In faith and prayer, North Idaho moms find hope
Moms in Prayer leaders at a 2024 luncheon. Pictured in the back row, from left, are Karla Slonaker, Gretchen Lawrence, Lyndi Phifer, Carolee Abbott, Rebecca Smith, Allyson Crose and Kate Aberle. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Amy Potts, Laurie Wyrick, Lisa Rich, Brenda Grassel, Camela Lathrop, Ellen Stephens and Amber Zember.
Courtesy of Amy Potts
COEUR d’ALENE — Mom-of-three Brenda Grassel is proud to say that her children walk strongly in their faith.
That doesn’t mean the family’s path has been easy.
In 2022, Grassel’s oldest son began using drugs and alcohol to deal with isolation and pressure while serving in the Navy, she said.
Grassel was able to visit her son after he spent 30 days in a treatment center, and they attended an Easter church service together. It was there that her son rededicated his life to God.
During that same trip, Grassel learned from her son that her daughter was going through similar struggles while away at college. After unsuccessful attempts to discuss what was going on with her daughter, Grassel began looking for outside help.
“I typed in ‘help for prodigal children’ in Google and a Moms in Prayer conference on YouTube popped up,” Grassel recalled.
After watching, “I realized how powerful it was to just be faithful to pray for our children continually,” Grassel said. “I immediately looked up Moms in Prayer online and signed up. Amy called me the next day and we started a group.”
Moms in Prayer is a collective of nondenominational prayer groups spanning over 150 countries — including 12 groups in North Idaho, according to area coordinator Amy Potts.
The groups meet once a week to pray for local schools and children.
Potts became involved with Moms in Prayer in 2014 when her two children were transitioning from private to public school.
“At first, praying out loud felt kind of foreign to me,” Potts said. “But once I met these women, they were so warm and welcoming. It was super easy to fall into a groove.”
Moms in Prayer provides free prayer sheets to the local groups, and the ministry booklets are translated in 68 different languages, Potts said.
The sense of community and fellowship provided by Moms in Prayer is invaluable to moms like Grassel, who continues to lean on the ministry through good times and bad.
She said they are reminded every week that their children are in God’s hands.
“Only He can change their hearts and minds," Grassel said.
Today, Grassel hopes to reach young or first-time moms to share what she’s gained by being a part of Moms in Prayer.
“I wish I knew earlier about the ministry. It will be the best hour you spend in a week, and you will also make some new friends that will encourage you as you raise your children in the Lord," she said.
An upcoming conference may help Grassel, Potts, and local Moms in Prayer groups do just that.
Victorious Northwest, a women’s conference that will include worship, testimony, and lunch, is set for March 22. The conference is being hosted by Lake City Church.
“It’s going to be a day of encouragement and hearing from women who understand the value of prayer,” Potts said. “It’s for anybody that wants to come and find friendships, and to share in faith.”