This month, we continue celebrating the lives of those who lived radically, even "madly," for Jesus. And few lived a more persistent, passionate, and prayer-fueled life than Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine—one of the greatest theologians in Christian history.
Join me, Tosha Williams, and my friend Wendy Hickox as we dive into talking about this incredible woman of prayer. Her story is not one of grand sermons, dramatic miracles, or public ministry. Instead, she lived out a quiet, determined, and fiercely faithful life—a life that seemed foolish to some but was profoundly powerful in the Kingdom of God. Her "madness" was relentless prayer, sacrificial love, and unshakable hope in the face of heartbreak.
Her life exemplifies the truth of James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NIV)
In our culture that celebrates independence, instant gratification, and self-reliance, Monica’s relentless faith looks foolish. A mother weeping over a rebellious son for seventeen years? The world might call that madness. We call it crazy amazing. Monica’s life challenges us to keep praying and trust God to work in the hearts of those we love.
He calls us to live boldly, trust fiercely, and pray relentlessly. He calls us to live crazy amazing lives for Jesus—not because we see immediate results, but because we serve a God who is always at work.
Listen in on this podcast, then spend some time with the Lord about praying like Monica. "Seek Him Speak Him" with this devotion-driven-discipleship guide on Galatians 5:16.
______________________
The Family Disciple Me ministry exists to catalyze devotion driven discipleship in our homes and around the world. We believe that discipleship starts with a conversation, and FDM provides free, easily-accessible, biblical resources to encourage these meaningful conversations along life's way. Sign up through our website to be "the first to know" about upcoming releases and resources (including the FDM App - coming soon!!!) You can also follow Family Disciple Me on social media.
Family Disciple Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry, and all donations are tax deductible. More information, blogs, statement of faith and contact info can be found at familydiscipleme.org
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here's a newsflash for the world.
March isn't just aboutbasketball brackets and buzzer
beaters.
What I know this month withFamily Disciple Me, we're
talking about March MissionMadness, that's right.
It's a journey through thelives of people who lived boldly
(00:22):
and sacrificially for Jesus.
These are the people who defiedexpectations.
They persevered, Wendy, againstall odds and they left a legacy
that echoes still today.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I don't know about you, Tasha, but I've been so
encouraged by our past podcastall about these women that have
really set the limit so high,raised the bar.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Raised the bar.
That's right, Wendy.
I'm so glad that you'recontinuing with me as we record
these podcast episodes.
We're here in my co-office andworking together, fulfilling a
dream together.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Yes, it's been many years coming.
I feel that we've been waitingto do this for so many years,
and the timing just hasn't beenright.
So here we are.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
That's right.
Here we are.
Thank you for joining me, Wendy.
And today I want us to talkabout one of my favorite people
in history.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
I can only imagine.
I feel like every time we'vetalked, you have a new lovely,
amazing, courageous woman orGod-fearing person to talk about
.
So I can't wait to hear todaywho we're really going to dig
into their life.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
I love history, wendy , and I know, as a teacher, you
love history too.
So, yes, honestly, I have somany favorites.
Yes, but this woman has alwayspersonally inspired me, and her
name is Monica.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Oh Well, I know that we've talked about her before,
but I'm excited to even dig infurther.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Yes, I don't even know Monica's last name, but she
echoes through history assomebody who changed the course
of the world because she was awoman who lived out crazy,
amazing faith by being a mom whoprayed.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Oh, you mean this madness for Christ that we're
going into this month and we'reseeing madness boldness for
Jesus.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
That's right.
She had crazy, amazing faithand she never gave up praying,
no matter how hard it was.
So I want us to talk about hernext.
I want us to look at her life,dive in just a little bit deeper
, and I'm hoping that everybodylistening will be as encouraged
by her crazy, amazing faith, asencouraged as I've been.
(02:48):
I can't wait.
Let's go ahead and cue theintro, and then we'll be right
back to share more about theamazing life of Monica, the
prayer warrior, mother of StAugustine.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Welcome to the Family Disciple Me podcast.
If you have a real relationshipwith Jesus, then you're in the
right place to be encouraged,challenged and blessed as you
seek Him, speak Him.
The mission of the FamilyDisciple Me ministry is to
inspire devotion-drivendiscipleship, which is something
we believe every Christfollower can do driven
(03:25):
discipleship, which is somethingwe believe every Christ
follower can do.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Discipleship starts with a conversation, so let's
get going with that right now.
Wendy, I am so happy that todaywe get to continue this
conversation.
We're in our series.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
March Mission Madness , and I'm already so encouraged
by it.
It is so encouraging to beright back here in the Cloffice
and know that all month longwe've been telling stories of
people who lived out bold,sacrificial faith, people the
world might have overlooked butwhom God used to change history.
And today, tasha, we'refocusing on a mother whose
(04:03):
prayers literally shaped thefuture of Christianity.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Yes, her prayers changed history, but more than
anything, her prayers changedher son.
This woman is one of my mostfavorite heroes from the history
of the world.
She has impacted my life somuch.
And really she was not somebodywho was glamorous, she wasn't a
(04:29):
queen, she wasn't a writer.
I don't think she was rich, shecertainly wasn't famous.
She was just a mom.
But this mom affected thecourse of history and her name
is Monica.
She was the mother of StAugustine and well, she's proof
(04:49):
that persistent prayer is neverwasted, even when it looks
foolish to the world Tasha.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
That brings us to our anchor verse, and that verse is
1 Corinthians 1, 18.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
That's right.
That verse says the message ofthe cross is foolishness to
those who are perishing, but tous who are being saved, it is
the power of God.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I just love this verse, tasha.
I love it because it reminds usthat God's ways often seem
upside down.
The world would say why wasteyour time praying for someone
who isn't even interested in God?
But Monica's story, well, itproves that God is always at
work, even when we don't see it,tasha.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
That's so encouraging and that's what we want to
explore today, wendy how Godused Monica's so-called foolish
faithfulness to bring one of thegreatest minds in Christian
history, her son St Augustine,to salvation.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Well, right now, I think let's just dig in, unpack
her story, look at what we canlearn from her faith and, as
always, talk about how we canfirst seek him and then turn
around and speak him to allthose that are entrusted to us.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
All right, well, with that, let's just set the scene
for her life Now.
Monica.
She was born in North Africa inthe fourth century.
She was married off to a manwhose name was Patricius, a man
who is not only an unbeliever,but he was known for having a
really bad temper, for beingreally harsh.
He lived a very reckless life.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And yet, monica, during this time, she remained
faithful not only to hermarriage but to her commitment
to pray for her husband andchildren.
Eventually, her husbandactually converted to
Christianity, which is amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
That is amazing.
I believe that he came toChrist on his deathbed.
So I'm not sure how many yearsthey were married, but she
prayed for him and lived a lifeof faith as his wife for their
whole marriage, and it wasn'tuntil the end of his life that
he came to Christ, but he didcome to Christ.
What an amazing example ofcontinuing to pray for an
(07:07):
unbelieving spouse.
And yet the real challenge thatshe had in prayer and I can
appreciate this as a mom hergreatest challenge was with her
son, augustine.
Augustine was brilliant.
He was brilliant, but he wasalso rebellious.
He rejected Christianity and hegot involved in a false
(07:28):
religion called Manichaeismsomething like that, Wendy, I
don't know how to say it.
But even more than that, as hewas exploring these twisted
forms of spirituality, he wasalso living a very indulgent,
sexually reckless lifestyle.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
I can only imagine that that really broke Monica's
heart.
I mean as a mom, as moms outthere, parents out there, you
know how that feels when yourchildren are doing something
other than what you know theyshould be doing.
But she knew that the world sawher son as successful.
But she also knew he was lostand I know what that feels like.
(08:07):
And so she did what she knewbest.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
She prayed.
Isn't that an amazing example.
And she didn't just pray, shepursued her son.
She followed him from NorthAfrica to Italy, pleading with
God every step along the way forher son's salvation.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I can only imagine following my children.
I mean, as you know, Tasha, Ihave a child that's getting
ready to get married and she'smoving off to Florida.
I think I would follow heranywhere.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Well, and back in the fourth century, for Monica to
follow Augustine travel was hard, but she was so committed to
her son's walk with God and himknowing Jesus that she pursued
him with pleading, with prayers,even potentially with travel,
as she was going after him sothat he would know Jesus better.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
She was intentional about her prayers that he would
know Jesus better.
She was intentional about herprayers, is what I hear you
saying.
She was an intentional momIntentional, and, I think, to
myself she went back and shewent to the bishop and she
begged him to talk to Augustine.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
And I can understand that, because when there's a
really hard situation, we go toour spiritual leaders and say
give me wisdom for thissituation, Guide me through this
situation, Pray with me throughthis situation.
And that's what Monica did.
She went to her bishop and Ilove this famous quote that came
(09:35):
down through history when thebishop saw how distraught she
was for the sake of her son'sspiritual walk with God, for the
sake of her son getting hislife right.
This is what that bishop toldher.
He said go, go, leave him alone, Just continue to pray to the
Lord for him.
(09:55):
And here's the part of thequote that just echoes through
my heart, Wendy.
Part of the quote that justechoes through my heart, Wendy.
This bishop said it isimpossible that a son of so many
tears should perish.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Oh, my goodness, the tears that she must have cried
for her son and that that bishopsaw that and knew that this man
would come back to Christbecause of her prayers.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
And that word of encouragement from that bishop,
who would be the equivalent,like one of our pastors today,
that word of encouragement gaveher the strength to keep going,
to keep praying.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
And her prayers.
They were answered in the mostincredible way.
Augustine eventually met BishopAmbrose I believe was his name
who helped lead him to Christ Atthe age of 31,.
After years of running from God, augustine had a radical
conversion.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
He did.
He did.
Monica lived long enough to seeAugustine not only be baptized
but be fully committed to Christ.
She didn't live very muchlonger after that, though.
She died within the year andshe had given her life.
As I look back on history andI've read her story, I feel like
(11:13):
that she took her life forceand she poured it out in prayer
for her son.
I wish we knew more about herother two children, whether they
walked with God, how shepursued them in prayer, but she
lived long enough to seeAugustine come to the Lord, and
because he was such a prolificwriter, I believe he's the one
(11:34):
that recorded these words of hismother and she said there was
indeed one thing for which Iwished to tarry a little in this
life, and that was that I mightsee you a Christian before I
died.
My God has exceeded thisabundantly.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Wow, not only did God answer her prayers, but he
allowed her to live just longenough to actually visually see
her son come to Christ.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
When I think about Monica and I've talked about her
story with other women throughthe years I know that there's
some women who pray for aprodigal, who well, the prodigal
returns within a few months,and that's amazing.
I get so happy with storieslike that.
But I also know there's storiesof mothers who've prayed to
their deathbed and didn't get tosee their children come back to
(12:29):
faith.
Their prodigals returned to theLord, but they kept praying,
and then I can only imagine themon the other side literally
sitting next to the throne afterthey enter glory and they're
still praying and that's whentheir child comes to faith.
You know, Monica's storyreminds us of this powerful
truth from James, chapter 5,verse 16, part B, and it says
(12:52):
the prayer of a righteous personis powerful and effective.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Absolutely and we saw that in her life.
We can see that from thereading, from St Augustine's
reading, the prodigal that shewas praying for.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Became one of the greatest theologians in church
history.
Monica's prayers were powerfuleven when it seemed like nothing
was happening.
I'm certain that it looked likemadness to the world that she
kept praying so much, that shekept going to her bishops, her
pastors, her spiritual leaders.
Asking other people to praywith her probably looked like
(13:31):
madness.
And yet what is madness orfoolishness to the world is the
power of God.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
And I also think about 1 Thessalonians, 5, 16
through 18, where it says bejoyful, always, pray continually
.
I can only imagine that she waspraying continually.
The story shows that she was onher knees praying for her
prodigal son, and sure enough,it happened.
But in 18, it says give thanksin all circumstances, for this
(14:03):
is God's will for you in ChristJesus.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
She lived that out, amen, she lived that out and she
is such an inspiration to me tocontinue to live that out in my
life as well, and to everyonewho is the parent of a prodigal.
Let's make it personal.
Who is it that you need to bepersistently praying for?
It may be madness your prodigalchild, or your prodigal friend,
(14:29):
or, let's just say, yourprodigal parent.
A prodigal, in my opinion, isanybody who has walked away from
the Lord.
Who is that person in your lifethat you need to keep praying
for?
Maybe it's your spouse, maybeit's a friend, but are you
willing to lean into prayer andtrust that God is working, even
(14:50):
when continuing to lean into Godand to hope and to trust and to
pray, even when that looks likefoolishness to the world?
And let's be real.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
It does look like foolishness to the world Today.
It looks foolish to always bepraying, to have that hope, to
have that joy.
But because Christ died for us,we do have that joy, we do have
that faith and it's okay tolook foolish and know that our
God will answer.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
I love this quote that Augustine later wrote about
his mother.
His testimony about her was shewept for me as one who weeps
for the dead by her tears andprayers.
She gave birth to me twice,once to the flesh and once to
the spirit.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Now, that's the kind of legacy we can leave when we
refuse to give up.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I want to be that kind of mom that never quits,
that never gives up, thatcontinues to pray without
ceasing.
So, as we wrap up, I think it'sworthy for us to ask ourselves
who are we praying for?
Where do we need to trust Godmore, and how can I encourage
someone else to stay faithful,and I think it's important to
(16:08):
remember, even when it lookslike nothing is changing.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
God is working just like he did for Monica.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
So I have to close with a tiny little story.
Before COVID lockdownquarantine happened back in 2020
, in 2019, I got to go on a tripwith Compassion International
to Peru.
It was amazing.
Well, our last night theremaybe the night before the last
night we were in this town andwe were staying in a hotel that
(16:40):
was built on top of anAugustinian monastery.
Oh wow.
Now I don't know that much aboutAugustinian monasteries, but I
was so curious about the historyof the place.
It was beautiful, it justinspired me with so much awe.
I couldn't get over it.
So I was trying to understandthis hotel and the history.
(17:02):
I couldn't get over it.
So I was trying to understandthis hotel and the history and I
saw that every Augustinianmonastery had a street next to
it named after his mother.
Oh, my goodness, wow.
So I grabbed my friend, my newfriend on the trip, and I said
will you help me go look forthis street?
So it was in the middle of thistown in Peru, but we walked the
(17:25):
city block around this hoteland, sure enough, the back
alleyway was named Monica.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Now that mother had influence on her son.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
It just painted such a picture to me that we may be
the road through which ourchildren walk back to Jesus.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Wow, the intentional prayers that she had for her son
leads to that road.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
That's right.
I'm so encouraged.
I hope you've been encouraged,Wendy.
As we close this episode, willyou pray for all of us?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Absolutely Dear Heavenly Father.
Thank you, lord Jesus, for thestory of Monica and her son, st
Augustine.
What an example of a woman whowas on her knees and believed,
lord Jesus, in you and yourpower, for to the world it
(18:25):
looked like foolishness, but,lord, that foolishness was used
by you, the power of God, tobring her son around, to make
impact for generations upongenerations.
May we be the people that makeimpact for the next generation.
Let us be intentional in ourdiscipleship, in our
(18:50):
conversations.
Lord, we thank you for who youare and what you have provided
for us.
It's in your precious andheavenly name we pray.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Amen, amen precious and heavenly name we pray, amen,
amen.
Now, friend, let's go live thisMarch Mission madness.
Let's be in the game on thefront lines following Jesus.
Until next time, be encouraged.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Thanks for joining us in this podcast episode.
You can find the matchingconversation guide in the show
notes.
To get the latest updates aboutthe Family Disciple Me ministry
, as well as word about oursoon-to-be-released app, sign up
to be the first to know atfamilydisciplemeorg.
Also, if you enjoyed thispodcast, help us get the word
(19:38):
out by leaving us a review onyour favorite podcast platform.
God bless you, friend.
Now go seek him.
Speak him.
Here's a newsflash for the world.
March isn't just aboutbasketball brackets and buzzer
beaters.
What I know this month withFamily Disciple Me, we're
talking about March MissionMadness, that's right.
It's a journey through thelives of people who lived boldly
(00:22):
and sacrificially for Jesus.
These are the people who defiedexpectations.
They persevered, Wendy, againstall odds and they left a legacy
that echoes still today.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I don't know about you, Tasha, but I've been so
encouraged by our past podcastall about these women that have
really set the limit so high,raised the bar.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Raised the bar.
That's right, Wendy.
I'm so glad that you'recontinuing with me as we record
these podcast episodes.
We're here in my co-office andworking together, fulfilling a
dream together.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Yes, it's been many years coming.
I feel that we've been waitingto do this for so many years,
and the timing just hasn't beenright.
So here we are.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
That's right.
Here we are.
Thank you for joining me, Wendy.
And today I want us to talkabout one of my favorite people
in history.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
I can only imagine.
I feel like every time we'vetalked, you have a new lovely,
amazing, courageous woman orGod-fearing person to talk about
.
So I can't wait to hear todaywho we're really going to dig
into their life.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
I love history, wendy , and I know, as a teacher, you
love history too.
So, yes, honestly, I have somany favorites.
Yes, but this woman has alwayspersonally inspired me, and her
name is Monica.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Oh Well, I know that we've talked about her before,
but I'm excited to even dig infurther.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Yes, I don't even know Monica's last name, but she
echoes through history assomebody who changed the course
of the world because she was awoman who lived out crazy,
amazing faith by being a mom whoprayed.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Oh, you mean this madness for Christ that we're
going into this month and we'reseeing madness boldness for
Jesus.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
That's right.
She had crazy, amazing faithand she never gave up praying,
no matter how hard it was.
So I want us to talk about hernext.
I want us to look at her life,dive in just a little bit deeper
, and I'm hoping that everybodylistening will be as encouraged
by her crazy, amazing faith, asencouraged as I've been.
(02:48):
I can't wait.
Let's go ahead and cue theintro, and then we'll be right
back to share more about theamazing life of Monica, the
prayer warrior, mother of StAugustine.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Welcome to the Family Disciple Me podcast.
If you have a real relationshipwith Jesus, then you're in the
right place to be encouraged,challenged and blessed as you
seek Him, speak Him.
The mission of the FamilyDisciple Me ministry is to
inspire devotion-drivendiscipleship, which is something
we believe every Christfollower can do driven
(03:25):
discipleship, which is somethingwe believe every Christ
follower can do.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Discipleship starts with a conversation, so let's
get going with that right now.
Wendy, I am so happy that todaywe get to continue this
conversation.
We're in our series.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
March Mission Madness , and I'm already so encouraged
by it.
It is so encouraging to beright back here in the Cloffice
and know that all month longwe've been telling stories of
people who lived out bold,sacrificial faith, people the
world might have overlooked butwhom God used to change history.
And today, tasha, we'refocusing on a mother whose
(04:03):
prayers literally shaped thefuture of Christianity.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Yes, her prayers changed history, but more than
anything, her prayers changedher son.
This woman is one of my mostfavorite heroes from the history
of the world.
She has impacted my life somuch.
And really she was not somebodywho was glamorous, she wasn't a
(04:29):
queen, she wasn't a writer.
I don't think she was rich, shecertainly wasn't famous.
She was just a mom.
But this mom affected thecourse of history and her name
is Monica.
She was the mother of StAugustine and well, she's proof
(04:49):
that persistent prayer is neverwasted, even when it looks
foolish to the world Tasha.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
That brings us to our anchor verse, and that verse is
1 Corinthians 1, 18.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
That's right.
That verse says the message ofthe cross is foolishness to
those who are perishing, but tous who are being saved, it is
the power of God.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I just love this verse, tasha.
I love it because it reminds usthat God's ways often seem
upside down.
The world would say why wasteyour time praying for someone
who isn't even interested in God?
But Monica's story, well, itproves that God is always at
work, even when we don't see it,tasha.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
That's so encouraging and that's what we want to
explore today, wendy how Godused Monica's so-called foolish
faithfulness to bring one of thegreatest minds in Christian
history, her son St Augustine,to salvation.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Well, right now, I think let's just dig in, unpack
her story, look at what we canlearn from her faith and, as
always, talk about how we canfirst seek him and then turn
around and speak him to allthose that are entrusted to us.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
All right, well, with that, let's just set the scene
for her life Now.
Monica.
She was born in North Africa inthe fourth century.
She was married off to a manwhose name was Patricius, a man
who is not only an unbeliever,but he was known for having a
really bad temper, for beingreally harsh.
He lived a very reckless life.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And yet, monica, during this time, she remained
faithful not only to hermarriage but to her commitment
to pray for her husband andchildren.
Eventually, her husbandactually converted to
Christianity, which is amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
That is amazing.
I believe that he came toChrist on his deathbed.
So I'm not sure how many yearsthey were married, but she
prayed for him and lived a lifeof faith as his wife for their
whole marriage, and it wasn'tuntil the end of his life that
he came to Christ, but he didcome to Christ.
What an amazing example ofcontinuing to pray for an
(07:07):
unbelieving spouse.
And yet the real challenge thatshe had in prayer and I can
appreciate this as a mom hergreatest challenge was with her
son, augustine.
Augustine was brilliant.
He was brilliant, but he wasalso rebellious.
He rejected Christianity and hegot involved in a false
(07:28):
religion called Manichaeismsomething like that, Wendy, I
don't know how to say it.
But even more than that, as hewas exploring these twisted
forms of spirituality, he wasalso living a very indulgent,
sexually reckless lifestyle.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
I can only imagine that that really broke Monica's
heart.
I mean as a mom, as moms outthere, parents out there, you
know how that feels when yourchildren are doing something
other than what you know theyshould be doing.
But she knew that the world sawher son as successful.
But she also knew he was lostand I know what that feels like.
(08:07):
And so she did what she knewbest.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
She prayed.
Isn't that an amazing example.
And she didn't just pray, shepursued her son.
She followed him from NorthAfrica to Italy, pleading with
God every step along the way forher son's salvation.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I can only imagine following my children.
I mean, as you know, Tasha, Ihave a child that's getting
ready to get married and she'smoving off to Florida.
I think I would follow heranywhere.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Well, and back in the fourth century, for Monica to
follow Augustine travel was hard, but she was so committed to
her son's walk with God and himknowing Jesus that she pursued
him with pleading, with prayers,even potentially with travel,
as she was going after him sothat he would know Jesus better.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
She was intentional about her prayers that he would
know Jesus better.
She was intentional about herprayers, is what I hear you
saying.
She was an intentional momIntentional, and, I think, to
myself she went back and shewent to the bishop and she
begged him to talk to Augustine.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
And I can understand that, because when there's a
really hard situation, we go toour spiritual leaders and say
give me wisdom for thissituation, Guide me through this
situation, Pray with me throughthis situation.
And that's what Monica did.
She went to her bishop and Ilove this famous quote that came
(09:35):
down through history when thebishop saw how distraught she
was for the sake of her son'sspiritual walk with God, for the
sake of her son getting hislife right.
This is what that bishop toldher.
He said go, go, leave him alone, Just continue to pray to the
Lord for him.
(09:55):
And here's the part of thequote that just echoes through
my heart, Wendy.
Part of the quote that justechoes through my heart, Wendy.
This bishop said it isimpossible that a son of so many
tears should perish.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Oh, my goodness, the tears that she must have cried
for her son and that that bishopsaw that and knew that this man
would come back to Christbecause of her prayers.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
And that word of encouragement from that bishop,
who would be the equivalent,like one of our pastors today,
that word of encouragement gaveher the strength to keep going,
to keep praying.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
And her prayers.
They were answered in the mostincredible way.
Augustine eventually met BishopAmbrose I believe was his name
who helped lead him to Christ Atthe age of 31,.
After years of running from God, augustine had a radical
conversion.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
He did.
He did.
Monica lived long enough to seeAugustine not only be baptized
but be fully committed to Christ.
She didn't live very muchlonger after that, though.
She died within the year andshe had given her life.
As I look back on history andI've read her story, I feel like
(11:13):
that she took her life forceand she poured it out in prayer
for her son.
I wish we knew more about herother two children, whether they
walked with God, how shepursued them in prayer, but she
lived long enough to seeAugustine come to the Lord, and
because he was such a prolificwriter, I believe he's the one
(11:34):
that recorded these words of hismother and she said there was
indeed one thing for which Iwished to tarry a little in this
life, and that was that I mightsee you a Christian before I
died.
My God has exceeded thisabundantly.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Wow, not only did God answer her prayers, but he
allowed her to live just longenough to actually visually see
her son come to Christ.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
When I think about Monica and I've talked about her
story with other women throughthe years I know that there's
some women who pray for aprodigal, who well, the prodigal
returns within a few months,and that's amazing.
I get so happy with storieslike that.
But I also know there's storiesof mothers who've prayed to
their deathbed and didn't get tosee their children come back to
(12:29):
faith.
Their prodigals returned to theLord, but they kept praying,
and then I can only imagine themon the other side literally
sitting next to the throne afterthey enter glory and they're
still praying and that's whentheir child comes to faith.
You know, Monica's storyreminds us of this powerful
truth from James, chapter 5,verse 16, part B, and it says
(12:52):
the prayer of a righteous personis powerful and effective.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Absolutely and we saw that in her life.
We can see that from thereading, from St Augustine's
reading, the prodigal that shewas praying for.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Became one of the greatest theologians in church
history.
Monica's prayers were powerfuleven when it seemed like nothing
was happening.
I'm certain that it looked likemadness to the world that she
kept praying so much, that shekept going to her bishops, her
pastors, her spiritual leaders.
Asking other people to praywith her probably looked like
(13:31):
madness.
And yet what is madness orfoolishness to the world is the
power of God.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
And I also think about 1 Thessalonians, 5, 16
through 18, where it says bejoyful, always, pray continually
.
I can only imagine that she waspraying continually.
The story shows that she was onher knees praying for her
prodigal son, and sure enough,it happened.
But in 18, it says give thanksin all circumstances, for this
(14:03):
is God's will for you in ChristJesus.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
She lived that out, amen, she lived that out and she
is such an inspiration to me tocontinue to live that out in my
life as well, and to everyonewho is the parent of a prodigal.
Let's make it personal.
Who is it that you need to bepersistently praying for?
It may be madness your prodigalchild, or your prodigal friend,
(14:29):
or, let's just say, yourprodigal parent.
A prodigal, in my opinion, isanybody who has walked away from
the Lord.
Who is that person in your lifethat you need to keep praying
for?
Maybe it's your spouse, maybeit's a friend, but are you
willing to lean into prayer andtrust that God is working, even
(14:50):
when continuing to lean into Godand to hope and to trust and to
pray, even when that looks likefoolishness to the world?
And let's be real.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
It does look like foolishness to the world Today.
It looks foolish to always bepraying, to have that hope, to
have that joy.
But because Christ died for us,we do have that joy, we do have
that faith and it's okay tolook foolish and know that our
God will answer.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
I love this quote that Augustine later wrote about
his mother.
His testimony about her was shewept for me as one who weeps
for the dead by her tears andprayers.
She gave birth to me twice,once to the flesh and once to
the spirit.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Now, that's the kind of legacy we can leave when we
refuse to give up.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I want to be that kind of mom that never quits,
that never gives up, thatcontinues to pray without
ceasing.
So, as we wrap up, I think it'sworthy for us to ask ourselves
who are we praying for?
Where do we need to trust Godmore, and how can I encourage
someone else to stay faithful,and I think it's important to
(16:08):
remember, even when it lookslike nothing is changing.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
God is working just like he did for Monica.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
So I have to close with a tiny little story.
Before COVID lockdownquarantine happened back in 2020
, in 2019, I got to go on a tripwith Compassion International
to Peru.
It was amazing.
Well, our last night theremaybe the night before the last
night we were in this town andwe were staying in a hotel that
(16:40):
was built on top of anAugustinian monastery.
Oh wow.
Now I don't know that much aboutAugustinian monasteries, but I
was so curious about the historyof the place.
It was beautiful, it justinspired me with so much awe.
I couldn't get over it.
So I was trying to understandthis hotel and the history.
(17:02):
I couldn't get over it.
So I was trying to understandthis hotel and the history and I
saw that every Augustinianmonastery had a street next to
it named after his mother.
Oh, my goodness, wow.
So I grabbed my friend, my newfriend on the trip, and I said
will you help me go look forthis street?
So it was in the middle of thistown in Peru, but we walked the
(17:25):
city block around this hoteland, sure enough, the back
alleyway was named Monica.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Now that mother had influence on her son.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
It just painted such a picture to me that we may be
the road through which ourchildren walk back to Jesus.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Wow, the intentional prayers that she had for her son
leads to that road.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
That's right.
I'm so encouraged.
I hope you've been encouraged,Wendy.
As we close this episode, willyou pray for all of us?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Absolutely Dear Heavenly Father.
Thank you, lord Jesus, for thestory of Monica and her son, st
Augustine.
What an example of a woman whowas on her knees and believed,
lord Jesus, in you and yourpower, for to the world it
(18:25):
looked like foolishness, but,lord, that foolishness was used
by you, the power of God, tobring her son around, to make
impact for generations upongenerations.
May we be the people that makeimpact for the next generation.
Let us be intentional in ourdiscipleship, in our
(18:50):
conversations.
Lord, we thank you for who youare and what you have provided
for us.
It's in your precious andheavenly name we pray.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Amen, amen precious and heavenly name we pray, amen,
amen.
Now, friend, let's go live thisMarch Mission madness.
Let's be in the game on thefront lines following Jesus.
Until next time, be encouraged.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Thanks for joining us in this podcast episode.
You can find the matchingconversation guide in the show
notes.
To get the latest updates aboutthe Family Disciple Me ministry
, as well as word about oursoon-to-be-released app, sign up
to be the first to know atfamilydisciplemeorg.
Also, if you enjoyed thispodcast, help us get the word
(19:38):
out by leaving us a review onyour favorite podcast platform.
God bless you, friend.
Now go seek him.
Speak him.
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