When schedules are full and urgent needs abound, it's a struggle to run to God in prayer. We are hindered by distractions, unrealistic expectations, and even guilt, because we haven't already gone to our Father with our needs. In this episode, Valerie Woerner, joins Emily and Laura in a conversation about how moms can intentionally rely on God through prayer in each season. Valerie is a wife and mom herself, and is the founder of Val Marie Paper, which she started with a heart to provide women with practical tools for consistent prayer. If you are a mom hoping to be refreshed with gospel-truth and practical ideas for prayer, we know you'll be encouraged by this interview!
More from Valerie Woerner:
- Val Marie Paper
- Women's Undated Prayer Journal (as mentioned on the show by Laura & Emily)
- House Prayers + Free Printable Worksheets - Resource from Val for intentional prayer in different rooms of your house
- Checkout Val's Blog Archive on the topic of Prayer for more great articles!
- New Morning Mercies - Paul David Tripp (Devotional mentioned by Val on the show)
- E.M. Bounds on Prayer - Book mentioned by Val on the show
Other Articles & Resources:
- Praying the Bible - Donald Whitney
- Prayer - Tim Keller
- 10 Questions on Prayer with Tim Keller
- Praying the Bible - Video Series (5 parts) with Donald Whitney
- The Lord's Prayer - Audio series by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
- 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children - Free printable (could tuck in your bible or hang next to your rocking chair!)
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
*Affiliate links used where appropriate - thanks for supporting this ministry!
Many moms wonder, "What is it going to be like to add another little one to our family?"...Through childbirth or adoption, the season of transition can cause everyone anxiety. In this episode, Emily and Laura talk about the way we face our limitations by looking to Christ, who ultimately fills our hearts with hope, not fear. God doesn't promise to spare us from spit-up, sleepless nights, blow-outs, or frustrated older siblings, but He does promise to use all things for our good and His glory. It's often the "out of control" seasons that remind us who's really in control.
Articles & Resources:
- Ep. 33 || Intentional Motherhood Starts at Day One (podcast episode mentioned on today's show)
- A Prayer for Trusting Jesus in Our Seasons of Transition - Scotty Smith
- The Seductive Song of Self-Pity - Michael Kelly
- Loving the Little Years - Rachel Jankovic
- Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full - Gloria Furman
- The Mission Field of Motherhood Can be a Fearful Thing - Emily Jensen
- Hope for the Mom With a Toddler and a Baby - Laura Wifler
- Humble Roots - Hannah Anderson
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
*Affiliate links used where appropriate. Thanks for supporting this ministry!
Even before walking down the aisle, questions start coming your way, "So when are you going to have children and how many do you guys want to have?!" As a couple who just wants to settle into married life first, it's natural to take the path-of-least resistance, neglecting to intentionally consider the hard questions about family planning. In this episode, Emily and Laura share the unexpected ways that God has shaped their ideas about children -- including family size, caring for orphans, and being unified with their husbands. There is no formula for a perfect Christian family plan, but we can all rest in our gospel-freedom, embracing children as the Lord does (sacrifices, messiness and all!).
Articles & Resources:
- How to leave a rating and review on iTunes
- Ask Us Anything Show || Ep. 54
- Heart Questions to Ask: "How Many Children Should We Have?" Gospel-Centered Question for Family Planning - RM Blog
- Does the Priority of Orphan Care Mean We Should Stop Having Children? - Russell Moore
- Newlyweds, Be Open To God's Plan for Your Young Family - Emily Jensen
- Principles for Thinking About Family Planning (as shared on the show):
- God loves life, and He is the ultimate giver / sustainer of life.
- God's glory is displayed through family relationships.
- God is Lord over the womb - He is sovereign over childbearing.
- God thinks children are a blessing.
- God wants us to display the gospel as we sacrifice for the nurture of children - also, He loves the spread of the gospel from generation to generation, where parents disciple their children in the Lord.
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.
In motherhood, sometimes unexpected and even grief-filled news about your child can change all of your hopes and dreams for the future. When her son Titus was flagged for having a small cerebellum at his 20-week ultrasound, Abigail Dodds and her husband began their God-appointed journey as parents to a child with special needs. In this episode, she shares wisdom, rooted in the truth of the gospel, about everything from facing fears of the future to facing the hard chaotic "I can't do this" moments of the present. Whether you are a mom to your own child with special needs, an Aunt or Grandparent of a child with special needs, or a woman hoping to come alongside a friend as a loving support -- this episode is for you! As you'll hear Abigail share, God's promises in Christ can provide true joy and encouragement in any circumstance.
Articles & Resources:
- Abigail's Blog || Hope & Stay (here you can find lots of her writing on the topic of special needs)
- The Works of God - A blog by John Knight with a wealth of helpful material
- Joni and Friends - Joni Erikson Tada is always inspirational and constantly points to Jesus. Also, she has a tab "Area Ministries" that can help connect you with a church that has a disability ministry.
- God's Good Design in Disability - The audio archives from a Desiring God conference on disability in 2012
- Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God - Free .pdf download || resources from John Piper
- The Life We Never Expected: Hopeful Reflections on the Challenges of Parenting Children With Special Needs - Andrew & Rachel Wilson (foreword by Russell Moore)
- The Life They Never Expected - Laura Dilly (book review / reflection)
- Mix for Moms in Need of Hope - A collection of youtube songs (curated by Abigail) for grief and processing
For More:
- To subscribe: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe. On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and select your podcast app. You may need to copy the link into your favorite podcast app (like Overcast or Stitcher).
- Leave an iTunes review. These are huge for us! The more reviews, the greater chance another mother will find us.
- Like Risen Motherhood on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates and related information.
- Let us know your thoughts! We'd love to hear more about the conversations you're having. Shoot us an email, or find us on on social media.
- Tell others. We truly hope this podcast fosters conversations and deeper discussions between mothers to seek the gospel in their daily activities - we'd be honored if you shared and encouraged others to listen in.