They say to get peoples’ attention you need a good title or “catch phrase.” I am not sure that is a bad idea, but I don’t want to mislead you: I have only ONE wife and have for over 38 years!! 😀
JUST. WANTED. TO. CLEAR. THAT. UP!!
I actually would like to share something today that I read over the weekend. I am a fan of Pastor James McDonald’s devotion OurJourney. This past weekend, they included a thought about 10 Scriptures to Pray For Your Spouse. I apologize if that turned you off because you are either single by choice, or single for another reason. But I do hope you will read anyway because these can be applied to pastors, friends, family members…you name it. So without further chit-chat, here are they are:
1. Pray first that you and your spouse (make your own substitute) would be humble, in order that your prayers would not be hindered. I Peter 3:7
2. Pray that the work of your spouse’s hand would be blessed by God. Psalm 90:17
3. Pray for wisdom to choose the God-honoring option in every decision. Pr.24:3
4. Pray for discretion to steward the resources God has given you. Eccl. 5:19
5. Pray for godly principles and practices to characterize your communication. Eph.4:29
6. Pray for your spouse to take the way of escape God provides in temptation. I Cor.10:13
7. Pray for your spouse to have spiritual victory in trials and over worry, discouragement, or doubt. James 1:2-4
8. Pray for your spouse to grow in faith and bear fruit in his/her walk with Christ. Col.1:10
9. Pray for your spouse’s health and protection. Ps.18:2
10. Pray that your relationship with the Lord and with your spouse would be ever deepening in intimacy, respect, and love. Eph.5:28-29
There you have it. This had a profound impact on me over the weekend. I pray for Jo every day, but sometimes get stumped for the direction I ought to pray. (Is that bad to confess that?) However, this gives me direction and focus. I have made a commitment to pray these 10 things for Jo on a daily basis for one month. I have asked her to do the same for me. I know that God can do far more than we can imagine, so I don’t even want to imagine what He is going to do in our lives over the next month. All I know is I can’t wait to see what He does!
WILL YOU JOIN ME IN THE CHALLENGE IF YOU ARE MARRIED?
WILL YOU JOIN ME IN THE CHALLENGE OF PRAYING THESE FOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW? (You can reword them) 🙂
If you will join me, let me know. I would be glad to include you on my daily prayer list (many of you are already there). I would love to hear any thoughts you may have. I will put it in my Moleskine calendar to check back in one month.
It is a great list and I just shared it with Wendy. Prayer is a powerful thing and there are times when I lose site of that – especially for those closest too me. Even though I pray I like I lack some specifics that this list brings.
Thanks for sharing it Bill.
Glad the list helps Jim. I am sure it will make your marriage richer. Thanks.
Hi Bill,
This is a great list for prayer for someone and their spouse. I like the scripture references given for this list also. We can know that these things are the will of God for his people. That gives us confidence to ask boldly for these things.
I think of the principle in the Bible of seek, ask, and knock in Matthew chapter 7 and Luke 11.
This list can be modified to be prayed by a single person praying for themselves too. I believe that it pleases God when we ask for things that increase our godliness, righteousness, and faith in the kingdom of God.
I am hoping Linda that single people will take the challenge and modify the list to pray for other singles, their pastor, or even a couple. Thanks for commenting.
Yeah, I’ll join you. Really like this. It’s funny how we know our spouses better than anyone (and vice versa) but we get stuck on how to pray. These scriptures will produce all kinds of life (as only the scriptures can do).
Thanks Bill. Adding this to my calendar so I don’t forget.
That is great jason! I added it to my calendar also. Will rejoin it on August 23, which is one month away. 27 days to be exact. 30 days is a Friday and I don’t blog that day. 🙂 thanks for joining me.
Wonderful idea. I would be willing to do the same. You can pray for me and my wife Susan. That woman has been by my side day in and day out through 9 years. (pales in comparison to you). 🙂
Will definitely include you & your wife Susan (along with your mother and brother) to my list Moe. Thanks for praying.
I will join you in the challenge. Will be praying for one of my good friends. Thanks for posting this.
That is great Jon! Your friend will appreciate it. Why not share this with him/them? Thanks for coming by.
I just pray that the wife can deal and stand up to the the demands my illness is taking on her. It ahould be me that is the caegiver for her. Not the other way round.
It should be. Not ahould be.
Praying for both of you Larry. Knew what you meant. 🙂
This is such a valuable post. I pray for my wife on a daily basis. Which mostly includes praying for wisdom, health, strength, and she would be closer to God. I spend about 10 minutes praying for her. We also pray in the morning and at night.
I plan on printing these 10 off so I can hang them in my office. I know they will help me on a daily basis. Thank you for posting.
Glad to hear that you pray for your wife Dan. I would be honored to pray for you both (just need her name). good idea about hanging in office. I have mine in my Moleskine.
Thank you for praying for us. My wife’s name is Ashley. I will keep you, your wife(I know I’ve seen her name on your blog but don’t remember it. But what is her name?) and your church in my prayers. Have a blessed day.
name is Jo. Will be glad to pray for you and Ashley.
Thank you. I will be praying for you and Jo. Hope today’s message went well.
I want to pray with my wife more regularly. Thanks for the challenge, Bill.
You’re welcome Dustin. This will be one way to make that happen. 🙂