Prayer for Japan

It's been 2 months, I think, since my last post.  What might cause me to break my "silence?"  A greater glimpse of the All-Powerful God whom I serve.  If you have not seen Piper's blog post prayer for Japan may I gently encourage you to check it out?  It is well worth reading and praying and considering.

To God alone be the glory...

Let Us Pray

Romans 16:17-18 says,

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions

and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught:

avoid them.

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,

and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

AVOID THEM.  Oooo, that's good for me to hear this morning on our National Day of Prayer.

My take-away is simply, beware of focusing on things that are not THE MAIN THING: the Gospel.  As we pray today, let us all pray according to THE MAIN THING.  May we all be reminded throughout the day what THE MAIN THING is.

Sorry to be so focused on Romans (can you tell I'm hanging out in this book lately?!?) but this is a good summary of what THE MAIN THING is for me:

Romans 5:6, 8 (emphasis mine) which says:

For while we were still weak, at the right time

Christ died for the ungodly...

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners

CHRIST DIED FOR US.

So, let us pray today as we remember that CHRIST DIED FOR US.  Yes, Christ died for MY sins.  That certainly is motivation enough for me to pray fervently for the Gospel of Christ to go forth for His glory alone!

Peace... in Believing

Chewing on this verse today:

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and

peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

~ Romans 15:13

That verse was helpful to me when I was pregnant with Paloma.  As a result, we gave her the middle name Joy.  But, today the Lord has me holding on to "peace in believing."

Oooo... I love that verse.  I love that TRUTH.  I can have PEACE... this day... as I believe.

What am I believing?

I'm believing God to work a miracle by drawing hearts to Him.  Not too hard for the God who created them, eh?  I'm praying for the salvation of some near and dear people to my heart.  And my faith is growing.  By His Spirit I am abounding in hope right now.

Lord, You know the exact situation I'm thinking of and You desire for those persons to be saved as well.  In fact, You care more about their souls than I. Thank You for the joy I have because I know You!  Grant that to ones on my heart and mind...

Loving via Prayer - 2 Days Left?

How'd you do with the Prayer Challenge?  I hate to admit it, but I didn't do as well as I had hoped.  (For the full list, do go to Revive Our Hearts for your own copy of this excellent resource!)


The good thing is ANY time investment in praying for my man is always valuable, God-honoring, and high-yielding.  It is valuable because God always blesses my time in prayer and there is nothing more valuable than MORE time with Jesus. It is always God-honoring because I show my dependence on Him.  It is high-yielding because I see more of what God has been doing in my man and in my heart as more of my sin is exposed.  So, there is no need for me to feel like I failed, eh?


And though the time is just about over, there are still two days we have to end well.  Shall we begin?


Day 30

Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives.

Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything.

Scripture to consider:

1 Cor. 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

John 7:17-18 

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Day 31

Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. 

Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God.  

Scripture to consider:

John 8:44

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Loving via Prayer - Day 19

Well, if it weren't for me posting these blogs, I'd probably skip praying for my husband today. So, thankfully, I am posting this series.

Are you ready for Day 19 of the Revive Our Hearts Praying for Your Husband details? Cool! So am I!

Day 19

Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace.

Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses.

Scripture to read and pray through:

Romans 14:19

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Psalm 34:14

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Loving via Prayer - Day 18

Friends who are also praying for their husbands shared some of the ways the Lord is pouring out blessings as they faithfully join with the Savior in intercession. I'm motivated to pray more fervently when I hear things like what they shared:

~having greater compassion for their husband

~setting their hearts toward their husband when he arrives home from work

~sending daily emails filled with God's Word to encourage their husband

~slipping love notes in their husband's lunch sharing how they are praying

Is that exciting? Indeed, it is! It is always an act of the grace of God when anyone of us calls on Him and points others to do the same. Thank You for your grace, O Lord!

Day 18

Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity.

Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life.

Scripture must-reads:

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Ephesians 5:16

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Loving via Prayer - Day 17

Are you loving your hubby today by praying for him?

Well, today is the 17th and we always recognize our marriage on the 17th day of each month to remember God's kindness to us in allowing us to be married on the 17th of November. You may laugh but we love it. It so fits us!

So, can I take a moment to give my Papa-son a shout out? Cool.

Yo, Papa! Happy 99 months of marriage! Wahoo! Oooo... 99 months! Even after 99 months of marriage, you are STILL the only one I have eyes for. You continue to make my heart beat fast when you make those ridiculous jokes. How I love it though. Yes, I love the look in those sexy whatever-color-eyes you have when you set up a joke that will only make me roll my eyes in unbelief. What fun it is being married to you! I love you, my prince!

Back to the blog! Ready to pray for your man? Cool! Let's do it!

(Have no idea what THIS is all about? Go HERE.)

Day 17:

Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong

men in the faith.

Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength.

Scripture to inform your prayers:

Ephesians 3:16

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being

1 Peter 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

1 Corinthians 10:11

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

Loving via Prayer - Day 16

What an adventure this prayer challenge is so far. I'm seeing so much more clearly how I can help my husband opposed to my natural bent which is to harm him. Yes, my sin is not in isolation. It can have a negative affect on my husband (and others!).

If you don't normally make time to read through and consider the Scripture associated with each day, can I encourage you to check it out (see below!)? The verses today really were helpful in reminding me WHY I'm doing this challenge. My goal is not to have a perfect husband who does everything how I want (for that would be impossible and certainly would not help me grow closer to Christ!). My goal to bring God honor by pleasing Him in all things, especially my role of WIFE to the man He has so kindly granted me the privilege to be married to... till death do us part.

So, start praying!

Day 16

Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities.

Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control.

Scripture to read and pray through:

1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:31

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

2 Timothy 2:4

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Loving via Prayer - Day 14 and 15 (late)

Just in case you wait till I post the details on the Praying for Your Husband Challenge, here are Days 14 and 15... late!

So, so sorry! But, LIVING life is way better then just blogging about it. Know what I mean?

Here are days 14 and 15 from the Revive Our Hearts resource I began HERE!

Day 14

Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love.

Pray that he will not use filthy language.

Day 14 Scripture references:

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Day 15

Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely.

Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin.

Day 15 Scripture references:

Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Loving via Prayer - Day 13

Did you pray Day 12 for your husband yesterday? Well, in light of Valentine's Day, can I encourage you to read those Scripture references and through the prayer areas?

I am convinced that we must be prayer champions for our husbands. Sure there are many others who may be interceding on our husbands behalf but we, not their best friends, not their parents, not their children, are ONE FLESH with them and know them way more intimately.

We must pray... even when we don't feel like it. Dare I say, we must pray even more when we don't feel like it! We must not give the Enemy any opportunity.

Let's get to it!

Day 13:

Pray that your husband will use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare.

Pray that he will serve unselfishly.

Scripture:

Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Loving via Prayer - Day 12

It is full steam ahead. Yes, today's prayer area and selected Scripture (listed below) is so ON for Valentine's Weekend!

Moving into this weekend, let us pray for our husbands as outlined in THIS resource in addition to praying for our own hearts toward them. Yes, may we grow in our appreciation of the Savior in giving us the husbands he has. May we grow in our love and respect for them as we pray for them and seek to see them through His eyes. Yes, deepen our affections for them!

Without further ado... Day 12:

Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self-control.

Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love.

Scripture must-reads:

Proverbs 5:15, 18

Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well... Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,

1 Corinthians 7:3

The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.

Song of Solomon 7:10

I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me.

Loving via Prayer - Day 11

Are you ready to pray, ladies?

Find the details below. Oh- and for the record, I am SO thankful to Revive Our Hearts for creating this! The Scripture references, in particular, are so helpful! Go HERE to print out your own copy if you haven't done so already.

Day 11

Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servants heart before the Lord.

Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will.

Scripture to chew on:

Proverbs 15:33

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Ephesians 6:6

... not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Loving via Prayer - Day 10

Day 10... already! Let us not lose steam, ladies! Press on! Pray for your man! I'm praying for mine!

And did you write your hubby a little love note yet sharing with him how you're praying for him? Well, there is still time! May this month of focused prayer grow our affections for our Savior and our husbands!

Here are the Prayer Challenge from Revive Our Hearts... (Go here if you have no idea what I'm talking about!)

Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions.

Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others.

Scripture to read and pray through:

Proverbs 20:7

The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!

1 Timothy 1:5, 3:7

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Loving via Prayer - Day 9

Have you been praying for your beau?

Day 9 of the Challenge beckons a wife to:

Pray that your husband handles finances wisely, will have discernment budgetting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving the Lord's work.

Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family.

Scripture:

Proverbs 23:4-5

Romans 12:13

Hebrews 13:5

Loving via Prayer - Day 8

Day 8 of our prayer challenge! Are you getting a bit bored with this? If so, might I encourage you to add some flavor to your love via prayer?

Try one of these to break up the monotony of reading the prayers and Scripture references.

~ Write a note of encouragement to your hubby communicating a SPECIFIC evidence of grace in his life. An example of this could be sharing how blessed you are when you see him consistently turning his gaze when an immodest/ unhelpful image appears when you're watching a video together.

~ Put a note in his lunch letting him know how you prayed for him this morning.

~ Include your children in praying for your husband and honoring him with your words of respect when they are around. If you and hubby don't have kids around, not a problem. Build him up in front of others the Lord puts in your path!

These are not big, new ideas. But, they still can communicate love and respect!

So, how are you loving your hubby today?

Oh- and here's today's prayer details:

Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability.

Pray that the character qualities nec'y for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character - persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc.

Scripture:

Romans 12:11

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

1 Corinthinians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Loving via Prayer - Day 7

Sorry this was posted late! Sundays are days when I try to guard my time. I'll try to do better next Sunday! Thankfully, there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!

Here's the details for Day 7!

Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex.

Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you.

Scripture:

Proverbs 6:23-24, 26

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.

Romans 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Loving via Prayer - Day 6

Day 6 of the Prayer Challenge from Revive Our Hearts! Here are the details:

Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture.

Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil.

Scripture to read and consider:

Proverbs 27:12

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

John 17:15

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Loving via Prayer - Day 5

Are you enjoying the ride yet? Are you seeing God move yet? Trust that He is at work, friend, as we lift our precious husbands up to Him in prayer.

A friend who's joining me on this prayer challenge had a great idea that I want to put into play next week. She's been write a note to her husband and placing it in his lunch each day letting him know just how she's praying for him that day! Love that idea!

Do you have a great idea to share?

Here are the details for today as found on the Revive Our Hearts site.

Day 5

Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows.

Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship asa sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ's love for the Church.

Scripture to read/consider/pray through:

Proverbs 20:6

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Loving via Prayer - Day 4

I'm realizing as I pray for my Papa-son in these specific ways I need to grow in so many areas myself. I want to be a wife that joyfully submits and makes it easy for my prince to lead. I want to be more of an encourager and less of a nagger who can point out every single thing he has ever done wrong. Oh, the Lord is good to bring conviction, isn't He? Yes, the discipline of the Lord is for those He loves. And He loves me!

Alright, on to DAY 4 of the Prayer Challenge from Revive Our Hearts!

Day 4:

Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship - protecting and providing for you.

Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage.

Scripture to read and meditate on:

Ephesians 5:25-29 (I'm adding verses 30-33!)

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

Loving via Prayer - Day 3

Are you enjoying this challenge to pray for your husband? I am! In fact, I'm a bit giddy about it. I am just freshly aware of God's intimate care for us.

So, here's DAY 3 details:

Pray for your husband to be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin.

Pray that his heart would be tender toward the voice of the Lord.

Scripture to read/pray through:

Psalm 51:2-4

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

and blameless in your judgment.

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Oooo, what great verses to meditate on! Enjoy!

And, again, this information is straight from Revive Our Hearts.