Praying Christian Women

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!
Church hurt is something almost no one survives decades in the church without experiencing.
In this special joint episode of Praying Christian Women and Christian True Crime Junkies, Alana and Jaime have an honest, unscripted conversation about church scandal, spiritual abuse, and how to heal your faith when a pastor's moral failure—or a church's cover-up—leaves you wounded, even when you were far removed from where it happened.
Together they unpack why a pastor's affair can trigger a faith crisis in people who left the church years ago, why victims of clergy abuse are so often shunned while fallen leaders get protected, and what Gayle Haggard's memoir Why I Stayed reveals about loving the families caught in the wreckage. They get honest about the spectrum between a consensual affair and predatory abuse, why narcissists are so often drawn to ministry and church leadership, and the pattern of institutional and denominational failures—and cover-ups—that keeps surfacing across churches of every stripe.
Alana also shares her hard-won take on spiritual "premonitions"—the God-given instinct that something is off—and why she believes those warnings are a call to pray, not proof you failed to act. Grounded in Ezekiel 34:2, the conversation lands on a grace-filled but clear-eyed question every church faces: how do we protect the flock from spiritual abuse while still extending real grace to imperfect people?
Whether you're walking through church hurt right now, rebuilding after spiritual abuse, quietly deconstructing, or simply want to guard your heart against cynicism and bitterness, we hope this episode helps you grieve honestly, stay connected to God, and hold grace and wisdom in the very same hand.

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
On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen
On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen
On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

How do we discern true spiritual guidance from modern trends, and when is looking for a sign actually opening the door to something darker?
In this episode, Jaime and Alana dive into the nuanced—and sometimes confusing—topic of modern “witchy” trends, New Age language seeping into Christian self-help, and the age-old practice of seeking signs. They discuss the critical difference between earnestly seeking God’s guidance and relying on spiritual shortcuts or omens, exploring how to tease out what is biblical, what is evil, and what falls somewhere in between.
Alana highlights the concept of “plundering the Egyptians”—taking what is useful from secular tools without adopting their faulty foundations—while warning against attributing divine power to our own subconscious desires. Meanwhile, Jaime opens up about the tension of making agonizing parenting decisions with her husband, Matt, and takes a deep dive into the biblical story of Gideon’s fleece. She questions whether Gideon’s demands were a wise test or a lack of faith, ultimately suggesting that God was simply meeting Gideon where he was, rather than providing a universal instruction manual for our own decisions.
Along the way, they swap practical wisdom on navigating the gray areas of modern Christian discernment. From the surprisingly grounded trick of flipping a coin—not to let chance decide, but to bypass people-pleasing tendencies and reveal your true, underlying desires—to an honest look at historical practices like casting lots and "Bible roulette," they offer a discerning yet grace-filled perspective. They emphasize that with the Holy Spirit and the Bible, we already have exactly what we need to seek God's will, warning against the temptation to treat scripture like a Ouija board.
Whether you are wrestling with a major life decision, trying to untangle cultural self-help from biblical truth, or simply need a reminder to listen to God's voice without demanding a supernatural sign, we hope this episode encourages you to lead with prayerful discernment, intentionality, and confident grace.

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
On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen
On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen
On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen

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
On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen
On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen
On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

What do you do when the path to true abundance takes you directly through the fire and the flood?
Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for a devotional on Psalm 66 — Praise for God's Mighty Deeds and His Answer to Prayer — a psalm of profound remembrance that celebrates God as both our miraculous rescuer and our master refiner.
Jaime unpacks the challenging, yet beautiful tension found in this passage, exploring the uncomfortable reality that sometimes God purposefully brings His people "into the net." Likening our deepest trials to the precise, careful process of refining silver, she discusses how the heat of our circumstances is used to draw out impurities—never to consume us, but to purify us. Sharing her candid reflections on the difference between suffering the natural consequences of a fallen world versus enduring a purposeful season of testing, Jaime encourages us to set up "Ebenezer" monuments of memory. Just as God turned the sea into dry land for the Israelites, we can look back on His unmistakable past faithfulness to find the courage to trust Him today.
Come ready to look at your own current struggles—the places of pain, the feeling of being trapped, and the moments when you aren't entirely sure why you're suffering. Let this psalm remind you that your pain is never wasted and that you can borrow the psalmist's faith when your own feels weak. Because He is a God who eventually brings us out into a place of abundance, who listens to the cries of our hearts, and who will never turn away your prayer or withhold His lovingkindness from you.

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
On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen
On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen
On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

How do we protect our kids spiritually and set wise boundaries without raising them in a culture of fear?
In this episode, Jaime and Alana dive into the nuanced—and sometimes controversial—topic of navigating Halloween, fantasy media, and cultural traditions as Christians. They discuss the critical difference between setting healthy spiritual boundaries and letting “religious default settings” or fear-based superstition dictate our choices, exploring why treating pop culture with extreme suspicion can sometimes do more harm than good.
Alana highlights the historical weaponization of the word “witch” by old-school religious establishments to silence women and control spiritual independence, sparking a deeper conversation about how we label things as “evil” without thoughtful examination. Meanwhile, she opens up about her own attempt to watch Harry Potter as an adult and the surprising “nocebo” effect—how deeply ingrained beliefs that something is spiritually dangerous can trigger real spiritual and emotional unease—showing how our upbringing can shape our reactions even when we intellectually know better. Jaime shares her evolving perspective on allowing her children to engage with the series, moving from a more permissive stance to a greater awareness of potential spiritual “open doors,” while still rejecting blanket outrage in favor of Holy Spirit-led discernment.
Along the way, they swap practical wisdom on navigating the gray areas of modern Christian parenting and culture. From the beautiful analogy of treating young children like delicate seedlings that need extra protection while older ones must develop resilience through measured exposure, to an eye-opening experience at an Alaska Native Heritage Center, to their kids’ own self-censoring decisions with Percy Jackson and Coco, they offer a discerning yet grace-filled perspective. They emphasize the importance of teaching our children how to think biblically for themselves rather than simply handing down rigid rules, and they guard against the easy temptation to judge other believers who reach different conclusions.
Whether you are wrestling with what media to allow in your home, trying to break free from the fear-based religious environment you grew up in, or simply need a reminder to seek God’s specific wisdom for your family instead of defaulting to either permissiveness or paranoia, we hope this episode encourages you to lead with prayerful discernment, intentionality, and confident grace.

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
On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen
On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen
On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

What do you do when the world around you is constantly chasing false idols — when society’s empty promises tempt you to forget the true source of your provision?

Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for a devotional on Psalm 65 — God’s Abundant Favor to Earth and Man — a psalm that speaks directly to the spiritual battle for our loyalty and the revolutionary goodness of the one true God.
Jaime unpacks the rich historical and geographical context of this beautiful passage, revealing that it is far more than just a simple harvest celebration. Instead, she explores its powerful original purpose: a bold, spiritual assault on the false Canaanite god, Baal. While the ancient world was ruled by the fear of bloodthirsty, territorial deities who demanded horrific sacrifices in exchange for rain and crops, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob revealed Himself as a completely different kind of ruler—a loving Father who provides not because of what we do, but because of who He is.
Even today, when we are surrounded by a culture that tempts us to fill our voids with modern-day idols and fleeting comforts, God remains the ultimate authority over the chaos. He is the One who truly establishes the mountains, stills the roaring seas, and crowns the year with His bounty. When the world demands constant noise and striving, God gently invites us into His courts, showing us that even our awestruck, still silence can be a profoundly effective form of praise.
Come ready to lay down the earthly vices you’ve been clinging to and confront the ways the enemy tries to veil your spiritual eyes. Let this psalm remind you of the stark contrast between the exhausting demands of this world and the boundless grace of the Creator. Because He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, you don't have to look anywhere else to find your ultimate satisfaction, and you can confidently join all of creation in shouting for joy.

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
On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen
On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen
On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen

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