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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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If My People: 2nd Edition

Welcome back, friends.

I wonder—am I the only one who can sometimes find prayer exhausting? Often I’ll focus so much on a specific prayer burden, it can become mentally and physically draining.

Is there a “me too” in the room?

If you’re like me, our prayers aren’t an effort to control—we know God’s bigger than it all.

Rather, we’re praying because hope is birthed in prayer. Hope begets prayer, and prayer begets hope. And on and on and on…

Hope can be addictive, can’t it?

Since February’s the “month of love,” what do you say we bend the ear of God on behalf of those we love the most—our families. Spouses, significant others, children, god-children, in-laws, extended relatives—whatever “family” looks like in your world.

If you’re comfortable, please share the first name or initial of someone we can join you in prayer for this month.

So seemingly passive, yet—our greatest influence is prayer. Tweet This

P.S.) I made this printable with the names shared in our last If My People  post. I hope it’s helpful for us as we continue to lift these hearts to heaven and wait expectantly on God. Please feel free to download.

FUN NEWS!

Stay tuned next week for exciting announcements about a fun new March series featuring some exciting guest writers! And! There’ll be giveaways each week of the series! Fun! Details coming next Thursday!

And, Next week is our February Drawing! Woohoo. (I love these so much!) Everyone who’s linked-up with us during the month of February will be entered to win.

Thank you for Chasing Community  here with us each week, friend—because ministry is always more fun with friends.

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It’s a pony-tail and sandals environment around here. No fancy rules, just a few things:

  • Family-friendly posts only, please.
  • Please visit and comment on the post linked before yours–and others as you’re able.
  • Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)

Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.

I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join the fun!
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This linkup is closed now, but we’ll meet you back here next Thursday for another #ChasingCommunity!

43 Comments

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Comments

  1. Becky Hastings says

    February 23, 2017 at 6:51 am

    Prayer can feel like another thing on our to-do list, at least for me. I try to remember that it is just conversation, a back and forth with a dear friend who knows me better than anyone. There’s no magic time or formula. No words better than another. God understands even our groans and our sighs. Such a gift remembering that He knows our hearts. He just loves when we bring them to Him.

    Exciting news in March 🙂 and that graphic was such a thoughtful simple way to encourage me to pray for each person!
    Becky Hastings recently posted…Finding Joy in a Simple CallingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:34 pm

      So glad there’s no magic formula because I’m not good at magic. I’d mess it up every time. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, Becky. ((hug))

      Reply
  2. Liz says

    February 23, 2017 at 6:55 am

    I’d love for you to pray for my friend Alicia who is having surgery tomorrow. She has two young girls and will be out of commission for a few weeks. Pray peace over her before the surgery, wisdom and skill for the doctors during, and a speedy recovery after as well as strength for her hubby while he tackles both sides of parenting for a while! Thanks for this great community here, Brenda! XO
    Liz recently posted…Word Nerd Wednesday – EschatologyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:36 pm

      Praying now for Alicia, Liz. Thanks for sharing. Will continue to pray for her recovery. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  3. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    February 23, 2017 at 6:58 am

    Brenda,
    I would like to lift up Nicole in prayer…an unspoken one at this time, but desperately needed.
    Thanks all,
    Blessings,
    Bev xx
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…True Hope For The PerfectionistMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:38 pm

      Prayers for Nicole, Bev. Thanks for sharing. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  4. Nicki Schroeder says

    February 23, 2017 at 8:33 am

    Prayer is the delivery room of hope….LOVE THIS! 🙂
    Nicki Schroeder recently posted…Love Your Valentine All Year LongMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks for your sweet encouragement, Nicki. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  5. Jill says

    February 23, 2017 at 8:36 am

    Thanks for this encouragement Brenda-hope does beget prayer and prayer begets hope! I’d love prayer for J & M, N and all of us who love them. Thanks for creating a community of support, hope and prayer!
    Jill recently posted…Soulful HabitsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:43 pm

      Adding J & M, N, and all of you who love them to the list, my friend. Praying now for them as well. Thank you for being a sweet part of this community. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  6. julie says

    February 23, 2017 at 8:57 am

    I’d like to have Vickie added to your list! She is dealing with a chronic illness and is going through a divorce also. She needs some encouragement!

    It’s comforting to know what prayer does. We can approach God whenever we need Him and know He listens.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:44 pm

      Such a comfort, indeed! Adding Vickie to the list and praying for her now as well. Thank you for sharing, Julie. ((hug))

      Reply
  7. Sherry Stahl says

    February 23, 2017 at 9:00 am

    I’d love you to pray for my Brandon. He’ lost his way with Christ and I long to see him return.
    ~Sherry
    xoxo
    Sherry Stahl recently posted…Make God ShineMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      ((Hug)) Praying with you for Brandon, Sherry. Thanks for sharing. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  8. Dawn Boyer says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:05 am

    I pray when I am walking or running because I can shut off my brain and my surroundings so that I can get personal with the Lord. Often those prayers, the ones I start with, don’t ever end up going in the direction I thought because i am choosing to let God dictate the prayer focus. I think that is when I start to give up on prayer, when I am dictating the focus…when I am telling God what to do…instead of letting the Holy Spirit lead my prayers.

    Please pray for my friend Jane who has decided to give up the battle against the cancer spreading in her body. Her love for the Lord is immensely inspirational and her joy through this journey has never wavered.
    Blessings,
    Dawn
    Dawn Boyer recently posted…When the brushstroke of grace is in your story…#GraceMoments Link UpMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:49 pm

      “…letting the Holy Spirit lead my prayers.” — Beautiful, Dawn. — Prayers for Jane. I’m so sorry. ((Hug))

      Reply
  9. Michele Morin says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:29 am

    If hope is addictive, then it must also be contagious! Thanks for splashing some of it on me this morning!
    Michele Morin recently posted…Long Live the Queen! Till We Have Faces Discussion Group Week 8My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Back at ya, friend. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Maree Dee says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:41 am

    Prayer is just so darn powerful in such a mysterious way. I like that we can be in prayer and not utter a single word, the Holy Spirit will do it for us. Yes, of course I would love prayer for my family. Thank you. Sending prayers up for you right now. Thank you for blessing all of us with you blog.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:53 pm

      Such mysterious power! Agreed 🙂 — Thanks for your words of encouragement, Maree. Prayers for your family. ((hug))

      Reply
  11. Kristi Woods says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:48 am

    Love the graphic idea, Brenda. Seeing my loved one’s name on there brought a smile. I’ll be downloading and praying for those listed. Please add K to the prayer list this time around. Thanks so much!
    Kristi Woods recently posted…WORD17, Week 7My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:56 pm

      Adding K to the list, and praying now as well. Thanks for sharing, Kristi. ((hug))

      Reply
  12. Tyra says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Brenda,
    YES YES AND YES again to the call to pray. Since December I’ve had a tremendous burden to elevate my prayer life and God has faithfully shown me how to increase my faith in prayer, how to pray targeted specific prayer and how to pray prayers that expeditiously move heaven and earth. Thank you for this opportunity to join you in seeing His will be done here as in heaven. Pls add Donnie & Chrissy to the list. May the Father protect you under His Mighty Wing as you intercede for others.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:58 pm

      Love your heart for prayer, Tyra. ((hug)) Adding Donnie and Chrissy to the list. Thank you for sharing. <3

      Reply
  13. Sue Donaldson says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:59 am

    K – for depression and family dysfunction. thanks!
    Sue Donaldson recently posted…Mold and Weeds, Pt. II–No Fence-Sitting AllowedMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 6:59 pm

      Prayers for K, Sue. Thanks for sharing. ((hug))

      Reply
  14. Denise Crosby says

    February 23, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    Breanda, Thank you so much for this. I would love prayer for my son, Chris. He is lost and wondering.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      Oh, friend. ((HUG)) Prayers for Chris. Thank you for sharing. xoxo

      Reply
  15. Ugochi says

    February 23, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    Hi Brenda, I would love prayers for my brothers; George, Charles and Obed to accept God’s salvation in Jesus Christ. My hope is strong and alive and I believe that as we agree in faith it is done. Thanks a lot for stirring some more hope in us today.
    Have a super blessed day!
    Love
    Ugochi recently posted…I Want To See God!My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 7:03 pm

      Hi, Ugochi. Agreeing in faith with you and lifting up prayers for George, Charles and Obed. Adding them to the list. Thank you for sharing. ((hug))

      Reply
  16. Paris Renae says

    February 23, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    Brenda, loving this Thursday link-up of yours, it is fun. I’ll take prayers for those I love anywhere I can get them, please pray for JSF.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 23, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement, Paris. Adding JSF to the list, thank you for sharing. ((Hug))

      Reply
  17. Christine Duncan says

    February 23, 2017 at 11:10 pm

    Brenda, you’re doing such a unique thing here with your posts that encourage us to be deliberate as a community praying for our loved ones… it’s fantastic! I feel inspired every time I visit your site! Have an amazing weekend! Keep shining for Him!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 27, 2017 at 11:51 am

      Christine, your sweet words are an encouragement to my heart. Thank you for sharing. You, too, are an inspiration to me, friend. 🙂 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  18. Betsy de Cruz says

    February 24, 2017 at 6:59 am

    Hi there, Brenda! I know what you mean about how sometimes prayer for a loved one can be like a burden on the mind. (your first paragraph 🙂 ) Just yesterday God spoke to me about that and helped me to trust and hand those people over to him. And interestingly I saw an answer to prayer in someone’s life after I did that. (I mean after I prayed and handed it over, instead of pray/worry/pray/worry)

    I’d love prayer for Grace, but please don’t put her name on a graphic? 🙂 Confidential.
    Betsy de Cruz recently posted…When You Need More Grace, More Hope, More JesusMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 27, 2017 at 11:54 am

      Love that testimony of God’s faithfulness to answer prayer, Betsy. <3 Will be praying for Grace. (Without adding her name to a graphic.) Thanks for sharing. ((hug))

      Reply
  19. Kay says

    February 24, 2017 at 10:48 am

    Yes, indeed. That’s exactly what it is: hope is birthed in prayer. I love that!

    So sorry I missed the link up this week. I was busy with my book release parties all day. It was a blast! But exhausting. What a blessing. I will be joining you gals again next week, though. I love the community you’ve built here!!!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 27, 2017 at 11:56 am

      How exciting, Kay. I finally had a chance to sit down and start your book this weekend–on chapter four and enjoying it. 🙂 Look forward to seeing you again next week. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  20. Lux G. says

    March 1, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    We so need something like this.
    Let’s spread hope and not hate.

    Reply

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Many a time in life I’ve felt I was standing at Many a time in life I’ve felt I was standing at the edge of a sea, hemmed in by its boundary, unable to discern a path forward.
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If this feels familiar, friend, I have the sweetest of news…
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God has not misplaced His plan for your life.
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Our great God is not bound by limitation. His roads can cross right through our seas, on pathways no one knew were there! 🙌
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Oh friend, may you rest quietly before your God at the water’s edge, trusting Him to bring you to a place of abundance.
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The mighty waters of your circumstances are no match for His power, His heart, His purpose.
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You’re not alone, for He goes before you, ordering unique pathways along His timeline—all for you, my friend.
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Set your every hope into the tender palm of God and walk in freedom, for He is able. 💕
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Friend, no matter what you’ve been through…hea Friend, no matter what you’ve been through…healing isn’t hopeless.
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So often it can feel easier to tamp hurt upon hurt deep into our spirits, than to do a new thing.
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But, friend, our God is a God of fresh beginnings who makes pathways through the wilderness and steams in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)
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You don’t walk alone, for His kindness and faithfulness walk with you through it all.
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This book _Good Boundaries and Goodbyes_ by @lysaterkeurst is a beautifully honest resource for learning to understand & create healthy, Godly boundaries in our lives.
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If you’re looking for a good resource to begin forming healthy boundaries, or are looking for help to understand others’ healthy boundaries, this book is a great place to start.
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I have an extra copy I’d love to give away. Leave me a comment on Instagram if you’d like to be entered to win.
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Also, OBS (Online Bible Study) is beginning a free online community study of this book January 23rd. If you’d like to sign up, head over to proverbs31.org.
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May this be a stream in your desert, dear friend, the dawn of a beautiful new thing God’s set apart for you. 💕
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About 5-6 years ago I started doing this thing tha About 5-6 years ago I started doing this thing that, at the time, didn’t feel like anything radical or life-changing.
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I simply started trying to stop eating around 7pm, and not start eating again until 11am.
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At the time, I’d never even heard the term “intermittent fasting;” I was just trying this new-to-me thing to help with weight management.
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Over time, I learned that what I was doing was called intermittent fasting, and that it has health benefits well beyond the weight management realm.
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(Search the word “autophagy” if you’re interested in learning more about that.)
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I’m not gonna lie, back when I started, 7pm to 11am was hard! It took some time, and I didn’t always do it “perfectly.”
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These days, I typically go from 6-7pm to 1-2pm. My body has adapted and most days it’s very easy. Often, I’d fast longer except that I take supplements that keep me awake at night if I take them too late in the day.
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Yes, I came to intermittent fasting for the weight loss. (30 pounds has long been gone.) But, I stay because I’ve never felt better. Allowing my body the restorative time each day has been a game-changer for me.
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For a few weeks now, I’ve been feeling like I’m supposed to share this…like someone needs to hear it.
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If that’s you, friend, I want you to know that it’s not as hard as it seems. Start as slowly as you need to. Add another hour or 30 minutes, or even 15 minutes per week until your body adapts.
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There’s no right or wrong. There are no bad days. It’s a lifestyle of freedom. You can switch it all up when you need to or want to for social reasons. It’s easier than it seems.
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I’m no doctor. I’m not medically advising. I’m just a girl who has always longed to make a difference, so I share in hopes of helping.
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No matter what your goals are this year, whether they’re health or relational or work related, it’s okay to go slow. It’s okay to get off track by January 10th and start over again.
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All is progress, my friend. Baby steps count. 💕
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As I sit here, now seven days into being sick, I s As I sit here, now seven days into being sick, I search for words of hope and inspiration to meet us here on this beautiful fresh ground called 2023.
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Words and energy may escape me, but, as we tip-toe into this newborn year—I wish you adventure and abundance, goodness and growth, peace and every joy this year, dear friend.
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It’ll go by fast, 2023. Let’s make some memories and leave it better than we found it. 💕
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