Gratefully dedicated to my dear husband, Bruce: Through your love and friendship to me, you have shown over and over again the unconditional love of God the Father, the servanthood of Jesus His Son, and the daily fruit of the Holy Spirit.

A pastor who did not know us once spoke a prophetic word to you: “Bruce, you are a good man, and you enable this woman to do what she does. I want you to hear that. You are one of the main reasons that this woman does what she does.”

Truer words were never spoken.

Thank you for living life and celebrating prayer with me.

MY WIFE, MARY BETH, and I met Mary Jo and her husband, Bruce, 14 years ago. From the very beginning of our relationship, I have known her as a person of prayer, even before she became Gateway Church’s Pastor of Prayer and Intercession. I saw that she walked with God and had close conversations with Him. Mary Beth and I were attracted to Mary Jo and Bruce’s relationship with the Lord from the start. In those early days, when I would talk with her, she was always so full of life—she still is to this day. She has always had a fresh word from God—such as, “This is what God showed me today.” She keeps her ear very close to what the Lord is saying. The things Mary Jo writes about in this book demonstrate the way she lives her life for the Lord.

Mary Jo came on staff at Gateway Church in 2004. She had just finished a time in Colorado Springs at the World Prayer Center. Before she left, she already had a great burden for prayer on her heart. When she came back, she realized her place is not merely in mobilizing prayer, but even more in activating prayer. So, from the early days, even in all the worship albums the church would do, we would involve Mary Jo and her prayer team. They would ask God what He wanted to say and do through our music. She helped create a spirit and culture of prayer rather than simply making a structure. When people are around her, they catch the significance of what she is trying to teach by the way she lives. She shows them what it is like to be in the presence of the Lord, keeping her ear bent close to Him.

I remember several years ago, after a New Year’s church-wide focus on prayer, I approached her and said, “Mary Jo, you need to write a book on prayer. This needs to be exported beyond Gateway. The world needs to hear this.” I had that conversation with her and challenged her. Later, she came back to me and said, “You know, I want to do that.” And that became the birth of this book—Adventures in Prayer: A 40-Day Journey.

This book teaches principles by which Mary Jo lives her life. She lives her life to the Lord. The stories are there because of the principles she has lived. They are interwoven with each other. She encourages her readers to grab hold of these examples for their own lives. People who read this book will gain a deeper passion for hearing God and for communicating with Him. The basis of our life and all that we do truly is with Christ, and that is clearly expressed in this book.

The book doesn’t focus as much on how-tos as it shows a life dedicated to the Lord. I really want the world to get to know Mary Jo. You will find her heart in these pages. And you will find God’s heart here as well.

I’VE LEARNED IN God’s economy that He uses a multitude of people and their prayers to accomplish His work. It was no different with this book. Weaved through these stories are the footprints, heart prints, and prayer prints of so many of God’s people.

My parents, Theophil and Yula Mae Dobski, who gave priority to establishing a foundation of faith. For their countless sacrifices, I am eternally grateful.

My pastors, Robert and Debbie Morris, and the Gateway Church Elders have committed to creating a church that helps people develop an intimate relationship with Christ. They, in turn, have made a place for me to build a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7). I’m beyond blessed.

My worship pastor, Thomas Miller, taught this praying girl, who doesn’t carry a tune, how to worship and serve. Working closely with Thomas and witnessing his humility and godly character have modeled ministry for me. And he’s so fun! He is “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

My spiritual parents, Pastor Olen and Syble Griffing, who taught me by word and deed to hear and obey God. Their lives of believing the Word of God and living it every day imparted more than they will ever know.

My prayer mentors, who knowingly or unknowingly have shaped my walk with the Lord and my heart for ministry. Words cannot express my thanks to Catherine Marshall, Quin Sherrer, Cindy Jacobs, Dutch Sheets, Chuck Pierce, and Mike Bickle.

My prayer partners, who have stuck closer to me than a “brother.” Three couples agreed to pray in partnership with me. Over the years, they have carried me through many of the adventures you read about in this book. I can’t imagine doing life without them! To the Basshams, the Cooks, and the Kelseys, who saw more, believed more, and then prayed more, I give my deepest gratitude.

My countless prayer teams, who sacrificially prayed for this labor of love again and again. This offering to the Lord has your incense of prayers on it.

To my great-niece, Krista Mae Doyle, who has sat and soaked up every bit of living prayer in my heart. From my prayer chair to her prayer room, she has grown into a beautiful, joyful house of prayer. She is an eternal God-gift to me.

To the many who offered their time and talents toward crafting ideas, words, and stories with me. Christa Barclay, Jay Bogenreif, Kathy Overton, Christy Atkinson, Sarah Wronko, and Debbie Street—you each helped bring this project to fruition.

A very special thank you to Raymi Moore Wolfe, who showed up on my doorstep to organize files, stories, and prayers. Thank you for carrying me over the threshold from dreaming to actually doing.

To the Gateway Publishing team:

Craig Dunnagan, Executive Director, who believed in my prayer and intercession message and made this book a reality.

John Andersen, Director, my virtuoso editor. His integrity, insights, and input brought this book together. He made me laugh, love writing, and appreciate this process. His faith in seeing the end from the beginning built faith and excitement for what God can do through Adventures in Prayer.

Kathy Krenzien, Associate Director, who celebrated every step of the editing and publishing process with me. I am so grateful for her loving care and attention to detail from cover to cover, which ultimately ended up as the beautiful book you are holding.

Last but not least, my God-gift family. Loving them and living life with them has made the Scriptures dearer to me. To Bruce, Toni, and Traci (including son-in-law Pete), and grandchildren Mackenzie, Bethanie, Grant, Sammi, and Cassi. God showed me that prayer was the best way to love you. You are the true joys of my life. My forever prayer: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (and grandchildren) walk in truth” (3 John 4).