This is a big week for me.
You know it’s been a difficult year, and I’m only beginning to share the challenges we’ve faced, the hard-won lessons we’ve learned, the glimpses of Christ that have changed the way I see him forever. I’m still struggling to find words as well as the emotional bandwidth for all that we’ve been through.
This week I’m stepping out in a big, vulnerable way.
Leif, Hershey, and I are in Nashville with the Lifeway team filming Fight Back With Joy 6-Session DVD Bible study. I’ve fought for this content with tears, pain, and heartache indescribable. It’s the most costly book and Bible study I’ve ever written, and also the most personal.
The days of filming are long. My body is still weak. While we’re still celebrating zero, I’m still on the long path of recovery. Getting stronger every day. But not as strong as I once was.
Will you pray for me?
Will you pray for my strength—physical and emotional—each day this week?
Will you pray for mental clarity—that the message will be infused with the Holy Spirit? Will you pray for the team from Lifeway, the cameras, and technical equipment?
And will you pray that even in this we will fight back with joy?
Much love,
Margaret
Oh yes, Margaret! We are praying for sustaining grace and strength directly from the Lord! God will use your honesty about your journey, to bring His light, love and hope to others who are really struggling to hang on. You and Leif will look back on this week and be amazed! Thank you!
As usual God is ahead of the game…you have been heavy on my heart for several days and you have already been prayed up. Will now make the prayers more specific! Hugs!
Yes I will. Excited to see how God will show Himself strong through you !
I’m praying, I love you, you are fantastic!
Big hugs Margaret, God is fighting for you, for the content of this new project, if this is his timing, he will have his way I pray. I care. He cares even more.
Sweet precious Margaret! Of course girlfriend! I will pray for you like I do every single day!
May God go before you, beside you, behind you and do God-sized things through this study. May He give you strength untold and leave you in complete awe of who He is!
Can’t wait to see you in Roanoke!!! Love you girlfriend!
You have my promised prayers, friend…
Carrying you in my heart with deep gratitude for all God is doing for and through you, Margaret…
Be deeply encouraged and strengthened!
You are loved,
All’s grace,
Ann
Praying for strength. Wish I could come up there and just help you as you film. Praying for times of deep, restoring rest. Don’t forget to take comfort items with you – warm blanket, tea, etc. Hugs! In my prayers that this will be a magnificent, God-filled, energizing production.
Prayers being lifted up for you this week Margaret. You are an amazing young woman who God is using mightily to touch the hearts of women everywhere. May God be with you in a way that you aren’t even able to describe. Blessings to you my sister!!!
Margaret,
You and your family always have our prayers. We will “double-down” and pray more specifically for strength, clarity and joy. Monica and I are on your team.
Praying that God shows up in a very big way over the next few days. May His strength sustain you and His perfect peace give you rest. Love and hugs!
With joy and trust that our Father will meet all your needs, I will pray. You, Leif, and Hershey, along with the Lifeway team and all involved, will headline my prayers this week. What a delight you are, Margaret! Love and blessings to you.
Will you pray for me?YES
Will you pray for my strength—physical and emotional—each day this week?YES
Will you pray for mental clarity—that the message will be infused with the Holy Spirit? YES Will you pray for the team from Lifeway, the cameras, and technical equipment?YES
And will you pray that even in this we will fight back with joy?YES
Now and always……
Margaret & Lief – Be assured of prayers this week. The battle is long, but the care of the Lord will carry you through. He will continue to use you and your story to show his glory to others.
Praying fir your strength your mental and emotional being. God will be with you each day He always had a plan and we are just pieces in that plan. Blessings on you and Leif .
Yes! Yes! The fire you’ve walked through, the joy you are spreading to others, and the hope you will give to so many. All must be given in the name of God and through your weakness His glorious strength will shine. I pray that the Lifeway team can even keep up with you!
Much love and many prayers, my friend. Everyday this week and during each day may the glory of Our Father fall on you and be felt through you.
~ Felecia
Praying for you & Leif as you walk through this difficult, yet joy-inducing opportunity. We always appreciate your transparency, your vulnerability & your honesty….in the midst if your own struggles. I’m praying for peace & joy with minimal exhaustion. May the Holy Spirit provide the words you need, the strength you need during physical demands, and joy of knowing you have been obedient to the call!
Margaret and Leif, praying that God will give you clarity of mind and confidence in His Word that only He can provide, strength, and confidence in the message He has given you to share with others. He has such plans for you. Love you both and I am so proud of the work you do for the Lord. He will bless you!
Joining this band of angels in prayer for you, dear Margaret.
The Lord has already placed you on my heart and in my prayers, Margaret. I will lift you up this week and seek God’s provision for the team working with you as you move forward in obedience. You will be telling my story as well, I think. I’m praising God for recovery from breast cancer. I’m so very much looking forward to your event at Maranatha later this month!! And I have three sons who have migrated from Indiana to Nashville, TN and we just came home from visiting them!! (Take a break to visit Belle Meade Plantation while you’re there. Beautiful.) Blessings on you this week.
Praying for you right now. I so understand the battle of heart, mind and body against cancer. May you be strengthened minute by minute on all fronts. I marvel at your tenacity.
Margaret, may the joy of the LORD be your strength. May you sense God carrying you today as He leads the way in victory. May the breath of His Spirit revive your weary soul and bring clarity to your thoughts. You have the wonderful assurance that His Word will not return void. Sweet Blessings to you today.
Continued prayers… thank you for letting us know so we all can lift you up with one voice… for special grace to do the filming. Oh.. I Know meeting you isn’t possible… but Nashville… my hometown… but if you should need anything…
Praying for you, Margaret!
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Is 41.10
Yes, yes! Will definitely pray for you!
The joy of the LORD is your strength! Linking souls in prayer.
Hi Margaret. I will be praying for you. Can’t wait to see what God is going to do through your difficult journey to teach us new things about Himself.. Keep fighting with His joy. Krystal
Praying His joy will be your strength! “As your day goes, so shall your strength be!”
Of course, we will….Joining others in lifting you up this week…daily for the strength and joy you need! Thank you for sharing your need with us….and always, for the fantastic work you do in journeying with others in faith.
Gwen and I will be praying for you all! We believe the best is yet to come for you, Leif and Hershey!
Have been and will continue pray for you and your husband as you complete this wonderful project you have been working on with the grace of God. Waiting with great anticipation for the finished work as cancer has recently touched my life and I am gratefully blessed to be on this journey with Him also. Rest when you can and keep your eyes on Him and He will take care of the details.
You’ve got it Girl! Thankful for our Heavenly Father , who always supplies what we need and for you, Margret . Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing the many gifts He has given you. May He surround you in His Glory and Grace! And ALWAYS know you , Leif and Hershey are being lifted up! ASAP = Always Sending A Prayer !
If I had a tattoo (which I don’t), it would say “God wastes nothing.” A counselor told me that repeatedly several years ago when I was walking through a deep valley. And I am believing that for you, especially this week. Believing that all you have suffered and struggled will be used to create something beautiful and life-changing for countless others. Blessings and prayers.
Will be praying – thank you for the details to pray for!
Praying for you Margaret! You are awesome!
Fighting back with joy….I love that….and I KNOW how hard that can be…Know that I will be praying for His peace, His energy, His words to flow into and through you.
Praying for you right now! Praising God for your desire to express JOY, His JOY, throughout this journey…He is using you mightily!! Blessings on this day and the days ahead!
Dear Margaret,
Prayers as echos of scripture race through my mind:
His grace is sufficient …
In our weaknesses he is made strong …
He will give us living water …
He is our shepherd …
Love,
Kris
Praying for strength and clarity and stamina for you this week. Take breaks if you need too!
Love the book Scouting for the Divine . A person with that experience is strong in God trust. I know he is with you even when sometimes you do not see him. Will pray for you. Our prayers from Puerto Rico
Margaret, Thank you for letting us know, and giving us specifics for how we can pray for you!
I am so proud of your strength through Him, your boldness to proclaim Him in your weakness.
I am so thankful for that “0”….praying for continued zeros, your protection, your peace,
strength, confidence, joy and a buoying of your Spirit! Thank you for giving us another wonderful study! This one has cost you on so many levels, I thank God for you!
Dear Margaret-
Thank you for sharig your struggle in a real way. His strength be yours, may His love shine through you and I pray that His anointing would be upon everyone there at Lifeway.
Blessings,
Melissa
Father God, I pray right now for Ms. Margaret. I pray for you to strengthen her in mind body and soul and spirit. I ask that You give her mental clarity, (no cancer brain) I pray that You would use her as Your vessel and speak through her. I pray that You would open her mouth to speak Your will and I also pray that You will close her mouth so that she will not be able to speak the words you do not want her to say.I pray fort he Lifeway team and their equipment to work properly. I pray for supernatural, Holy Spirit filled good health for all involved. May YOUR JOY and presence fill them all completely to overflowing. I pray for protection from the enemy. (Nehemiah 8:10 The Joy of the Lord is my strength)
‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
(Numbers 6:24-26)
In the name of Jesus’
and give you his peace.’
Margaret, I am praying for strength and stamina to make it through the long days. You are dearly loved and appreciated!
Yes!! Thank you for asking. I am praying right now 🙂 May God’s Kingdom come and his will be done in your lives and ministry has He has ordained it in heaven.
Yes dear sister in Christ!
Prayers for you daily dear friend! Love knowing what we can specifically pray each day this week. ((Hugs)) Can’t wait to see how God shines through you on this!
It’s a privilege to lift you in prayer, Margaret.
O sweet Margaret! YES. YES. I will pray for you through this! God is so glorified in your weakness!! Amen!!
Dear beautiful Margaret, I have prayed that during this time and in future times that the Holy Spirit will anoint you with the Oil of Joy. He is your strength and shield and the lifter of your head. What comes through the camera will be a work that the Holy Spirit is doing in you. Be blessed my brave submitted warrior friend! Love you Jen
Praying for you, Margaret, that God will strengthen you and wrap you in His arms and surround you with His wonderful love!
Love, hugs and prayers for you and Leif and Hershey always! Bless you and thank you Margaret.
Heavenly Father,
Creator of heaven and earth and Creator of sweet Margaret. Lord, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing Margaret with me. Her joy and strenght come from You. She has stepped in complete faith and has shown her vuleranability to us to glorify You! What a precious angel you have put on earth to show us the way to You! Lord, keep her in your arms and give her Your strenght to make it through each day. I also ask that You keep her close and comforted…. Thank you sweet Jesus. Amen
Praying for you now.. I am listening now to Wednesday, August 27, 2014
A Cry for Comfort
In “A Cry For Comfort,” Dr. Stanley tells us that God always has a reason for our trials, and we’ll never have to go through them alone if we’ve trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior. Because God has placed the Holy Spirit within us to be our Guide and Comforter, we can exit our trials stronger than we entered into them. By building and strengthening our faith, God makes us even more useful for His kingdom.
Go to Charles Stanley In Touch Ministries and click on radio / click on Aug 27 it will bless you
The Joy of The Lord is your strength! What an obvious time for the enemy to pop his head up and the Holy Spirit to do a whack-a-mole on him. Praying super-natural strength, power and wisdom on the whole project! Come in Jesus and do your mighty thing!
I’m here in the LifeWay building working up on the kids floor and I hope you can feel my prayers coming down to wherever you are filming. I’m reading Wonderstruck right now and it is utterly changing my life, drawing me out of a long season of darkness and dryness to see the light and lushness of our Great God again. Perhaps more clearly than I ever have before. I pray now that He will lavish His goodness on your heart and soul and body and mind and that you would have the energy and strength and courage to go forward. Thank you for what you have already done for God’s kingdom and what you continue to do. And though I know you don’t know me from Adam, if I can do anything else from up here, just let me know.
Margaret, I will be praying for you each day. Love and Hugs!
Margaret, I boldly present your requests to Abba, praying for all you need specifically for this project as well as for the future. He is sufficient. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. It is an honor to be able to pray for you and return just a fraction of what you have given to so many of us through your ministry.
Margaret–I believe in YOU and I believe in our GREAT GOD!!! He most definitely has work for you to do–I am praying as is our RTH team–that you will have energy plus! And that the Holy Spirit will continue to dwell within you and guide both of you as you bring glory to Him through your work this week. We serve this AWESOME God and He holds us in His hands—it will be so so GOOD!!! 🙂
Prayers headed your way. Praise too for how far you have journeyed with God by your side as your guide.
Thank you for the privilege of praying for you – so many verses come to mind, but especially Is. 41:10 – my prayer for you this week…
Dear Margaret,
18 Texas women have just finished your Sacred Echo book in our summer book club. Your book prompted heartfelt sharing and rich friendships to grow deeper between these women -many who have known each other fairly superficially for years. Being part of a deepening community that knows each other’s struggles reminds us powerfully that we are not alone. Your writing and speaking contributed in a very rich way to these developing relationships. We will be praying for you to be strengthened in you fight for joy.
Yes, I pray for you daily!!!
I am praying for you Margaret. May you feel God’s strength, peace, clarity, and love.
Blessings,
Linda
Dear Margaret, I see so many women who love and care for you and are joining the parade before heaven, asking God to give you all you need to finish this filming. You are God’s precious child. When someone tells you that they love you, Jesus says, “I love you more.”
Yes, and I will ask my Mom to pray for you also. She is 105 years old. Blessings and strength to you, Margaret! Love, Linda
absolutely will pray! and would you please pray for my dear friend Sandra who has been fighting back with joy ( and inspiring all who know her) for about 13 years since receiving her 6 month to live prognosis. Sandra is having surgery today to remove tumor from her brain.
I live about 25 miles from where you are taping this week. You ALL have my prayers for strength, clarity, and beyond that the precious anointing that comes from God.
He’ll rock this through you.
Hugs!
YES I will stand in prayer WITH you!!! You are a mighty woman of God!! I appreciate your dedication and determination. You have touched my heart so much. Thank you for being such an amazing blessing and inspiration to us all!!
Holding you close and lifting you high.
In the stillness, know…
Will be praying, Margaret. God has blessed me through you and your Bible studies. I completed “Wonderstruck” a year ago and have never gotten over the wonder of God working in my life. (((Hugs)))
Praying Must be doing some great things for God to feel all this heaviness. Praying
There is hardly a day that passes that you and Leif are not in my prayers – this will continue. With love
Lynne
Yes Margaret I just wrote your request in my prayer book.
May Gods strength be with you. Thank you for all your works.
<3
That's all I can say. You are adored and I am praying.
Yes, sweet friend. I and the sisters in So Cal who have been so blessed by a number of your studies for our retreats and Bible studies will be praying! Wow … can’t wait to experience the newest study (as a survivor myself and one who coaches women experiencing cancer …).
I know it will be a HUGE blessing to millions and I will be lifting you up!
Hugs and prayers,
Kathleen
Praying now for Gods empowerment, strength and then rest! Can’t wait to see the study!
Prayers for the journey.
May Holy Spirit infuse you with strength, power, wisdom and laser focus. May you stand strong in the strength of His might. Numbers 6:24-26 NET
“The Lord bless you and protect you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”’
Yes, Margaret! I will pray. You have been in my prayers and I will continue, specifically for this. I pray that God is your strength and your guidance.
Excited about all that you are doing! You are such an awesome encouragement. Loving you and praying for His power to forge through you!
angie
Margaret, you have been such an enouragement to me. Now I pray these prayers are an encouragement to you and Leif. I am passing this request on to my Monday Bible study group. We will be praying for you!
Praying for you sweet sister!! Thank you for reaching out and asking-much love and God’s richest blessings during this time in Nashville. Much love!!!
Yes!! It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit–depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. (Deuteronomy 31:8 AMP) Our God has got this and He’s got you Margaret! Charge!!
Thank you for sharing your passion & gift. Praying.
Lisa, in AL!
I am praying for you Margaret! I know that our Father will be your only source and He will come through as always.
Yes, dear Margaret I’m praying for you. May God bless you His strength, power and heal you completely. You are His blessing, bringing His love, joy and faith to me. He is always with you.
Margaret,
Prayers and love sent your way this morning and always. May He fill you with joy and His power so you continue to show us how to be Wonderstruck and hear His Sacred Echo. Love to you and Leif!
Margaret – thank you for sharing with us so that we may be praying for you. You absolutely teach and model honesty that we all need to live with – even when it is so hard. You have inspired and challenged and encouraged me in ways you may never know. And I know that as you’ve done that for me you have done it for countless others. Even in the pain.Thank you and may God’s unconditional love and presence be yours in full these coming days.
Praying for you! : )
Dear Precious Margaret. Lifting my voice with others asking for Abba’s healing touch to continue in your body, for His strength to carry you through when you are weary, for special blessings to be upon your family and especially your husband and for His Spirit to empower you with the words that need to said. We are all so blessed by your books and studies and all are anxiously awaiting the next one. Rise on the wings of eagles.
Praying for you, Margaret, and for all of those who desperately need healing. Praying that His voice will ring loud and strong, to fight with joy the battle that is marked out for you. Praying that He strengthen and heal you, and keep you filled with His joy!
Margaret, you are in my prayers daily! I believe in this new study, that it will help MANY. My husband is currently fighting malignant melanoma. In fact we are right now at Moffitt cancer Center for his infusion. We also have had a difficult year, but God gave me 2 Sciptures that I cling to, Ps 68:19-20 and Rom 15:13. We are also fighting with joy. My hope is in God. I trust Him. And I know He is good. God bless you. You are an inspiration to many!
I’m praying for the Lord to meet all your needs spiritual, mental, and physical. I pray also for the Lord to bless all your projects with success. Thank you for sharing all your wisdom with us through your Bible studies over the years and the future ones to come. Praying for blessings for Leif and Hershey also.
Praying again for you today. This is my “cling to verse”. Not always the most encouraging, but, strangely enough, it works for me (:
James 1:2-4 (Message) “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
booooo!!!!!!! That’s how I feel about that! Praying for ya (;
Margaret, it is a privilege to pray for you for strength, good health, courage and energy as you minister to so many with your story.
Yes. I will pray.
Praying for you and for all involved. God is faithful.
All.Is.Grace. (A refrain on repeat as of late). Thank you for your encouragement and love, sweet Ann.
Thank you, sweet Bethany!
Awww thank you sweet Sharie!
Praying for Sandra, Tracy.
Oh how I wish our paths would cross someday soon!
Thank you, Kathleen. Your friendship and grace mean the world.
Praying for you and your hubby, Cherie.
I am praying for you, Margaret. I am praying that God will use your pain and struggles to strengthen you and bring you to a place where He needs you to be. I pray that Satan keeps away from you and God surrounds you with his unending love and grace. I thank you for your teachings and I am looking forward to this very important new Bible study. I pray for you, your family, and the team you have helping you.
Lord, thank You for this daughter of yours, willing to be the REAL, Wonder-FULL Girl You Created!
On behalf of so many members of Harvest Methodist Church who celebrated your study, Wonderstruck, together, I would just want to tell you that you ARE in so many of our prayers for complete healing and for God to continue to work through you to reach out and embrace the women of the world with His word. God bless you and Leif, and your Lifeway family as you work day by day to serve the kingdom of our Father. AMEN!
Love
Melody Fee and so many of my sisters in our Tuesday LIve bible study group.
Margaret, I just read this and realized that following this long week you came to Stowe, Vermont to serve at the Pastors and wives retreat! When we had breakfast and lunch together, I had no idea of the struggles you have had. Thank you for the answer to prayer you have been in our life. The Wonderstruck Bible Study was a blessing to our church family, and we have pre-ordered “Fight Back With Joy” for a winter study.