CHICAGO, Ill., April 19, 2018—In an era when Facebook has turned the word “friend” into a verb, the relationship of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi leaps from the pages of a new book as a powerful example for women on the importance of forging covenant friendship. The Ruth Anointing: Becoming a Woman of Faith, Virtue and Destiny, the fourth installment in Michelle McClain-Walters’ best-selling women of prayer series, released April 3 in time for Mother’s Day.
An Oxford University study about how Facebook friendship correlates with real-life friendship found that of 150 Facebook friends the average user has only 15 who could be counted as actual friends and only five as close friends. Another study found that on average we make 396 friendships in a lifetime but only 33 (one in 12) will stand the test of time. Out of those, only 6 are considered close friends while the remaining 27 are ‘social friendships.’ So you might ask what is the key to making covenant friendship?
“The story of Ruth and Naomi demonstrates the power of mutual commitment between two women, “says McClain-Walters. “When we choose to form a covenantal friendship, we surrender ourselves unconditionally loving another person and develop a relationship that attests to the faithfulness and goodness of God.”
“It wasn’t until I studied Ruth’s name that I saw how God purposed her life from the foundation of the earth. Ruth was destined to be a covenant friend. Her name means friendship,” McClain-Walters continues.
In the book, she juxtaposes the relationship of Ruth and Naomi against how today’s society advertises the appeal and success of women who are interested in themselves and do not care about the needs of others. She found that Ruth originated and opened up a new line of what it meant to be a daughter-in-law and a to be a covenant friend to another woman.
McClain-Walters describes the magical flow of true friends working in unison: Things you know the other person needs without them being said. The freedom to direct a friend to a task, resource, or solution, knowing that she understands you have her best interests at heart. And, the freedom to seek and receive a true friend’s wisdom when you need help or guidance.
“Society is full of women longing for friendship, for relationship, and we can draw them to take back territory for the kingdom of God. I believe Christians should lead by example and return to how the Bible defines and describes friendship. The Lord used Ruth to influence Naomi to hope and believe again. Their covenant relationship allowed love to blossom in Naomi’s heart after great loss. Many times the Lord will use people and covenant relationships to return us to our first love, to fill us with hope for the future and help us feel alive again,” she says.
Michelle McClain-Walters has traveled to more than forty nations and has activated thousands in the art of hearing the voice of God. She currently serves as director of prayer ministry on the staff of Crusaders Church under the leadership of Apostle John Eckhardt. Michelle has also published multiple books including The Prophetic Advantage, The Esther Anointing, The Deborah Anointing, and The Anna Anointing which all speak a message of hope, restoration, courage, and strength to women. Her book Prayers and Declarations for the Woman of God released February 6. She has appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network and LeSea’s The Harvest Show, and resides in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Floyd Walters Jr. For information, visit: https://www.michellemcclainwalters.com/
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