PRAYING

......For God's grace in our marriage!

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them. . . giving honor to the wife, . . and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

Lord, may each husband honor his wife. Men often feel so inadequate spiritually. Lift them to a new level. May each couple recognize the spiritual heritage to be apprehended only as one. Forgive us for seeing faith only as individuals. You have a godly reward for Christian families. No praying church can claim it. Only two lovers bound together in faith can lay hold of such grace. Heirs together! The prize can’t be claimed separately. It is a joint blessing. Such life, though by grace, is only appropriated in joint prayer. May couples live in sensitive and caring ways. Forgive us, husbands and wives, if we treat one another in less than Christ-honoring ways. We acknowledge that praying with our partners is sometimes our greatest challenge. The way we have lived together, insensitive things said or done, sometimes hinder our prayers. Now we see that the blessing to be gained, the inheritance to be claimed, only comes by altering the way we live together and by praying together. Give grace to husbands to embrace their wives and pray! Enable husbands and wives to begin the experience of regular prayer. Send fire to their hearts. Renew marriages. Open possibilities long forgotten. It isn’t too late. It wasn’t for Abraham and Sarah. It isn’t for couples in our congregation. You joined them for a spiritual purpose. Lead them into abundance of grace. Amen.

Today’s Quote

A dynamic praying church must be built from the inside out, employing all four levels of prayer: the secret closet, the family altar, small group praying and finally, the congregational setting.

INTERCEDE

Prayer Exercise:

Have a special dinner or ceremony. Honor your wife, in front of your children. Pray a prayer of blessing. Embrace. Ask God to reveal the spiritual heritage he has for you as a couple.