When Prayer Becomes Personal: A Conversation with Nancy Zugschwert

There are conversations that linger in your heart long after they end—ones that speak to your spirit and remind you of who God is and who He has called you to be. That’s exactly how I felt after sitting down with Nancy Zugschwert on the Praying With Victory podcast.

Nancy, founder of Nancy Z. Unlimited, is a woman whose journey reflects courage, surrender, and deep faith. From her early career in corporate training, to years spent raising her children at home, to her current work empowering midlife women to discover their purpose—Nancy’s story is a testament to God’s faithfulness in every season.

But what truly stood out in our conversation was how her prayer life has evolved over time and how God has patiently and lovingly shaped her heart through it all.

Nancy was transparent about her struggles to stay awake during early morning quiet times as a young mom. She admitted that her prayers sometimes felt more like boxes to check than conversations with the Living God. Haven’t we all been there?

It was refreshing to hear such honesty, and even more inspiring to hear how God met her in those moments—not with condemnation, but with gentle redirection.

A turning point came when Nancy discovered the power of writing her prayers. Inspired by speaker Becky Tirabassi, Nancy began journaling her conversations with God. That practice awakened something in her. It helped her focus, stay present, and experience deeper communion with God.

Even now, she continues this practice—often drawing “keys” from Scripture passages as a way to uncover God’s wisdom and apply it to her daily walk.

What I loved most was Nancy’s reminder that prayer is not about performance. It’s about presence. God is not keeping a scorecard. He’s inviting us into relationship. And that relationship, like any good one, grows over time—through consistency, honesty, and grace.

Nancy also spoke about her recent season of intentionality—spending nearly 2.5 hours a day in the Word and in prayer. Not because of obligation, but out of overflow. She described it as a “time tithe,” a way of offering the first and best of her day to God. While that may not be feasible for everyone in every season, her encouragement was clear: whether it’s five minutes or fifty, God will meet us in the time we give Him.

One of the most powerful takeaways was Nancy’s call for women to give themselves grace. So often we compare our spiritual journey to someone else’s and feel like we’re falling short. But Nancy gently reminded us that we are a work in progress—and our only measure should be how we’re growing compared to where we’ve been. Her words were a breath of fresh air in a world that often demands perfection.

Whether you’re a young mom trying to find quiet moments in a noisy house, a woman in midlife rediscovering your purpose, or someone learning how to be bold in your faith outside the “Christian room,” Nancy’s story is an encouragement that God sees you, He’s with you, and He’s not done with you yet.

Let us be women who pray not out of pressure but out of passion. Let us be women who seek the Kingdom in our everyday. Let us be women who trust that God can do something beautiful in us—no matter what season we’re in!

A Prayer of Strength

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for meeting us in every chapter of our lives. Thank You for Your patience, Your grace, and Your endless pursuit of our hearts. Teach us to pray—not out of duty, but out of love. Help us to hear Your voice in the quiet and in the chaos. Remind us that we don’t have to have it all together to come to You. You are our strength, our source, and our guide.
May we be women who seek You daily, who find keys in Your Word, and who grow ever closer to You—one prayer at a time.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sign up for the Praying with Victory Summit to hear more from Nancy!