Casting Prayers

Every time I write a devotional, I cover myself in prayer, especially before I publicly share. I pray that God uses me as a vessel for His words and His truth. I pray that I have eyes to see and ears to hear the substance He wants me to deliver. I see my writing as an anointing for ministry and never want to mess up the message. Ministers and teachers are held to a higher standard and I never want to take for granted the freedom and privilege of being able to share God’s word all over the world through our modern technology.

I started God-Given Gumption® in the spring of 2020 after losing my husband in a ranching accident that February. It was an undoubtable calling placed on my heart to share God’s goodness at a time when literally putting one foot in front of the other was a full time job. I knew eyes were on me waiting to see my next move and, as someone who typically avoids sharing with those outside of my close-knit circle, knew the Lord was telling me, “Invite them in.”

Recently, I have been receiving almost daily notifications that a devotional I wrote in 2021 is being shared all over the world with over 500 views just this year. Rather than being flattered at this unexpected uptick of activity, I started to panic. Why was this particular devotional suddenly so popular? I was worried that what I wrote four years ago could have been taken out of context or was just my driveling on from a place of raw grief and what my late-husband lovingly called “crazy theory time.” I was so nervous about the possibility that my words might have misconstrued God’s word or His character that I didn’t want to reread my post until I couldn’t ignore how far it had spread anymore.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

-James 3:1

I was nervous because this particular post mentions witches, spells, halloween, etc… and I feared my intent could have been taken out of context or keyword searches might have brought it to the attention of the wrong people. I was relieved to see that what I wrote in 2021 still rang true today and am resharing that post, The Christian Coven™, below. I know I shouldn’t have been surprised. God’s word is constant. He is truth, and when we base our own words in Biblical truth we don’t have to worry about how they stand up to the world.

In fact, the call to come together in prayer that I wrote about in 2021 is probably more relevant than ever as we enter into the last quarter of 2025. Revival is happening all over and we can expect the rattled enemy to increase his attacks. Thankfully, God has equipped His people with the weapons of praise and prayer. The battle has already been won and the Christian has been given authority over the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit. Every time we declare the name of Jesus over ourselves, our lives and our loved ones, our opponent gets spooked and can’t get a foothold. We are entering into a season of heightened spiritual attack. Cover yourself in the blood of Jesus and use your authority to fight back.

Love, Molly

Copyright © 2025, M. Marley, LLC

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The Christian Coven™

Halloween is an interesting holiday to me in that it is geared toward children, but there’s not much about it that is childlike. I find the concept of trick or treating a little odd when the ones wearing the costumes are still somewhat at an age of innocence yet are dressed up as vampires, zombies, and witches. I’ve also tried to watch a few of my favorite Halloween movies from childhood with Margot and quickly realized they were full of things I wasn’t ready for her to see or ask questions about. My tendency to shelter her is probably also exacerbated by the fact that having lost a parent, my child already has questions about the afterlife that a 5 year old shouldn’t have to wonder about. 

I have noticed, however, that the one takeaway from these movies and stories revolving around Halloween that is important for all ages to take note of is that there is strength in numbers. Anytime a character wanders off by themselves, you know it’s time to cue the scary music. The bible tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). This might explain why witches are usually depicted casting spells in groups or covens. One definition of the word coven is “an assembly or band of usually 13 witches.” The word is ultimately derived from the Latin coventum, meaning a convention or assembly.

During Jesus’s earthly ministry He assembled the twelve disciples. Jesus spent years ministering in their presence, passing on His wisdom, and sharing God’s will for them and all mankind. It was this group of 13 men that were assembled together on the night before Jesus was betrayed when He entrusted them with sharing his commands. There were 13 gathered when Jesus told them to “love one another.” It was in front of his coven of disciples that Jesus laid out the foundation of what our churches should look like. Our eternal assembly in Heaven should be reflected in our churches even if we can only see it through a foggy mirror right now.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2

While the idea of witches casting spells has become Halloween entertainment, Jesus gaveChristians the secret to unlock our own powers: PRAYER. Just as witches are portrayed gathering together to grow their powers and cast spells, Christians are asked to assemble as a church body to become stronger. We don’t need a spell book because we have been given the secret to creating a more peaceful world right there on the pages of the living scriptures. 

The bible says to pray for ALL people. It also specifically says for those in authority. That doesn’t mean we only pray for our own country’s leaders or just the politicians we side with. We don’t only pray for the bosses we get along with or law enforcement officers we support. We need to pray for them all. The bible tells us that the outcome of praying for ALL people is living peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Imagine if all Christians combined our “powers” to pray for all people, especially all authority figures, on a daily basis. We don’t need any eye of newt or hair of a virgin to change the world. We only need to band together with prayer. 

Love, Molly

Copyright © 2021 M. Marley, LLC