Q: What is Moms in Prayer?
A: Moms in Prayer is a movement that mobilizes women to gather weekly and pray for their children and their schools. Their Mission Statement: Moms in Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray. According to their vision, they desire every school in the world to be covered with prayer. Their core priorities are God first, family second, ministry third. On their website, Moms in Prayer lists their purpose as: To stand in the gap for our children through prayer; to pray that our children will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, then stand boldly in their faith; to pray for teachers and school staff; to pray that teachers, administrators, staff, and students would come to faith in Jesus Christ; to pray that our schools will be directed by Biblical values and high moral standards; to be an encouragement and positive support to our schools; and to provide support and encouragement to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children.
Q: How did it start?
A: The founder of Moms in Prayer, Fern Nichols, is a former elementary school teacher. When she found herself fearful about sending her two oldest children to middle school in 1984—knowing the environment would be a battlefield for their hearts and minds—she wanted others in the prayer battle, too. Fern called a mom and asked her to pray with her for their children and school, and Moms in Prayer began. There are now groups in every state and more than 150 countries.
In addition, Fern has traveled to almost every continent in the world to speak, teach, and train women on effective prayer. She has written several books, including The Moms in Prayer International Booklet, Moms in Prayer: Standing in the Gap for Your Children, and Mom’s Little Book of Powerful Prayers.
Q: What happens at a Moms in Prayer meeting?
A: Moms in Prayer is “an hour of hope,” helping to build faith over fear as, week after week, moms learn to never underestimate the power of their prayers. Each week, two or more moms gather to pray for their children and school. Groups can meet in homes and churches or anywhere where they can pray in private. Groups stay focused on prayer and always begin and end on time. (They know moms are busy!) The prayer format is Biblical and begins and ends with an attribute of God. They pray children’s names in scripture and keep what they pray about confidential.
Q: What are the “4 steps of prayer?”
A: The Moms in Prayer hour is divided into Four Steps of Prayer: Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Intercession. To ensure plenty of time to thoroughly pray for children, schools, and administrators, they estimate 25 minutes for Praise, Confession, and Thanksgiving and about 35 minutes for Intercession. During the praise time, leaders select a character of God as a focus topic of the prayer hour. They move on to silent confession and thanksgiving before leaders give a scripture to pray for the kids. Each mom uses the same verse to pray for her child(ren). There is also given scripture for teachers, schools, and various concerns.
Q: Are there resources to help lead or participate in a group?
A: Yes! Moms in Prayer offers participants various prayer booklets, guidelines, outlines, and a training channel for leaders. There is also an available prayer calendar on their website, as well as a Moms in Prayer podcast.
Q: How do I get involved?
A: To be a part of a group of equipped moms who pray well to impact the next generation, visit momsinprayer.org, and fill out a “join a group” request form. A leader will contact you so you can join a local group for prayer time, then register as a group member. If there’s not a group in your area, you can start one! Moms in Prayer also offers Teachers in Prayer groups.
Over the Mountain Moms meet weekly at Vestavia Methodist Church, typically on Wednesdays. For more information, visit momsinprayer.org.