“The Lord wants us to fast, and weep, & mourn over our sin because, when we are believers, this mourning & sorrow will drive us to Him. There & only there we can receive His grace & mercy.” Today we continue in our series, Beatitudes: Building Godly Character in the Woman of God, by welcoming back our United States Country Coordinator, Susan Shepherd. We dive into the second beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Susan reminds us of the power of prayer, confession and our great Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Listen in to learn how to pray more deeply and grow closer to your Heavenly Father.

The Moms in Prayer Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit ChristianParenting.org

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Susan Shepherd joyfully serves as the USA Country Coordinator for Moms in Prayer International, coaching, encouraging, and working with amazing godly women across the United States. She joined a Moms in Prayer group in 1996 when her daughters were in elementary school. Since then, she’s experienced the peace, power, and perspective of watching God work in the lives of children and schools and she is passionate about sharing this hope and joy with other moms. Susan is married to Joe, mom to two married daughters, and the grandmother of three with another grandchild on the way. Susan loves to pray, but she also likes coffee with friends, traveling, and a good book.

SCRIPTURES

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 ESV

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

“Even now,” declares the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12 NIV

Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. Daniel 9:13-14 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 NIV

LINKS

MOMS IN PRAYER

New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started

Join a Moms in Prayer Group

Support Our Mission

“Being humble and poor in spirit is being God dependent and God confident, and knowing God is going to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.” What a powerful and peaceful place to be! As we recognize our need for Him, we can have confidence that He will provide for every one of those needs out of His abundance! Today we welcome Kendra Rock, our Southwest Division Coordinator, to the podcast as we dive into our new podcast series, Beatitudes: Building Godly Character in the Woman of God. Listen in as Kendra shares encouraging wisdom from God’s Word, focusing on the first beatitude, blessed are the poor in spirit.

The Moms in Prayer Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit ChristianParenting.org

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Kendra was called to be a prayer warrior when her sons were toddlers; that began a lifelong journey of learning how to pray.

She was introduced to Moms in Prayer when her sons were in 1st and 2nd grades and she has participated in a Moms in Prayer group every year since. She now prays for her adult children in a career group and has the joy of praying in a Grandmas in Prayer group. Kendra serves as the Southwest Division Coordinator for Moms in Prayer.

Kendra and her husband reside in Oklahoma. They have two adult sons, 2 wonderful daughters-in-love, and two precious grandchildren. Kendra enjoys playing the harp, taking walks with her husband, and playing and praying with and for her grandchildren!

One of her favorite verses is Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

SCRIPTURES

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Psalm 50:12 NIV

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 NKJV

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Proverbs 30:8 NIV

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NASB

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NIV

Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. Proverbs 29:23 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

LINKS

BOOKS

MOMS IN PRAYER

New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started

MIP 40th Anniversary Celebration

Support Our Mission

“As a parent it is easy to feel like we are getting it all wrong, all the time. There are no perfect moms, there’s just moms who need Jesus. And there’s grace for us here.” The enemy would love for us and our kids to constantly compare ourselves to others and neglect our true identities that are found in Christ. Today Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis return to the podcast to share about their soon to release book, “Comparison Girl for Teens”. They remind us of a better way, the Jesus way, to live and see others. There is so much more joy and freedom found in His way.

The Moms in Prayer Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit ChristianParenting.org

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin invites you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true. Shannon’s books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, Comparison Girl for Teens (2024), and Shaped by God’s Promises (2024). Shannon also hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. She’s happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every day. Together, they have the joy of watching their three young-adult kids become the amazing people God created them to be. You can connect with Shannon at shannonpopkin.com, or on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube.

Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She cohosts the Martha & Mary Show and the You Can Tell the Children podcast with Bible2School. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents looking to raise wholehearted Christ followers. Lee and her husband, Mike, have four kids and live in West Michigan. Find her at leenienhuis.com.

SCRIPTURES

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 ESV

So the last will be first, and the first last. Matthew 20:16 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV

LINKS

Comparison Girl Website

Shannon’s Website

Lee’s Website

BOOKS

Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares

Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus to Flip the Script on Your Measure-Up Mindset

MOMS IN PRAYER

New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started

Our Training Channel Podcast

Support Our Mission