Meet Zuleika Guzman

We recently connected with Zuleika Guzman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zuleika, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Overcoming Grief and Building Resilience: My Journey Through Loss

The morning I was supposed to be packing for a trip to Florida ended up changing the course of my life. Instead of gathering bags and preparing for a vacation, I found myself in the hospital, delivering my son, Emmanuel, at 16 weeks and 5 days. My water broke early, and my world came crashing down. The pain was unimaginable—physically and emotionally. I had so many hopes and dreams for this child, and suddenly, they were all gone.

The loss of Emmanuel was, without a doubt, the hardest of my four miscarriages. I had always believed that when I carried life, I would eventually bring home a baby. But that wasn’t God’s plan for me at that time, and the weight of that reality was suffocating. I questioned everything about myself, especially my identity as a woman. Was I inadequate? Was I somehow unworthy of motherhood?

In the midst of the pain, I clung to God. His presence was my anchor, but even He didn’t take the pain away. I had to sit in it, feel it, and wrestle with it. And yet, in that wrestling, God showed me that my pain didn’t define me.

Two years later, I hosted an event for women to share their testimonies of overcoming grief and loss. It was then that She Prayed Ministries was born in 2017. At that time, I had already experienced two miscarriages. But those experiences were shaping something bigger in me—something that would not only serve me but help countless others. God was preparing me to lead, even when my heart still felt like it was breaking. Little did I know, my journey was far from over.

The other two miscarriages occurred while I was serving in the ministry. And the hardest part of those losses was thinking, “Surely, God, this time you won’t let me lose this one.” Each time, I believed this would be the pregnancy where everything would be different. Yet, each time, I faced a new kind of heartbreak.

Then, in June 2024, my last miscarriage occurred during our annual prayer revival conference. We had planned to announce our pregnancy that very day. But instead of sharing the joy of new life, I was announcing yet another loss. I was literally losing another baby while hosting an event where I was encouraging others to pray, to believe, to have faith. It felt like a paradox—how could I be standing in faith, ministering to others, while I was experiencing such deep grief myself?

It was a moment that only God could understand. And yet, in the midst of that heart-wrenching pain, I was still able to minister to others. God gave me the strength to hold onto my faith, even when it was hard to hold on to hope. I didn’t understand why I had to keep experiencing loss, but I chose to keep trusting Him. I chose to continue believing that my story wasn’t over, even if it felt like a constant uphill battle.

The years have passed, and yet, no baby has come. I lead worship. I preach. I host events for women. My life has been filled with purpose and joy, but the empty ache of wanting a child has never gone away. I would look at my life and think, “Surely God will hear me now.” I had faith, but there were moments when I wondered if God was hearing my cries.

The truth is, it’s not that God didn’t hear me. It’s not that His will for me was to endure loss. I am already victorious in Him, regardless of my circumstances. The truth is, He mourns with me. He walks with me through the valley of grief and loss. And even when I have been angry with Him, I’ve never hidden those feelings. I’ve shared my pain, and He has never turned away.

Through it all, He has given me strength. So, when I stand before a congregation and sing about miracles, I sing with all my heart and all my faith. Because I know that He is able to do anything, no matter what my circumstances look like.

As I write this today, I find myself at the same milestone in my pregnancy—16 weeks and 5 days—where I lost Emmanuel. It’s hard to explain, but my mind is filled with fear, yet my spirit remains strong. I have amazing friends around me, women of faith whose prayers move mountains, encouraging me every step of the way. I’m not doing this alone.

I also have two close friends who are pregnant with me, and I get to share every moment with them. God isn’t allowing me to be alone in this. He is surrounding me with people who believe in His promises for me. Recently, my in-laws bought a crib and dresser for Baby Lucas, showing their unwavering faith that this baby will come home with me.

When I lost Emmanuel, I felt like depression was a jacket I couldn’t take off. But now, God has shown me that I have a choice every day. I can choose to put on that jacket of despair, or I can put on a garment of praise. Every day, I choose gratitude. Every day, I choose to push through, believing for my miracle baby.

I will testify to His goodness and His faithfulness every chance I get. Through every loss, He has been with me, strengthening me. And I know that, no matter the outcome, I am victorious in Him.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At She Prayed Ministries, our mission is to heal, inspire, and empower women through the power of the gospel. We focus on creating safe spaces where women can come together to share their testimonies, support one another, and find strength in God’s promises, especially through seasons of grief, loss, and personal trials.

We believe in the transformative power of prayer, faith, and community. Our goal is to help women find healing and build resilience, knowing that, regardless of what they face, God is faithful and with them every step of the way.

What excites me most about She Prayed is witnessing the way God moves in the lives of women who choose to step into these spaces of vulnerability and trust. Whether it’s through our fellowship nights, conferences, retreats, Bible studies, or other events, I am constantly amazed at the strength that comes when women gather in faith. Seeing them empowered to walk in their purpose and overcome their struggles is truly the most rewarding part of this journey.

As we continue to grow, we are excited to offer even more opportunities for women to connect, learn, and be encouraged. From intimate fellowship nights to large conferences, She Prayed Ministries is expanding its reach and impact. We are planning more retreats and Bible studies designed to nurture spiritual growth, emotional healing, and deep community.

This is just the beginning, and we are so grateful for the women who have already joined us on this journey. As we expand, our hope is to reach more hearts, to inspire greater faith, and to empower women to stand strong in the truth of the gospel, no matter their circumstances.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, there are three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey with She Prayed Ministries, and I believe they are essential for anyone stepping into a ministry or any purpose-driven work. These are:

Faith and Trust in God’s Timing The first quality that has been critical in my journey is the unwavering faith and trust in God’s perfect timing. There were moments when I wanted to give up, especially after experiencing multiple miscarriages and personal losses. But it was through clinging to God’s promises and trusting that His plan was greater than my understanding that I found strength to keep moving forward. Faith isn’t just believing God can do something—it’s knowing He will fulfill His promises in His time, even when circumstances don’t align with our expectations.

Advice: For anyone just starting out, I would say, “Hold onto your faith.” When things get hard, don’t let go. Trust that God has a purpose in every season, even when you don’t understand it. Strengthening your faith comes through consistent prayer, studying the Word, and leaning into His presence during the challenging times. It’s in those moments of waiting that your trust in God will deepen.

Resilience and Emotional Intelligence Another crucial skill I developed was resilience—the ability to keep going, even when faced with repeated setbacks. I’ve had to learn how to process grief, disappointment, and loss without allowing those emotions to define my purpose. Resilience isn’t about ignoring pain; it’s about feeling it and choosing to rise above it. Alongside resilience, I’ve learned emotional intelligence: how to manage my own emotions while being compassionate and supportive to others. Understanding how to navigate personal pain and still lead others with empathy has been vital in both my personal and professional life.

Advice: My advice here is to work on building your emotional resilience early. That means acknowledging your emotions but not letting them control your decisions. Stay grounded in your ‘why’—the purpose that God has placed in your heart. Surround yourself with a community that supports you, and never be afraid to seek help when you need it. It’s okay to cry, but it’s also important to keep going. Emotional intelligence comes with practice—learn how to recognize your feelings, express them appropriately, and respond to others with kindness and understanding.

Building and Nurturing Relationships The third area that has been incredibly impactful is learning how to build and nurture relationships—both within the ministry and in my personal life. She Prayed Ministries wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible women and supporters who have come alongside me in prayer and partnership. Whether it was through hosting events, sharing testimonies, or simply offering a listening ear, those relationships have helped me grow in my purpose. Relationships are key to any ministry or business, as they foster trust, support, and the strength needed to continue moving forward.

Advice: To anyone early in their journey, my advice is to invest in relationships. Your ministry or your work is not just about what you do—it’s about who you do it with. Build a strong network of people who share your vision and passion, but also be willing to listen, serve, and grow with them. Relationships take time to cultivate, but they are the backbone of any lasting impact. Don’t rush the process, and don’t overlook the power of community.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The book that has played an important role in my personal and professional development is Who’s Holding Your Ladder by Samuel R. Chand. It was recommended to me by my pastor, and it has profoundly shaped the way I think about leadership, vision, and the importance of having a solid support system.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from this book is the concept of “ladder holders.” Chand uses the metaphor of a ladder to represent the leadership journey—where you, as a leader, are trying to reach higher levels of success and fulfillment. However, you can’t get there alone. You need people who can “hold your ladder,” supporting you as you climb higher and helping you keep steady as you reach for the vision. This resonated deeply with me because I realized that to fulfill God’s calling on my life, I couldn’t do it without others.

Some of the most impactful nuggets of wisdom I took from the book include:

Building a Strong Support System
The idea that successful leaders build a strong network of “ladder holders” is something that has stayed with me. These are the people who will pray for you, encourage you, and support your vision. I’ve learned that having the right people around you—those who believe in your vision, who can keep you grounded, and who can help you rise—is essential for lasting success. It’s not enough to just have people who are around you; they need to be committed to holding you up when things get tough. Strong ladder holders help ensure the ladder stays steady while you focus on your mission.

The Importance of Clear Vision
Another key takeaway was the need for clarity in vision. A leader cannot lead effectively if they don’t have a clear picture of where they are going. The ladder must be leaned against something solid and tangible. Once the vision is clear, the ladder holders can help you reach that vision with confidence. This lesson has been pivotal in the growth of She Prayed Ministries. I have learned to articulate our mission clearly, so the women who support and work alongside me can catch the vision and help bring it to life.

Weak Ladder Holders Can Shake the Ladder
One of the most eye-opening lessons in the book was the idea that weak ladder holders can cause the ladder to shake. If the people holding the ladder are not strong or committed, the climb becomes much more difficult, and success can feel uncertain. This made me reflect on the importance of surrounding myself with people who have the strength, faith, and commitment to truly support the ministry. When there’s shaky support, the journey becomes more challenging, but with strong, reliable people around you, you can weather any storm.

A Leader Can Only Rise When Others Support the Ladder
Ultimately, the book taught me that leadership is not a solo endeavor. A leader only rises when others are willing to support them. You can’t lead from the top if no one is there to help you get there. It reminded me that leadership is a partnership—not just between me and my team but between me and the people who pray for, encourage, and stand by me. She Prayed Ministries is a direct result of the people who have been willing to hold my ladder and support the vision God has placed in my heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sheprayed.com
• Instagram: sheprayedministries
• Facebook: She Prayed Ministries
• Youtube: sheprayed1207

Image Credits

Photos taken by Amanda Clark and Joe Rivera