Tag: Praying For My Husband

‘Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.’ Ephesians 4:32(NLT)

In marriage, kindness means discerning the unique needs of that specific person. It involves taking the initiative to express care based on what you know of him or her. Kindness in marriage is based on becoming a lifelong “student” of your spouse—seeking to understand that person so that you can best love him or her. The apostle Peter referred to this when he encouraged husbands to “live with your wives in an understanding way” (1 Peter 3:7 NASB). Proverbs encourages a wife to “[look] well to the ways of her household” (31:27 NASB). This kind of understanding paves the way for loving kindness in a marriage. I can show Nick kindness like no one else because I know him so well. For example, I know the shirts he likes and how he needs to have a few minutes of down time after work. I know he likes to hang out with his buddies but there are a few couples who he enjoys as well. I know he prefers to drive, but after a business trip he feels loved if I take the wheel. These demonstrations of kindness are possible because I’ve learned to be a student of my husband.

LISTEN TO JESUS 

Remember, my beloved. I am wonderfully kind, patient, and tolerant of you. It was my kindness, in spite of your sin, that first drew you into a relationship with me. Now I’m giving you the opportunity to share some of that kindness with your spouse. Pay it forward every day. Look for ways to demonstrate kindness with your husband. Be generous as I am generous. Take thought of him just as I think of you a thousand times a day. Finally, remember that sharing truth with one another is important, but that truth needs to be coupled with kindness.

* Jesus, you are so right. You have been patient, kind, and tolerant of me even though I ________. I am grateful for your kindness toward me because ________. I pray that you would empower me to demonstrate this same kindness in my marriage. I need your help to ________.

* Lord, I pray that my husband would have a fresh experience with your kindness as well. May he sense your patience and understanding, and the generous way you love us both. I pray specifically that he would sense your kindness related to ________.

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (Ephesians 4:32)

* God, remind me often of my husband’s preferences and uniquenesses. Show me the things I need to understand about him. Based on these special things about him, show me ways that I can demonstrate your kindness. Show me ways to be respectful and honoring of him. Show me any areas where I need to forgive, just like you’ve forgiven me. Speak to me, Lord. I’m listening for________.

* Lord, I pray for my husband. Give him a fresh experience of your kindness and tenderness. I want him to soak in your forgiveness. Show him more and more of the ways he is loved by you so that ________.

TAKE ACTION 

• Give your husband an unexpected hug, back rub, or massage. Initiate sex. 

• Serve your husband his favorite meal. 

• Compliment him on his appearance. 

• Praise your husband for his accomplishment or achievement.

from Praying For My Husband

‘Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.’ Psalms 69:30(NLT)

Wonder and awe must have been at least part of what Mary felt when she made her joyful declaration to God, “My soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:46 ESV). Mary’s exaltation and gratitude were not about possessions or position, but about relationship. As the most blessed of all women, Mary’s blessing came through a divinely provided relationship. Her exaltation and worship were responses to gifts from the Father. In a similar way, we who are married have been divinely blessed with the spouse God has uniquely provided. The apostle James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above (James 1:17). The same God who blessed Mary with His announcement of Christ has given me as one of his most special gifts. More and more frequently, I’ve recognized a sense of deep gratitude for my life partner. He’s a partner who has seen my rough side and still accepts me; a partner whose strengths lovingly balance my weaknesses; and a partner who thinks of me, gives to me, cares about me. He’s the gift my God has given me. Because of this, my soul magnifies the Lord.

PRAY: LISTEN TO JESUS 

In case you’re unsure of how to connect with me, I’ve given you a hint. Thank me. I’ve given you everything you enjoy— every breath you breathe and every relationship you call dear. It’s my absolute joy to give, yet it hurts my heart when the ones I love forget to say thank you. I feel loved and honored when I hear your words of gratitude. My followers who have learned to acclaim me walk in my presence and find great blessing. Your gratitude keeps us close.

* Jesus, I don’t ever want you to feel disappointed because I forget to say thank you. When I imagine how much you have given to me and our family, and how you might experience hurt because of my lack of gratitude, I feel ________. 

* Lord, I don’t want to forget to say thank you for my husband. He is a gift from you. Remind me of all the ways he is a special blessing from you to me. Keep me from being critical. I’m grateful you found and provided him for me because ________.

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (Psalm 69:30)

* God, I want to bring you honor with my gratitude. Remind me of some of the special ways you have loved me recently. Today, I am particularly grateful for these ten things: ________. 

* God, in the same way, I pray for my husband. Move his heart with gratefulness for how you have loved him well. I want him to enjoy the blessing of walking in your presence. I want him to receive the joy of special connection with you because ________.

TAKE ACTION 

• Tell your husband some of the ways that he is a blessing to you. Share the top ten reasons he is God’s gift. 

• Brag on your husband and how you’ve been blessed by him. Share a post on social media or find some other public way to demonstrate your gratitude. Brag in front of your kids, family members, or friends: “I’ve recently been reminded of some of the great qualities in my husband. I’m grateful God gave him to me because ________.” 

from Praying For My Husband

‘So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city, searching in all its streets and squares. I will search for the one I love.” So I searched everywhere but did not find him.’ Song of Songs 3:2(NLT)

Developing and maintaining an intimate marriage requires a consistent investment of time and emotional energy. Our marriage relationship dramatically improved when we began what we called our weekly “marriage staff meetings.” We didn’t leave the meetings to chance, instead making this time together a priority. Consistency was important, but the emotional benefit of prioritizing each other encouraged our closeness. As I heard my husband turn down engagements with friends so that we could keep our marriage staff meetings, my heart was incredibly blessed. When Kevin saw that I didn’t even take my cell phone into our staff meetings, he felt loved and reassured that I had concern for him and our marriage relationship. Here are some topics you might want to talk about: 

• Coordinate calendars: discuss kids’ schedules, church attendance, and community events. 

• Family goals: discuss financial savings, vacation ideas, and landscaping plans. 

• Parenting plans: discuss discipline issues and spiritual training. 

• Affirm one another: share appreciation and approval.

PRAY: LISTEN TO JESUS 

I love to see the plans you make, especially as you include me. It brings me joy to give you the desires of your heart and make your plans succeed. It’s a part of my divine nature to bring good things to your life. So seek me out, include me in your plans, because I long to meet your needs. Harmony is precious to me, beloved. I love seeing my people make decisions in unity. 

* Jesus, I know you have good things planned for us and I’m grateful. You’ve been faithful to give us ________. Grant us wisdom now as we make plans to ________. 

* Lord, I pray that my husband and I would come together in harmony around these goals: ________. 

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (Song of Solomon 3:2)

* God, I want to seek your counsel about this goal: ________. Help me to know the best way and best time to seek my husband’s input about our plans for ________.

* God, in the same way, I pray that my husband would hear from you about ________. Show my husband and I the plans you have for us. We want to hear what you have to say about ________. Bring us to unity, Lord. We want to please you with the harmony and unity of our marriage. 

TAKE ACTION 

• Ask your husband to discuss plans for a special date night. Meet your goal for increased closeness. 

• Ask your husband’s input about the specific character traits that need to be emphasized as you train each of your children. Discuss plans for parenting your children in these ways. 

• Write down your response to this statement: “If all my dreams for the future could come true, here’s what our life, marriage, and family would look like: _________.” Ask your husband to do the same, and then talk through both responses.

from Praying For My Husband

‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.’ Ephesians 2:10(NLT)

Over the years, Heath and I have wasted a lot of time and a lot of words arguing about whose thoughts and ideas are better. We’ve had arguments including things as, “There’s no gas in the car,” “The dishes don’t go in the dishwasher that way,” and “Why didn’t you call and let me know they were coming over?” Our list of marital issues can sometimes seem endless, but even though we’ve been slow learners, we’ve found a better way. We begin with the principle that neither of us has thoughts, ideas, and plans that are best. The famed missionary George Mueller prayed this way: “Father, I have my thoughts about this issue, but I want your thoughts. I don’t want to have my own will about the matter—I want your will.” In our marriage, we strive to have God’s thoughts about any issue, not just our own. As Heath and I prayerfully approach the Lord in this way, He brings us together and causes His ways to prevail. As we’ve learned to approach the disagreements of our marriage in this way, we’ve not only enjoyed more harmony but we’ve also come to appreciate one another’s perspectives.  I would not have come to fully appreciate his strengths had we not spent time together seeking God’s thoughts, ideas, and plans.

PRAY: LISTEN TO JESUS 

Humble yourself, and I will lift you up. I love it when you acknowledge your dependence on me. I can’t wait to come to your aid. I am ready to teach you my ways and lead you in how to celebrate the differences between you and your spouse. Your humility is what moves me to action. I keep my distance from the proud. So talk freely about how you need me and how you are depending on me.

* Jesus, please show me your ways and your thoughts. Especially when I’m tempted to think that my ways are best, reveal your perspective. I need to specifically hear you concerning ________. 

* Lord, I pray for my husband and our marriage. We are depending on you to help us navigate our differences. We especially need your help concerning ________.

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (Ephesians 2:10)

* God, I want to see my husband as your masterpiece. Show me the traits about him that make you particularly proud of your creation. Show me, Lord. I am celebrating these unique characteristics about my husband: ________. 

* God, in the same way, I pray for my husband. Help him to see me as a different but still a unique creation of God. Bring unity in our relationship, particularly in how we ________.

TAKE ACTION 

• Write down the improvements or changes that you could make that would help your marriage communication, especially in regard to the ways you are different from your husband. 

• Look for an opportunity to defer to your husband. Say something like, “We’re really different in this area and yet I want to give to you by ________.” 

from Praying For My Husband

‘Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. ‘ James 5:13(NLT)

My parents had an awful marriage. My father was weak and distant, and my mother was too controlling. I mistakenly felt it was my calling to keep my own marriage from suffering the same fate. At first, my comments to my husband were helpful, but slowly he became withdrawn. Through the help of our mentors, we learned that we were locked into a cycle of hurting one another in one of the most painful ways possible: in ways that each of us had been hurt before. When I criticized my husband, it was magnified by the pain of criticism he had endured as a child. As my husband withdrew from me, it touched the pain of my dad’s distance from me in my growing-up years. After participating in a couples’ intensive retreat, my husband and I came to see each other’s pain, and we were able to offer each other words of compassion. We learned to pray together and seek the Lord for His comfort. We experienced the joy of bringing our burdens to God and then trusting Him to make changes in our marriage.

PRAY: LISTEN TO JESUS

I long to have quiet moments of conversation with you and your husband. I love when you are still and free of distractions, because those are the times when you can truly feel my love. I especially enjoy seeing you pray together as a couple. When the three of us come together in prayer, miraculous things can happen. Remember, I am the God of love. So it’s in these quiet moments of time with me that I can be your unlimited source of sacrificial love. 

* Jesus, I ask that you quiet my mind and spirit. Help me to focus on you. In my relationship with my husband, I am depending upon you to ________. Since you are the God of love, I am counting on you to ________.

* Lord, I pray for my husband. Would you draw him closely to yourself? Since you are the God of love, I ask that you empower him to ________.

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (James 5:13)

* God, I come to you now about the hardships I/we are enduring. I need to know that you care about ________. Please reassure me of your love. I need you to intervene in this situation empower me with your love because ________. 

* God, in the same way, I pray for my husband. He needs to know that you care about ________. Please reassure him of your love. He needs you to intervene in this situation and empower him with your love because _______. 

TAKE ACTION 

• Invite your husband to talk with you about any spiritual goals each of you may have (more times of prayer together, Bible study, devotionals, church attendance). Implement one of these ideas this week. • Invite your husband to lead out in prayer. Spend several minutes discussing the most pressing needs and hardships of your life together and then pray. 

from Praying For My Husband