By Christina Prather

The day God pressed into my heart the desire to initiate relationship with, mentor, and offer a nurturing environment for His daughters to grow into a deeper relationship with Him will never be forgotten. I remember well the incredulity, the enormity of what He was calling me to do.

What did I know about women’s ministry? What did I have to offer these His most precious masterpieces? There was not a single reason that I could think of that would point to this as a successful adventure. But God delights in equipping us with all that we need when He calls us to do something. A God sized assignment to coin Henry Blackaby’s phrase.

So with great excitement mingling with a fearful heart, I stepped out of my comfort zone and started my first ladies study. One study led to another, and another. In those early days, I remember the clamor in my heart wanting to venture further, reach beyond these initmate gatherings. Recently, I have had the pleasure to organize my first real Women’s retreat. Knowing this was far beyond my own gifts and talents, I commited my plans to God. Prayerful. Watchful. Listening. There were moments when I wanted to give up. Moments when doubt plagued my heart, plagued my emotions. I pressed on with the strength that can only come from the helper, the Holy Spirit. My best friend.

A week before the Living Well Retreat, Bible in hand, I asked with an intensity pouring from my inner most soul, “God, speak to me through Your Word.” Opening to 2 Timothy, I read the first verse, “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God.” It was the latter part of that verse that struck out. Popped off the page. Floated in the air above the written Word. ”BY THE WILL OF GOD.” The Holy Spirit pressed into my heart, my mind, my soul. “You were not called to this ministry by man, pastor, or friend. You were called by the will of God. I could go no further as I let those words soak into my very being. I clung to those words, the truth, as I finalized the preparations for the retreat.

On October 7th, 25 women filed into a lodge at Duck Creek Village, Utah. We were immersed in the presence of the Holy Spirit. I can’t remember a worship sweeter. Like children we sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His heart beat that continued to whisper, “I love you” over and over. We who needed comfort, received comfort. We who needed love, received love. We who needed community, found community. We who needed forgiveness, found forgiveness. It was Jesus, meeting us where we are, offering His grace for our shame. His mercy, for our short comings. Our God is an awesome God!

If God has given you an assignment that seems too big, rely on Him. He equips you with all you need. Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord all of your plans, and He will make them succeed.” There will be those who rise up, and though they mean well, discourage you from following God’s plan for your life. The enemy often hits below the belt. He wants to win. But we have victory in Jesus. He can’t win unless we let him. The enemy wants nothing more than to steal the word God has given you, or to destroy the work God is doing in your life. My sisters, stand firm on the rock of our salvation. Cling to the promises of our God. His Word is truth. He will never have you do anything that is against His nature. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and push back the gates of Hell. Advance the Kingdom of God!

by Christina Prather


When God first impressed on me to open my home for a ladies Bible study a few years back, all I could think was, “What do I know about leading a Bible study? What does it look like? Who would even come?”

But when God calls us into His plan and purpose, He equips us. With this one act of obedience, God placed a passion deep in my heart for His daughters, and equipping them for His glory.

A steady stream of women has passed through my doors, thirsting and hungry for a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. It has been the delight of my heart to see them grow into who God wants them to be, giving them the opportunity to grow and use their gifts in the safe and nurturing environment of my home.

Each year, I strive to bring this environment into a weekend retreat where women can hear teaches on subjects pertinent to their needs, can worship God with a wild abandon of a carefree heart, and gain new godly relationships with other women who can build them up and encourage them on their journey.

I have the privilege of teaching women out of what God is doing in my own life, bearing witness to the awesome transformation of a loving God! And I have the privilege of encouraging women to mentor and teach others from what God is doing in their lives.

Let our BEING transformed into the image of Christ bring Him glory upon glory as we embrace the scriptures in Titus 2:3-4, “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to too much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

 For more of Christina check out her blog: http://christinamarieprather.com/