Who We Are

“Search for the truth in holy writings, not eloquence.  All holy writing should be read in the same spirit with which it was written… Do not let the writer’s authority or learning influence you, be it little or great, but let the love of pure truth attract you to read.”
                                             --Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation

          We don't consider the writing on this web site to be "holy" in the sense the Bible is holy.  But we do believe it is writing about things that are holy.  We both feel very strongly that the Holy Spirit provided guidance and direction for this writing.  And we hope you get the same sense.

          We’re a husband and wife team who accepted Jesus a long time ago, but it’s only been over the last several years that we’ve really been walking with him.  The way my wife puts it: when we accepted Christ, we stepped through the door; but we didn’t go any farther, didn't really begin our "walk" until almost six years ago.  And what a walk it has been.
          We founded Surrendered Lives, an international ministry dedicated to helping people form and improve the most important relationship in their lives: the one with God. We're humbled that our web sites have been visited by people from every state in the United States as well as more than 140 countries around the globe.
          My wife has been blessed with the gift of intercessory prayer.  She is truly one of God’s prayer warriors.  She also works as a volunteer in a number of ministries at the church we attend.  A stay-at-home mom, she home-schools 10-year-old Michael, 8-year-old Gabriel, and 6-year-old Elizabeth.            I, too, serve as a volunteer in several ministries in our church.  My suspense novel, Ever Surrender, is getting great reviews. Some are already asking when the next book in the trilogy will be released. I've also written The 11 Day Path--Overcoming Stumbling Blocks to Belief, a good resource of seekers and new believers as well as those leading them to Christ.  In addition to this web site, I’m currently working on several books and other ministry projects.  My writing is a gift from God that I use to reach out to others, especially new Christians and earnest seekers.
           My two oldest sons are married. The oldest lives in North Carolina with his wife and son (my grandson!). His younger brother lives close by with his wife and an ever changing cast of animal companions.

           Thanks again for visiting our site. Please tell your friends and family about Focus on Prayer.

May the Lord bless you and protect you;
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
                                --Numbers 6:24-26
                                      --Joe and Susan Vigliano
                                           September, 2010