"Warriors were scarce, they were scarce in Israel, until you arose, Deborah, until you arose as a motherly protector in Israel" (Judges 5:7, NET).

It is time for the mothers in the body of Christ to arise and to teach the next generation how to fight as ferocious warriors and how to win battles. Every generation needs the voice of the father and the voice of the mother in order to become the overwhelming conquerors that God intends for them to be.

One year ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The oncologist said that my right breast looked as if a gunshot of cancer had sprayed throughout the entire right breast tissue.

I am honored to know several intercessors and prophets who often speak conformational direction and vision over my life. It is no surprise that at this unexpected attack in my life, I was desperate to hear from God.

Dr. Y. Sammy Choi is one of the respected prophetic voices in my life. When he heard that I had been diagnosed with cancer, he immediately began to pray and then called me while he was en route to speak at a medical conference in Korea. He had a word from God for me and I was anxious to hear what the Holy Spirit had revealed to him.

"Carol, when I heard that you had breast cancer I immediately began to think about the purpose of a woman's breasts. A woman's breasts were designed to feed and to nurture the next generation, which is exactly what you have been called to do in the kingdom of God. You have been called to raise up a generation of women who will fight powers and principalities. You are called to nurture the next generation with the principles only found in the Word of God. This is an attack on your voice and on your calling. Don't be discouraged but be encouraged that the enemy is threatened by your calling and by your passion. God will bring you through this and your voice will be heard."

Oh! How I stood on that word through the ensuing months of uncomfortable tests, four body-altering surgeries, difficult pathology reports and the ingestion of horrific drugs. 

However, regardless of what I experience or see in the natural, I am a spiritual mother to the next generation and I intend to fulfill my calling and to walk in my destiny. 

I will not be moved away from my purpose and I will not be silent.

I will not.

"Everything I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother." – Abraham Lincoln

Spiritual mothers have the power to literally shape the course of history. Spiritual mothers are able to stand in faith when all others have given up and to remain constant in unconditional love regardless of behavior.

I believe that God is raising up a mighty army of women who are brave enough and courageous enough to be a voice of wisdom and power to the next generation. Our voices will not be silenced as we fight battles, take down strongholds and walk by faith and not by sight.

Sarah was such a mother. Sarah was 90 years old when she gave birth to Isaac because she simply believed that the God who promised was faithful to keep His word.

"By faith Sarah herself also received the ability to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 11:11).

Sarah had heard the voice of God and knew that her destiny was to give birth to kings and to priests. When everything was against her in the natural, she bravely stayed in a place of faith.

We live in a day and a season when the voice of spiritual mothers is desperately needed. God is calling women to speak, to teach, to prophesy, to pray and to go to battle. It is the plan and purpose of God for women to impact the next generation by the power of their faith and with the strength of their voice.

Will you do it? Will you be a Deborah regardless of the cost and in spite of the intensity of the battle?

Will you believe like Sarah did when in the natural there was absolutely no reason to believe?

Will you, like me, determine that nothing will move you from your course?

Will you?

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical, biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books: No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released on Aug. 1. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.

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