Husbands Prayer Warrior

A Husband's Prayer Warrior

Sharon Jaynes

(In honor of Valentine's Day, Sharon's devotions will focus on marriage during the month of February.)

Today's Truth
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

Friend To Friend
Of all the roles and responsibilities that God has given wives, the position of a prayer warrior or intercessor is perhaps the greatest of all. An intercessor is a person who intervenes or prays for another person. It was derived from the Greek word,enteuxis, which means to go before a King with a petition or plea on behalf of someone else. In essence, it means the same thing today. We go before the King of Kings with a petition or plea on someone's behalf. What we accomplish on our knees in the invisible realm will ultimately affect the strength of our marriage in the visible realm. There is no other person who is more called or more qualified to pray for your man than you.

In the Bible, God describes the marriage of a man and a woman as a visual example of the spiritual union between Jesus Christ and the church (all Christians). Believers are called "the bride of Christ" (Revelation 19:7). We are walking, talking, earthly examples of the heavenly relationship between God's Son and those who believe on His name. God instructs men, "Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

There is someone who wants to destroy that living example, and his name is Satan. Jesus said, "The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). He desires to destroy the God-ordained and designed institution of marriage. He began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and continues his destructive tactics even today. Satan is not very creative, but he's very effective, and he uses the same temptations and tactics today that he used in the first marriage on earth. Satan has proclaimed an all out assault on the family and he begins at the top - with the husband and wife.

So many times we fail to see the real enemy in our marital struggles. The writer of Ephesians explains, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). When I am having a conflict with my husband, I need to stop, take a deep breath, and think…who is the real enemy here? There is a spiritual battle raging all around us that we can't even see, but is very real. It is the greater reality. It is a battle that is not to be feared, but one that is to be recognized and fought in the only place where it can be won - in prayer.

Let's Pray:
Dear Lord, I pray for my husband, from head to toe.

• His Head -That he will look to You as Lord of his life. (1 Corinthians 11:3)
• His Mind - That he will have the mind of Christ and think as the Holy Spirit would lead him and not the flesh. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
• His Eyes -That You will keep his eyes from temptation and that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13, Mark 9:47)
• His Ears - That he will hear Your still small voice instructing him. (1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8)
• His Mouth - That his words will be pleasing to You. (Psalm 19:14)
• His Neck -That he will humble himself before You and be strong, courageous, and careful to do everything written in Your Word so that he will be prosperous and successful. (James 4:10, Joshua 1:8-9)
• His Heart-That he will love and trust You with his whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 3:5)
• His Arms-That You will be his strength. (Psalm 73:26)
• His Hands-That he will enjoy the work of his hands and see it as a gift from You. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19)
• His feet - That You will order his steps and that he will walk in Your truth. (Proverbs 4:25, Psalm 26:3)

Now It's Your Turn

Consider asking your husband for some specific ways that you can pray for him today.

Look up each of the Scripture references above and make the prayer for your husband specific to his particular needs.

Find one friend with whom you can pray for your marriage. Commit to pray for each other's marriage on a regular basis.

I'd love to hear how you pray for your husband. Please visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and share how you pray for your husband.

More From The Girlfriends
Praying for your husband is one of your most important roles as a wife. If you would like a more comprehensive list of Scriptural prayers to pray for your husband (over 100), you can find them in Becoming the Woman of His Dreams by Sharon Jaynes. Also, Sharon has the prayer above laminated on a prayer card that can be tucked in your Bible for easy reference. Just log ontohttp://www.sharonjaynes.com/ and click on books and audio. (Excerpted from Girlfriends In God)

No More Nagging

No More Nagging

Sharon Jaynes

(In honor of Valentine's Day, Sharon's February devotions are focused on marriage.)

Today's Truth

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Friend To Friend

There are some verses in the Bible that I wish God had just left out. Here are a few:

• "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping" (Proverbs 19:13).
• "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand" (Proverbs 27:15, 16).
• "Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife" (Proverbs 21:19).
• "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife" (Proverbs 25:24).

OK, that's about all I can take right now. When I wrote the book, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams, I surveyed and interviewed men about what they longed for in a wife. One thing that men repeatedly mentioned was their aversion to nagging. Drip, drip, drip. Webster defines nagging asto scold or find fault with repeatedly, to cause annoyance by scolding or repetition. Interestingly, a nag is also an inferior or aged horse. The best remedy to cure ourselves from being a nagging wife is to become a praying wife. Jesus invites us to stop nagging our husbands and begin nagging God!

Here's what Jesus had to say:

Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

"Then the one inside answers, `Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (Luke 11:5-9).

In the Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the words ask, seek, and knock are present participle verbs. That means that the more accurate translation would read, ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking. God invites us to be persistent in our prayers for our husbands. We can give our worries and cares to God and leave it up to Him to do the rest. "Cast all your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you" (Psalms 55:22). "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Remember, you don't want to be your husband's mother…you want to be the wife of his dreams.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, I confess that sometimes I nag my husband … alright, maybe more than sometimes. But Lord, I am determining in my heart to stop nagging my husband and start being consistent and persistent in prayer. My husband is Your workmanship, not mine. Forgive me when I try to yank the paint brush from Your hand and create brushstrokes of my own. I pray that I can be the woman that he needs in order for him to become the man that You desire.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What do you think a nag sounds like?

Do you ever nag your husband? I know that is a silly question, but answer it any way. Confession is good for the soul J

If there are things that you tend to nag your husband about, try this. Write them down on a piece of paper, turn the list over to God, and then turn off the leaky faucet. Give it a try. You might be surprised!

I'd love to hear how God has used prayer in your marriage. Visit my Facebook page and let's chat. While you're there sign up! www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes

More From The Girlfriends

Nagging just seems to come natural for most of us girls. But God calls us to live super-naturally. For more on how to be the woman of your man's dreams, you'll want your own copy of Sharon's book, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams: Seven Qualities Every Man Longs For. Visit her website to read an excerpt.

(Excerpt from Girlfriends to God)

Bible Study Lesson #3 *Know Your Season*

Know Your Season
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings fourth its fruit in its season,Whose leaf also shall not wither:And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3

The truth is that in every season of life God does things within us that can't be done in any other season. Whether springing to a new career or stage in life, growing right where we are, enjoying the harvest of our work, or laying fallow, God is present and at work in our lives. No matter what season your in, there's something to celebrate when it comes to what God is doing in us.

1. When you think about the season-spring, summer, fall or winter-which is your favorite and why?


2. When you think about the seasons in terms of your life-spring, summer, fall, or winter-which is your favorite and why?


3. What season-spring, summer, fall or winter-would you say you're in right now in your life? What do you like about this season? What do you dislike?

The book of Ecclesiastes reveals that there is a time and a season for everything under heaven.

4. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 In the following space fill in each of the ones listed in each verse. Then circle the word you naturally prefer in each pair.

Example: Ecclesiastes 3:2 _born__and__die___

Ecclesiastes 3:2_____and_____

Ecclesiastes 3:3_____and_____

Ecclesiastes 3:4_____and_____

Ecclesiastes 3:5 _____and_____

Ecclesiastes 3:6_____and_____

Ecclesiastes 3:7_____and_____

Ecclesiastes 3:8_____and_____

5. Why do you think you naturally prefer some seasons over others? Are there any seasons in which God cannot work or redeem us?


6. How does recognizing the season you're in allow you to trust and rest in what God is doing in your life?


No mater what season you're in, God desires for you to find rest.

Read Exodus 34:21. Why do you think the verse says, Even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest"?

The truth is that in every season of life-including our spiritual life-God does things within us that can't be done in any other season, No matter what season your in, there's something to celebrate when it comes to God is doing in you.

8. What are the seasons in life when you're tempted to overwork and skip rest? Even in your busiest seasons, why is it important to make time to rest?


Digging Deeper

Since the beginning, God has established seasons for the earth. Read Genesis 8:22. Why do you think God designed nature to constantly be changing from season to season? What does this reveal about God's desire to do something new in you?

Ponder & Pray

The opening scripture for this lesson comes from Psalm 1:3 "He shall be like a tree plated by the rivers of water, that brings fourth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. At what moments in your life have you felt as if this verse described you? what does it personally mean for you to be planted by the rivers of water? Why is this so important for yielding fruit in its season?

Bonus Activity

Now that you're taken and inventory of the season that your in, go ahead and celebrate it. Look at the calendar: what physical season are you in? How can you make the most of it?
Go to the beach, head out for a hike, make jam or jelly, Plant flowers ,Enjoy an afternoon of cocoa with a friend. Throw a harvest party. Then think about your spiritual season. How can you make the most of it as well?
Spend and afternoon in prayer and worship. Take a Saturday to volunteer at an local organization. Plan a family outreach adventure. Support a new charity. Write an encouraging note to someone who needs it. Whatever season your in , do something to celebrate it!

Thank you for coming and I hope that you were blessed by this lesson!

Lesson 4
March 9th
The Gift of Sabbath
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing: so on the seventh day he rested from all His work.
Genesis 2:2