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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

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Waiting—it’s one of life’s hardest tests. Whether you’re waiting for a dream job, healing, or direction, those in-between moments can feel unbearable. But as followers of Christ, we’re reminded that waiting isn’t wasted—it’s sacred. In this episode, we explore how God uses seasons of waiting to strengthen our faith and shape our hearts.

Romans 8:25 tells us, “If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” That patience isn’t passive—it’s trust in motion. God isn’t silent or distant; He’s preparing you for what’s ahead.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Waiting is not punishment—it’s preparation.

• God works deeply in moments of silence.

• Trust in His timing builds endurance and faith.

• Hope in Christ anchors us when life feels uncertain.

If you’re in a season of waiting, remember: the One you’re waiting on is never late.

Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.

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Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!

This week’s guest on the Praying Christian Women podcast is living proof that prayer has the power to completely change the trajectory of a family’s legacy.

Monica Schmelter, host of the Hope for the Journey podcast, invites us into her incredible testimony of how God saved her as a rebellious teenager and how that moment began a lifelong journey of rewriting her family’s history through prayer.

In our conversation, Monica highlights the reality of perseverance, sharing how she prayed for 25 years before seeing her family members—including her Muslim grandfather and atheist father—come to Christ. She also shares a stunning story about a specific prayer she wrote in her youth regarding her father joining the church orchestra, and how God faithfully answered it nearly four decades later.

You won’t want to miss Monica’s wisdom on how to battle discouragement when waiting on the Lord, the importance of sitting in silence in your "promise room," and the powerful reminder that God is always working in the details to redeem your loved ones.

Visit monicaschmelter.com to connect with Monica today!

Discover More:

Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com

Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!

Connect with Us:

Stay updated and engage with our community:

On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen

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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Chloë Elmore, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Where do your good gifts come from? Meditate on James 1:17. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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John 3:16 beautifully captures the entire Gospel in one verse. It tells the story of a God whose love was so great that He came down to rescue us. We could not save ourselves, but God, moved by immeasurable love, gave His Son so we could have eternal life. Jesus did not come reluctantly—He willingly laid down His life to defeat sin and death and to set us free. Christmas reminds us that love didn’t stay distant; love came down.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Father,
Thank You for Your great love—a love so powerful that it came down from Heaven to save us. Thank You for giving Jesus freely and willingly so that we might have life, forgiveness, and hope. Help me never to forget that my salvation is not earned but received through Your grace. Tonight, I rest in the truth that I am deeply loved, fully redeemed, and eternally secure because of what You have done for me through Your Son. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. How does remembering God’s sacrificial love in John 3:16 reshape the way you see your worth and identity?

2. Do you fully believe that Jesus willingly laid down His life for you? What does that reveal about God’s heart toward you?

3. How can you respond to God’s love this season—through gratitude, trust, or sharing His love with others?

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Trusting God with the unknown is often harder than we expect—especially when the path feels confusing, delayed, or downright backward. This devotional gently reminds us that just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are invited to trust God’s guidance even when we don’t understand the route. The journey may feel long, but God’s purpose is always at work, shaping our faith and leading us toward something worth the wait.

Highlights

• We often struggle with uncertainty because we want clarity, timelines, and reassurance.

• God’s chosen path isn’t always the shortest or most logical, but it is intentional.

• Questioning the journey doesn’t mean God has abandoned us—it reveals our need to trust Him more deeply.

• Seasons of waiting or wandering can prepare us for breakthroughs we can’t yet see.

• Faith grows when we choose trust over control, even when fear feels close.

• Looking back often reveals that God’s plan was worth every step.

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Full Transcript Below:

Trusting God with the Unknown Days Ahead

By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:

“They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” - Exodus 4:11 NIV

“How much longer? It feels like we’ve been walking forever!”

“Wait, now we are going downhill, I thought we were trying to get to the top of the mountain?”

“Why are there so many switchbacks? Wouldn’t it be faster to go straight up the hill?”

Last week, for fall break, my husband and I took our girls to the mountains. We’d found a reasonably short and easy hike that led to not one, but two waterfalls. My husband and I were excited to share our love of the outdoors and hiking with our girls. For us, the thrill of hiking is the journey to the top. We often don’t even look at the mile markers or ask other hikers, “How much longer?” We simply enjoy the fun of not knowing. Our three young girls did not share the same sentiment, as suggested by the comments made above. I tried to brush off the first few remarks, but then, I snapped, “We will get there when we get there, just enjoy the journey, and trust me, it will be worth the trip!” 

As we walked on in silence, I felt that familiar pang of conviction from the Holy Spirit. While I may not ask questions about direction, timeline, or purpose on a hike, I am undoubtedly guilty of asking God for information. I want to know where He

Jesús enfrentó presiones, críticas y angustias, pero también nos dejó el mejor ejemplo de cómo cuidar de nuestras emociones, orar, descansar, agradecer, disfrutar la vida, vivir en comunidad y guardar silencio en el momento oportuno. Si hoy te sientes abrumado, sin rumbo o con el corazón cansado, acompáñanos y descubramos juntos en la luz de la Palabra cómo Jesús se cuidaba y cómo nos enseña a hacerlo también a nosotros.

Escrito por el Capitán Carlos Solís

CANAL EN TELEGRAM

GRUPO EN WHATSAPP

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In this powerful episode of Words of Life, our panel takes a thoughtful look at one of the most honest questions Christians ask today: Where is God in a world filled with so much violence, confusion, and brokenness? Drawing from the books of Judges, Ruth, Job, and the Psalms, our guests explore how God's redemption is woven even through the darkest chapters of Scripture—and how He still works in the chaos of our culture today.

We discuss how the Bible doesn’t shy away from humanity’s deepest pain. Instead, it reveals a God who is present, faithful, and actively at work—even when circumstances feel overwhelming. Through stories of tragedy, hope, and restoration, Scripture reminds us that in God’s economy, nothing is wasted.

Our panel also opens up about personal seasons of doubt and spiritual “roller coasters,” highlighting how the Word of God meets us in both our highs and lows. Whether you’re questioning, grieving, searching for direction, or simply trying to grow in faith, the Bible offers something for every season.

We also address real concerns many people have about Christianity: the challenge of hypocrisy, and how believers can avoid becoming a stumbling block to those seeking Jesus. Ultimately, we affirm that while Christians are imperfect, God Himself is the one who transforms lives.

The conversation closes with a meaningful reflection on why engaging Scripture should do more than increase knowledge—it should produce joy, kindness, love, and spiritual formation. Understanding the Bible is an intellectual pursuit, but faith is also a gift of grace that shapes both the heart and our daily walk with Christ.

If you're curious about the Bible, wrestling with doubts, or looking to deepen your relationship with God, this is an episode that will encourage, challenge, and remind you of the hope found only in Jesus.

Here are several links to resources and studies to help you in your Bible study journey. But if you have any questions- send us an email at [email protected]

https://www.youversion.com/

https://www.thebiblerecap.com/

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/41061-52-weeks-in-the-word

https://bibleproject.com/

https://lectio365.com/

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In a world filled with questions about identity and purpose, it’s easy to look inward or outward for answers. Yet Scripture points us in a different direction—back to our Creator. Genesis 1:27 reminds us that we were intentionally created in the image of God, fully known, deeply loved, and designed for relationship with Him. Our purpose is not something we must invent or discover through endless searching; it is rooted in who God is and why He made us. When we remember that we belong to the Lord, we can live with confidence, clarity, and peace, knowing we were created to know Him and make Him known.

Main Takeaways

• You’ll learn why true purpose is found in God—not within ourselves or the world’s expectations.

• Discover how being created in God’s image gives every person inherent value and worth.

• Understand why identity rooted in God’s unchanging nature brings lasting confidence.

• Reflect on how knowing who you belong to clarifies how you live.

• Be encouraged to live out your purpose by glorifying God through your unique gifts and calling.

Bible Verse References

• Genesis 1:27 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/genesis/1-27.html

Your Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me in Your image and inviting me into a relationship with You. Help me remember that my purpose is rooted in who You are, not in what the world says I should be. Forgive me when I lose sight of Your truth and chase my own definition of identity. Keep my heart anchored in You, and guide my steps so my life reflects Your goodness and glory. Teach me how to live out my purpose by knowing You deeply and making You known.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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• Visit LifeAudio.com for more faith-based podcasts and devotionals.

• Explore articles on faith, identity, and purpose at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com.

Relevant Links & Resources

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

.

If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

.

To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.