I Did A 30-Day Prayer Challenge & This Is What Happened
I've always been told to never underestimate the power of prayer.
I've been a witness to answered prayers in forms I never would've imagined but I must admit, there were times I felt as though my requests were falling on deaf ears.
One day I came across an image on my Instagram feed that promoted a 30-day prayer challenge. The theme was to pray for someone that we may not have the best relationship with. I had just moved back to St. Louis after graduating from college and the people that I had the luxury of not “having to deal with" while away, were now in my space at any given time. Something prompted me to look more into this prayer challenge, as I wanted to have a stronger prayer life and get rid of the negative energy that I was exerting towards other people. The challenge, included a "30 Day Power Prayer Packet" that helped guide me through the challenge, as well as a scripture, a matching prayer prompt and devotional to assist in writing my prayers for the day. The challenge called for prayer for one person but instead, I chose three people: one being a married couple.
I purchased three cheap binders, two packs of college-ruled loose-leaf paper, and some fancy pens. I'll be honest, the first few days felt more like an assignment that needed to be completed before the day was over as I was filling out three different prayer journals. The journal consisted of me pouring out my emotion about why I felt the way I did about these people and why I wanted it to change--a lot of me admitting my frustration and bitterness of why we couldn't essentially get along and why I wanted to get to the bottom of it. As the days passed and the more I incorporated scriptures about peace and forgiveness into my prayers, the easier it became. I wanted to clear the air and initiate the reconciliation of our relationship.
The creator of The Prayer Project, Saunya Shelise Hudson, created the Prayer Project 30 Day Written Prayer Challenge to help people “push past their normal everyday prayer routine and help them begin praying more focused and specific prayers for others just as people do for themselves."
If taken seriously, there are three things that can be accomplished by participating in the 30-day prayer challenge, and I can attest to this.
Strengthening of your prayer life and your relationship with the Lord.
This challenge held me accountable in reading the word and making sure I was spending much needed time with the Lord. I had been so focused on completing everything I needed to do in order to graduate that my prayer life had been put on the back burner. I still acknowledged Him in the morning and sending up some prayers over my food, but was nowhere near the type of prayer life that I desired to have. Setting aside that time had to be intentional: just like school and work.
It softens your heart to hurt and anger by allowing you to release those burdens to God.
Shifting the focus from self and what's been done to me to how I can intercede on behalf of others was a game changer. By taking the time to concern myself with the problems and burdens of others (not in a worrisome way), it allowed me to shift my focus from anger to actually wanting to see this prayer get answered for someone else. There is power in forgiveness and it is way more than just a word. Forgiveness is a daily act and that intentional pursuit of forgiveness helped soften my heart one day at a time. Besides, staying angry requires too much energy.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."– Psalm 55:22
It helps your attitude toward people improve.
Listen, praying for people whose ways I am not too fond of was and still is one of the hardest things I could ever do. It is much easier to talk down to and complain because that's the first thing my mouth wants to do. Directing the conversation from gossip to prayer helps remove the tension and shifts the atmosphere. The people I chose to pursue this challenge for were people that I had the hardest time with, but as a believer, it is my responsibility to intercede on behalf of others. These individuals were so used to conflict being the theme of our relationship that when my reaction became prayer and peace, it softened their hearts as well. God knows good and well that all these people He put on this earth that we all are not going to get along but He also made it a point to say, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." – Romans 12:18
At the end of the 30 days, I presented the journals to all three parties for their own keeping; All of which were very grateful that I had taken the time to pray for their needs and wants, some of which they never told me directly, but the intensity of the prayers touched on every need they were seeking. It helped me view them in a different light and see that our “conflict" wasn't because we wanted to be in conflict, but largely attributed to what was going on in our lives and how we responded to it. And to be honest, a lot of the conflict came from miscommunication. So many times we assume the intentions of other people and can be completely wrong. Most of the time we are completely wrong. After giving these people the journals, they were able to expound on their current situation so I could understand more and vice versa. I can't say that we all are the best of friends today, but the challenge helped me see past the problems and focus more on mending relationships and reconciliation.
How we react to certain people says a lot more about us than the person we are reacting to. This challenge will provide so much clarity about your self. It really does work.
If you are interested in joining the Prayer Challenge, you can sign up www.aloveperfect.com.
Follow the founder of The Prayer Challenge on IG @Saunyaaa and on FB at The Prayer Project.
Featured image by Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Blondes Have More Fun: 7 Celebs Going Lighter This Spring And How You Can Too
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do blondes have more fun?” it could be time to answer the call for change with a new hair color.
As summer quickly approaches, many celebrities are taking the plunge and embracing lighter hair tones, infusing their tresses with blonde tones to match the season's vibrancy.
Whether you’re looking to add a few golden highlights through your mane or go the bold route of platinum, it's essential to understand how to go lighter in the safest way possible. We’re all about preserving the health and integrity of our hair; that’s why we’ve solicited the help of Crystal Arinze, a WellCapped Affiliate hairstylist, to provide you with the best tips and insight to achieve your desired bleach blonde look without compromising your crowning glory.
On how to prepare your hair before bleaching:
“When prepping to bleach hair, a protective barrier such as Vaseline should be applied to the scalp and around the edges of the head to prevent the bleach from touching the scalp/skin, to avoid burning and chemicals entering the pores, avoid washing, specifically shampooing the hair before bleaching. Shampoo strips the hair of its natural oils that act as a protective layer.”
Rihanna
Monica Schipper/WireImage via Getty Images
Zendaya
Marc Piasecki/WireImage via Getty Images
On consulting with your stylist before bleaching your hair:
“Stylists should also ask their clients about their prior history of bleaching their hair for better knowledge of the current state of the hair. Ensuring the state of the hair is moisturized and healthy enough before bleaching is very important. If the hair is weak, dry, or has been incorrectly colored in the past, bleaching is not a good idea. If bleached on already damaged hair, one’s hair could fall out within minutes.
"To achieve a blonde moment without sacrificing the integrity of the hair, clients can opt to wear a wig instead.”
Beyoncé
Serena Williams
Kelly Rowland
On how to avoid common mistakes when bleaching their hair at home:
“Many people do not properly calculate the appropriate amount of time the bleach should be in their hair. Not ensuring the consistency of the bleach is being mixed correctly is also a problem. Lastly, many neglect post-bleaching maintenance and care after bleaching their hair, which may cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and damaged. Anyone who would like to bleach their hair at home should do their due diligence and research step by step for the best results.”
Saweetie
Phillip FaraoneVF24Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Da'Vine Joy Randolph
JC Olivera/WireImage via Getty Images
On the best post-bleaching hair aftercare:
“Biweekly or monthly hydration treatments to ensure the hair stays moisturized. Regular maintenance trims help to remove dead ends and promote growth. Avoiding color long or bleaching again for at least 6-12 months after initial bleaching.”
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Featured image by Monica Schipper/WireImage via Getty Images