“By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart, And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

God gives us everything we need in His Word to show us how to respond to to those who have hurt, abused, misused or confused us.

God tells us we need a few things in order to have peace with our enemies:

Mercy and lovingkindness (endless compassion—other translations say “unfailing love and faithfulness”).

• Keep praying importunately. Never stopping or giving up. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”
• This is what cleanses wickedness from our heart and theirs. Other translations say this is what makes “atonement for sins” which is the reconciliation and restoration with God and man.
• This is what changes us from Christians to Christ-Followers, from religious to relational.

The Fear of the Lord

This will cause us to think twice and even three times before we say what we want to out of pride and the flesh.

Live our lives pleasing to the Lord

Character and integrity will always bring peace in the end.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your wisdom in how to respond to those who have done wrong to me. I thank You for a greater anointing to pray for them without ceasing and never give up.

Help me to bear this burden in love. I fear You Lord and not man, so thank You that I stay away from evil and any opportunity to sin. I thank You that my life pleases You and I will see peace with my enemies. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington, Founder & Executive Director

It can be good when we use power, influence, and determination to achieve our goals or obtain the things we desire in life. However, the story of King David shows us a different perspective. He misused his power and influence—not to do what was right, but to commit sin. He took Uriah’s wife for himself and orchestrated Uriah’s death. This misuse of power came at a great cost, for sin is always costly.

David forgot that the same God who granted him the power to become king was also watching to ensure he wielded it with justice and righteousness. You may wonder, “How could David forget?” The truth is, forgetting the right path is easy when it doesn’t align with what we want to believe, contradicts our desires, or feels different from what we’ve been taught. In this instance, David was led by his flesh. He saw a beautiful woman, desired her, and acted impulsively—similar to how Samson once demanded, “Get her for me.”

There is always a cost for what we get and it is always more expensive than we thought. Uriah lost his life. David experienced the loss of three of his children and his kingdom suffered years of violence and turmoil. His failure to exercise self-control set his family on a path of pain and suffering. The price of his sin was costly and the same holds true for us.

Here’s an important lesson to remember: God forgives, but He does not excuse the consequences of our sin.

Let us consider the price before we act on impulse and say, “Go get it, her or him for me.”

Written by Dr. Dora Washington
Tower of Hope Ministries
Copyright © 2025

Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington, Founder & Executive Director

What Jesus’ Resurrection Means

April 20, 2025

The Resurrection of Jesus is not just a powerful event. It has lessons for us to learn.

The first lesson is: when Jesus rose, and everything and everyone around Him shifted. The very act of His Resurrection brought life and movement to those connected to Him. The scripture says saints who had died were seen alive, walking through the streets. This shows that when Jesus gets involved, our situations, environments, and even the people around us begin to change. 

The second lesson is: no matter how serious or dismal our circumstances may seem, we have the power to get up. Jesus was dead. There is no situation worse than that. Yet, He got up. His victory over death is a reminder that no matter what we face, we, too, can get up and move forward. 

Lastly, when Jesus got up, He didn’t waste time dwelling on the past of what happened. He didn’t regret, fret, or let the past distract Him from His purpose.

He rose with a clear focus—immediately continuing the mission. No matter what He endured, He got back to His purpose.

Jesus’ Resurrection reminds me that I can rise, too, that everything around me already shifts when I get close to Jesus, and to not let what has happened to me stop me from fulfilling my purpose.

What does Jesus’ Resurrection mean to you?

Prayer
Thank you Lord for Your Power, Presence and Purpose. Because You got up, I can get up. I won’t waste time fretting regretting or letting what happened to me stop me.

Because of Your Power, I can do ALL things!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Dr. Washington
Tower of Hope Ministries
Copyright © 2025

Devotional by Angela Jackson, 2021 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

“Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
—Deuteronomy 11:8 (NIV)
(Also read verses 9–12)

Before the Israelites could enter the Promised Land, they were given clear instructions—not as a burden, but as a foundation. God’s commands were meant to strengthen them for what was ahead.

The same is true for us.

Why Instructions Matter

If you’ve endured trauma, you may find it hard to trust instructions—especially when they don’t make immediate sense. Many trauma survivors have learned the hard way that blind trust can lead to pain, manipulation, or loss. But here’s the truth:

God is not like man. He gives instructions not to control us, but to protect and prepare us.

Following God’s direction where you are now will prepare you for where He’s leading you next. When we obey, “you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors and to you…” (Deuteronomy 11:9).

Obedience Fortifies the Blessing

Proverbs 10:22 reminds us:
“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”

When we follow God’s instructions, our blessings come with peace—not sorrow. They are fortified with:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Obedience

These are the ingredients that make the enemy powerless to steal what God has given us.

But when we ignore the instructions, we leave our blessings vulnerable. We risk losing the very thing we prayed for. That’s why obedience isn’t optional—it’s essential for taking and keeping territory at your next level.

Trust When It Doesn’t Make Sense

You may not always understand the “why” behind God’s instructions, but trust is built when we obey anyway.

He won’t lead you astray. And He’s placed leaders, mentors, and guides in your life—just as He gave Moses to the children of Israel—to walk alongside you on your healing journey.

A Prayer of Trust

Lord, thank you for being so good to me. Forgive me for not trusting you and not following the instructions you’ve given me through those placed in my life to help me heal. I’ve been taken advantage of so many times that I struggle with trust. I understand Your order. Just like You did for the Children of Israel by giving them Moses. You have placed leaders in my life to help me heal and walk in Your purpose. Lord, I trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Declaration (Courtesy of Dr. Dora Washington)

I will follow instructions and trust God—even when I don’t understand or feel like it—because I refuse to wander in the wilderness one second longer than I have to.

Devotional by Shaquia Reed, 2018 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

The Israelites had just come out of Egypt—a long, harsh season of trauma. Their minds and emotions were scattered. They were disheveled, displaced, and disoriented. They didn’t yet understand all that had been taken from them in bondage, nor did they fully know where they were going.

And so, the very first thing the Lord wanted to teach them was how to follow Him. How to move when and how He moves.

Why?

Because healing begins with following. It begins with stillness when the cloud hovers and obedience when the cloud lifts.

Four Reasons God Leads This Way:

1. To remove fear
   (impulses, anxieties, codependency)
2. To remove pride
   (disobedience, deception, idols)
3. To help you regain your strength
   (your fight and your faith)
4. To lead you into the Promised Land
   (His purpose for your life)

This is why, at the beginning of our program’s Healing Journey, we encourage participants not to make major decisions or commitments. It’s also why we have culture codes like:

“Stay behind the Ark” and “I know nothing”

We wait. We listen. We obey.

While the Cloud is Over the Camp…

You’re not idle—you’re still.
You’re not stuck—you’re strengthening.
You’re not delaying—you’re doing your duty before the Lord.

Avoid the urge to busy yourself with distractions that stir up fear, pride, or weariness. These things will only keep you from the healing and promise God has prepared for you.

Your Daily Duties:

• Pause & Reflect
• Overcome with Affirmations & Declarations
• Write Daily
• Exercise
• Read to Be Inspired
• Show up for Prayer Calls & Cells
• Complete Your Modules
• Phase 2—H4L: Continue to SERVE & HEAL

Remember: this was God’s regular pattern with His people. This was His habit.

---

A Prayer:
Father, You know the way I should go and everything it takes to get there. You know when I should wait and when I should move. Rid me of fear, pride, and weakness, and lead me into Your Promised Land. Help me do my duty as I wait before You—and when You move, I’ll move. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional by Shaquia Reed, 2018 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• Worry is concern turned into distrust. Doubting God.
• Anxiety is deep emotional distress. Being consumed by fear and losing confidence in God.

It takes emotional maturity in prayer to make the shift from worry and anxiety to confident prayer, praise, positivity and peace.

The mind of a Childhood Trauma survivor is often anxious and determined to “fix things” out of fear. This creates an environment of impulsivity and impatience.

Impatient prayer is a presentation of begging and pleading with God instead of an agreement with what God has already planned. If prayer is not done with confidence then it is important to check internal motives and desires (James 4:1-3).

Prayer must be done according to God’s Word and His will, not what pleases us. We must consistently practice confident prayer by praising God and focusing on the positive. Then we can experience His peace.

Declaration: I refuse worry and anxiety. I walk confidently in prayer. I praise the Lord always, I focus on the positive, and I have God’s peace.

Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington, Founder & Executive Director of Tower of Hope Ministries

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Achieving a life-long desire is wonderful when that desire is rooted in righteousness, honoring God, and helping others. However, longing for the wrong things is dangerous as it clouds your judgment, prevents you from praying and thinking objectively, and promotes pride and arrogance.

Unholy and worldly desires lead you to enter unhealthy relationships, unwise contracts, and unnecessary difficulties.

Remember, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for critical thinking—is often damaged during childhood trauma. Satan knows this and uses it to keep you in continuous bondage.

You can’t know what you don’t know. Asking for wise counsel will help you avoid unnecessary pain. Seek wise counsel from someone who will tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear. You may be disappointed now, but you will be grateful later.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom. I ask You to grant me wisdom to make good decisions. Give me the desire to pursue wisdom. Lead me to wise counsel so I will always make sound decisions that please You.