Editor’s Note: The Fresh Grounded Faith conference visits our area on October 24–25! Featuring authors and speakers Jennifer Rothschild and Stormie Omartian, this promises to be one of the best “girlfriend” events ever no matter your age and stage of life. With Lisa Whelchel, Olive Aneno, and music by Michael O’Brien, this is a rare opportunity for soul refreshment and a life changing encounter with God right in your own backyard! You just might win our “MCL Behind-the-Scenes VIP Visit” with Jennifer and Stormie! Watch for updates on MCL’s Facebook page, and register early!
Stormie Omartian is probably best remembered as the author of The Power of a Praying Wife. That book, published in 2002, has sold well over 20 million copies and continues to be a staple on the bookshelves of countless Christian women of all ages. One reason it continues to be such a popular book is that Stormie’s story includes her personal real-life struggle about two imperfect people trying to live together in a fallen world. She is nothing if not authentic, and her practical and pragmatic advice works. Of course, she would tell you it works because the principles she preaches are God’s, not hers. She will also tell you she has tried it both ways—her way and God’s way.
Stormie has written more than 50 books and though they are not all addressed to women, she does have a profound gift to sift through the issues and get right to the heart with its complicated defenses and unique individual longings. Her life, that looks so incredibly “together” at this season of her life, was not always so pretty.
Before she was a successful author and speaker, she was a singer, dancer, and actress with more than a few credits to her name. She also endured a very abusive childhood at the hands of a schizophrenic mother. Her wounded heart left her with a great deal of emotional baggage, and she tried to dull her pain and find her purpose in a variety of unhealthy and destructive ways.
She was seriously considering suicide as a final solution to her brokenness when a concerned friend invited her to come with her to meet pastor, Jack Hayford. Doubtful that he would have anything to say that could possibly change her mind or give her hope, Stormie went anyway deciding she had nothing to lose. Hayford, a renowned author, teacher, minister, and the President of King’s College, gave Stormie three books to read—one on the way evil impacts our earthly lives, one on the power of the Holy Spirit, and one that was basically the gospel of John in story form. By the time she finished her reading and met with Hayford again the next week, she knew that the words in those books were true and she was hungry to know more about what it meant to have a relationship with Christ.
All of her problems did not disappear into thin air, but life finally made sense and had purpose. God has used her mightily since that time. She is indeed the “prayer warrior” of prayer warriors. Whether it was her extreme past hurts or her sense of never having been cherished or deeply loved, who can say. But she learned to pray with fervency and a keen insight that moved the hands of God. She found prayer to be the most powerful part of her deepening relationship with the Lord, and she discovered that God’s grace was—as advertised in scripture—indeed sufficient for every one of her very needy, needs! Her passion is teaching other women these same ageless principles that will bring each individual into that vital, strong, tender, and intimate relationship with Christ. Who doesn’t want to connect heart to heart to the One who is always “for” us!
Today this beautiful lady is a very young 71 years of age and is a new grandmother of a baby girl named Scarlett Grace Omartian. She lives outside Nashville with her husband of 41 years, Michael Omartian, and they are blessed to have both their son and daughter living close by. (And when she opens up the floor for questions, I am going to be the first one to ask her how she manages to look about 30 years younger than she is!)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 is Stormie’s life verse, and she is quick to point out that the preceding verses speak of the power of prayer.
Stormie will speak on Friday night and will also be part of an open Q&A forum on Saturday. Her Friday night topic will deal with prayer. If you are looking for a deeper prayer life and a closer walk with the Lord, this is for you!
“…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17 – 19).
