40 Prayers for my Husband: His Health

While God is more concerned about our spiritual health, He does want us to be physically healthy as well. We can see a profound connection to the health of our body being in direct accordance to the health of our spirit. Not suggesting that all Christians will be healthy and all non-Christians won't. Ultimately, He decides, but we can know and appreciate that He longs for us to be healthy and rewards our faith with good health and healing as He sees fit.

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones."

~Proverbs 3:7-8~

Prayer #30. His Health

Father, You are Healer. You know our bodies better than we do. You know our spirit best because it is from You. Today and always I pray that my husband's body will be kept in perfect harmony, working together and functioning the way You designed it to.
Father, further on that note, we also know we are to take care of our bodies, for they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1Cor.3:16-17) I pray You would convict him to make healthy eating choices, not consuming anything that would harm or inhibit him from doing the work You have called him to do. Help him understand that he was bought at a price and he should honor You with his body. (1Cor.6:19-20) I pray he would not fall to the temptation of food addictions or any other harmful addictions that are not honoring to You, but in view of Your great mercy, offer his body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You.(Romans12:1)
Father, I pray also for his spiritual health. Urge him to obedience regarding being in Your word, learning more of You and growing closer to You, becoming more like Jesus. Do not let him forget Your teaching, but convict him to store Your commands in his heart, for they will prolong his life and bring him prosperity. (Pr.3:1-2) Let him not be wise as the world considers wise because this world is ever changing and never the same, but You, dear Lord, are constant and true. I pray he will seek first to fear You and shun evil for that will bring health to his body and nourishment to his bones. (Pr.3:7-8) Give him wisdom and the knowledge to understand that his first and foremost duty on this earth is to obey You and glorify You. (Ecc.12:13)
I pray that he may enjoy good health and that all may go well with him all the days of his life as his soul also continues growing well. (3John1:2) At the end of his long, obedient and good life, I pray he will be able to cross over into Your great presence gently, easily, peacefully and joyfully. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"if my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek

My face and turn from their evil ways

then will I hear from heaven and

will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

~2 Chronicles 7:14~

"here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

for this is the whole duty of the man."

~Ecclesiastes 12:13~

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It's coffee time!

Go here to take a virtual coffee break

for your homemaker's heart!

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40 Prayers for my Husband: His Trust

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him."

~Jeremiah 17:7~

The Bible never tells us to "figure it out". It simply tells us over and over and over to "trust God." He is bigger than any problem we face. He made us and put us here for such a time as this. He won't desert us.

Are we willing to trust him with our lives, our plans, our here and now and our future?

Today we pray for and extra measure of trust to be given to our husbands.

Prayer #29. His Trust

Father, we know Your ways are only good. Your ways are perfect, Your word is flawless and You promise to be a shield to those who trust in You. (2Sam.22:31)

Father, I pray my husband would be dealt an extra measure of trust. Show him throughout the day that he can trust You with whatever comes. Give him a peace beyond understanding so he can rest in knowing all will be as it should be in Your eyes. Where there is even a small measure of distrust, doubt or trepidation, remind him that You have proven Yourself faithful since the beginning of time and promise to be faithful and trustworthy to all eternity.

Father, when my husband makes plans that go wrong or don't hold out, do not let him become discouraged. Remind him that this is only for a season, and that when he stands firmly on Your solid foundation and does good, You will greatly reward him. Many are the woes of the wicked, but Your  unfailing love surrounds those who trust in You. (Ps.32:10) Many can be the plans of a mans heart but Your will, oh Lord, that will prevail. (Pr.19:21) Let my husband rest securely in those great promises. Let him rest securely knowing that Your thoughts and Your ways are above all others and You can not allow what is not fitting in Your great plan. (Is.55:8-9)

Father, I praise You that You have given my husband a sound mind and teachable spirit. Now and often, teach and speak to my husband through Your word and Spirit. Do not snatch the word of truth from him so he can put his trust in You. (Ps.119:43) May he not be a fool who trusts in himself, but a man who walks in wisdom, his confidence secured in You (Pr.28:26, Jer.17:7) In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Righteous are You, O Lord,

and Your laws are right.

The statutes You have laid down are righteous;

they are fully trustworthy."

~Psalm 119:137-138~

Sharing with.... Lisha Epperson, He Cares For You,

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Spiritual Leadership

"if it is leadership,

let him lead diligently"

~Romans 12:8~

Leadership is about taking responsibility. >>tweet this<< 

Today I pray for my husband to take responsibility in leading his family in the way of the Lord.

Prayer #28. His Spiritual Leadership

Father, I praise You for the great wisdom You have given my husband through Your word. Teach him to love Your word and then establish it upon my husbands heart and mind, so that he will always be reminded of the way a leader should direct and encourage his family and others. Lead him in the way that is truly life, so that he will be able to lead his children in the same way, lengthening his days and his children's days. (Deut.11:18-21)

Where spiritual leadership was not modeled to him, teach him from Your word. Further, provide other godly role models for him to fashion his life after. Teach him that true leadership is pure and kind, not harsh or demanding. True leadership will not try to 'lord it over' or force his will onto those around him. Whoever wants to become great among people must be a servant or helper to all. We see this in Christ's example, Who came to serve and give his life up for others. (Mark10:42-45)

Father, strengthen my husbands faith so that he can lead diligently. Help him hold on to his courage and hope, so he can continue being a temple for You.(Heb.3:6) Keep him rooted and built up in Christ, overflowing with thankfulness to Him. Teach him to weigh all matters and see to it that no one takes him captive through hollow or deceptive philosophy. Enlighten him so he will know what are the vain, human traditions and principles of the world rather than things and teachings of Christ. (Col.2:6-8)

Father, I pray my husband would stand and lead strong and in the power of Your might. The fear of You, dear Lord, leads to life. Do not let him stray. When he grows slack, pursue hard after him. Do not let him wane in his faith, so that he will always be prepared to do what is right in Your eyes.
It is right in Your eyes for him to impress on his children the words and commands You have spoken and written to us. Do not let him be intimidated by the call You have given him as a parent and spiritual leader of his home to talk about Your words to his children. Rather, give him the courage, ability and ease to talk about them sitting at home, walking along the road, or lying down or getting up. (Deut.6:6-7, 11:18-21) May Your ways and what is edifying to growth be what first comes out of his mouth, training his children in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it. (Pr.22:6, Eph.6:4) In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

"The fear of the Lord

leads to life."

~Proverbs 19:23~

Shearing with.....Renewed Daily, Sandra Haska King

Five Minute Friday: You Lost Her Heart

Over at lisajobaker.com the fabulous Lisa hosts a weekly blog party called Five Minute Friday.

The rules are simple:

1. She decides on a one-word writing prompt. This week it is "LOST".
2. Bloggers everywhere set their timers for five minutes.
3. Our pens fly....can you hear the frantic scritchety-scratch? 
4. We publish our five-minute masterpiece & share with the world.

Honestly, it took me a little longer than 5 minutes to write this one. It was hard to type through the tears and the feelings and the big old lump in my throat. I didn't participate a few weeks back, so let's say I used those 5 minutes today, instead. (smile)

Lost.

It used to be the newspaper. Now you've lost that art and traded it for the smart phone. 

It used to be a hobby. Now you've lost your skills to replace it with the TV.

You used to have time. Now you've lost it.

Your child notices. She's begging you to see her now. She's begging you to come back. 

But you're lost in your own little world while sitting right beside her. It looks like this...

Your child asks a question. You ignore her. At the very least you grunt. But her "little child" matters aren't important enough for you to take your eyes off the screen.

You're losing her.

Your child needs attention. Yours is used up. It's all directed to the screen. 

You're losing her.

Your child wants a book read. You say no, I'm busy, with your eyes glued to the screen.

You're losing her.

Your child wants to play. You say, I'm tired. Your eyes glazed absorbing the screen.

You're losing her.

Your child keeps begging. All she wants is for you to look at her. You say in irritation, "don't bother me!", glued to the screen. 

You're losing her.

She wiggles too much on your lap. Annoyed, you send her off. 

You're losing her. 

She cries herself to sleep. She doesn't know why. She doesn;t understand. She's frustrated, bewildered, longing, sad, alone.....

Lost.

She's lost trust. She's lost respect. She's lost empathy. She's lost love, because you lost her.

She's grown now.

You ask a question. She ignores or barely grunts. 

She's lost in her own little world.

You say, "lets do something together." She says, "I'm too busy to come over. You know how life goes. I'm just too busy." 

Actually, she's lost in her own little world.

You're life's hours are growing short.You ask her to come sit with you. She gets annoyed. 

She doesn't have time. She's got a pressing agenda. But, really, she's just lost.

You can't read anymore. Your eyes weary and blurred. You ask for her to read to you. She scoffs and says, "You have eyes. Do it yourself. Besides I have places to be." 

When, truthfully, she's lost.

You see her drive by. Wish she'd stop in. But she's on the phone and can't even wave. She's lost in more important things.

Things like, her own little world.

This time it's your turn to feel frustrated, bewildered, sad and alone.

When really.....

She doesn't have time, because you taught her how not to.

You rarely see her, because you rarely looked at her when she was a child.

She's lost.

You put her there.

In her own little world, because you never got out of yours. >>tweet this<<

Sharing with...Christian Mommy Blogger, Counting My Blessings, Essential Devotions, Missional Women, Amandas Books and More, Creative K Kids, Made 2 Mother, Moms the Word, What Joy is Mine, The Modest Mom Blog, A Mama's Story, The Life of Faith, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Far From Normal, Rachel Wojnarowski, 3D Lessons for Life, Graced Simplicity, Imparting Grace, Eat Sleep Be, God's Girl, So Much at Home, Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Honesty

"A truthful witness gives honest testimony,

but a false witness tells lies."

~Proverbs 12:17~

Honesty. It starts in your heart and produces honest actions.>>tweet this<<

Today we pray our husbands will be sincere, honest men.

Prayer #27. His Honesty

Father, we know You do not lie, but hate all things deceitful. No one who practices deceit will dwell in Your house; no one who speaks falsely will stand before You. (Ps.101:7) I pray You will far remove from my husband any lying are deceiving way.
Father, make my husband a man who hates lies as much as You do. It is one of the seven abominations and will not go unpunished. (Pr.6:16) Give my husband the wisdom to always speak honestly and sincerely. May he keep his oath even when it hurts. (Ps.15:4) Such a man will gain honor and respect. Teach him to let his 'Yes' be 'Yes' and his 'No' be 'No'. (Matt.5:37)
I pray also, he would be a man honest in all his dealings. You, oh Lord, detest differing weights and dishonest scales. (Pr.20:23) Plant my husband in uprightness, so that no one can find fault in his dealings.
Father, words and deeds are done, reflecting the condition of a mans heart. May the intentions of my husbands heart not be ones of deceit or schemes of ill gain. Rather, I pray that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart would be pleasing in Your sight. (Ps.19:14) May he always keep growing in You, striving do no wrong and speak no lies or deceit from his mouth. (Zeph.3:13) In Jesus' name. Amen

"A malicious man disguises himself

with his lips, but in his heart

he harbors deceit.

Though his speech is charming,

do not believe him,

for seven abominations fill his heart.

His malice may be concealed by deception,

but his wickedness will be exposed

in the assembly.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts,

and a flattering mouth works ruin."

~Proverbs 26:24-26,28~

Sharing with... Essential Devotions, Missional Women, Christian Mommy Blogger, A Look at the Book, Beauty Observed, Nancherrow, Counting My Blessings

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Integrity

"The man of integrity walks securely"

~Proverbs 10:9~

Today's prayer is one covering our husbands sincerity in his walk and talk. Job was a man of great integrity; unshakable in his faith. May our husbands grow to be like him. >>tweet this<<

Prayer #26. His Integrity

Dear Jesus, thank You for the perfect example of a life of integrity. You said no wrong and did no wrong, doing everything with a sincere love for mankind and humble obedience to Your Father. I pray You will reveal Your goodness to my husband and give him the desire to follow Your footsteps. Give him a heart that is sincere, hating what is evil, clinging to what is good. (Romans12:9)

Father, many are the plans of a mans heart. I pray the plans of my husbands heart will be noble ones. Plans that will not bring scorn upon his name. If the plans of his heart do not fit into Your will or do not line up with Your word, do not let them come about. Keep from doing anything that will lead to a guilty conscience. May integrity and uprightness protect him. (Ps.25:21) Always doing what is good, being serious, and having sound speech that cannot be condemned. (Titus2:7-8)

Test him, O Lord, and try him. Examine the his heart and mind. Lead him in the way of truth and light. (Ps.26:2-3) I pray he will be worthy of being honored as a capable man, one who fears You, is trustworthy and hates dishonest gain. (Ex.18:21) When he is tempted to do something not glorifying to You, help him stand strong in his faith, knowing he who has clean hands and a pure heart will one day stand in Your presence. (Ps.24:3-4)

I pray my husband will be one who says as Job did, "till I die, I will not deny my integrity." (Job27:5) letting his integrity guide him (Pr.11:3) and be the deciding factor in all his ways. May he lead a blameless life, standing on level ground, praising the Lord. (Ps.26:11,12) In Jesus' name. Amen

"the noble man

makes noble plans,

and by noble deeds

he stands."

~Isaiah 32:8~

Sharing with....Serving Joyfully, Jenni Mullinix, 3D Lessons for Life, Graced Simplicity, Eat Sleep Be, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Creative K Kids

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Wisdom

"Wisdom is sweet to your soul;

if you find it,

there is future hope for you."

~Proverbs 24:14~

Let's pray for our husbands to seek wisdom, find wisdom and live wisdom. >>tweet this<<

Prayer #25. His Wisdom

Father, You alone are completely wise. You have also promised to give wisdom where it is asked. (James1:5). Today I ask that you give my husband immeasurable wisdom. The very beginning of wisdom is fearing You and hating evil. (Ps.111:10) Give my husband a heart that can discern. You have given him Your precepts, help him understand Your word so he may have great understanding and continue growing in wisdom. You have instructed us to not just listen to Your word, but to do as it says. (James 1:22) Today, I pray You would impart wisdom to my husband so that he may know what is Your good and perfect will. 

Father, I pray you will teach my husband to not be wise in his own eyes, doing what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, but always seeking You first, wanting to please You above man. Doing this will bring health and nourishment to his body. (Pr3:7-8) 

Father, we know wisdom is found in those who take advice and accept instruction (Pr.13:10, 19:20) Make my husband one who accepts advice, or at least listens to advice from others. Do not let him be so set in his ways that, he will scoff like a mocker in the face of another who meant no ill will. Rather, let him thoughtfully and patiently consider their words. Let him not become angry and defensive, speaking harsh words that prove his heart is set in his ways. Gently impart wisdom to him, revealing truth. Then help him accept the advice or instruction that has been revealed to him.

Father, deepen my husbands desire to grow in Your word, for it has been said, the holy scriptures are able to make you wise. (2Tim.3:15) 

To further grow his desire to be in Your word, place godly man and role models in his life, so he can be encouraged by their wisdom and the accountability of their presence. He who walks with wise grows wise. (pr.13:20) Give my husband godly men to walk with through his life.

Father, thank You that you have given my husband a sound mind and teachable heart. Today I ask again that You would impart great wisdom to him, so that he and his children may live. Help him be strong, and show himself a man, observing what You require. (1Kings2:2-4) And we know what You require is for us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly before You, our unchangeable, infallible Lord. (Micah6:8) In Jesus' name. Amen

"When pride comes,

then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom."

~Proverbs 11:2~

Sharing with...Woman toWoman, Raising Homemakers, A Little R & R, Simply Beth, Our Life on a Budget

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Self Control

"Like a city whose walls are broken down

is a man who lacks self-control."

~Proverbs 25:28~

A self controlled man....one who is blameless, hospitable, good, upright, holy and disciplined. That's what I pray for  my husband today.

Join me!

Prayer #24. His Self-control

Father God, I come before You, thankful for this man You have put in my life. This man You have called me to love, honor and help. I thank You that You have made him a man able to discern right from wrong, good from evil. You have given him the power and ability to say "No" to temptations. I praise You that You keep renewing his mind, enlightening him, showing him Your will and Your way.

Father, as the leader of our marriage and family, I pray he would be a workman worthy of what You have called him to do. Remove any traits that are overbearing or quick tempered, may he not be given to drunkenness, violence or pursue dishonest gain. In their place, restore hospitality, make him good, upright, holy and disciplined. Help him hold firm to Your trustworthy way. (Titus1:7-9)

Lord, we know our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (2Peter5:8) Today, I stand against his wicked schemes to make my husband fall. I proclaim that my husband, strong and in the power of Your might, can resist evil plans of the devil and his powers.

May he not be as some who sleep, spiritually speaking, but may he be alert and self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (1Thess.5:6-8) As he comes to know Your will and Your ways more each day, add to that knowledge, perseverance to keep doing what is good and right in Your sight, so that he will not become ineffective and unproductive in his faith. (read 2Pet.1:5-8)

Jesus, You are the perfect example of a man clear minded and self-control. Teach my husband to be the same; temperate, worthy of respect, sound in faith, love and endurance, doing what is good, showing integrity in all he does by his seriousness and soundness of speech. May those who oppose him be ashamed because they can find nothing bad to say about him. Through Your great grace teach him to say reject ungodliness and worldly passions, and to clothe himself with self-control, living an upright and godly life. (Titus2:2,6,11-12) In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Prepare your minds for action;

be self controlled;

set your hopefully on the grace

to be given to you when

Jesus Christ is revealed."

~1 Peter 4:7~

You may also find encouragement in reading of a self-controlled wife. You can find it here.

Sharing with...Juana Mikels, Holley Gerth, Cornerstone Confessions, The Time Warp Wife, Teaching What is Good, Rich Faith Rising

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Faithfulness

"Be on your guard;

stand firm in the faith;

be men of courage;

be strong.

Do every thing in love."

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14~

Becoming a man of faith, is our prayer for our husbands today. Praying his faithfulness to the Lord will trump all else. Which will lead him to be faithful in all he does, a man worthy of his calling.

You may also be encouraged to read of  faithfulness in a wife. You can find it here.

Prayer #23. His Faithfulness

Father, thank You that You are forever faithful. Today I pray You will again prove Your great faithfulness to my husband.

Lord, You promise to preserve the faithful (Ps.31:22) not letting them come to ruin. Today, teach my husband to be faithful. Teach him to be a man of courage, standing for what is good and right in Your eyes. Help him stand against the enemy's schemes to make him fall. I pray he will be on his guard against anything that would ruin his reputation or the trust of those around him. 

Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness, even to the cross. You have proven to our Rock. All Your ways are perfect and just. You are a faithful God who does no wrong. (Ps.86:15) I pray You would give my husband abundant desire to be faithful like You. To desire purity and trustworthiness, so that his ways will always prove faithful.

Father, I lift our marriage before You. Remove any temptations that will lead to impurity, adultery, or loss of trust. Make him a man pure in thought and deed, always faithful to Your word so that he can lead a life holy and blameless before You and men. Make righteousness to be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Is.11:5) I know anyone who has been trusted with something, must then prove himself faithful. (1Cor.4:2) Father, make my husband a man who will prove himself faithful in the little things, so that he can then be faithful and trusted with greater things. Help him always hold fast to ways that are good and right, establishing him as a man worthy of his calling. Grow his love for You to be greater than his love for me or anything else on this earth. In that way he will become a man faithful in the marriage covenant and faithful in all his ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"the Lord your God is God;

He is the faithful God,

keeping His covenant of love

to a thousand generations"

~Deuteronomy 7:9~

Sharing with....A Proverbs 31 Wife, The Beauty in His Grip, What Joy Is Mine, Juana Mikels

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Goodness

Today we pray our husbands will be filled with goodness, doing more good than evil. Good deeds done from a pure heart make him irreproachable, gaining favor in the sight of God and man.

"A good name is more desirable 

than great riches,

to be esteemed is better than

silver or gold."
~Proverbs 22:1~

You may also be encouraged reading about a good wife's characteristics. You can find it here.

Prayer #22. His Goodness

Dear Jesus, thank You for the good You have shown my husband throughout his life. The times You kept him from making bad choices, the times You intervened to save His life, soul and reputation. Keep proving Your goodness to him. Let him see that the good that has come to him is not of his own doing, but from You, through the good and obedient ways he has chosen.

Jesus, You said there is only One who is good and that if we want to enter the way that is life, we must obey His commands. (Matt.19:17) Your Father, the One who is only good, says this, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls" (Jer.6:16) Move my husband to ask where the good way is, the wisdom to see it, and the strength to walk in it.

Father, I pray he will not only seek his own good, being selfish in his motives, but that he would from a pure heart, act with goodness seeking good for all others around him,(1Cor.10:24) establishing mutual edification, so that even pagans can see Your goodness through him. (1Peter2:12) Love must be sincere. Refine him more and more each day. Give him Your heart toward all others, forgiving quickly and bearing with others patiently.

Father, let him not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time You promise he will reap a harvest if he doesn't give up. (Gal.6:9-10) Teach him to seek good at all times so that he will be led in a way that reaps goodwill. (Pr.11;27) Lord, bad company corrupts good character. (1Cor.15:33) Remove any relations that may in any way corrupt his goodness. Give him the courage to stand for what is good and right in Your eyes. Lead him to other good men, who love You and seek You first, so that he may be encouraged to walk in ways that encourage goodness.

Father, I pray You will give him wisdom and discernment to always choose good and hold on to good. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Hold on to the good."

~1 Thessalonians 5:21~

"The good man

brings good things

out of the good stored up in him"

~Matthew 12:35~

"Trust in the Lord

and do good."

~Psalm 37:3~

Five Minute Friday: Release

Over at lisajobaker.com the fabulous Lisa hosts a weekly blog party called Five Minute Friday.

The rules are simple:

1. She decides on a one-word writing prompt. This week it is "RELEASE".
2. Bloggers everywhere set their timers for five minutes.
3. Our pens fly....can you hear the frantic scritchety-scratch? 
4. We publish our five-minute masterpiece & share with the world.

Release.

What do I need to release? Let go?

The need to be doing. The need to be going. The drive to achieve greater, be the better, do more...

Do more. THATS  IT!

I need to let go of the need to do more.

How ironic that we are always searching for ways to simplify life but in the end I really just add to the confusion. I read endless articles about organizing the house to save time, freezer meals to save time, finding schedules that promise to save time and money, but for some reason I get overwhelmed.

I get lost in all the "saving time".

What ever happened to not needing to do so much? What ever happened to a simpler way of life? A more casual pace?

What ever happened to sitting at a window with a cup of coffee just watching the garden grow for 20 minutes? Just me. Just my thoughts. Just my coffee. Just my God. Just quiet. Just sitting. Just resting. At home.

Maybe I should just release the need to do so much. It's wearing me out. Its wearing me thin. Its too much.

Its simply too much.

I miss the days when it was ok to say no and stay home.

I'm going back to them.

Today I say no to a packed schedule. I'm the one who put it there. I'm the one who can make it go away. Today I say no.

Today, I stay home. I stay home from the "having to go".

I say no. I stay home. I will sit. I will rest. I will wait. I will be quiet. I will listen to my coffee steaming, my flowers (and weeds) growing.

I will release my need to always go, always do.

Sharing with...Sandra Haska King, Lisha Epperson, Janis Cox, Managing Your Blessings, A Proverbs 31 Wife, Moms the Word, The Modest Mom, Jenni Mullinix

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Kindness

Today we pray for God to show kindness to our husbands, and for him to cultivate a kind heart.

You may also find encouragement in being a kind wife, here.

Prayer #21. His Kindness

Father, You are kind. Your mercies are never ending. Your kindness reaches even to the ungrateful and wicked. Because of that we are led to repentance. Thank You for Your great kindness toward us, and today, my husband.
Through Your mercies, teach him to also be kind to others. Your word tells us that as Your servants, growing to become Your workmen, we must not quarrel, but be kind to everyone. (2Tim.2:24) You are doing a good work in my husband and You promise to finish what You started. Teach him to be kind to others, to love his enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting anything back. (Luke6:35) Give him wisdom and strength to never pay back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to all people. (1Thess.5:15)
Father, I pray You would move my husbands heart to kindness, getting rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and every other form of malice. I pray he would let kindness rule his words and actions, doing nothing he will later regret. Instead, may he renounce his sins by doing what is right and any wickedness by being kind to others, so that he may prosper in all areas of his life. (Daniel 4:27) I pray he will not have ulterior motives for being kind, or resentful in his kindness, but rather, with pure heart know that a kind man will benefit himself. (Pr.11:17) May the benefits he sees be peace of mind and good reputation.
Father, kind actions being with kind thoughts. Renew my husbands mind. Give him greater discernment. Guard his mind so that he will think only on good and praiseworthy things, resulting in kind thoughts toward others, which will encourage his words and actions to be kind. Lord, today move my husband to be a kind man. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"A kind man benefits himself,

but a cruel man brings trouble on himself."

~Proverbs 11:17~

Always Developing New Growth

Ever notice how we are never fully grown up? Fully matured in every aspect of life?

I notice it most in my spiritual walk.

I'm never quite done learning, growing mature and complete, not lacking anything, as it says in James 1.

Neither do I want to be.

My God is limitless. So His knowledge is never ending. I will always be learning, experiencing new growth in Him....

continually growing up. 

I like that. I like that I will never come to the end of God.

There's an ongoing cycle, to this continual new growth in believers. Not just new believers, but matured ones as well.

It goes something like this:

1. Grow up.

The desire to grow up comes when we want to do better, be better, know better, etc. So we crave Him. Maybe, new believers can't put their finger on what the craving is, or where it comes from, but it's there.

It's real.

It's Him.

"Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, 

so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."

~1 Peter 2:2~

We must never stop growing up.



2. Stand up.

In order to grow up we must stand up. We must take a stand against evil and make life decisions based on His Word.

Then, with no questions asked, simply and plainly.....

stand up.

"Therefore,

rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit,

hypocrisy, envy, and slander of any kind."

~1 Peter 2:1~

3.Put up.

When we stand up for what is right, somewhere along the line we will have to put up with unfair suffering. Relationships may be severed. Scoffers may scoff. Pain may have to be endured. We are going to have to put up with some heartaches.

"though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."

~1 Peter 1:6~

"it is commendable if a man bears up

under the pain of unjust suffering

because he is conscience of God."

~1 Peter 2:19~

4. Measure up.

The trials have to come so that we can be refined and with every step measure closer to Jesus.

But we must stick through the trials, not losing our integrity, our faith, and our desire to keep growing up in Him.

So, we

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything."

~James 1:2-4~

The new growth cycle doesn't end here.

In fact, the cycle is never done because God is never finished working in us, molding us to become more Christ-like.

Isn't it exciting that the God Who created me, loves me enough to never want to be done with me!??

He never grows tired of me. He always wants to be around me. My company never grows old to Him!

That, alone, gives me enough desire to crave growing up on His spiritual milk, standing up for what is right, putting up with trials of all kinds, all so I can be refined, measuring just a bit closer to Jesus.

Just a bit more mature.

Just a bit more complete.

Always developing new growth.

This post was shared in a group writing project at Faithful Bloggers. There you can find other messages from Christian bloggers on the topic of "new growth". 

Sharing with... Renewed Daily, Cornerstone Confessions, The Time Warp Wife, Teaching What is Good, Rich Faith Rising, Juana Mikels

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Patience

Patience is a fruit of the spirit. As Christians we are all given this fruit, but often choose to disregard it.

Patience isn't something achieved overnight. Rather it needs to be chosen and cultivated.

A few weeks back I wrote of what a patient wife looks like. You can read it here. Today we pray our husbands will deliberately chose patience and be able to see and understand with an eternal perspective.

"A hot tempered man stirs up dissension,

but a patient man calms a quarrel."

~Proverbs 15:18~

Prayer #20. His Patience

Father, thank You for being a patient God. Thank You that Your mercies are never ending.
I pray You will give my husband a heart that is patient and understanding. One that will bear with others and for others. Convict him to release any impatience, grudges, anger, jealousy or harsh words, so he will not stir up dissension. In its place teach him to be completely humble and gentle, being patient, bearing with others in love. (Eph.4:2)
Your word tells us a man's wisdom gives him great patience and that it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Pr.19:11) Grant him wisdom and discernment so he will be able to see all situations as opportunities to cultivate patience.
When people get difficult or plans don't hold out as expected, give him an accepting attitude. Help him see that Your will is never wrong and that the testing of his faith will include the testing of his patience. Help him clothe himself with kindness and compassion, (Col.3:12-13) putting others needs before his own.
Father, help him choose patience with his children. When they are tired or difficult, parenting gets tough. Help him be long suffering, realizing they are in need of being heard and loved. Before he speaks harsh words, remind him how You bear with him and are patient with him. Give him Your patient heart toward his children, wife, co-workers, friends, neighbors and all other relations.
Fill him with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I stand praying that he will live a life worthy of You and may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that he will have great endurance and patience. (Col.1:9-11) In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

" warn those who are idle,

encourage the timid,

help the weak,

be patient with everyone."

~1 Thessalonians 5:14~

40 Prayers for my Husband: His Peace

Today I pray my husband will experience peace that passes all understanding. I pray also, he will be a peaceable man, seeking peace with his words and actions.

Let's join together in prayer, praying our husbands will be men who find peace, know peace, are the peace.

"Great peace have they who love Your law,

and nothing can make them stumble."

~Psalm 119:165~

Prayer #19. His Peace

Sweet Jesus, in You we are promised peace. In this world, however, we are promised trouble. But, returning to You, we are still promised peace. In that promise and the knowledge that You overcame the world, we take heart. (John 16:33) In You, we are able to have peace at all times and in every way. (2Thess.3:16)

When the road is rocky and darts of the evil one are being fired from all directions, help my husband see that holding on to his faith, keeping his mind steadfast on You, will keep him in perfect peace. (Is.26:3) Holding on to Your promises will will give him peace beyond understanding. It will keep him from stumbling and falling to temptations of the mind & soul like despair, hopelessness, depression, slacking or distrust in You. 

Father, help him not be anxious about anything, but in everything, make his requests known to You by prayer and petition. Reassure him that You are not slack in Your promises, imparting peace beyond measure to him, guarding his heart and his mind. (Phil.4:6-7) Establish a firm belief in him that You Yourself are his one and only peace. (Eph.2:14) Your ways never fail. May he rest and have great peace in knowing that following Your way will always lead him to great peace of heart and mind.

Father, move my husband's heart to also promote peace in all he does, not being quick to argue or seek revenge. It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. (Pr.20:3) You have not made my husband to be a fool, but a man of courageous faith. Help him be kind, patient and loving, making every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification with those around him. (Romans 14:19) When he experiences difficulties with other people, remind him to not do or say anything out anger, frustration or revenge, escalating the situation and giving others doubt of his salvation and Your goodness. May his good deeds done to promote peace help others see You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"There is deceit int he hearts

of those who plot evil,

but joy for those who 

promote peace."

~Proverbs 12:20~