Five Hard Things To Pray For Your Husband

“Here are five hard prayers I pray for my husband, and would encourage you to pray for yours.

1. Conviction of Sin

I pray that the Holy Spirit would never allow my husband to become numb to the sin in his life, but that he would convict him of his sin and remind him of his need for ongoing repentance and spiritual reformation. A convicted man will never be a proud man. A convicted man who finds God’s grace in Jesus will remain a thankful man. Pray that God continues to press in on the heart of your husband so that he remains sensitive to sin and the Spirit and continues in the way of godliness.

2. Humility of Heart

A proud man thinks too highly of himself, too little of everyone else, and has lost sight of God. A proud husband will not be open to necessary rebuke or correction, and will put himself first before others. But a humble man is teachable who, regardless of his temperament, will submit himself to the word of God. I pray that my husband will only continue to grow in humility as he follows Jesus, and that this would be one of the dominant marks of Christ in him.

3. Patience in Life

My husband wouldn’t mind me telling you that he is not naturally a patient man. But the lack of patience in a man is the marring of the image of God in him. God is patient with us in all our weakness and obstinacy, and we should all live lives that reflect this attribute of our Maker and Redeemer. And this is important because an impatient man is quick to complain, quick to become angry, and is therefore more likely to blame others, and even God, for what disturbs them. While my husband doesn’t get to that place, one of his greatest needs is to learn patience in life. Not just because God commands it, but because the kids (and I) need him to be patient. A patient husband is a man who knows he has received much more than he deserves, has been the recipient of God’s patience throughout his life, and who finds great joy in suffering well both the big things and the little things in life.

4. Love for God

I want my husband to love God more than he loves me or our children. Why? Because if he loved us more than God we would serve as his idols, and would eventually let him down. We are not good gods. But a husband who loves God above all other people in his life will treasure God and his good gifts. A man like that knows that outside of Jesus Christ his greatest earthly treasures are found in his home, in the life of his youth and the children given to him by the Lord. I pray that my husband would love me less than he loves the Lord, and that his love for God would be intense and endless. I know if he loves God first, he will love me better than I can imagine.

5. Discipline from God

Do you ever feel like your husband is not walking on the right path? And I don’t mean you have to keep reminding him to pick his clothes up off the bathroom floor (Annoying, but not a crisis.). But there will be times when husbands, just like their wives, begin to drift in their affection, focus, and carefulness in their Christian walk. There will be times when we need God to intervene and discipline our husbands to get their attention, show them the danger of their sin, and rescue from the potential danger ahead of them. When our husbands are doing well we should praise God but we should also pray that God would do whatever is necessary in order to keep the heart of our men focused on himself. There is so much more than can be said of how we should be praying for our husbands, but let’s begin by committing ourselves to pray hard prayers for them. I hope my husband prays hard prayers for me as well.”

Written By Jen Thorn

Be Sober-Minded And Watchful

1 Peter 5: 8 reminds us, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Job 1:7 is clear that our enemy does not rest. “The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”"

The battle is constant, that’s why Peter reminds us to “be sober-minded and watchful.”

Satan not only waits to devour us but also tries to out smart us. (2 Corinthians 2:11) He constantly is scheming and plotting on how to deceive us. The Bible therefore encourages us in 1 Peter 1:13 ”Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”

The devil’s biggest scheme against you is to exhaust your mind. And imagine the million ways in which the enemy tries to do that on a daily basis.

Mind drained from work both in your career and home.

Mind exhausted from petty fights and vain arguments.
Mind tired from failures.
Mind shaky from anxiety.
Mind shut with depression.
Mind distracted with temptations.
Mind that is absent of God.

Is it not interesting that Bible over and over again commands God’s people to “stand strong” and “fear not”!  Yes, it is a command, because your greatest battle is not in your office it’s in your head. Your greatest battle is not in your home, it’s in your heart and that’s the throne where God lives don’t stop waging the war of faith.

James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Alert minds are those that are washed and refreshed in God’s Word daily.
Alert minds are those that believe God’s Word over the lie of the enemy.
Alert minds are those that don’t let their circumstance determine their relationship with God.

If you are fed up, exhausted, tired, letting temptation get you, running away in fear, then probably the lying lion is chasing you! So this message is God’s Word to your soul - RISE UP AND WAGE WAR!

You cannot wage war if you are sitting in the pool of your self pity! You cannot wage war if you have given up in your mind. You must rise up. ”The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” 1 Peter 4: 7

You cannot pray if you do not rise up. Stop trying to make things happen on your own and lean on Him. Know who you are in Christ and the great purposes you have in Him, and stand in the truth and PRAY! (Ephesians 6:14)

What anyone else around you is doing should not bother you. “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6

It’s time then, to worship like never before, to weep before Him like never before, to seek and knock like never before, to love Him like never before. Wage War!

Written By Shyju Mathew & Painted By Robert Geralch

Declare The Word Of God!

The other day, I was in the customer service line at a store waiting to return something I had purchased. The woman in front of me was taking a really long time, and after a few minutes, I started watching more closely to see what was happening. She was standing there digging through her purse, pulling papers out, and getting more and more frustrated. One employee came over, then another. I could see that this woman was trying to return something, and she didn’t have her receipt. She was doing everything she could to get her money back, but it was no use. She ended up packing her things and walking out the door. When it was my turn, I walked up to the counter, handed the clerk my receipt, and asked for a credit on my credit card. Everything went through just fine, and I received my refund without a problem.

If we look at this scenario on a spiritual level, there’s a lot we can learn. The difference between me and the woman in front of me is that she was pleading her case and I was presenting mine. She had nothing to prove that she had purchased that item from that particular store. She had no evidence, and therefore, no entitlement to what she wanted based on the company’s policy. Now, on the other hand, I had proof of my purchase. I was operating according to the guidelines set forth by that company. I presented my case and received what I was expecting.

It works the same way when we go to God. We don’t need to beg Him for anything. We don’t need to plead with Him. He’s already set up a “policy” in His Word for us to receive from Him. Philippians 4:6 says “Don’t be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In other words, bring your proof; bring your evidence! It’s powerful when we come to God with something in our hands. It’s powerful when we bring God’s Word to Him.

A lot of times, we come pleading—“Oh, please God…I’m a nice person…I went to church…etc.” That’s pleading your case. But when you come with the Word of God, you are presenting your case.

If you’ve been busy pleading your case, if you’ve been telling God how unfair things are or begging for things to change, switch over today and begin to present His Word. Say, “Father, You said in Your word that no weapon formed against me shall prosper…You said You would make my enemies be at peace with me…” Declare His Word, present your case, and I believe you will see things turn around and experience His favor on every area of your life!

Written By Victoria Osteen

No More Guilt-induced Doubt

Condemnation sweeps across our thoughts with generalized statements such as, You’re such a failure, You’re so hypocritical, or You can never be counted on. That is the accuser. His tone is condemning, questioning, and confusing. His accusations lead to guilt and shame. But the Holy Spirit’s conviction will be specific. He will reveal a sinful action or attitude and instruct us on what we need to do to right the wrong: whether it’s restoring a broken relationship or returning something that isn’t ours. He’ll give us steps we need to take to change our behavior or attitude.

• Instead of You’re such a failure as a [wife, mom, daughter, friend], the Spirit might say, You were really critical the way you talked to your husband, child, parent, etc. You need to say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness. Then tell them something that will build them up instead of tearing them down.

• Instead of You’re so hypocritical, the Spirit might say, You judge others for gossiping, but you are doing the same thing when you talk about your neighbor at work. Tomorrow at lunch break, apologize for what you said and share a few things that are positive about her.

• Instead of You can never be counted on, the Spirit might say, You didn’t keep your promise to go see your mom today. Call her to apologize and maybe set up a lunch date for this weekend.

Satan condemns accusingly, to make us feel guilty. God convicts lovingly, to lead our hearts to repentance.

Jesus’ convictions draws us away from destructive behaviour that hinders our elationship with Him and with others. His goal is to bring us out of the darkness of sin and back into the Light, so we can walk with Him in the freedom of forgiveness and the confidence of His love. The next time we blow it or lose it, let’s ask Jesus to replace our guilt-induced doubt with HIS grace-infused confidence, as we hold onto the promise that His grace is sufficient because His power is made perfect in our weakness. 

Written By Renee Swoope

Enemy Of Our Soul

What is devil? We know him as our enemy of our soul. Do you think that's all to him? No, is alive and active on the earth. My experience with him was just one line, "He is my enemy". Now my experience has changed with him. We have to know he is more that that. He is cunning with different strategies. One cake but packed in different flavors. His aim is to deceive us that is makes us believe lie. Bombard mind with negative thoughts leading to depression. Ultimately, leads us to make negative confession. When we do that we worship Satan and serve him with our actions. He enters our life with one unbelieving thought, "everything destroyed". Then, we start sinning we say "God is against us, why should I lead holy life"? We are opening more doors to him, and then we want to end our life. Satan wants to steal our faith. To take us away from God, ultimately God should not be glorified with our life. Keep believing no matter what; let us give glory to God by our life.  Luke 4:8, Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." John 10:10, Jesus came to give us life and enjoy it abundantly. Matthew 16:23, Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Life in this world is temporary. Even if I don't get what we believe, let us be on God's side for eternity. 1 John 2:14, I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one Let's God word abide strong in you, you can overcome the enemy.

Submit to God and don't be in rebellion, otherwise you act like the devil. Defeated devil draw away Christ, he doesn't care what it takes to distract us so we arrive in hell. Defeated Satan wants us to focus on him rather than on awesome power of God. If you focus on him, he can block you from seeing God. Defeated Satan cannot bring anything on your life that God has not reviewed and permitted. If you can't bless the Lord that means trial is having you. Make decelerations like Job, then you are ready to allow God to use Satan’s work against you. God is using Satan’s rebellion and defeat to display His great glory and accomplish His good plan. The only thing devil knows how to do is get us to do what he did, to turn against God in rebellion.

The key to having spiritual warfare is to see Jesus to understand and put into practice all that He has purchased for us by His death, resurrection and ascension. Satan foolishly gave Jesus to death. When Jesus rose from the dead Satan was rendered powerless. Jesus conquered death and then He conquered him who who had power of death, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14) Read Matthew 28;18, Ephesians 1:20-22, Colossians 2:9-10, Jesus Christ was enthroned by God the Father and all powers came under His authority, including the power of Satan and his demons. Jesus Christ rules over all from His throne in the heavenlies. Satan can't bring plans until God reviews it. Satan does not possess all knowledge. We are raised up and seated with Christ. Jesus not only sits enthroned, but we sit enthroned with Him. He has partnered with us to share His victory with us.

There is no authority in your plans. When we give up your rights and plans. He's ready to release His authority in your life. He has purchased for us all authority we ever need by His death, resurrection and ascension. Satan wants dominance on your life even though you belong to Christ. The degree to which we become identified with Christ, come under His authority and learn to use His authority is the degree to which we will experience victory.

Satan must function by deception alone, gets us to believe that we have no authority that we are helpless prisoners of our past or our present. Only authority and power we give Satan, he has that. If you are in Christ Jesus, you have already been raised and exalted with Him. You occupy a position of tremendous authority. And you can draw on that authority to allow Christ to take charge of your life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Calling on Your authority to set me free from whatever binds me and exhibiting Your power in the world. Walking, Talking and Acting like who we are in Christ.

2 John 8, Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Satan cannot do anything until God permits us. He deceive us. He shows us signs that miracle won't happen. Don't believe that at any cost. You know what that is sign that the miracle is going to happen. We give authority and power in our life, by opening door to him by unbelief. Believe what Christ done for us. He is Lord of our life, your life will not be put to shame.

Only what is written about us will happen, all for our good. Believe only what is written in the word even if situations are contrary.

Vision

Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision

And make it plain on tablets,

That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:2-4

Indecision is dangerous stronghold the evil one can have in a believer's life. Discover the kind of life God has for you is important, otherwise it brings to grinding halt". Proverbs 29:18, A lack of vision viewing a future direction in the present. When we are focussed on the past we completely miss out on God's vision for your future. Walk out the word, begin to uncover the many treasures that He has prepared for you. In order to walk the path you must have faith and know with all your heart that there is not one thing lacking from your life. When discouraged say,"God has provided all that I need. Nothing is missing".

Through deep relationship with God, Nehemiah got a vision. When a person is in deeply joined with God, a vision takes birth. When a person has a vision before him, he has a goal to live for and an objective for which to shoot. This gives meaning to his existence, a purpose and plan designed specifically for his life. It gives him a reason to get up in the morning, a reason to keep fighting against the odds he encounters along the way. A vision gives him inspiration and motivation to keep striving until he’s reached what God put in his heart.

Another God revealed to me, Your purpose in life is your vision assignment. And this vision is revealed through faith. He gives you a vision of who you are and what He wants you to do, and this vision is your life assignment from your King and Father. Fulfilling that vision makes up the purpose in your life. Whatever your vision, it will be tested for authenticity. No one is exempt from tests in life. Tests we face will relate to the vision we have received. So the safest way to avoid major tests in your life is to decide not to fulfill your vision. In other words, just decide not to be yourself, and you won't have too much trouble in life. Of course, you will end up being and doing nothing. But the moment you discover and decide to pursue your assignment, you set yourself for tests. Testing is a sign that you are in His will. Anyone can fail. It takes faith and determination to succeed. Fulfillment in life means understanding your vision, rising to the challenge, pursuing your purpose and welcoming the tests that come as opportunities to prove that vision is authentic. The test is not to destroy you but to prove your vision. You will never know who you are really until you are tested. God allows test not to destroy you but that you can discover what you are made up of, how thoroughly you trust God and how deeply you believe in your assignment. Abraham sacrifice of his son, test for Abraham. God already knew the faith that was in Abraham's heart, but Abraham need to know. He cam about away from that experience with even stronger faith, as well as better understanding of God and the promise God had made to him. Abraham vision was nation descended from him and now after he was tested he knew beyond doubt that God would bring it about. Abraham tested proved his faith and solidified his faith. If God has given you a vision, He will test it. Don't dread the test - welcome it. Your gift is your assignment and fulfillment only comes through using it to bless others.

Ways To Stay Connected With God

As Christians we are always in a constant battle. Just when we think it’s over, the enemy will come against you with different forms of trials and temptations. But the greatest deception comes when we think that we won’t fall. The thought that we wont fall comes from a deceiving spirit. The devil would love for us to think we are safe so that we will then stop being alert and cautious. We become wise in our own eyes for our own downfall (Proverbs 3:7).

a. Be Alert
As 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He waits for a chance to enter your heart. We as believers should be alert and cautious.

b. Be Led
As Galatians 5:16  says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” This is another habit we as Christians need to cultivate. To be sensitive to the spirit and be led by the Spirit all throughout the day, so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

c. Guard your Heart
As Mark 7:21 says, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries."
Sin starts from the first glance. The very first wrong thought has already invaded your life. And the more we dwell on it, the more the enemy builds a stronghold in our life. So when you know there’s something that’s taking you away from God, disconnect from it mercilessly. If there is a negative thought that makes you heart bitter, then don’t dwell on those situations. Immediately take authority over it in the name of Jesus and overcome it.

"When a Christian makes a mistake, he does not lose his place as a son but loses his fellowship. Jesus is our Family Lawyer. Whenever we make a mistake and our fellowship is broken, He stands at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. We can immediately go to God about our behaviours. He will help us to get back on our feet, forgive us and help us not to make the same mistake again.”

Written By Tiny Mathew