Written by Karla Herbert
Tonight as I was seeking God and asking Him what to write about on this blog, all I could think about was pain and suffering. Especially those who are suffering in Chile today after the massive earthquake hit there. 

Do you have days when you feel wronged? 

How about hurt when a well-deserved apology isn't offered by the one who hurt you? 

Here's another one. How about when you feel overwhelmed and can't tell up from down? 

In the long run, God still holds us. When the end of our days arrive and we look back, it'll all be small stuff. It may not seem small today, but in reality it probably is minute in the scheme of things.

The people in Chile must feel so many things right now. They have questions. They wonder if their loved ones are alive. They are homeless. They are hungry. They are desperate for God.

This evening, let's let our prayer focus be on their needs, not our own. Our own hurts, pain and suffering are surely very minor compared to theirs. May God be very real and present in Chile tonight.

Written by Karla Herbert

As I was reading my morning devotional today, the main theme was based on Matthew 5:13-16.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I was considering my level of saltiness. I was quite far away from God at this time last year.

Unbelievably far away.

As far away as I'd always said I'd never get from Him.

However, the merciful and saving God I serve never let me get out of His sight. He knew I'd be back. And here I am, back with a heart filled with gladness and completely restored by his grace.

I will say that depression is a dark and dreadful place.

A place so horribly scary that you often can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even though the smallest flicker of hope catches your attention at various moments.

Arriving at the other end, where all the light surrounds and permeates every molecule of your being is glorious.

Rewarding.

Refreshing.

Restoring.

And it's all wrapped up in a cloak of peace.

Utter peace.

In this moment, I'm very salty. How about you? Are you shining for God before his children? 

Our prayer focus today will be that God will use us, as an army of His women, to be that city on a hill that cannot be hidden. I pray that whatever level of saltiness you contain, in this moment, will be enhanced by His grace. If you're feeling discouraged, I pray for encouragement in the little things you do today. If you're feeling depressed, I pray that God will be the lifter of your head today. If you're so salty that a fine layer of salt mineral is covering your skin, then I pray that God will dust some of it off onto His other children that you meet along the way.

Pray for this entire army of God's women. Ask Him to enable us, by His Holy Spirit, to continue to march onward.

Written by Karla Herbert

I was reading a Bible study book the other evening titled "The Life-Changing Power of Prayer" by T.W. Hunt. I was blessed by what I read when it came to a discussion on prayer. Mr. Hunt wrote that "prayer is a relationship." I guess I never looked at it that way. I always thought of prayer as, well, prayer. I knew I was talking to God, but never really considered it a relationship. But it really is! It's us talking to God, and Him speaking to us. 

I've had difficulty in the past waiting long enough for Him to speak to me. I've heard Him a few times, but it was when I was very still and no other thoughts were filling my head. It was a very remarkable time for me! And I do believe that being still in His presence, and spending some uninterrupted time with Him is His desire ~ and needs to be ours, as well.

The other passage I read in T.W. Hunt's study guide talked about calling on the name of the Lord. I've read so many passages in the Bible that mentioned so-and-so "called out to God," or another so-and-so "cried out." I assumed they were sending a prayer request to God, but it wasn't that clearly written.

Mr. Hunt writes, "The Hebrew word call (qara) is a strong verb of action. It means to cry out, to call aloud. Rather than just a random outcry, qara is usually used to address a specific person in order to make a specific request. People used this word throughout the Old Testament to cry out to God for His help."

So as you pray tonight and each time from now on, feel free to cry out to God on behalf of the needs in which you have and/or are praying about. He always hears us. He never turns away from us. He may say, "No, I've got something better planned for you" or "Not now because I'm working out a detail or two that you're unaware of" or "Okay, here you go!" 

He's a good God and He desires a relationship with us ~ daily. He can truly be your best friend!

Written by Karla Herbert

Prayer Warriors are you ready for your first prayer assignment?

A very dear lady that I've known for years has volunteered many hours working at an orphanage in Haiti. Her name is Anne Georges and she's an amazing woman who pours her love out to these precious children at the orphanage. She attends St. Clement's Church in El Paso and has spent countless hours gathering donated items, packing and shipping them to Haiti, and making trips there to help out with the missionaries.

As you read about the little girl getting stitches in her head for an open wound, without any numbing medication, and the President of Haiti who is now setting aside days for praying and fasting in his country, give thanks to the Lord that medical care is available and that the Holy Spirit is moving in Haiti.

Here is information from Anne on current events happening in Port au Prince. (Anything in bold are my own comments.)

The lady who directed all of the mission trips I participated in now lives in Haiti with her husband. They have been ministering as they see needs as they go into Port au Prince. (They live in Thomazeau, which is about 30 miles out of the town.) As yet, there are no known deaths among the sponsored children. Praise you, Lord God! They have been buying and taking supplies to the orphanage, including a new generator because the old one gave out. They had to have help installing it, I believe it was from American military personnel.
More drastic needs are found among the people whose homes have been destroyed and are just living out on the street. Can you imagine? Debbie wrote of stitching up a little girl's forehead that was just completely opened, and the little girl crying out in the name of Jesus. Precious little child! I'll talk more about "crying out" to God in my next blog post. Debbie is a nurse, and has supplies, but not anesthetic, even local. She and her husband have found another orphanage that needs help, and have traded supplies with that group. Thank you, Jesus, that there are enough supplies for trading! Many people have just walked out of Port au Prince to other towns and villages where they felt they would have a better chance for survival. Can you imagine the hardships faced for families with young children and babies? I am so spoiled by the use of my stroller. I can't fathom what it would be like to walk for miles, carrying a child. Food is being distributed but often there is rough competition for it. Jesus, you see their needs and I pray that you'll be very real and present in the midst of the crowds as they scramble for a meal. And though the climate of Haiti is pleasant, it has been very hard to sleep on the ground because of the wind.
One young man that I know from my trips has been writing to me occasionally on Yahoo chat. He writes from a cyber cafe, just as he used to, but he says that is now out on the street. His family actually had a decent home but it was completely destroyed, and he sent a picture of the tent he had put up. Lord, let us be ever mindful that the things we own are only temporary. Let us store up our treasure in Heaven, where You are. Debbie also said in her last communication that school has begun to meet once again, officially. The people were told for a long time not to go into enclosed buildings because of the tremors.
One really good development, the president of Haiti has actually set aside specific days for prayer and fasting! Praise you, Jesus! Hear their prayers, answer them, and may this country that is seeking your guidance be blessed with your mercy.


If any of you that are praying receive a vision, or a word of knowledge, have a dream, etc. about Haiti please forward them to me. I'm excited watching God move in the midst of disaster. He's a good God, eager to bless us.

Written by Karla Herbert

Isn't God just the best? I love how He lays something on our hearts, gets us excited about it, and then asks us to be His hands and feet in spreading His message.

Take yesterday, for example. All I was doing was putting on makeup and listening to Casting Crowns singing their song titled "Until the Whole World Hears." I was belting out the lyrics, making a joyful noise to God, (who is the only one within 100 ft. of me that thinks I'm the best singer in the world) when He spoke to my heart loud and clear.

I heard "There's an army of women out there that need to be my prayer warriors."

We are to pray and call out to Him on behalf of our families, husbands, parents, friends, neighbors, etc. 

His other specific words were, "Intercede. Watch me at work!"

So far what I've received in direction from Him is that this will start as an online prayer ministry. My first goal was to ask people for their prayers as I start this new ministry. Then I knew I needed to start a blog. Next may be getting a group going on Facebook, then a website. After that I'm not sure where this will go, but I've already told God I'm all His.

Well here we are and I stand amazed at how God gets the ball rolling. He's given me many ideas, a few people who are already praying for this ministry, and an offer that came in this morning to help promote An Army of God's Women.

I'm sitting here smiling! I've worn this grin almost all day today. I turn around and He's making more plans for me. What an incredible God, and just to think that only last year at this time I was in reality quite far away from Him. That's another story, but one that I'll share over time.

I can't wait to begin this amazing prayer relationship with God and with you, my dear prayer warriors. Ready yourselves.