I was at a Wednesday night bible study the day after Bill Clinton was first elected president, and people were bummed. Our large, conservative, suburban church had lots of folks who were politically active. Some had won their races or been involved in winning campaigns, others had lost. But local and state elections were overshadowed by this unknown if charismatic Democrat who was about to lead the nation. “What are we to do about it?” many people were asking.
“We are going to pray for him,” answered one wizened old gent. “Right now.” And we gathered around him and did.
Sure, it helped us feel better. Sure, it might have even changed our attitudes toward Clinton*. But most importantly, we were doing what God told us to.
When Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy around 59ad, the Roman Empire had bigger problems than Bill Clinton could ever give the United States. The young emperor’s descent into madness had begun. That year, he ordered the execution of his own mother. Five years later, he would be burning Christians to light his gardens. It was a dangerous time to be a member of a weird little Judean cult that refused to worship Julio-Claudians, the family in authority over them all.
How to change government between elections.
Still, Paul urged Timothy to pray for them:
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men, for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
— 1Tim 2:1-3
That is the attitude we are commanded to take as well, regardless of who is in office. If we are happy with them, then we pray naturally from thankfulness. If we are unhappy or if they are unworthy, then Christ commanded us to pray for them anyway (Matt 5:44).
But who should we pray for? It’s not just the President, but all in authority. Your mayor and your county commission could use your prayers. We have churches here who pray each week for a different member of our Sheriff’s department. Even your children’s teachers and principals** qualify. Anyone who has authority over you or yours should be on your prayer list. Pray for your pastor. Pray for your priest, pope, or patriarch. Christians should never be at a loss for those to pray for.
What should we pray for on their behalf? Well, what do they need but lack? Obviously, there are plenty in authority who lack wisdom. There are plenty who lack perspective. There are many who lack knowledge of Christ and others who hate Him and hate His followers. Pray that God will soften their hearts. Pray that He will grant them wisdom. Ask God to provide them with godly counselors and influences. God can change hearts, minds, and times – we’ve all seen that. Prayer changes things, that’s why God has granted us the privilege.
We are not praying only because Paul commands us to. We may also expect to receive a real benefit: the ability to lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Our prayers on behalf of leaders can give us the ability to live as we ought with a minimum of interference. We might live without harassment from busybody government officials and wannabe dictators. Praying for those in authority can go a long way toward giving us room to live godly lives.
Then it is up to us to live them.
* It is very hard to wish ill for a person you are earnestly praying for. Some can manage that level of cognitive dissonance, I suppose, but it’s surely rare.
** Assuming you don’t homeschool, which you should.
www.menofthewest.net
I often look at my husband Andrew with awe and wonder. And I have said to him many times: “I
wish you could see how I see you.” And that is one of prayers as well, that he know he is so
loved not just by me, but by our gracious God all the days of his life.
As a new wife, I have never actually prayed a bible verse over Andrew or diligently prayed, with
intention for his day, his works, his purpose, his friends…
Until now! Praying for our husbands, invites God into our relationships and is an expression of
our loyalty to our marriage and support of our husbands. If we don’t pray for them, who will,
ladies?
This is what I am currently praying for:
1) I pray that you wake with joy from a great night’s sleep, my love.
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” – Proverbs 3:24
2) I pray that your heart be open and turned towards God, always, my husband.
“Return to me, with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” – Joel 2:12
3) I pray you have vision influenced by the Heavens, handsome.
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3
4) I pray, that the men in your life encourage you and that Father God brings more of these men
into your life, sweetheart. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
5) I pray that you do purposeful work, and that you find joy in your work, babe.
“The heart of a man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
6) I pray that you are a light in the world and that when others see you, they see God, my love.
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” – Colossians 4:6
7) I pray that you taste and know that the Lord is good, so good, Andrew.
“God has delivered me from going down to the pit and I shall live to enjoy the light of my life.” – Job 33:28 | “Taste and see that The Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8
8) I pray that you desire what He desires for you, baby.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
9) I pray that you seek God daily and do not grow weary, my beloved.
“…the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of
Him.” -Ephesians 1:15-19
10) I pray that you have favor in health, and live a long and healthy life, love.
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects, you prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 1:2
11) I pray that you have strength when temptation comes, my Husband.
“ Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:13
12) I pray for your creativity flame be fanned into fire, babe!
“I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how expertise in every kind of craft…” – Exodus 31:1-5
13) I pray that you have courage and fearlessness in the world, love.
“ Have I not commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step of the way.” – Joshua 1-9
14) I pray that you consult business ideas/ventures with God, and that He fill you with wisdom
and discernment, Husband.“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, in everywhere you go; he is the one who will keep you on track.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
15) I pray that our love is constantly watered in our marriage daily, my beloved.
“Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of water through the word.” – Ephesians 5:25
16) I pray that we face challenges in unity, always, Andrew.
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of 3 strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12
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sheismore.com
February 11, 2015
Praying for the Men in Your LifeSharon Jaynes
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 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Of all the roles and responsibilities that God has given us as women, 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 what we see in the visible realm.
As a wife, there is no other person who is more called or more qualified to pray for your man than you. As a mother, there is no other person more qualified to pray for your children 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). A marriage is a walking, talking, earthly example of the heavenly relationship between God’s Son and those who believe on His name. God instructs men, “Love your wives, just 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 comes only to steal, and 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.
If you are married, I encourage you to pray for your marriage. If you are single, I encourage you to pray for the marriages of your friends and family.
So many times we fail to see the real enemy. 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 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.
Below are Scriptures that I use to pray for my husband and my son. I encourage you to pray them over the men in your life.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord, I pray for __________ from head to toe.
- 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 the decisions that turn his head will honor You in all regards.
- (Psalm 25:12)
- His Shoulders – That he will not carry burdens and worries on his own shoulders, but trust that nothing is too hard for You. (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17)
- His Heart -That he will love and trust You with his whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 3:5)
- His Back – That You will protect him from harm in the spiritual and physical realms. (Deuteronomy 23:14 NLT)
- 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 Ring Finger (for my husband) – That he will love me as Christ loved the Church. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
- His Side – That he will have godly friends who hold him up and spur him on. (Proverbs 27:17; Proverbs 12:26)
- His Sexuality (for my husband) – That he will not be tempted by sexual sin, but satisfied and fulfilled in our marriage bed. (Matthew 6:13; Proverbs 5:18-19)
For my Son—That he will not be tempted by sexual sin. (Matthew 6:13)
- His Legs – That he will stand firm on the truth, knowing that if he does not stand firm in his faith, he will not stand at all. (Psalm 62:6; Isaiah 7:9)
- His Knees – 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 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, son, nephew, or male friend for some specific ways that you can pray for him today.
Look up each of the Scripture references above and make the prayers specific to the needs of the person you are praying for.
Find one friend with whom you can pray for your marriage. Commit to pray for each other’s marriage on a regular basis.
Click over to my Facebook page and share your husband, son, or boyfriend’s name. Then pray for the name above yours.
More from the Girlfriends
As a wife, you have been given the privilege of serving as a mighty prayer warrior for your husband. Today’s devotion is just a sample of the power of praying Scripture over your man. Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture Based Prayer teaches about the importance of each of the 16 landmarks in your man’s life, and gives a comprehensive thirty-day prayer guide to cover him from head to toe. You’ll be equipped and empowered to establish the habit of purposeful prayer in just 5-7 minutes a day! Check it out at www.prayingforyourhusband.com. I’d also encourage you to join me in the 30-Day Prayer Dare!
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more abouthow to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 1311Huntersville, NC 28070
www.girlfriendsingod.com
Click here to learn more about hosting a Girlfriends in God conference in your area or having one of the GiGs speak at your next women’s event.
www.christianity.com
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