A Prayer for She Speaks Conference

Father God, I praise You for the good work You are doing among the earth. You are never idle. You never sleep. You are always mindful of each and every life You have created. You know everything about us and love us just the same. You watch over us and sing us sweet love songs. What a gift to know Your presence is always available. We never walk alone. We are always in Your care. Thank You, Jesus, for loving us always.

I pray for peace for all who are anxious and restless as they prepare for the She Speaks Conference. I’ve noticed many attendees are insecure and feeling burdened already. Help them remember to be still and rest in Your arms. I know this is a first for many of them. A step of faith and I’m sure this event is important for so many reasons. They are saying yes to feel a tug into ministry or writing or speaking. They wonder if they will be accepted or not. They wonder if they are enough. I pray You will guide their steps. I pray You will move mountains of discouragement out of the way. Increase their faith. Open new doors. Bless their obedience.

I pray we can trust Your timing no matter what You lead us to next. Some are bringing book proposals, or ministry dreams, and others have talks prepared. I trust that Your plans will prevail above everything else. Ultimately, You know the seasons of our lives. You know if we should press forward with perseverance or take a break and breathe You in. You know the future and we can rest in Your provision as we seek Your face.

This time away is Your time.

I thank You in advance for the opportunity to pause and pray and learn. I lift up all 650 women who will be there from all over the US and other countries. I pray our hearts will be united as one in Christ. I pray for good health, safe travels, and for energy and strengthen to accomplish all that needs to be done before, during and after this event.

Bless the staff of Proverbs 31 Ministries and all of the volunteers. Bless the workers of the hotel. Bless the editors and publishers, workshop speakers and keynote speakers.

Prepare our hearts to sit at Your feet and soak in truth and more of Your love. Allow us to learn more about the craft of communication and ministry. I fully believe You will meet us there and we will receive what You are sending us for. Use our voices, both written and spoken, to encourage, motivate and strengthen others.

Send us out, north, south, east and west to be light in a dark world.

I pray for Your perfect peace as we lay down our agendas and embrace Yours.

Remind us that a “no” from a publisher is not a no from You. It may be we haven’t knocked on right door or the timing isn’t right. You know best we can trust You. Maybe we have more to learn before we can move forward. I believe a no is often Your grace in disguise. No’s are good. They teach us to wait on You. Let us not take no as a personal rejection. Help us remain teachable and pliable. You are the potter we are the clay. We want to be changeable and adaptable and open to new direction.

If we get a yes, give us the grace to walk out the invitation in a manner worthy. Strengthen us for the long journey. Hold our hand. May it be all about Your name, not our own.

For the speakers, which I plan to join in on these sessions, please help us remember we are each uniquely designed to communicate the messages of our heart. Let us not compare, instead let us build one another up. Encouragement heals our broken hearts. Teach us how to effectively share the hope we have. Redefine our speaking ministry. Show us new territory. Thank You for using the least of these, like me, to share our great You are.

Thank You for the precious friends who donated to my scholarship fund to make it possible for me to attend. This is a dream come true. I look forward to all You have prepared for me and my friends. I pray I can speak with “God confidence” for my 3 and 5 minute speaker evaluation talks. I thank You for giving me creative ideas and words. Thank You for the way You have redeemed and restored the mess I had made. Thank You for the beauty I now see appearing from my former brokenness.

Thank You for our life stories.

This is an exciting time of learning. I believe this will be a defining moment for many. For others, it may be a time of prayer and confession. Or even rest. For yet others, they will minister to those in need through listening and prayers. Show us all how we can wrap our arms around our sisters right where they are at. We want to be an extension of Your mercy and grace.

Bottom line is, Lord, we want to know You more. In Concord, North Carolina, at the She Speaks Conference. We want to meet with You and hear from You.

Speak, Lord, Your servants are listening.

Amen.

( To find other She Speaks attendees, ask to join us on Facebook in our private group if you haven’t already. Or find conversation on Twitter hashtag #P31SheSpeaks)