A praying woman is powerful – that is what Minister Marlene Flynn believes and wants to share through this year’s Call For The Wailing Women Conference.

The event will take place next Saturday at Heritage Worship Centre.

Ms Flynn is cofounder of Saphire Faith International Ministries with her daughter, Shaunte’ Fox.

She was inspired by a vision to create a conference specifically to equip women of faith for prayer. By January 2021 it was executed. Now, Saphire Faith International Ministries has added it to their annual calendar of events.

“The Bible tells us that we should pray always,” she said. “There is always something to pray for. There is always something happening, all we need to do is look outside our windows to see it – the murder of our young men due to gang violence, deaths on the road, our economy, mental illness.”

She believes the conference is also an opportunity for women of faith to unite in prayer.

The theme of the conference is based on Jeremiah 9:17-21 where the Lord calls for “the wailing women to come” and teach one another.

“When the Lord told the prophet to call for the wailing women, things were getting out of hand. Same as they are today,” Ms Flynn said. “We need an intervention; it’s an emergency. God told the prophet Jeremiah that there was an emergency.

“God saw that the present situation that faced Jerusalem was beyond the tears of a man. He needed women’s tears. Historically, women’s tears have turned things around and changed what appeared to be destiny. Remember Esther? It was the tears of Esther and her warriors of women that saved the Jews.”

She is proud that this year’s conference has a powerful line-up of speakers – Apostle Carolyn Burdine, Reverend Dr Blanche Burchall, Pastor Shanel Burrows, Reverend Dr Dannette Ming and Ms Flynn herself.

Collectively, the speakers will touch on a variety of subjects relating specifically to prayer. Some of the topics include activating “the revival” and developing a culture of prayer and next generation intercession.

Ms Flynn believes that the conference is timely and fitting considering what is happening in the world right now.

“We are searching for answers in government leaders but the answer is not in humanity. The answer is, and for ever will be, in the hands of our sovereign God. We need to submit to God to realise that we cannot make it on our own or in our own strength. It is not by our power or by our own might but by the Spirit of God.

“Where are the wailing women? Who is ready to sow in tears for the salvation and deliverance of our people and our nation? Who will lift up a lament before our sovereign God and wail for the nations?”

In addition to these sessions, there will be a specific time for prayer for women who have been victims of violence.

“The United National General Assembly has designated Friday, November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We will be spending some time in intercession during the Saturday session on behalf of our sisters and daughters globally.”

This is Saphire Faith International Ministries’ ninth event since its launch in 2019.

The mother-daughter duo’s mission is to enhance the lives of those in their community by providing opportunities for growth. At present, Saphire Faith International Ministries also assists an orphanage and church in Nairobi, Kenya.

“My daughter and I have been doing ministry together well before Saphire Faith International Ministries was conceived. Even as a four-year-old Shaunte’ was praying for her family.

“As her mother I am leaving a legacy of experience ministry for my daughter. She will not only know the stories of great men and women in the Bible, but she will also know our story. Having seen the hand of God in our lies, she will be able to pass our stories on to her children and their children.”

The pair will host this year’s conference together, as they do for most of their ministry events.

While the event is designed to equip and empower women in their prayer life, it is also an opportunity for the public to come and receive prayer.

“We want to pray with and for anyone who needs prayer. Anyone is welcome to come and attend the session,” Ms Flynn said.

Saphire Faith International Ministries will also hold a special service of revival on Sunday November 27 at Glory Temple. Both events are free and open to the public.

• For more information, contact marlene@saphirefaithministries.com