Walking In Serenity
by Daniela Greer
I’d like to say I found Serenity Retreat but Serenity totally found me.
My first experience with Serenity Retreat came through my amazing friend, Cynthia Wenz. She invited me to play piano and help lead worship for a Table Host event before Serenity’s annual fundraiser. I had originally declined because I was supposed to be on vacation in New Mexico, but my travel plans fell through. At the time, I was deeply disappointed and honestly embarrassed by the circumstances and the reason. Looking back, I can see God was redirecting my steps and I ended up going!
I couldn’t have imagined the Romans 8:28 story He was already writing… on 8/28.
I had no idea what Serenity Retreat was or what Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM) even meant.
That night, I ran into another dear sweet friend, Tiffany Pardue. As she explained TPM, she said something that woke me up.
“It’s a prayer process that honors your emotions. The starting point is simply asking, ‘What are you feeling?’”
Immediately, something inside me responded.
“Oof… this is why you’re here.”
It felt like my body was finally getting an answer to cries for help my mind kept ignoring for years.
As I listened to people’s “ringing the bell” stories, I couldn’t help but wonder if this “effortless transformation” was too good to be true.
Another part of me more loudly thought, “But for real… I NEED this kind of breakthrough.”
Although I’m generally a positive, optimistic person, I was carrying an unbearable emotional load from all the trauma, betrayal and abuse in the last six years. That wasn’t a part of my life prior and I couldn’t stop ruminating on the all daily injustices and offenses that kept piling up. Forgiveness always felt like a shallow work. No matter how hard I kept trying to forgive, it never felt lasting or permanent… I HATED that. Eventually the emotional weight began showing up physically. I had become so accustomed to suppressing my emotions that I didn’t know what to do with them anymore.
Then came TPM.
Over the next few months, I began receiving prayer sessions, joined Serenity’s hospitality team, enrolled in the TPM 201 course, attended my first immersive retreat, and began serving as an intercessor. I just recently finished the 8 week 301 course and training to be a mentor! And I’ve been getting LOTS of breakthrough!! Too much to say.
Somewhere along the way, Serenity stopped feeling like a place I visited.
It became family.
One concept from 201 has stayed with me ever since I heard it: “We perceive what we believe. We feel what we believe. We do what we believe.”
I remember thinking, “Ooooh… we feel what we believe!”
Instead of asking, “How do I stop feeling this?” I began asking, “What am I believing?”
As all of this growth was taking place, I was also navigating a separation that would eventually lead to divorce.
Looking back, I can clearly see God’s kindness.
Before I ever knew how desperately I’d need community, He had already provided it. He had already introduced me to TPM, surrounded me with people who loved Jesus, and began teaching me how to bring my emotions to Him instead of burying them.
I often say God knew I’d be going through a major life surgery, so He prepared everything I’d need ahead of time to stay ahead of the pain.
TPM gave me tools.
Serenity gave me community.
Together, they carried me through one of the hardest seasons of my life.
It took about eight to ten prayer sessions before I really felt the needle begin to move.
One of my greatest breakthroughs came when I realized I hadn’t been honest with myself about where my anger was actually directed (or that I was even angry). Being angry with myself felt much safer than admitting I was angry with God.
Then, during one prayer session, after finally admitting it, I sensed the Lord gently say, “I want an honest relationship with you.”
That changed everything for me. Including my relationships with others.
Instead of striving to fix myself, I learned to slow down, become curious, and ask, “Jesus, what do You want me to know here?”
Again and again, I found Him faithful.
Today, I have the privilege of serving as both an intercessor during TPM sessions and as a Mentor in Training. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to watch God speak personally to His children.
When I look back over this past year and my involvement with Serenity, the thing that stands out the most is God’s kindness faithfulness to me…
If you’re considering visiting Serenity Retreat or beginning your own journey through Transformation Prayer Ministry, my encouragement is simple: come with an open and honest heart.
The more honest I’ve been about what hurts, the more room I’ve given Jesus to heal and transform me. And I’m happy to report ruminating thoughts are very rare for me now! My heart and mind is a SIGNIFICANTLY more enjoyable place for me, and I legit enjoy the overwhelming majority of my thought life. I’m so full of gratitude for the countless ways this ministry has and continues to bless my life!!
Would you like to schedule a One Hour Prayer Session? Click here to see our Greater Houston locations or schedule Transformation Prayer Ministry today.