and for those we love   LINKS    Listen to Episode 131- Katie Basden "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian Become a Patreon Insider Give to StoryTellers Live Join us at the 2024 Stories of HOPE Luncheon

Be Specific In Your PrayersColossians 4:2-4: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”This year I decided I was going to focus on one scripture verse a week during my morning prayer time. I asked my friends on Facebook to give me their favorite scriptures, and during the week that I focused on the scripture they gave me, I would pray for them in a special way. I was reviewing the verses I received this morning, and the one I chose for this week is John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” I thought this would be a great verse for an episode, as I love reminding people that the enemy wants to keep us in the dark. However, if we bring his lies and tactics into the light, we see him for who he really is. I truly believe there is no darkness too dark for the light of Christ to break into. All we need to do is invite the light into the darkness. While I was thinking about this verse, I looked it up and found out I already did an episode on it. It was episode #568, titled “The Darkness Will Not Overtake You!”After realizing that I had already used this verse, I moved on to the next verse someone gave me, which is the verse above. My friend Lela gave me this verse, which I think is perfect as she was such a great friend when we lived in England. She and her husband were some of the first people we met, and we got along right away. We hung out a lot on Friday nights as we had kids similar in age. We even went on vacations together. It was great! This verse talks about being thankful, and I am so very thankful for their friendship.The verse above begins by saying, “Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” These three things are so important. Prayer is as simple as talking to God. You can do it formally, as in scripted prayers like the Our Father, or you can do it informally like you are having a conversation with your best friend. It doesn't matter how you pray; it matters that you pray. That time you spend with the Lord is important. Whether it is 5 minutes or 5 hours, it doesn't matter. Just spend time with Him.After it says to devote yourself to prayer, it says to be watchful. I wasn't sure what this meant, and I didn't want to lead you astray, so I looked it up. I am glad I did, as this is something I talked about a few minutes ago, and yet it didn't even occur to me when thinking about being watchful. We need to be watchful of the enemy. The devil is constantly trying to steal, kill, and destroy us. He doesn't make a full-on frontal attack, though. He comes at us from all sides, and his attacks are usually masked with lies or with temptation. He temps us with things He knows we want, and he lies to us about things he knows we already questioning. In Matthew 26:41 it says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This is us. Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. We fall for the enemy's tricks more easily if we are not on the lookout for them.Lastly, the first line says to be thankful. You would think this one would be easy. It isn't. We often forget to be thankful when things are going well. When things are tough, we ask God to come in and fix them. Then, when He does, we often forget to say Thank You. Gratitude is something that can help us in many ways. If we have an attitude of gratitude, then we are more focused on the positive. We are looking for things that we can be grateful for, and so we naturally notice more good than bad. Our focus is important. Are we looking for all that is going wrong, or are we looking for all that is going right? What are three things you have to be thankful for this morning? I start off each day, well, most days, by writing 5 things I am grateful for. I tried to make them as specific as I could. For instance, instead of saying I am thankful for my boys, I write down I am thankful Sam made it home safely in the snow, I am thankful for the conversation I had with Ryan, I am thankful Noah got to see his friend he hasn't seen in over a year. Do you see how specific I get? Now it's your turn.I didn't want to just stop with this first verse, as I think the next two verses are important as well. They say, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” This is important because it shows us something important to pray for that might now have occurred to us. Did you ever think of praying for God to open a door for you to proclaim the mystery of Christ? It's interesting to me the things others pray for that didn't even occur to me. In this verse, St. Paul is in prison for proclaiming the Word of God, and yet He is asking for others to ask the Lord to open a door for him to keep proclaiming the Word of the Lord. I never thought of praying for that before. I do want to proclaim the Word of God. I want to help the whole world hear about God's love and forgiveness. Yet, I never thought to pray specifically for God to open a door for that message.This is why, when I read that part of the verse this morning, I wanted to share it with you. I wanted each one of you to know that it is possible to pray for the exact thing you want. I learned this about praying for our children as well. Yes, it is important to pray for our children, but are we praying specifically for what we would like? I read a book called “The Power of a Praying Parent.” It is a book full of specific prayers for our children. There are many versions. The other one I read was called “The Power of a Praying Wife.” These books taught me the importance of being specific in my prayers. They taught me to pray for all the things I want and not just leave them to chance or assume God knows what I want. He does know, but He also likes it when we ask.You can pray for your children to get a good teacher, you can pray for them to have good, Godly friends, and you can pray for their future spouse or their future careers. These things may seem so obvious to you, and yet I never really thought of it before. Tony and I sat down last January, and we thought about where we wanted the kids to be by the end of the year. We thought about what things were important to us, not for the next 10 years, but what we would like to see from the boys in this one year, and then we wrote a specific prayer for those things. I am sad to say we didn't continue to say it together for very long, but even writing it and praying it together for those few days/weeks made a huge difference. I think almost every single one of the things we prayed for came true.We often say I guess all we can do is pray. When we say this, we are taking for granted how powerful prayer is. We are limiting it and treating it like a last resort. Our prayers are powerful. More powerful than we will ever know. I know I told this story before, but I will tell it again since it shows how powerful our prayers are. There was a man jogging by an ambulance, and a woman was being taken out of her house. He wanted to help but wasn't a medical professional, so he kept jogging but decided he would say one Hail Mary prayer while continuing to jog. A few weeks later, he happened to be jogging by the same house, and the woman was outside. She called him, and when they talked, she told him that he had saved her life. She explained when she got to the hospital she saw the face of Jesus. He told her that she was going to die but that the prayer of this man, whose face Jesus had on the palm of His hand, had saved her. It was the face of the man who jogged by her. If one Hail Mary can save this woman's life, think of all the amazing things that can happen when you dare to ask specifically for what you want. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, we ask you to help us remember to pray and to be watchful. Lord, help us be grateful for all the big and small things you have done for us. Lord, help us learn how to pray more specifically for what we need or even what we want. We know you love us and want to give us even more than we desire. We ask that you help keep our hearts pure and only ask for good things. We love you, Lord, and we ask all this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen!!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, if you would like to sign up for mentoring, you can go to my website, walkboldlywithjesus.com, or you can click here. We meet on Tuesday nights on Zoom at 8 PM EST. If you are local and would be interested in an in-person mentoring group, please reach out and let me know. Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord is: “My children, it is my Spirit of hope, love, and joy that is falling upon you. Let it sprinkle everyone that you meet. I am your God be not afraid to spread my joy. Be not afraid to spread my hope. It is all that I give that is worthy. Be aware that you will meet difficulties but I am always there with you. Take my hand, Take hold of it. I will not let you go. I am all that you need to succeed, for I am your God.”

Guest Bios Show Transcript https://youtu.be/hteO426dZ6cMen need sex. And it's their wives' job to give it to them—unconditionally, whenever they want it, or these husbands will come under Satanic attack. Stunningly, that's the message contained in many Christian marriage books. Yet, research shows that instead of increasing intimacy in marriages, messages like these are promoting abuse. In this edition of The Roys Report, featuring a talk from our recent Restore Conference, author Sheila Wray Gregoire provides eye-opening insights based on her and her team's extensive research on evangelicalism and sex. Out of a desire for evangelicals' conversations about sex to be healthy, evidence-based, and rooted in Christ, Sheila and her team have analyzed many popular Christian books on sex. Many teach that men are incapable of not objectifying women. And instead of training men to control their urges, these books teach that women must save these men. If a husband struggles with porn, for example, it's his wife's job to give him more sex so he can go cold turkey. If a husband is abusive to his wife, it's his wife's job to pray the abuse away. And if you're a single woman, it's your job to dress in such a way that your body never “intoxicates” a man.With messages like these, is it any wonder that abuse victims often feel like it's their fault if someone hurts them? Is it any wonder that pastors like John MacArthur can convince wives that it's her duty to stay with a man who abuses her and their children? As Sheila explains, the patterns of abuse we're seeing in the church today are a symptom of these toxic evangelical teachings. And to solve the problem of abuse, we need to analyze and challenge these unbiblical teachings. Guests Sheila Wray Gregoire Sheila Wray Gregoire is an author, podcaster, and researcher into evangelicalism and sex. Her goal through Bare Marriage, a popular podcast and ministry, is to change the evangelical conversation about sex to be healthy, evidence-based, and rooted in Christ. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband. They have two adult daughters and two grandbabies. Learn more at BareMarriage.com. Show Transcript SPEAKERSJulie Roys, SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE Julie Roys  00:05Men need sex and it’s their wives job to give it to them unconditionally whenever they want it, or these husbands will come under satanic attack. Stunningly, that’s the message contained in many Christian marriage books. Yet research shows that instead of increasing intimacy and marriages, messages like these are promoting abuse. Welcome to The Roys Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys, and what you’re about to hear is an eye-opening talk by Sheila Ray Gregoire at our latest RESTORE conference. Sheila is an author and podcaster who’s done extensive research on evangelicalism and sex. And what she’s discovered is that many evangelical books teach an unbiblical message that men are incapable of not objectifying women. And instead of training men to control their urges, these books teach that women must save these men. If a husband struggles with porn, for example, it’s his wife’s job to give him more sex so he can go cold turkey. If a husband is abusive to his wife, it’s his wife’s job to pray the abuse away. And if you’re a single woman, it’s your job to dress in such a way that your body never intoxicates a man with messages like these. Is it any wonder that abuse victims often feel like it’s their fault if someone hurts them? Is it any wonder that pastors like John MacArthur can convince wives that it’s their duty to stay with a man that abuses them and their children? As Sheila explains in this important talk, the abuse that’s rampant in the church is just a symptom of this toxic teaching so prevalent in evangelicalism. And unless we address this false teaching, we’ll never solve the problem of abuse. So, I’m very excited to share Sheila’s eye-opening talk with you.   Julie Roys  01:57 But first, I want to thank the sponsors of this podcast, Judson University, and Marquardt of Barrington. If you’re looking for a top ranked Christian University, providing a caring community and an excellent college experience. Judson University is for you. Judson is located on 90 acres just 40 miles west of Chicago in Elgin, Illinois. The school offers more than 60 majors, great leadership opportunities, and strong financial aid. Plus, you can take classes online as well as in person. Judson University is shaping lives that shaped the world. For more information, just go toJUDSONU.EDU. Also, if you’re looking for a quality new or used car, I highly recommend my friends at Marquardt of Barrington. Marquardt is a Buick GMC dealership where you can expect honesty, integrity, and transparency. That’s because the owners there Dan and Kurt Marquardt, are men of integrity. To check them out. Just go to BUYACAR123.COM.   Julie Roys  03:02 Well, again, you’re about to hear a talk by Sheila Gregoire on how evangelical teachings on sex promote abuse. Sheila is the founder of BAREMARRIAGE.COM. She’s also the author of several popular books, including The Great Sex Rescue, and She Deserves Better. Sheila’s goal is to change the evangelical conversation about sex to be healthy, evidence based and rooted in Christ. And so, I’m so excited to share this message that Sheila gave at the RESTORE conference.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  03:32 It was a Friday afternoon in January of 2019, and I was sitting on my yellow chair in my living room trying to figure out how to procrastinate. I had a migraine, and I didn’t want to work, and so I was on Twitter. And I was reading a conversation between some women arguing whether or not they needed love or respect. And I thought, well, I’m a woman and I need respect. And so, I started chiming in and we were getting all spicy. And then I thought, I have that book. And I had never read it. So, Love and Respect, written by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, who got his PhD from somewhere, I don’t know. Anyway, it’s based on the idea that women need love. and men need respect. Oh, actually, no, it’s not. The subtitle is, the love she most desires, the respect he desperately needs. So, she has desires, and he has desperate needs. But I realized I have that book and I’ve never read it. And so, I thought this is a great way to procrastinate. So, I went, and I got it, and I opened to the sex chapter because I’m kind of the sex lady and that’s what I do. It was only about 12 pages long. And that was when the nuclear bomb went off in my living room. Because I read to my horror, if your husband is typical, he has a need you don’t have, and that need is for physical release. So, if he doesn’t get physical release, he will come under satanic attack. And through that chapter, he keeps referring to sex as a man’s physical release. There was not a single word about intimacy. There was not a single word about women feeling pleasure, too.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  04:07 So, I called my team, and we freaked out a bit. And we decided to write a post on our blog about the way that the book handled sex. And that post got so many eyeballs that we spent a whole week on love and respect. And over that week, we had email upon email, and comment upon comment about how that book had enabled abuse in their marriage. Working with me, was a young woman in her late 20s at the time, who has a master’s in epidemiology and is the statistician, but she was home with her baby. And so, she was just working remotely part time for me. And she said, you know what we should do Sheila? we should create a mixed-methods, qualitative analysis of the comments, and we should send it into Focus on the Family, who publishes the book, because maybe they don’t know. Maybe they don’t realize how harmful this is. And so, over the next few weeks, Joanna proceeded to do that. And we sent it to Focus. I knew Jim Daly; I had been on Focus on the Family several times. And we sent a nice letter about how harmful the book had been. And we never heard back. And so, Joanne said to me, “You know what I should do? I should go back and get my PhD so that I could do a study of how messages in the evangelical church are hurting women’s marital and sexual satisfaction. And I said, Joanna, I bet I could get a publisher to pay us to do it. And that is what we did.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  06:59 Until that day, I had never actually read another Christian book on sex and marriage. I mostly just wrote my own stuff. I was really scared of plagiarizing. But then we decided that we needed to open our eyes and see what was really going on. So, we surveyed 20,000 women for our book, The Great Sex Rescue. It’s the largest study of evangelical women’s marital and sexual satisfaction that’s ever been done. Did any of you take that study? Were any of you in mind, thank you. I know that was like half an hour of your life you can’t get back. I appreciate it very, very much. We’re doing a new survey that will be out in about two weeks. So, if you follow me, we will be putting out soon we will have a great need for people to take that one as well. But we surveyed 20,000 women measuring how various evangelical messages affected their marital and sexual satisfaction. And what we found was that there was four big messages in the church that really hurt women. And these messages are not biblical. They’re not from Jesus. They are what we have decided, as a church collectively are true. And we’ve done great harm with them.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  08:20 And so those messages are a woman is obligated to give her husband sex when he wants it. 39% of women that we surveyed entered marriage believing that. All men struggle with lust, it’s every man’s battle. A woman should have frequent sex with her husband to keep him from watching pornography. And boys will push your sexual boundaries and so girls need to be the gatekeeper. The sum total of those messages does great harm. These were all widely taught, widely believed and hugely destructive. We also did a survey of 3000 men a year later, and guess what? The same messages hurt men’s marriages too. These are universally bad. And yet, when we took a look at 13 of evangelicalism’s bestselling sex and marriage books, these are everywhere. There were only three books that we looked at, that actually scored well on our rubric, the vast majority of them of the books that we looked at scored in the harmful category, including Love and Respect, which scored zero out of 48, literally. Even Every Man’s Battle did better, it got nine. Last year, we did a survey as Julie was telling you of another 7000 evangelical women, this time looking at how messages that we give to teenage girls, end up hurting girls long term. And the same messages that we studied before? Yep, they do harm, but we added some new ones, like the modesty message. When we tell girls, you need to be careful what you wear so that you don’t cause one of your brothers to stumble. Well, that makes her feel like her body is a threat to her. Because by no fault of her own, he could look at her and have these bad thoughts. And then because he can’t control himself, he could end up hurting her. And so that message makes us feel like our bodies actually cause ourselves to be put into harm.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  10:42 Research shows that far too many of our common relationship teachings in evangelical culture are hurting us. And I have been trying to sound the alarm on this. And while those in this room are likely to hear it, the powers that be often don’t. This has become a grassroots movement, which I think tends to be the way that Jesus works. He doesn’t tend to talk to the churches, the big places, the big people in power. He sets up 12 disciples and all of the women that were traveling with him, and they go, and they set the world on fire. And that’s what we found in the reception to our books, which are actually selling quite well, is that people want to hear this, even if the powers that be won’t talk about it.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  11:38 We have painted men in the church as being created by God, to not be able to do anything but objectify women, which by extension, means that it is women’s responsibilities to save men. And then we’ve somehow managed to sell the message that this is the way that God intended it. So let me give you a few quotes. And I want to do a big trigger warning here, and I’m quite serious about this is that some of you, it might be good to step out of the room. All I’m going to be doing is reading you things from our bestsellers, but they’re not pretty. And so, if you feel like you need to step out of the room, now would be a good time. But let me tell you what Every Man’s Battle said. If you’re looking for the reason for sexual sin among men, we got there naturally, simply by being male. The same authors repeat, men just don’t naturally have that Christian view of sex. So, I guess women were created with more of the Holy Spirit than men, I don’t know. And how then, are men supposed to quit lusting and watching porn? Well, they have the solution. The book, the original edition of the book, told women when he stops cold turkey be like a merciful vial of methadone for him. It explains that well before when you were lusting, you may have been going to your wife for five bowls of sexual gratification a week. Now you’ll be going to her for 10. And she will be happy about this. I don’t know how you can write a book and know so many little about women, but nevertheless.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  13:37 So, think about that. We are the methadone for our husband’s sex addictions. And what is it that methadone does? Yeah, methadone is basically something which numbs you so that you don’t go after the thing you really want. And that’s how they raised a whole generation of boys and men to think of girls. That book series has sold 4 million copies. Or how about this? This Gary Thomas and Deborah Phyllida echoed their sentiment in their 2021 book Married Sex, where they encouraged women to send nude photos to their husbands so that neurologically his attention will be focused on her and not other women or porn. And they didn’t really ever talk about the problems of revenge porn, and they minimized any concerns that she may have about cementing an objectified view of women in porn. Even if it’s not about sex, we get the message in our best sellers that we’re just supposed to pray the abuse away. Women you have so much power over your man. Don’t you understand that? So, in Stormy Omartian’s book, Power of a Praying Wife, she has this quote, which is echoed throughout the book. You can submit to God in prayer whatever controls your husband, and she lists a number of things, including alcoholism, and abusiveness, and pray for him to be released from it. That book sold 10 million copies of women being told if he’s abusive, you can pray it away. You just need to pray more.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  15:27 I bet John MacArthur likes that one. I think the evangelical version of the gospel too often looks like this. Jesus saves women, so the women can save men. And it’s even in the little things. Last year, the Gospel Coalition put out an Instagram reel, where Ligon Duncan claimed that wives can’t expect their husbands to do risky things, unless their wives unconditionally respect their husbands first. And what are these risky things that a woman can’t expect her Christian husband to do? Pray, read the Bible, think about life from a Christian point of view. You cannot expect your husband to do these risky things that you by the way are already doing unless you first give him unconditional respect. This really quietly puts the wife in the leadership role, while having to pretend that it’s the husband who’s actually the one leading. Honestly, it’s like the bar is so low, it is in the basement, isn’t it? Over and over again, our evangelical teaching tells everybody that it is impossible to expect men to act honorably. Tim  LaHaye, in The Act of Marriage, told a story about Aunt Matilda, and he berates Aunt Matilda for telling her niece how terrible sex was just as her niece was getting married. But then he goes on to explain that on her wedding night, Aunt Matilda’s husband held her down kicking and screaming and raped her and continued to do this throughout the marriage. Then Tim LaHaye talks about Aunt Matilda, and her equally unhappy husband. He called the rapist equally unhappy as his rape victim. That book published by Zondervan has gone through four different editions, and nobody ever took out that anecdote. That sold two and a half million copies. His Needs/Her Needs, which I think has also sold two and a half million copies, has a line in there where a 32-year-old executive complains, I feel like I’m begging her or even raping her, but I can’t help it. I have to make love. And Willard Harley, the author uses that to explain that men just have a really high sex drive, and women need to understand that. And then, of course, there’s For Women Only. Shanti Feldon based her book supposedly on research. Which is why I think people have given these books more credence than they really need to have. I’m going to give you an example of her survey question, which has become fundamental in evangelicalism and for several different books. But Emerson Eggerichs actually based his book Love and Respect on the foundational survey question that Shanti used in her book For Women Only, which came out in the same year, 2004, as Love and Respect. So, Shanti asked, I think it was about 450 men, would you prefer to be alone and unloved or inadequate and disrespected? Okay? So, you could be alone and unloved or inadequate and disrespected. 72% of men said that they would prefer to be alone and unloved than inadequate and disrespected. And so, she took this to say that men want respect more than they want love. And that is what Emerson Eggerichs used to base his ideas on for Love and Respect.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  15:39 They never asked women; think about that. A whole doctrine of how men need respect and women need love. They never asked women. When other people, other survey people asked women the same question, 68% of women chose alone and unloved as well. There is no gender difference. But beyond that, okay, I’m just gonna get a little survey geeky with you for a sec here, okay? Alone and unloved, inadequate, and disrespected. That’s what’s called a double-barreled question where you don’t know whether they’re responding to alone or unloved or inadequate and disrespected. When my son in law looked at that, he said, well, the one that I would hate to be the most is inadequate, because alone unloved and disrespected are all how other people are treating me, inadequate is how I feel about myself. So, I would choose alone and unloved because I don’t want to feel inadequate, because inadequate and disrespected are not synonyms. That is the state of research that evangelicalism based a foundational doctrine, love, and respect, that we hear everywhere. And church, we simply have to do better. That’s not okay.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  21:32 Now, there are many other things and for women only that Shanti Felden, that I find quite problematic. But one of the worst is this line, when she’s talking about the need that men have to feel unconditional respect, she says, If you are wondering if you’ve crossed the disrespect line, watch for anger. So if you’re wondering if you’ve disrespected him, watch if he gets angry. So, your husband’s anger is a sign that you have done something wrong, rather than a red flag of a behavior problem or abuse. And again, her book series has also sold 2 million copies. The worst thing though, is that these messages are not just being given to adults, they’re also being given to children. And for our book, She Deserves Better, where we looked at the messages that were given to evangelical teen girls, we found horrific things that were said to girls as young as eight. And I would like to show you something from the Secret Keeper Girl curriculum by Dannah Gresh. Secret Keeper Girl became an event that was seen by about a million little girls and their moms around North America. It’s now called True Girl. So, they’ve rebranded but a lot of the messages are still the same. And in that curriculum, she encouraged girls to take the Raise and Praise test, okay. So, here’s what you do, you put your arms up in the air. And if any belly shows, that’s bad. And the reason is because bellies are intoxicating. Later in this curriculum, she has a conversation that mothers are supposed to have with their daughters to explain what this means. And you’re supposed to talk to your daughter and explain that to be intoxicated means like being under anesthetic or being drunk when you’re out of control. And God created our bodies to intoxicate men. But you are only supposed to intoxicate one man, your future husband, and so you need to make sure that you’re not intoxicating to anyone else. She told eight-year-old girls, that their bellies have the power to make adult men get out of control. And we did nothing about it. We took our little girls to these events, and they internalized this message. I could go on and on.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  24:40 Whether it’s sheet music by Kevin Lehman, telling women that it’s a good thing to have sex when you feel forced and want to shove him off of you. Or explaining that your period is a very difficult time for your husband. I’m not kidding. And so, it’s important to give him sexual favors during your period or when you’re postpartum so that he’s not tempted to watch porn. I can tell you about Every Man’s Battle, telling women that if your husband demands or coerces sex more than once a day, that’s a bad thing. So, there’s a quote, I guess that’s acceptable of coercion. I don’t know. The abusive messages and our evangelical resources are horrifying, and honestly, it seems endless.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  25:33 But the sum total of these teachings is that men are entitled to women’s bodies. Men deserve unconditional deference free from being challenged for any bad behavior. And men cannot be expected to act honorably, or even safely. So, when men do harm, it’s likely because some woman somewhere hasn’t done her job. It’s not hard to imagine how disastrous this can be. In a survey done by the Institute for Family Studies, about 27% of highly religious men who believe in complementarianism, or believe in male headship, claim that they have been violent with their current partner. Marital rape is more difficult to measure because it depends on the definition of marital rape. But from what we’ve seen in the literature, and in our own results, it looks like a rate of about 10% with a very narrow definition, to about 25% of evangelical marriages if you include things like obligation sex, which lead to trauma. So, this is what’s going on in the pews. One quarter of the women in our churches are currently victims of abuse. And a lot of that is caused by our messages which prop up and enable abuse.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  27:17 And it’s not only abuse. There’s also rates of sexual pain. This is one of our big research areas that we’re trying to dig down deep into. Because it’s been known for about 50 years in the literature that evangelical women suffer from sexual pain. Specifically, a sexual pain disorder called vaginismus, which is when the muscles of the vaginal wall contract and become really tight, so that penetration becomes really difficult, if not impossible. Even things like inserting tampons can become difficult or pelvic exams. And we’ve known evangelical women suffer from this at way higher rates than the general population. But what we haven’t known is why. And it was assumed that it’s just because well, they’re just ashamed of sex. That’s not actually what we found. We discovered two big things that are highly highly correlated with vaginismus. The first is the obligation sex message. So, when women enter marriage, believing in obligation sex, whether or not their husbands do, it's just what you have internalized, your chance of experiencing vaginismus increases to almost the same statistical effect as if you had been abused. Because our bodies interpret obligation sex as trauma. Because abuse says, you don’t matter, he gets to use you however you want. And so does obligation sex. The other big thing that’s correlated with it is the modesty message as a teenager. So, when a girl has internalized that she is at least partially responsible for keeping boys from sinning., she’s also far more likely to experience vaginismus. This is our problem. It’s not nice to talk about it, but this is our problem. We have an incidence rate of about 22.6% of evangelical women and in the broader population is closer to seven or eight. This is what we have done, and it’s largely because of what we have taught people.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  29:32 And that’s why I am so passionate about changing the way we talk about sex and marriage in the church. Because what we have done has had real world effects. It has caused abuse to rise. It has caused actual physical changes in our bodies. And there’s other research which has shown that it actually solidifies porn use and makes it much harder to stop. We need to talk about this in a different way. And what’s been so exciting to me as we have done our work is that people have told me again and again, that when they read our stuff, they start to recognize abuse in other places too. Like, once you start to see, oh, this isn’t okay, in one area, you see it everywhere. One woman told us that it’s like peeling an onion, you know, and you take off one layer. And then you see it again and again. Another woman said, you know, I read The Great Sex Rescue, and I recognized that there was some really abusive patterns in my marriage. And thank God, my husband saw it, too, and we’re on the road to recovery. But it wasn’t just that. I also in that same week, realized that my boss was sexually harassing me, and I stood up to him, and I reported him. And we left our church. Because when you see abuse in one area, you’re able to recognize it in others.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  31:19 This is gonna sound weird to say, I don’t actually care about sex that much. Like, I know, this is my whole life, and I know this is all I write about. I don’t actually care that much. You know what I care about? I care about people thriving. I care about emotional health and wholeness. I care about ending abuse. But there’s a lot of people that are doing that work of calling out abuse, and you know how hard it is to get people to listen to you. You know, it’s like banging your head on the wall, and they just don’t want to hear. And on the other side, there’s a lot of people addressing the theology of men and women in the church, and how harmful that theology has been to many women. And I can’t speak Greek, my husband reads the New Testament in Greek, but I don’t, you know, I can’t tackle it on that side. But you know, the one thing people like talking about? sex. Everybody wants to talk about sex. And so, this has been our way in. We’ve been able to open up that conversation about sex, so that people will listen. Even people who, maybe you’re normally in more fundamentalist spaces, because everybody wants good sex. And when you can tell them, hey, here’s the way forward, here’s what we need, here’s why women need to matter too. When they start to see it in that one area, then they’ll start to see it in others. And I think that’s where we can work together. You know, I know so many of you are recovering from church hurt, and you’re wondering where to go and how to move forward. And I’ve been there. But I believe that as we speak up about this stuff, we’re going to empower others, that they can speak up too, and we’re going to cause a grassroots movement.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  33:27 I spent a lot of years hitting my head against the wall, trying to convince Focus on the Family to change. It doesn’t work. Interestingly, they’re now using all of my talking points in their Instagram reels. They’re just not referencing me. It’s pretty funny. But so, you know, that’s good. You know what? I don’t care if you don’t reference me, as long as you’re actually starting to teach healthy stuff, do not trust Focus for healthy stuff. Okay? They might be saying a few good things. And I’m glad about that. But this is not an endorsement. But you know, things can change slowly from the grassroots. But we’re not necessarily going to get the big things to change. And it used to really frustrate me when I couldn’t get the big organizations to change, when I couldn’t get the megachurch pastors to listen to me, when I couldn’t get the big media organizations to listen to me. When nobody big would interview us about The Great Sex Rescue, even though we did the biggest study that’s ever been done. Even though we spoke at the American Physiotherapy convention because pelvic floor physiotherapists think we’re groundbreaking. And we can’t get  the big names in the church to listen. But maybe that’s because they’re not supposed to. Because Jesus works at the margins. And I think Jesus is working at the margins here. And I know so many of you are hurting and a lot of It is because of this crap that was in so many of the books that taught you that it’s your fault if someone hurts you, and that you’re just not praying enough. And don’t you know that Jesus put up with it? So, what are you to say that you shouldn’t have to put up with this? You should have the mind of Christ. And you’ve heard those messages. But let me tell you that Jesus wants to tell you that you matter, that you matter.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  35:33 One of my co-authors on The Great Sex Rescue said that we could sum up the whole book with just four words, women are people too. And we are. And men are people too too; we all matter. But when we live in a church culture, which is trying to be based on power instead of on love, and emotional wholeness, we’re going to end up with abuse. And we’re going to end up with hurt. And so, as we’re fighting abuse, my plea, if I can make a plea, is that we also fight that which underpins abuse. That we don’t just fight abuse, but we start calling out the teaching that has enabled it. Because when we call out the teaching, we make it far more likely that people will recognize abuse in other spaces, too.   SHEILA WRAY GREGOIRE  36:35 One of the things that so disappointed me in the Mars Hill podcast series, I don’t know how many of you listen to that. Some of you, yeah, they just didn’t go far enough. They treated it like Mark was the problem. Mark was a symptom. All of the things that one episode they did about women, all of the things Mark preached about women, were in all of our best sellers. I could have pointed you to everything he said was in all of our bestsellers that are still our bestsellers. Mark is not the problem; Mark’s awful, but Mark is not the problem. The problem is that we have this whole culture of teaching that enables the Mark’s to get power. If we didn’t have this teaching underpinning it, if we didn’t have these ideas of power and kingdom, then there would not be a Mark Driscoll who would have that kind of power, there would not be a John MacArthur who told Eileen Gray she needed to go back to her abusive husband. And so, as we fight abuse, and I am so grateful to those of you who are out there in the trenches doing that, I pray that you will also join me in some of my mission too, in fighting the teaching that is given about marriage and sex that is underpinned abuse and enabled it to flourish. Because I think, until we can eradicate that teaching, we’re just going to be playing abuser whack-a-mole. Thank you.   Julie Roys  38:12 Wow, such an important message. And I’m so grateful for Sheila’s ministry, and the way that she’s addressing the root of the abuse problem in our churches. And I’m grateful for you too, who listen and support these podcasts and help us get these important messages out. As I’ve noted before, many ministries charge for conference talks, but because of your continued generosity, we’ve been able to make these messages available free of charge. And I’m just so grateful to the hundreds of you who donate to The Roys Report. As I’ve said before, we don’t have any large donors or advertisers, we simply have you the people who care about abuse victims and want to help. If you appreciate this ministry and want to support us, just go to JULIEROYS.COM/DONATE. And in January, if you give a gift of $30 or more, we’ll send you a copy of The Great Dechurching. This is a great resource exploring what’s causing the current exodus out of the church, and what can be done to stop the bleed. So again, just go to JULIEROYS.COM/DONATE. Also, just a quick reminder to subscribe to The Roys Report on Apple podcast, Google podcasts or Spotify. That way you won’t miss any of these episodes. And while you’re at it, I’d really appreciate it if you’d help us spread the word about the podcast by leaving a review. And then please share the podcast on social media so more people can hear about this great content. Again, thanks so much for joining me today. Hope you’re blessed and encouraged.   Read more

What happens when all those Purity Culture kids from the 90s and early 2000s grow up and get married? Well one thing we discovered is a bunch of books were published to “help” us understand sex and marriage. Turns out, some of them were … not so helpful. Meg and Rebekah are here to discuss. Not a Super Star yet? Today is a great day to become one! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: *OneSkin: Get 15% off with the code SORTA at oneskin.co SHOW NOTES: Rebekah's AotW: Latuza Pajama Pants Meg's AotW: Sam and Colby: Surviving a week at the Real Conjuring House The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire Sheila Gregoire on Instagram Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski Books Studied for The Great Sex Rescue (listed in order of best to worst): Helpful Books: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M Gottman (tie - scored near perfect)- https://amzn.to/3QvFtE6 The Gift of Sex by Clifford & Joyce Penner (tie - scored near perfect) - https://amzn.to/3FRLwgd Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud & John Townsend (tie) - https://amzn.to/3QwSHQJ Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (tie) - https://amzn.to/3QwSHQJ Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow & Lorraine Pintus - https://amzn.to/462KSHn Neutral Books: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy & Kathy Keller - https://amzn.to/3tPTALB Intended for Pleasure by Ed & Gaye Wheat - https://amzn.to/3Shk3Mk Harmful Books: Sheet Music by Kevin Leman - https://amzn.to/3SdKCBM The Act of Marriage by Tim and Beverly LaHaye - https://amzn.to/3tUnsGp His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F Harley Jr - https://amzn.to/4762DWV The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian - https://amzn.to/49bQDoy For Women Only by Shaunti Feldahn - https://amzn.to/3Q9xLOx Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker - https://amzn.to/3Q9xLOx Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs - https://amzn.to/3tOaH0b MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME: Ep. 193: Stressed out, burned out and ready to recover Ep. 401: Midlife with Mindy & Meg: The ups and downs of sex Ep. 318: 5 books every woman should read Ep. 463: These discoveries will upgrade your life! You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don't forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter! This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Links to things mentioned:Our Patreon! Support us for as little as $5 a month and get access to our amazing behind-the-scenes Facebook group, and more.Our Great Sex Rescue Toolkit--help for you as you talk about healthy teachings to your friends and church https://baremarriage.com/toolkit/Keith's Danvers Statement posts--Start here.Emerson Eggerichs warns against wives following into sin (watch the first few video clips and see his emotional response)Our Power of a Praying Wife podcast and downloadThe Gospel Coalition's Instagram Reel about men being passiveOur podcasts with Philip Payne: Part 1 and Part 2Check out Marg Mowczko's amazing websiteWhy having the husband make the final decision can be a harmful shortcut

Links to things mentioned:Join our Patreon! Support us for as little as $5 a month, and get exclusive access to our Facebook group--and even free merch!A Synopsis of all the problems in Power of a Praying Wife--with an optional downloadGretchen Baskerville at the Life-Saving Divorce, and her book The Life-Saving Divorce. Follow her on Facebook and YouTube.Gretchen's articles with info on the effect of divorce on kids; the ACE study; and more.Sarah McDugal from Wilderness to Wild. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram and YouTube, or join her support groups.Sarah's free online course to recognize red flags of abuse, plus a slew of resources to help identify abuse. Sarah's article on how God honors free will: Happily (N)ever After, and Does God Say You Can't Divorce for Abuse?Keith's series on the issues with the Danvers Statement