ThefactthatGodcreatedhumanswithauniqueandintricatedesign,inspiresawebecause no two of us are exactly the same.Eachandeveryoneofusisdistinctandsetapartforthe Master’sservice.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for First Lady Vera Riddick, a woman You fearfully and wonderfully created. Thank You for placing within her the desire to be a blessing to others. And as You conDnue blessing her, please help her, and the rest of us, to see the value of our uniqueness from Your perspecDve, as well as the giGs and talents You have given for Your glory and edificaDon of the church. May we conDnue delighDng ourselves in You and embracing the desires You plant in our hearts for how You want us to glorify You. May we never be burdened by expectaDons, obligaDons, guilt, or manipulaDons, but instead know clearly what You have called us to do, then pursue it boldly. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
LouraSmythe
Dancing with Fans
“May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.“~Hebrews13:21(NLT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, on this special occasion, I come before You acknowledging the countless blessings You have bestowed upon us for 40 years. We are grateful for the love shown to ordinary people. You equipped to do Your will within our community of friends and neighbors. We are thankful for the wisdom You have given our leaders in their teaching that You might be glorified forever. May our work in ministry reflect Your goodness and grace. This is our request in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
LauraGreenfield,Steward
In His Will
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians4:13:(KJV)
Asadults,wesometimesthinkthatwecanaccomplishwhateverneedstobedone,andwecan doitbyourselves.Godisrelegatedtothebackburnerofourminds.Wetendtoforgetthatit isGodwhoempowersuswithsuperhumanabilitiestomeetthechallengesoflife.The Good News isthatinunitywithChrist,allweneedistoaskHimtostrengthenus.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we seek Your wisdom and guidance as we navigate the challenges of life. Help us to align our will with Yours. Let Your strength continuously flow through us. Amen.
Rev.DorisHamilton
It’s Okay to Rest
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew11:28
Prayer: Father God, teach me to rest in You. Quieten the noise in my mind and replace it with Your peace. Help me not to feel guilty for stepping back from the culture of hustle but be grateful that I’m stepping into Your arms. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Rev.R.LaVerne DuPree
You Got This!
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” ~ Psalm 46:5 (NIV)
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my constant help and strength. Remind me today that with You within me, I will not fall. Help me to walk in courage, peace, and confidence. Thank You for blessing me and making me a blessing to others. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Rev.Dr.JennellRiddick
Believing Is Beneficial
“And blessed (spiritually fortunate and favored by God) is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her (by the angel sent) from the Lord. “ ~ Luke 1:45 (AMP)
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the many ways You reveal Yourself to us. I thank You for being a God we can believe in. I thank You for being a Promise Keeper, our Guide, and for building our confidence as we strive to believe and trust in You. Help us to build our trust in You so we can experience the true fulfilment of Your promises with confidence and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DeaconessTerryFloyd
With God!
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”~Psalm34:8-9(KJV)
ThereissomuchmoretothisstorythatIcouldsharebutforthesakeofbrevity,thesearethe mainpointsIwanttogetacross:Inthoseverycritical“life-hanging-in-the-balance”moments, anddespiteallthepeoplearoundme,itwasreallyonlyGodandme.Iknewthatnothingwas toohardforHim;andthatwithHim,allthingswerepossibleSo,ItrustedHim—withmyvery life.
Prayer: Father, embrace Your people with Your all-encompassing love. Remove fear and doubt during times of testing. Thank You for empowering man to subdue and overcome challenges faced during "Life" before You created us and gave us the breath of life. For with You, O Lord God, there is no want for those who trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SistahMaryGrosse
Failure Is Not an OpFon
“God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” ~Psalm 46:5 (NIV)
Prayer: God, thank You for Your presence in our lives. Thank You that You dwell within us, empowering us to stand firm and unshaken no matter the storms we face. I lift up to you Lady Vera and all women sharing in this prayer, asking that You continue to strengthen their hearts, renew their spirits, and remind them each day that they are not alone. In every moment of challenge, may they find peace in knowing that You are with them. In Jesus' name, Amen
WandaDavis
Stronger Than the Clouds
“…and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” ~Matthew28:20(KJV)
Prayer: Lord, You are all powerful, magnificent, and unmovable. You are there, even when I can’t see or feel Your presence. I trust You with my heart. I trust You with my life. Even though the clouds of life seem to be blocking me from any joy and happiness I know You will never change. You are stronger than any of my troubles. And because You live inside of me, I know that I can overcome any challenge. You are my strength, and You are my hope. Thank You for loving me. Thank you Yor never leaving me. Amen.
Rev.VikkiWilliams
In His Will
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians4:13(JUB)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I seek Your wisdom and guidance as I navigate the challenges of life. Help me to align my will with Yours. Let Your strength continuously flow through me. Amen.
ReverendDorisHamilton
A Vessel of Grace: Honoring the Gift of First
Lady Vera Riddick
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is decepDve, and beauty is fleeDng; but a woman who fears the lord is to be praised.” ~Proverbs31:28–30(NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the divine gift that is First Lady Vera Riddick. Thank You for allowing me to witness her walk in strength, wisdom, and grace. I have seen her excel in her professional career, lead her family with love, and pour into the lives of women in ministry with patience, care, and spiritual authority.
Lord, I ask that You replenish her. May every seed she has sown in faith, love, and service return to her in abundance. Wrap her in Your peace when the days are long. Cover her with Your joy when the weight feels heavy. Strengthen her body, uplift her spirit, and continue to anoint her voice as she speaks life into others.
Grant her rest in Your presence, clarity in her journey, and favor that surrounds her and all times. Let her know that her labor is not in vain and that the legacy she is building is eternal. We honor You for placing such a powerful vessel in our lives. And we honor her for saying yes to Your call. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SisterGhenaFoster
A Forty-Year Journey: A Pastor’s Wife’s Story
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” ~Deuteronomy31:8(NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the example of the pastor's wife who has dedicated her life to serving You and others. May her story inspire us to live with the same devotion and faithfulness. Guide us in our own journeys, and may we always seek to glorify You in all that we do. Amen.
DeaconessMelvinaSheppard
Encouraging Women
“She opened her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” ~Proverbs31:26(KJV)
Prayer: God! our Heavenly Father, thank You for the virtues of a Christian life. One that is mindful and intentional of caring and loving. I ask that this be the way in which we always live. I know we are not exempt from troubles or difficulties but help us uplift one another when we are in the midst of challenging times. And help us to honestly celebrate and share with our sisters in times of joy! Father, thank You, for this beautiful Sisterhood of Women. Amen.
FeleciaJ.DeBrew
Beauty
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” ~Ephesians2:10(NLT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift, the masterpiece named Vera Riddick that You provided to us. Allow us to demonstrate true beauty as it has been shown to us for these 40 years. Beauty in our thoughts, beauty in our actions, beauty in our kindness towards one another, beauty in our words with one another. Help us Lord to do those good things You created us to do. Help us to feel your beauty within us and reflect it in all that we do. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
SisterDarleneMormon
My Thank You
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, “ in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ~Philippians 4:11-13
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Vera Riddick, and all she is in Christ. Continue keeping and blessing her. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
MotherRuthFrancis
Keep Going!
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah41:10
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the ability to find and see the strength You’ve given us that’s right inside of us. Thank You for those You place in our lives, like Leading Lady Riddick, who encourages us to keep going and to trust in You. Please help us to remember all the challenges, hurdles, and obstacles You’ve brought us through that made us stronger. Please don’t let us waver, but instead, help us to keep on going and to encourage others. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
StewardMichelleJones
You Have Encouraged Me
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you sister have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people” ~ Philemon 1:7
Prayer: Lord, You have given us Mrs. Riddick who is a tower of passion, resilience, and someone with whom we can communicate just as we would a dear friend. I personally thank You for all that she poured into me while under her guidance during my days as the leader of the Ministry of Arts. I’m not what I should be but definitely not who I was before her mentorship. I pray that You will continue to strengthen her and the women she mentors. Pour back into her what she pours out on a daily basis. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BeverlyT.Bailey
A Lifetime of Service
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” ~ Luke 2:37
Prayer: Father, thank You for Lady Riddick and all women who serve You and the congregation through prayer. Thank You for hearing their prayers. Bless them and keep them as they continue to serve You, Your people and families everywhere. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SisterMonaAlstonRiddick
A Virtuous Woman
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” ~ Proverbs 31:10
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving us an example of a virtuous woman through Your Word. In Your wisdom, You’ve already laid out what she looks like and who she is. Mostly though, thank You for allowing us to see that being a “Proverbs 31 woman” isn’t about our deeds, but it is about our character. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
StewardLindaP.Travis
Held in His Hands: The Keeping Power of God
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of Your presence and strength. When fear threatens my heart, remind me that You are near. Help me to trust in Your righteous right hand that upholds me. Give me courage to face each day with confidence in Your power. Teach me to rest in Your faithfulness and not my own strength. May Your peace fill my heart as I walk closely with You. I pray that anyone reading this devotional will also experience Your keeping power in a new and profound way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lady Danielle Smith
“
Stretch to Strengthen
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:13
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the gifts, talents, and skills You have given us to help Your church, the world, and to bring You glory. Thank You for God-sized assignments and leaders, like the Riddick family, that stretch us to strengthen us. During the stretching, help everyone to pray and remember: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DeaconessJenee’Coxon-Jackson
Be Still
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ~ Psalm 46:10 (KJV)
Prayer: Lord God, create a still quiet, trusting spirit in me. Keep me calm in crisis, peaceful in uncertainty and strengthen me when troubles come. Show me Your will so I can walk in it. Father, grant me a deeper relationship and greater faith in You. In Jesus’ mighty and magnificent name, I pray, Amen.
MotherRachelAugburn
The Precious Gift of Encouragement
“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called, Today.” ~Hebrews3:13
Ileaveyou,Encouragers,withthewordsofthesong,“BeBlessed,”byPaulSMorton,“Letme encourageyou,letmespeaklifetoyou. YoucandependonGodtoseeyouthrough. You candependonmetoprayforyou!”
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father God, thank You so very much for being our Encourager, our High Priest, the Bishop of our souls, and the One that we can depend on. Please help us to encourage each other daily. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
DeaconessPeggySylver
No Fainthearted Woman
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ~Galatians 6:9
Prayer: Heavenly Father, today we lift up our First Lady, Vera Riddick—Your servant, Your vessel, and our example. Thank You for the years she has sown in love, in leadership, and in sacrifice. Thank You for the fire You placed in her spirit that refuses to burn out, even in seasons of weariness. We honor the way she has labored—without applause, without hesitation, always with excellence. Let her reap in joy what she has sown in tears. Let her strength be renewed like the eagle’s, and let her legacy continue to impact generations to come. May her fire for ministry and connection never waver. And may You continue to pour into her as she so willingly pours into us. We ask that You bless her family, her health, and her every step with favor, peace, and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SisterChelseaDavis
Love in Action
“My lifle children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” ~1John3:18(KJV)
Prayer: Father, I thank You for always being present in our lives and allowing us to come to You at any time. We make mistakes but ask for Your forgiveness as we strive to not make the same mistakes again. Help us to demonstrate Your love not just in word but in deed and truth. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
SisterGloriaYoung-Mathis
You Are Enough
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” ~Romans8:37
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name, thank You for reminding us that, in You, we are more than enough. Help us to surrender our wills to Yours. Help us to trust and obey You. Thank you for being our Hope, our Help, and our Strength. Amen.
DeaconessDeidraL.Bethea
The Diamond Can’t Stay in the Rough for Too Long
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ~Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” (Reinhold Niebuhr). Help us to live one day at a time, to enjoy one moment at a time, to accept hardship as a pathway to peace. And, as Jesus did, take this sinful world as it is and not as we would have it to be. Help us trust that You will make all things right if we surrender to Your will; so that we may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You in the next. Amen.
SisterJamekaHowell
The Honor Is All Mine
"Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." ~Matthew 20:28
Prayer: Thank you, Compassionate Father, for allowing Your glory to shine brightly in and through Lady Vera Riddick's life. Surround and satisfy her with Your remarkable overflow. Divinely invigorate and energize her, give her new strength, new fullness of joy, peace, and uphold her on every side from today on. Thank You for allowing her to enjoy the harvest she has tirelessly sowed. Redeem the time for rest, relaxation, renewing and refueling. Allow her to see and experience the indelible impact she has made on so many lives and communities. Let incredible health, long life, wisdom, hope, and joy be her triple portion forever. In Jesus' matchless name we pray, Amen.
SisterTatianaR.Johnson
Women of Grace
“A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.” - Proverbs 11:16 (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of being a woman and for the unique strengths You have given us. Help us to embody grace in our actions, words, and thoughts. May we seek to gain respect through our kindness and integrity above pursuing wealth and status. Guide us in our relationships, and let our lives reflect Your love and compassion. As we navigate our daily challenges, remind us to lift each other up and to support one another as sisters in Christ. Let our graciousness be a testament to Your presence in our lives. We trust in Your wisdom and guidance as we seek to honor You in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
SisterAmiJ.Berry
The LORD says,
“Ask Me!”
“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don't know and can't find out.” ~Jeremiah33:3(CEV)
Prayer: Father God, in the precious name of Your Son Jesus, thank You for hearing and answering the cries of our hearts. Thank You for encouraging and strengthening us when we falter. Thank You for allowing us to encourage each other as we journey. Amen and bless the living God!
MinisterOleathaEverettBethea
Sisters Covering For Each Other Along Life’s Highway
“Be devoted to another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ~Proverbs12:10(NIV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we lift You and praise Your holy, mighty and precious name. We thank You for Your love, and for caring for us. You stick by us when we do right and in our times of weakness. Thank You for giving us the desire to care for others as they care or us. Your communication with us and Your care help make Your divine purpose for us clear as we continue on life’s highway. Please help us remember that You are inside of us making care easier to extend because what we do is more important than what we say. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for hearing and answering this prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
ReverendCarolPowell
God’s Got It
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvaDon; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” ~Psalm62:5-6(NIV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for Your never-ending love for us. You are such a kind, compassionate and forgiving Father who is always working on our behalf. You know everything we have gone through and will go through. Our trust, hope and belief is in You, that You are working everything out for our good. Help us to trust You completely for every aspect of our lives and release everything to You. Increase our faith so that we will praise, honor and worship You to live a life full of your joy and peace. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
DeaconessCharleneSavage
Filling the Emptiness
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~Romans5:5
Prayer: Dear God, a part of me feels missing. There is a hole somewhere that I am asking You to fill. I know that You created me in Your image, so I am strong, smart, powerful and whole. Lead me down the right path so I can understand where this yearning for completion comes from, please. I thank You for my body, spirt, and mind. I praise You for having the time to hear my plea. Amen.
~PrayerbyAarianaTheodore DeaconessDeborahTheodore
Prepared for the Work
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~Ephesians2:10
Prayer: Thank You God, for giving us clear vision, creativity, focus, and thank You in advance for finishing what You have started. Thank You for the love that You pour into us, Lady Vera, and her family. You have anointed her and her family to be a magnificent blessing to the body of Christ. Thank You for the victorious testimonies that are coming to fruition for her and her family. Bless her and her family, indeed. Jesus, we bless You and we humbly thank You for the power of prayer and we thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. It is in the mighty name of Jesus that we pray. Amen and thank God.
SisterMarleneF.Johnson
Don’t Quit
“And take on the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND.” ~Ephesians 6:13
Prayer: Father, I pray in the name of Jesus for the reader of this message. I pray that if they are in a difficult situation, that You give them the STRENGTH, COURAGE AND FAITH to stand until their change comes. Thank You, God, for being our Guide, Comforter, Way Maker and Friend. I intercede for the reader, God, that You open the door to their blessing…WHEN YOU’RE READY. Until then God, give them PATIENCE, ENDURANCE AND PERSERVANCE to declare Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
DeaconessShelliGillis
A Modern Day Priscilla
“And further submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.” ~ Ephesians 5:21-24( NLT) Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.
Prayer: God, thank You for showing us in Your Word how we should submit ourselves to You and to each other. Thank You for revealing to us how Your Word should be obeyed in today’s world. Thank you for reminding us of how we should relate to each other even as husband and wife. Help us to submit to each other out of reverence to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
DeaconessIrmaBerry
She Is Strengthened by God
“She is clothed with strength and dignity: She can laugh at the days to come.” ~Proverbs31:25(NIV)
Prayer: Father, I humbly come to You and give You all glory and honor. God forgive me for those times I did not trust You completely because circumstances seemed impossible. Even in the waiting and struggles God, You are working things out for my good. Father, increase my faith as nothing is too hard for You. In Jesus’ name I pray , Amen.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” ~Luke10:19
Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank You for the authority and power that You have given me over the power of the enemy. I claim this promise today and declare that nothing will in any way hurt me. I trust in Your protection and provision, and I know that You are with me always. Help me to walk in faith and confidence, knowing that You have given me the power to overcome any obstacle or challenge that may come my way. Thank You for Your love and grace, and for the promises You have given me in your word. In Jesus' name, Amen.
SisterSharonNichols
Encourager
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
Prayer: Father God, first I want to thank You for all of the many blessings that You bestow on us each and every day. Father God, during this time of celebrating 40 years of leadership, I can only reflect on what we have been through together as a church family. You have always been there. You promised never to leave us, nor forsake us. You have done just that. You blessed this branch of Zion with unique leadership, for such a time as this and, Father God, that is priceless. Let us continue to walk this journey together to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
