I recently attended two funerals of two very different women who were both inspirational to me.

Both were mamas who knew how to pray, yet came from different upbringings and denominations, but were both powerhouses to reckon with just like my own mama and I dare to say this Mama Bear too.

I first met Trudi McKay when my family moved from the Yukon/OKC area to Tiger Mountain in the early 70’s.

She was a close neighbor, married to Tom McKay, and they were raising four rowdy boys who were the same ages as my brothers and I. They lived in a little, yellow, country home with a Weeping Willow tree growing in the front yard and they were directly across the road from our 160-acre farm where my folks raised Black Angus. My two older brothers and I were always going back and forth from our home that was about a mile from their house, just around the bend to our grandparent’s home that was about three miles away, over a couple sandy hills and down a winding road right at the foot of Tiger Mountain.

Between these three miles and over 300 acres of just our farmlands, four McKay boys and two Belyeu boys plus one tag-a-long baby sister might have ventured into a lot of trouble as we “raised a little hell” from time to time, living our best lives “out in the sticks.” One thing is for certain, we kept our sweet mamas praying.

Trudi and my mama were both of the Pentecostal faith, one United Pentecostal and one Pentecostal Holiness, so I promise you we never got away with much because if one of us kids wasn’t telling on the other, the Holy Spirit was warning our mamas. Yes, they had that kind of discernment and both weren’t afraid to discipline us. I can remember many times hearing Trudi holler “Boys!” as she headed towards that old Weeping Willow tree to tear off a switch and “go to town” whopping some boys. My mama had no problem doing the same. (Funny how the words discipline and disciple are so similar now that I think about it.) Trudi was a tiny thing and little ornery herself, but she knew how to handle those boys and she raised them right. Just like our mama did. Ironically, when we all got older, but still needed some guidance or help, we all knew where to turn – to God and to our two praying mamas. All we had to say was “Pray Mama Pray!” and they would hit their knees until heaven answered.

The other woman I met or only got to know after I started working for the local newspaper was Mrs. Cindy Stidham Schuering, She was a very opinionated woman, stern teacher and I’m pretty sure a strict mama because she always told it like it was. You might not have seen her “lay hands on you to cast the devil out of you” like my mama or Trudi, but I’m pretty positive that she raised her two boys with a strong hand, a silent prayer and a smart-mouthed statement or two. Though she may have come across as a little sassy to some, I personally liked her style. Maybe because we had a few matching qualities and didn’t like to stay in our own lanes, but we both loved to help people and didn’t apologize for much. She was always the first one to step up and help you. And like her best friend said at her funeral, “Cindy was never afraid to go where she had never been and everyone had a Cindy story.” She was truly one of a kind.

So as I had to say goodbye for now to these two influential women who I was blessed to know, I heard one of the ministers say, “Your mama may not still be here on this earth, but her prayers are still going forward” and I believe that.

I too have become a praying mama after having my own children. I had learned that discipline is a good thing and I have done my best to raise my kids right as well. I’ve also fought a few different battles than my parents and a few battles that have been the same. My children have also said, “Pray Mama Pray!” many times and I have hit my knees to call on angels from heaven.

One day I hope to write my personal biography about my country childhood and all the wisdom I earned as I grew up and fought my own demons. The book may or may not ever get published, but I hope it inspires my children to understand the importance of everyone that comes into your life and above all else “Pray, Pray, Pray.”

Here’s a little tidbit of a chapter in my biography book I’m still working on and yes I titled this chapter, “Pray Mama, Pray.”

“I may never understand why I’ve gone through so many struggles since I was a child and why they have continued into my adulthood. However, I do know every season of abuse and suffering I survived because I was built to break generational curses that had plagued my family for decades. Yes, I am determined that my children will not suffer the same heartaches for half a century like I have. I will suit up as a mighty warrior and this mama will pray until I knock down every one of these giants, once and for all.

This time will be different than before. This time I won’t just pray, I will take my sword and sever every head of every generational demon that has an assignment against my family. I will remember the cries of my children to “Pray Mama Pray!” and I will bow my knee to the One True Lord and King who battles for me and with me.

This is a war I had to wage for the survival of my children. Strongholds will come down in the name of Jesus and one thing is for certain – the generations that will come after me will never be the same.”

I hope these words inspire you to appreciate the people placed within your circle. I also hope you “Pray, Mama or Daddy, Pray” for generational curses to be broken off your families so your children will be free and they too will become mighty prayer warriors.