Posts Tagged ‘work’

She was older than I was. She looked different than I look. I did not know her. At the time, I had no idea what an influence this woman would have in my life.

As this older woman put her arms around me she pulled me into a hug as she whispered in my ear that the Lord would use me in this life.

This was a long time ago. I had never met this woman before but she started a conversation with me because she thought I looked sad or pensive. We had a brief conversation about my health and then hers and I agreed to stop by her house sometime.

It was our only visit before she moved away.

She was willing to say and do whatever God led her to – and she believed He was telling her to speak to me. I was all ears.

“Do you pray for your marriage?” I did but she gave me specifics. “Pray that you will love him and be kind to him. Pray that you will be available when he needs you, that you will be his helper.” I began to pray.

“Do you pray when you have sex?” She assured me that I should invite God to be part of even this most intimate part of our lives. This was a new thought to me.

“Do you pray for your husband’s success in his workplace? Pray that he will have wisdom for his work and grace for the people. Pray for God to bless him in that place.” I started praying differently for my husband.

It was a long time ago so I am not giving you her exact words. What I clearly heard from her that day was that the way I treated my marriage and my husband, in life and in prayer, would have a profound impact on all areas of my life and his,  including ministry. This echoes the same truth in Proverbs 31.

She taught me that if things were right at home, God could and would use me in other places. I knew she was speaking truth. Many years later I still follow her advice and pray for my husband and every aspect of our marriage. God has blessed us.

Her wisdom has truly influenced my life. I hope that as you read this you, too, would hear her wise, Godly advice.

Do you pray that you will love and serve your husband? Do you pray for God to grow your love for each other and for Him? Do you pray for God to be a part of even the most intimate moments in your marriage, to bless you with children, and give you the wisdom and patience to raise them to love and serve Him?

Prayer is a powerful form of assistance that God has given us. One woman’s wise counsel about the importance of marriage and value of prayer left a great impression on me and how I prayed.

Will you let this be your encouragement to pray for your husband, your marriage, and every aspect of your life? And then, will you pray for every aspect of your husband’s life?

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16b