I couldn’t keep this to myself.

Our prayer journey just got a new assignment… and it’s going to shift everything.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop thinking about last week’s prayer meet-up.

I was already on the edge of my seat as we shifted more into the Bible study (or more like biblo-therapy) space. Y’all expressed a need, and God called me OUT — whether I was ready or not. We opened our Bibles to the book of Esther, and yes, I was definitely expecting some deep revelation. However, what I wasn’t expecting was the move of the prophetic and the mantle that God placed on us.

It was like God took over the call and said, “Nope — I got something else to say.”
And what He revealed? Whew. It still has me trembling in the best kind of way.

As we read Esther’s story, the conversation shifted — away from just her courage and into her strategy.
Away from just her favor and into her assignment.

And the Spirit made it loud and clear:
We are being called to cover our men.
Our sons.
Our brothers.
Our husbands.
The ones we’re raising. The ones we’re praying for. Even the ones we don’t speak to anymore.

There is a war on their minds. A war on their manhood.
And while the world is arguing about it — heaven is recruiting intercessors.

My question is… “If not you… then who?”

I don’t say that lightly.

Because I know you’re tired. You’re carrying a lot.
And sometimes the last thing you want to do is stand in the gap for someone else when you barely feel covered yourself.

Let me be honest with you:
I thought I was already “covering” the people I love.
I pray for my husband. I pray for my kids.
But something about last week shifted the weight.
This wasn’t just prayer. It was strategy.

I realized I had been throwing up emotional prayers, but God was asking me to war in the Spirit.
To fast.
To be intentional.
To use my position not just for personal breakthroughs — but for generational protection.

I’ve been blessed watching what God is doing in our Root + River community.
I’ve seen women come alive in their callings — not just as mothers or wives, but in every area of their lives.
I’ve seen the fruit in my own home: more peace, more grace, more clarity.
But it started with surrendering the performance and picking up the posture.

Here’s what Esther’s posture taught us:

Contrary to current culture, Esther wasn’t a boss chic, but she was a woman who understood her authority.. She leveraged her feminity, and while She wasn’t the most confident, she was available and strategic.

Here are a few notes about the mystery of Esther from my study:

1. She fasted before she acted. (Esther 4:16)
→ She was afraid. She addressed her flesh with fasting, and not only that but fasting clears the noise and heightens our hearing.
Before she did anything externally, she silenced everything internally.

2. She used her access wisely.
→ She was in a crisis, but she also understood timing. She didn’t barge in with emotion — she moved with wisdom.
She knew that intercession starts with intimacy, not impulse.

3. She aligned with purpose, not platform.
→ God gave her favor not because she was perfect, but because she was in position.
And once she had the ear of the King, she didn’t speak for herself — she spoke for her people.

4. She was strategic, not scattered.
→ Prayer isn’t begging and pleading. It’s planning.
She didn’t just ask God for help. She partnered with Him for impact.

This week, I need you to hear me:

You’re not just a mom.
You’re not just a wife.
You’re not just “trying to figure it out.”

You are an intercessor.
You are a gatekeeper.
You are the woman God is calling to stand in the gap for your home, your lineage, and your legacy.

This is about more than Sunday prayers.
This is generational warfare — and it requires strategy.

with that being said……

ROOT + RIVER BOOK CLUB IS HERE!

But wait! Let me tell how this happened.

Okay y’all — so Saturday night, after a LOOONNNG day with the kids, I sat down to finally re-read the first chapter of Fervent by Priscilla Shirer. I’ve been trying to start this book for months, but life has been (and will forever be) life-ing. And whew, chile...

I read this line:

“A very real enemy has been strategizing and scheming against you — assaulting you, coming after your emotions, your mind, your man, your child, your future.”

I had to close the book and just sit with God.
Because the truth is — the enemy’s been playing in my face, especially these past few months. And yes, I’ve been praying, but in my spirit I know there is another level I havent tapped into.

Those words didn’t sit right with me.
I felt the conviction — and not only that, but the urgency.

And in that moment, I heard the Holy Spirit say:
“You were never meant to read this book alone. This is for the community. Start the book club — NOW.”

So that’s exactly what we’re doing.

The Root + River Book Club is officially UP.
And Fervent is our first divine assignment.

This isn’t just a cute read.
It’s a blueprint for spiritual war.

For every woman who’s been feeling off, worn out, overwhelmed — this is for YOU.

This book will realign you.
Resuscitate your spirit.
And remind you how to fight with fire and strategy.

Tap here to grab your copy from my Amazon storefront.

Our first meeting is happening:
Sunday, July 6th @ 7PM EST

Let me know if you’re in, and I’ll send you the link! Also, let me know of any recommendations you have for the group!

And Sis… please don’t gatekeep lol… Invite a sister who needs a community like this.

Final Thoughts

I don’t take it lightly that I get to pray for you week after week.
It is an honor to cover women who carry so much — in their homes, in their hearts, and in the Spirit.
I know the burden gets heavy. But don’t let it trick you into silence.
This is bigger than you. And it’s not meant to be done alone.

We are not just reading Esther.
We’re living it.

And the call is clear:
Cover your men.
Stand in the gap.
Pray with precision.
And show up — not just emotionally, but strategically.

Here’s your checklist to support you for the week ahead:

Pray out loud for the men connected to your life
Fast one day this week (even partial!) for their protection and alignment
Speak scripture over your household — out loud
Rebuke fear, confusion, addiction, and abandonment
Join the prayer call on Wednesday (8PM EST)
Start reading Fervent with us — and don’t do it alone

Let’s go deeper together.

With fire + focus,
Erika 🤍

P.S. Don’t forget about Wednesday’s Prayer Meet up. And let me know when you grab your copy of Fervent — I can’t wait to dive in together.