Calling All Prayer Warriors

This was written during the height of the pandemic and now I see that God was laying the foundation of what He is calling me and other Christians to do. On Saturday September 26th, we, along with thousands of Christians around the world, will be meeting in Kingston NY at the TR Gallo Waterfront Park to take part in a Day of Prayer in Repentance from 10:-3:30. This is in conjunction with The return https://thereturn.org/

Here is the article I wrote back in June:

Over the last several weeks, God has been calling me to pray more and more for our country and to inspire and encourage others to organize prayer walks in their cities. Little did I know that on June 20th, God did that in San Diego and 16,000 people from 135 churches gathered on street corners, in parks and on curbsides to pray. Though I live on the East Coast, a world away, it was exciting to know that God is hearing  our prayers as we pray for repentance and revival. Here's my prayer:

My heart is very burdened for the United States of America. There is so much evil trying to destroy it and so many willingly giving itself over to its agenda. Those who call themselves Christians really need to rise up in prayer at this time. I took a prayer walk around my neighborhood and my heart just cried out for all the sins of America: The spirit of rebellion against God, against authority and against all who would curb any self-indulgence, the sins of pride, lust, anger and hatred, pornography and child molestation, murder, the spirit of anger, and anarchy that is fighting for our nation.

My heart is burdened for those who are dying in the streets, for the addicted, for those who are under the sway of the enemy of their soul. Those who are called Christians need to rise up in prayer and take to the streets and pray. Lord I pray that you would send the David Wilkerson‘s of this nation, send them into the cities to bring the healing message of the gospel good news of reconciliation between God and man. I pray for the Nikki Cruz’s of America. Send evangelists to them, send your Holy Spirit to release them from the bonds of hatred, addiction, racial prejudice and self-destruction.

We pray Lord that you would have mercy on this nation, though we don’t deserve it. Break the bondage that the enemy has placed on its people while they were sleeping and unaware of the tactics. Quench the fires of our smoking cities with your Holy Spirit. Bring your peace and unconditional love to the land through your church. church rise up to your finest hour in history to go out into the streets and bring reconciliation in the name of Jesus Christ. 

This is part two of the prayer

God’s calling all prayer warriors to take to the streets of their towns and villages and especially the cities. To pray against the devices and strategies of the enemy. “No weapon formed against us, your church, will prosper.” Wake up Church and hear the cry of the Savior’s heart for the thousands of desperate ones who do not know you and do not know unconditional love. I pray for the church, we pray for the Church that it would rise up and take its place at the head and not at the tail, that it would lead with compassion and walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ

Lord we pray for your mercy on America, though we do not deserve it. We repent of our idolatry as they are many, all centered around the selfish aims of power, greed, control, selfishness and rebellion.

Bring back our youth, our prodigals who have left because the tug of the world was too strong on them because they did not know the power of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit, a dynamic power that converted men like Nicky Cruz, Michael Franzese and ourselves. Lord we need you desperately. We’re crying out for your help. Show your people what they are to do. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

God certainly showed the churches in San Diego what to do,,,Pray. Here's the article if you want to be encouraged!

Dealing with a Spouse's Depression

Winter can be a difficult time for many people, espeically for those who suffer fram Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as SAD.

“I can’t stand living,” my husband pronounced for the third time in a row. My heart dropped like a high diver plunging into a cup full of water. Fear and worry whelmed up within me when he got into one of these funks. Nothing I said or did encouraged him. No matter what, he remained down in the gutter. As the winter wore on, his dejection deepened. To make matters worse, he broke his ankle and hobbled with a cast. He’d sit on the couch and stare out the window for hours like a moping melancholic. I felt so helpless, and fought off despair.

My husband’s depression and anxiety started in the first few years of our marriage. In the beginning he had occasional bouts, but then it lasted longer and had more impact as we had a family. He would get moody and irritable with me and the children, then not want to join us in activities. Sometimes he would hide in the bedroom and listen to sad music for hours. I felt sorry for him, yet this drove me crazy. Yet the Lord helped me from plunging into hopelessness, and taught me to be compassionate.

My husband and I often talked about his childhood, and I knew the root causes of his problems. Negative thinking had followed him for so many years due to some traumatizing events in his life. So I understand why he thought and acted as he did, but I still got hurt when he would withdraw or was short-tempered. I’d cry out to God for patience, understanding and grace to endure.

My husband’s moods spurred me to pray for his emotional healing and a changed mind. I searched for verses to hold onto. I inserted his name into scriptures and turned them into prayers. “(Mark) do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you might prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2.

I prayed that the Lord would renew my husband’s mind, and adjust his way of thinking and dwell on God’s truth. He needed to fix his eyes on Jesus, which was difficult for both of us. But I had learned from my own bout with depression how to do this--consistent daily prayer and meditation on the Word. My husband agreed, but it wasn’t so simple.

My husband’s moodiness drove me further into prayer, and I petitioned God to help me stay sane and not get bitter. Even though I often understood his depression and irritability, it hurt me that he pulled away from me and the children. I spent a lot of time pouring out my heart to Jesus---praying earnestly and honestly about my frustrations and disappointments. In these appeals, God spoke back to me in His still quiet voice, and He showed me how I could have victory. I’d like to say I set about this course by my own ingenuity, but I didn’t. God mapped it out for me.

He revealed to me though scripture that my own relationship with Him needed to be in the right place. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). I prayed that daily. What a challenge! I tried to look to the Lord for all my wants, rather than to my husband. At the same time, I reminded my heavenly Father of my human needs. He always answered in unexpected ways---encouraging words from friends, a magazine article, a person’s teaching, lyrics from praise songs or a hug from my children. Though it took years to develop an understanding of His ways and fully trust Him, He led me to persevere in prayer and believe. In the long run, Jesus met all my needs…though not all my wants. For the present, He gave me ways to cope.

Since my husband’s depression was cyclical, we experienced good times, which built our marriage and gave me a breather. He’d have good days and say funny things like, “When I’m in a funk, shove me in the trunk and ride with the spare tire beside you.” Yet, his emotions were a roller coaster ride that affected me deeply. During those dark times, I learned to lean on the Lord and trust Him as my comforter and guide. I felt a special affinity to David and the Psalms, and I turned to them for encouragement. “The Lord is my strength and my shield, My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped” (Psalm 28:7). This verse supported me in many ways, and I prayed it often. It helped me to visualize God as a shield from my husband’s moods. I didn’t need to react to his every comment. It’s a lesson that took me years to learn, and I’m still learning it!

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son--A Psalm for Parents

Letters to God, on a Prodigal Son—Overcoming Addiction Through Prayer is the poignant, true story of a parent's journey through the minefield of her adult child's addiction. This book will help you find peace in the midst of your tsunami and the secret to victorious prayer! Letters to God is a powerful journal packed with prayers, practical advice and key spiritual insights. It will help unlock the secrets to successful prayer, not only for those dealing with prodigals, but for anyone facing their own storm.

On Tues NOV. 8TH ONLY I’ll be having a book launch for Letters to God… and you’ll be able to get a lot of FREE Gifts when you purchase the book on that day. You can find out more about the launch on my web-site, www.anitaestes.com or this direct link http://www.anitaestes.com/landing-page.html



Here is an excerpt:
A Psalm for Parents of Prodigals

Oh God, You are my God
And I will worship You.
Though darkness and confusion
engulfs me,
You will light my path.

Though heartache and disappointments
Surround me,
You will lift up my soul.

You will meet me in my times of sorrow,
And comfort me.
You will lead me and guide me
when I don’t know which way
to turn.
Though no one else may know the way,
You will reveal it to me.
Though our enemy desires my son’s life,
You have spared him.

May he dedicate his life to You,
And follow Your footsteps.
May You illuminate my son’s path
back to You, that he may walk Righteously in Your ways.
May You open my prodigal son’s eyes
for the task he is to do
with his life.

Lord, look down upon us and lift us up.
Thank You for preserving our life.
May You give us wisdom,
And guide us in all we say and do.
I place my son and my husband
in Your hands.
Soften their hearts towards You,
And keep them moldable.
Let all of us be clay in Your hands. Amen.

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son Excerpts and Giveaway

Lastnight I had a booksigning at a local bookstore and had a good discussion of my latest release, Letters to God on a Prodigal Son: Overcoming Addiction Through Prayer. This power packed journal and guide was birthed from the painful passage I experienced while navigating the minefield of my son’s addiction. I kept a diary that contained many insightful prayers, letters, and scriptures that I thought would help others navigate the turbulent waters of a prodigal’s addiction, so I worked on transforming it into a book. I added two sections, Lessons Learned and Suggestions that I thought would further help others to avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced, while offering a lifeline of hope. At the time my son was going through this terrible ordeal, I couldn’t find any Christian books on the subject that gave practical and spiritual, not textbook, advice. Letters to God, on a Prodigal Son was designed to fit this need. It’s filled with the heart-felt letters and prayers of a mother, key spiritual insights and practical advice. My desire in writing this book is to help others and minister to them though this true life story. Send an e-mail BEFORE Nov. 8th to letterstogod27@yahoo.com and your name will be entered into a contest to receive a FREE e-book or paperback copy !

Here are a few excerpts:
Suggestions: It is difficult not to be consumed with your addicted child, but you must not put him or her first. Your marriage and your own physical, emotional and mental stability are very important in order to be able to see things from a clear perspective. While you can pray fervently, don’t let the child or problem consume your thoughts and your time. Make time for you and/or your spouse, your other children and yourself. Spend time in prayer for other’s needs as well as your own.

Life Changing Promises:

During this time I really learned how to pray the scriptures and promises. I needed encouragement everyday and some promises that I could hold onto continually. Here is one more that I clung to:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46: 1-3 NIV). I drew on this verse for God’s strength. I tried not to be afraid, but I had a lot to fear for Ben. I tried to steel myself against the inevitable. My son was going to fail the drug test and be kicked out of the program. Even if this were so, the world would still be intact. I certainly would be shaken, though it wasn’t what I wanted to happen
Suggestions: Find some scriptures and promises of your own that ring true to you and your situation. Write them down, memorize them and quote them frequently when doubt and fear overwhelm you.

Here’s two excerpts from the chapter “Glimmer of Light”
Jesus doesn’t want us to put any relationship above Him and get our peace and joy from them. These words pierce my heart, for this is the work God is doing in my life. I cannot depend on anyone for joy or happiness. I must rely solely on Jesus. He must be my source. It’s not that I can’t receive joy from others, but Jesus needs to be the root of my joy.

Later in that chapter:
I believe God spoke a clear Word to me to continue to come against Satan as Moses came against Pharaoh. Satan does not readily let go of what he perceives to be his. Even though Ben is God’s child, as the nation of Israel was the Lord’s, Satan is reluctant to let go of what he thinks he possesses. Pharaoh needed to be confronted time and time again, and kept relenting on his promise to let the Israelites go.

November 8th is the big launch day for Letters to God on a Prodigal Son—Overcoming Addiction Through Prayer by Anita Estes. When you purchase the book on Nov. 8th you will be able to choose from many free gifts and your name will be entered into a contest to win either a $25 or $50 from some of your favorite stores! Heres how http://www.anitaestes.com/landing-page.html

Book Launch Nov. 8th Letters to God...and Reviews

Letters to God, on a Prodigal Son—Overcoming Addiction Through Prayer is the poignant, true story of a parent's journey through the minefield of her adult child's addiction. This book will help you find peace in the midst of your tsunami and the secret to victorious prayer! Letters to God is a powerful journal packed with prayers, practical advice and key spiritual insights. It will help unlock the secrets to successful prayer, not only for those dealing with prodigals, but for anyone facing their own storm.

November 8th is the big launch day for my newest release, Letters to God on a Prodigal Son—Overcoming Addiction Through Prayer . When you purchase the book on Nov. 8th you will be able to choose from many free gifts and your name will be entered into a contest to win either a $25 or $50 from some of your favorite stores! Here’s how: http://www.anitaestes.com/landing-page.html

Starting Nov. 5th you can get the first two chapters for FREE by visting my web-site www.anitaestes.com

Reviews for Letters to God:

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son is an awesome book that SOOO needed to be written. In the way she writes letters to God, we can see inside her heart as a mom seeing her son suffer an addiction, and suffers through her emotional rollercoaster. There are so many moms who deny that their child is involved in drugs. They just want to believe the best in their children, as we all do. Anita includes the signs to watch for as she takes you through her journey that just might save your child's life! By Celeste

I recommend Letters to God, on a Prodigal Son book to all my friends with adult children who currently embrace the world more often than the Lord. It is a story of hope. But even more so, it is a story of surrender and allowing God to change you through His Word and grace.

So maybe you don't have to have a child who has wandered away from his/her Christian foundation to enjoy this book and gain from its insights. I don't have a prodigal ... but Anita Estes' Letters to God remind me that thankfully God is in the restoration business. Gloria Clover

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son not only shares insights into the spiritual realm and explains the war that is waged against our children's souls, but Author Anita Estes teaches, how through prayer, faith and worship, one can be victorious over the powers of evil that hold our children in bondage. This journal accompanied with the lessons learned is a powerful tool for any parent finding themselves in similar circumstances.

Reconnecting--Doing it God's Way

This morning as I sat down to have my quiet time, an insight flashed across my mind like lightning illuminating the night. The incident yesterday with the interview presented itself in a different light. Perhaps the whole ordeal is an analogy for our interaction with our prodigals. We are speaking with them, then all of a sudden something happens to break down our communication. It can be addictions, depression, chemical changes in the brain, and hardness in the heart or any variety of waywardness. We think they still hear us, so we go on speaking, assured that the communication problem will be easily fixed if we just keep talking, talking talking.

That was my problem yesterday. I thought for sure the technical problem would be resolved because I could hear the interviewer and the audience could hear me. I was hesitant to call in again. It flew in the face of my reasoning. Isn’t that how we sometimes treat our prodigals? We believe we raised them properly so they couldn’t be having the problems they’re beginning to manifest. We are in denial because we are sure we can reason or talk them out of it. At least I thought I could.

I didn’t want to hang up and redial because I was afraid we wouldn’t reconnect, even though the interviewer asked me to do that several times. What kept me from following her advice? First overconfidence rose up assuring me this would quickly be resolved and then fear kept me frozen for a minute. I know that happened to me as I dealt with my son. I didn’t listen to professional advice immediately, believing my prodigal would change. When I realized this problem was not going to fix itself, I prayed. It took a little bit of panic, then I finally surrendered—the same way I handled my prodigal except that it was a torturous ordeal with a lot of panic.

After I prayed and put this situation in God’s hands, I broke off the old connection, and called back. At first we were flustered, maddened and annoyed, but after a few minutes we continued smoothly with a few minor bumps, but at least we were hearing each other.

When I surrendered my prodigal to God, a new connection was established. I felt a greater peace and my heart wasn’t in my throat all the time worrying about him. The change in my son wasn’t immediate; he spiraled further down, but I trusted my Savior would rescue him. Since I placed my prodigal in the Almighty’s hands, He has done an amazing work. We have a few minor glitches in communication, but we both know where to go to resolve it. We take it to the Lord in prayer.

It was prayer that helped resolve the technical issue and reconnect us. Once I was willing to step out and do what the interviewer told me to, not what I thought I should do, we could hear each other again. Maybe your prodigal just can’t hear what you’re saying. I know it’s a frustrating experience, but why not reconnect with God?

When God Speaks Day 1--Divine Guidance

Some people only trust themselves and feel they need to make their own way in this world. While planning has its place, trusting God with our life is far more fool proof. Yet how can we trust Him to lead?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust—think about it. It’s a rare commodity in society today. With all that’s going on, especially with the increase in terrorist attacks, how can we? On top of it, there are so many shady characters in the world itching to strip us of our money, our family, or our life. In an untrusting world, it’s difficult to believe in a trustworthy God. How do we overcome our natural inclinations?
In the light of God’s love and His presence, fear melts away. It is replaced by a trusting relationship that grows daily. We come to know God personally in this way through prayer and reading His Word, and He instructs us. As a good teacher, He trains us—like a horse and rider. Let’s take a look.
At first the trainer places the unbroken or wild horse in a paddock to restrict their movement. When the time is right, they place a bridle on the horse’s head and a bit in its mouth. This is like many of us when we first come to Jesus. He restricts our activity for a while, then harnesses us and takes the reins. Wild as some of us are, we may chafe at such a yoke, but God intends it for good. He wants to direct us over the hurdles and around the pitfalls, rather than falling into them. But it’s human nature to want to be in the saddle holding the reins. Many of us gallop away, going our own direction.
Yet those who submit to training are a wonder to behold. When horse and rider are in unison, it is a beautiful sight. They become one as they jump the hurdles, race around the track or gallop down the trails. The horse responds to the slightest movement of the reins, the pressure of the rider’s legs and their stance. Together, they know where to go and what to do.
If we can learn to trust Him like this, we too can be guided by the One who sees the whole picture and knows what is best. We may veer off the path, but He can redirect us back. As we walk together with Him in trust, we can learn to avoid some pitfalls. We can sense His guidance through His words and His direction when we pray.
We don’t need to rely on our limited perception when we are in tune with God. We can trust Him is situations that don’t make sense—when we are in pain, lose a job, a house, a loved one, or when friends fail us. God can direct us through darkness, peril and loss as well as through joy and light. When we trust Him, we can detect His presence no matter what the circumstances. Do you? If not, there is no condemnation. Start training now.