Have you ever felt like you should pray more—but then life gets busy, your mind starts racing, and somehow prayer becomes one more thing on your to-do list? I know I’m not the only one who has struggled with carving out intentional time with God, and that’s one of the reasons I loved this conversation so much.

On this episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by author Emily Wickham, author of Closer to God: A 10-Week Study on Prayer.

Emily shares how prayer has been woven throughout her life, beginning with the example of her dad, who was a man who prayed about everything. Over the years, God continued to grow Emily’s love for His Word, women’s ministry, Bible study, writing, and helping other women grow closer to Him.

But we also talk about something I think so many of us need to hear:

Prayer isn’t about hitting a certain number of minutes. It’s about relationship.

Emily reminds us that God isn’t sitting there with a stopwatch waiting for us to pray long enough. He wants our hearts. He welcomes us into His presence whether we are sitting quietly at home, driving down the road, walking through a difficult season, or simply saying, “God, I don’t even know what to say.”

And I absolutely love that.

Emily also shares part of her own freedom journey—walking through seasons where she would become deeply discouraged over perceived failures, mistakes, and areas where she felt she wasn’t doing well. God eventually showed her that living under that heaviness wasn’t where He wanted her to stay. Through repentance and His grace, He brought freedom into that area of her life.

Emily’s book, Closer to God, walks readers through nine prayers found throughout Scripture and encourages us not simply to read about prayer, but to open our Bibles, study God’s Word, and begin writing and praying our own prayers.

If prayer has felt difficult, inconsistent, intimidating, or like another thing you’re failing at, I think this conversation will encourage you to look at it differently.

You don’t have to perform for God.

You simply get to come close.

Bio:

Emily Wickham shares God's Word and wonders with women. She is an author, speaker, and award-winning writer as well as a podcaster, YouTuber, and blogger.

Whether she's walking on the beach, sipping coffee on her porch, cooking a delicious meal, or gathering with family and friends, Emily delights in God's goodness. She is blessed to be Mark's wife for more than 35 years, the mom of four adult children, and a mother-in-love. Emily and her husband enjoy life in South Carolina.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 41:10

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Connect with Emily:

Website: www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@emilywickhamauthor

** Anchored in His Promises Women’s Workshop — November 14, 2026**

Join us for a powerful day of worship, encouragement, connection, and truth as we remind our hearts that God is faithful to every promise He makes. Anchored in His Promises is happening Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, featuring incredible speakers, practical teaching, and time to dig deeper into what it means to hold onto God’s promises no matter what season you are in.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

Learn more and grab your ticket at https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-list

***And as always, if this episode encourages you, would you take a minute to rate and review the Anchored by the Sword Podcast and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that God is always ready and waiting for us to come close? Every rating, review, and share helps these stories of freedom and hope reach someone who may desperately need to hear them.***