Hello, my fellow prayer warriors! I would like you to know Mary Nell. She’s one of my favorite people of prayer.
I’ve known Mary Nell for 20 years of my life now. She helped me start in Moms In Prayer which fueled my prayer life and supported me through the hands-on motherhood years and beyond. She has also started a ministry in our hometown, called Pray the City, which she can tell you about.
She answered a few questions for us so that you can see why I love her so much. She is such a strong prayer warrior, guiding others to this wonderful relationship that prayer brings.
MEETING MARY NELL
Question 1: Tell us about yourself: some background info, what you are involved in and anything else you would like to add.
Mary Nell: I am a wife, mom, Mimi and sister. I have been in the medical field for over 30 years and recently began a nonprofit related to prayer.
Question 2: We are talking about why to pray and how to get started. Can you tell us when prayer became important in your life?
Mary Nell: I was a newlywed and saw a class advertised at church “How to start a prayer life”. I knew it was for me! It was an intense 6-week commitment, getting up at 5 am daily, spending a significant amount of time throughout each day in bible reading, journaling and prayer…it was hard! But it was during this time that I fell in love with prayer. I am forever grateful I took this class. When my kids started school, I joined Moms In Prayer, a worldwide organization that gathers moms to pray regularly. I studied the character of God during this season and REALLY began my intimate prayer journey.
Question 3: What is the hardest and easiest thing about prayer for you (or sweetest and no-so-sweet, …)?
Mary Nell: Consistency is key. It is not easy to pray while traveling or when my schedule gets disrupted. But nevertheless, it is a part of my everyday life that is vital! When I do not pray, it is evident in my attitude.
I am in an ongoing conversation with God all day long and sometimes at night. Prayer has become like breathing; I pray without even realizing I am praying – that sounds crazy! But when someone shares a need – I usually pray right at that moment. Drive by a car wreck or hear a siren – more prayer. Even in the middle of a conversation with my family, I may say a quick little prayer. It is simply part of me.
Question 4: Any tips for getting started that you could give?
Mary Nell: Talk to God like he is sitting with you enjoying coffee. Talk like a regular conversation. I recommend praying out loud. It is uncomfortable at first but gets easier. You will be less distracted if you are praying out loud.
Question 5: Any tips that you have for building the consistency of a discipline of prayer?
Mary Nell: I plan ahead. I know the night before that I will be praying first thing in the morning…well…after I get a cup of coffee ha ha! I have my supplies all in one place, ready to go. Bible, journal, pen, glasses, tissues etc. I also plan to revisit prayer throughout the day. If I didn’t finish in the morning, I plan to stop at lunch or mid-day and keep the thread going. I also like to end the day reading scripture or looking over my journal. I do not have an exact formula. I simply am intentional to plan in advance – I will pray.
Question 6: Any tips that you have for building closeness with God in prayer?
Mary Nell: Study verses that teach you about God’s character. It is fun, it is deep yet not too hard. It will help you understand him and in turn learn about yourself. You will understand who you are through God’s eyes.
Question 7: What are one or two answers to prayer can you tell us about?
Mary Nell: One time when my son was in elementary school, we went to some garage sales looking for a desk. We were discouraged and about to return home, I said, Matthew-let’s pray for God to help us find a desk! He thought it was silly but we prayed anyway. Then I saw a tiny sign in an ally. I turned in and we went to the sale. It was small and the people working the sale were very friendly. They asked; what are you looking for? I said, A desk. They said, Oh really? Because we have a handmade wooden desk that we are selling but did not put out here. How much will you give us? I said, $25 and they said OK! Just like that! My son and I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing the whole way home!
(I have other stories but I am out of time, lol) [We will circle back to you for more of these, I promise! – TBBP]
Question 8: What do you think people tend to think wrong about prayer?
Mary Nell: I have made prayer way harder than it should be. There is not a certain amount of time, or perfect words to say. Just relax and tell God what is on your heart, he knows anyway! Also, if you are struggling or mad at God – share it with him. He is strong enough to handle anything.
Question 9: Any tools to recommend? (books, podcasts, tools, people, …)
Mary Nell:
- Moms in Prayer International
- 24-7 Prayer
- Prayer Closet Ministries
- Every Home for Christ (any book by Dick Eastman!)
- Prayer Leaders network
- Anything Priscilla Shirer teaches about prayer
Question 10: How can you be reached so that others can get involved in the ministry you mentioned?
Mary Nell: praythecity@gmail.com or you can recommend someone to me if it needs to be more personal
One of the best tips I see in all of this is surround yourself with others who are passionate about prayer, like Mary Nell.
Please send any questions that you may have. I’ll answer them and I’ll post a few that may help others.
Let me know in the Comments if have anything else to ask Mary Nell, I’ll do a follow-up with her in the future. Thanks to Mary Nell!
See you in the prayer pages.