BIO:

Mary Jane has published two prayer books, PRAYING THROUGH FIRST JOHN and PRAYING WITH PETER. Her life has been enriched as teacher, preacher, mother, grandmother and home caregiver for her husband until November 2007. Her speaking and newspaper articles reveal a depth and understanding of life that engages the listener immediately. She boldly claims her prayer books couldn't have been written without the Lord praying through her; the prayers are anointed and life changing for the reader! Click here to hear her words about "Praying With Peter."

Her greatest passion is to see church leaders bring congregations alive, help them move out of comfort zones and into our chaotic culture that is searching for purposeful living.

Whether she is speaking, in her low-key approach, to churches, retreats or conferences, all ages will become excited and want to become engaged in a growing, intimate relationship with the Lord. As a senior adult she stresses the importance of remaining actively engaged in a process of Christian growth that will change lives dramatically on a daily basis.

TOO TIMID TO PRAY?

One interviewed individual expressed desire to pray for others. "But, she said, when I'm with others who need prayer, I feel timid. How do I overcome my timidity?"

Every Sunday when leaving our worship service, our pastor says, "Now we go out into the mission field." He reminds us again and again, "It's not about us. It's about them!"

So we, as Christians, ask ourselves, "How much do we care about those beyond the church walls who may need help, and yes, would welcome prayer?" There's no greater blessing we can give or receive than prayer. Prayer changes things. It changes us. It changes the lives of others.

We are living in times of great stress and confusion. People are looking for purpose and meaning in their lives. The church, (you and me) must ask God to help us see and hear the cries of those who want help. Have I ever had anyone refuse prayer? No! Never! It's God's love in action.

It's time to stop making excuses, put timidity aside and let God use us daily to see, care, and give momentum to our Christian convictions. The more we step out, the greater the ways God will use us. If God is nudging us to call someone, see someone, listen to someone, pray for someone--Do it! The more we obey His still, small voice, the greater His power He will pour through us.

It is thinking of ourselves that make us timid. It's like our pastor says, "It's not about us--it's about them!" It's time to forget ourselves and carry through on the "nudges" God is giving us.

People are languishing because the church (you and me) is sitting back making excuses. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of our Father God is available to Christians who care enough to work in His earthly mission field. All of life is our mission field.

Let us pray this prayer (from THE MESSAGE) for one another, that we'll be willing to leave our comfort zones to help others:

"Oh God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory--make Christians intelligent and discerning in knowing You personally, our eyes focused and clear, so we can see exactly what you are calling us to do, grasp the immensity of Your glorious way of life for Christians, oh the utter extravagance of Your work in us who trust You--endless energy, boundless strength!" We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen. From The Message (Eph. 1:17-19).

Mary Jane Fischer is author of two devotional prayer books, "Praying Through John" and "Praying With Peter.

Testimonials:

"Mary Jane is a very caring person, putting her life on hold to care for her husband until his death recently."
- Deanna Hipsher, Presbyterian Fellowship

"She was certainly the motivating force that got our congregation to moving in the right direction."
- Vera Stevens, Otterbein U.M. Church

"The most unique, caring, passionate woman of strength I have ever met."
- Carolyn Edrington, Coordinator of Tri-State Retreats

"Well received as she spoke in our Community Bible Study. Individual residents seek her for interaction and counsel."
- Dr. Loye V. Crenshaw, Ed. D.

"A team player, quick to give deserving credit to others, excellent listener, well-organized, relaxed and with excellent audience eye-contact and accomplished speaker."
- Wanda Shaw, Retired English Teacher

About her prayer books:

"These prayers are refreshingly transparent. Fischer's honesty about overcoming weaknesses and sin gives readers a voice that they may have been unable to find. It makes the prayers about them and not about her."
- Karen Jones, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN

"This is a beautiful dialogue between two hearts--human and divine. As God's Word speaks to us--we can enter into a response with His Word, shaping our hearts more like His!"
- Jeanne Kendall, Vice-President of Ministry, Aglow Intl.