Praying for the Men

I read several marriage blogs and this one had a post the other day that was so great. It was posted as praying for the wives, but I thought we could swap it and use it to pray for our men. You can find the original post here.  Lets take our men before the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Our Father, in heaven, holy is your name. 

• Pray for his spirit of worship today

Your will be done, in earth as it is in heaven

• Pray for him to hear the whisper of God's voice,

• To know His will in all that he is doing.

• Pray for him to find the strength to carry out His will today.

Give us this day our daily bread.

• Pray for God to provide him the resources he needs today.  

• For the Lord to provide him abundant time to achieve all that he has to do.

• Strength to overcome obstacles, and help meeting all the needs of you and your family.

And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 

• Help me to have a spirit of forgiveness towards my husband.  

• Search my spirit and show me any areas I need to forgive my husband.

• Help him as he goes through his day today to walk in a spirit of peace and forgiveness.

• Help him to fully know and understand that he is forgiven, and to see himself as you see him.

And lead us not into temptation,

• Guard his mind and actions today

• Pray for any areas where your husband may struggle

Deliver us from evil. 

• Protect him from the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

• Protect him from danger.

• Pray for blessing over him.

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

• Help him to have a special Kingdom mindset today.

• Help him to lean not on his own power, but to depend on You in everything he is doing today.

• Help him to give You the glory in all that he does.

Praying for my kids

This week has bee a tough one. Some school issues came to a boiling point and I made some parenting decisions that brought out every insecure thought I've ever had. No doubt about it, parenting is the toughest thing I've ever done!

I have been reading the sample kindle download of Scared Parenting while I'm waiting on my copy to come from the library and my heart is so convicted.  I am reminded again of the simple truth that must prevail in a life following Jesus: It's not about me! I wish I could figure out why I so easily forget this!! I have such a fresh appreciation of the Father's patience with me and his great love!

Now that the school week is over and I prepare for next week, I want to lift my girls up to the one who loves them more than I ever could. I'm using Sharon Jaynes prayer cards.

Precious Jesus,

          I pray that my girls will know you as Savior early in life. (Psalm 63:1 2 Timothy 3:15)

I pray that my girls will have a hatred for sin. (Psalm 97:10) 

I pray that Lucy and Stinky Pete will be caught when they are guilty. (Psalm 119:71) 

I pray my children will have a responsible attitude in all their relationships. (Daniel 6:3)  

I pray my girls will respect those in authority over them. (Romans 13:1) 

I ask you Jesus to give my kids a desire for the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong ones. (Proverbs 1:10-11) 

Jesus, keep my girls from the wrong mates and saved for the right ones. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) 

I pray that Lucy and Stinky Pete will be kept pure until marriage as well as the ones they will marry. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) 

I pray that my girls will learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all things. (James 4:7) 

I pray that my children will be single-hearted and willing to be sold out to Christ. (Romans 12:1-2) 

I pray that Lucy and Stinky Pete will be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people and wrong places and that the wrong people cannot find their way to them. (Hosea 2:6)

Jesus, may my girls know your great love for them. Draw them in to you, woo them and bind yourself to their hearts. May they sense your presence daily, intimately, and undeniably.  May they see you for who you are and fall deeper and deeper in love with you each day. Jesus, open their eyes to see truth. Give them wisdom and guidance. Enable them to be strong, firm leaders who are sensitive to your voice and quick to be obedient. Thank you Jesus for the gift of life! How amazing is the blessing to be a mom!

Praying for the Men

I found these cute prayer cards over at Sharon Jaynes website that I thought we could use to pray for our men. These cards are so cute and for $3, such a deal!  Lets take our men before the throne.

Dear Lord, 

I pray for my man's head - that he will look to you as Lord of his life. (1 Corinthians 11:3) 

I pray for my man's mind - that he will have the mind of Christ and thinks as the Holy Spirit would lead him and not the flesh. (1 Corinthians 2:16) 

I pray for my man's eyes - that you will keep him from temptation and that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13, Mark 9:47) 

I pray for my man's ears - that he will hear your still small voice instructing him. (1 Kings 19:21 Psalm 32:8) 

I pray for my man's mouth - That his words will be pleasing to you. (Psalm 19:14) 

I pray for my man's 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) 

I pray for my man's heart - that he will love and trust you with his whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 3:5) 

I pray for my man's arms - that you will be his strength. (Psalm 73:26) 

I pray for my man's hands - that he will enjoy the work of his hands and see it as a gift from you. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19) 

I pray for my man's feet - that you will order his steps and that he will walk in your truth. (Proverbs 4:25-26, Psalm 26:3)

Thank you Jesus for my man! Amen.

She also has this great list on her website of things your man wants to hear from you that I thought were worth sharing.

Twenty-five Things Your Husband Longs to Hear

1. I’m so proud of you.
2. If I had to do it all over again, I’d marry you.
3. I missed you today.
4. I’ve been thinking about you all day.
5. I’m so lucky to have married a man like you.
6. What can I do for you today?
7. How can I pray for you today?
8. You are so strong.
9. Thank you for working so hard for our family.
10. Other men could learn a lot about______ from you.
11. The best part of my day is when you come home.
12. You are one of God’s most precious gifts to me.
13. Great job!
14. Thank you.
15. I’m sorry.
16. You are wonderful.
17. That was really great.
18. You’re so smart.
19. You look so handsome in that shirt.
20. You make my day bright.
21. Thank you for being my husband.
22. I don’t feel complete without you.
23. I appreciate all you’ve done for me this week.
24. I’m so glad I married you.
25. You are my best friend.

Candid Conversations with God

My fellow blogger and homeschooler over at Confessions of a Homeschooler posted the following thoughts last week and I thought it was so great! This applies to so much more than homeschooling.

Be encouraged as you read, He knows where you are and exactly what you need.

I wanted to share the conversation I had with God before we started homeschooling. It came to me a few times so maybe it’s the Lord’s way of asking me to share, so here we go…

Dear Jesus,

I wanted to discuss this whole homeschooling thing you have called us to. I have a few concerns and would just like to hear from you, you know some kind of confirmation that we should homeschool, that we’re on the right track, because I’m freaking out just a bit. So here’s where I’m at with this whole thing…

1. I’m scared.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsakeyou. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deut 31;8)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt 28:20)

2. I’m worried about what other people will think or say.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. (Prov 29:25)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov 9:10)

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

3. I doubt my own ability to teach my kids effectively.

…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

4. I don’t think we can afford it.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

5. How can I take care of my home, family, and daily responsibilities and homeschool?

If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

6. I’m so overwhelmed, I don’t even know where to start!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6)

6. What about my free time?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

7. What if my kids turn out weird and un-socialized?

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

8. What if I lose friends or family because they disapprove?

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. Philippians 3:1-8

9. What about my attitude and, um shall we say lack of patience?

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation”. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:14-18)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

…for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20)

10. Um, so are you saying I’m going to be tested? Because we all know how that turns out…

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 1:3-5)

10. What if I can’t hack it? I mean it’s always easier said then done!

…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12: 1-3)

11. How am I to teach, I don’t even have a teaching degree?

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut 6-9)

12. Okay, I’m out of excuses, any final advice?

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

and thus began our journey…

Praying for the kids

The same way that I am praying for my man, I gotta include my kids.  A couple of months ago at a women's retreat, I found out about an outstanding organization called Moms In Touch.  They have groups that meet all over the country for this amazing ministry.  I can't encourage you enough to go check it out. At the retreat, the leader took us through a time of prayer for our kids that was intense for me and called me out to be a praying mom, so I thought it'd be really cool if we prayed for our kids together just like we are praying for our men.  If you don't have kids, maybe you would consider praying for a niece or nephew, some neighbor hood kids, or your local elementary or high school.

The following is a prayer guide from Moms in Touch: ( forgive me praying their blog nicknames! haha)

Loving Father, I pray that my girls will know that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except though Him. (John 14:6)

I ask that You command Your angels concerning Lucy and Stink Pete to guard them in all their ways. (Psalm 91:11)

I pray that my precious girls will hide Your Word in their heart that they might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)

I pray that Lucy and Stinky Pete would flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)

I pray that my girls will not be misled: bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

I pray that my children will walk before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion, and do what is good in Your eyes. (Isaiah 38:3)

May the Lord give Lucy and Stinky Pete a new heart and put a new spirit in them; may He remove their hearts of stone and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)

I pray that my children will be strong and courageous, and do the work. That they will not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with Lucy and Stinky Pete. Lord, you will not fail Lucy or Stinky Pete or forsake them. You will see to it that all the work of the Lord is finished correctly. (1 Chronicles 28:20)

Let my children not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. (Galations 6:9)

Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, may Lucy and Stinky Pete clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

I pray that my girls may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Colossians 4:12)

I pray that Lucy and Stinky Pete may be peacemakers who plant seeds of peace and reap harvests of righteousness. (James 3:18)

I pray that my children may submit themselves, then, to God. Resisting the devil and he will flee. (James 4:7)

I pray that whatever Lucy and Stinky Pete do, they will work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since my girls know they they will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ my children are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

So Lucy and Stinky Pete, be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you nor abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Thank you Jesus, that you are faithful and will complete the good work in them that you have started!  I give you my children, Jesus, and I give you all praise!

Praying for the Men

We are in full swing here at Trinity and it is no time to stop praying for my man.  If you are joining me, lets talk to The Creator about our men. (I am still using this book as our guide.)

Perfect God, grant my husband the courage that only You can give.  Help him to remember that You promised in Your word that he can do all things through Jesus and that he should never be afraid or discouraged or dismayed because You, his God, will be with him always.  Thank you God, in Jesus' name,  for filling my husband with courage.  

God in accordance with Your word...

I pray that my husband will be persuaded that  neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing  shall be able to separate him from the love of God  which is in Christ Jesus his Lord. (Romans 8:38-30)

I pray that my husband will always fear not, for You, God, are with him.  I pray that he will not be dismayed, for You are his God.  I pray that You will strengthen him and  help him and uphold him with Your righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

I pray that my husband will wait on You, Lord; the he will be of good courage and You shall strengthen his heart. (Psalm 27:14)

I pray that my husband will be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, will let his requests be made known to You, God. (Philippians 4:6)

I pray that whatever things are true, what ever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-that my husband will meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) 

I pray that my husband will wait on You, Lord, and that he shall renew his strength.  I pray that he shall mount up with wings like eagles; that he shall run and not be weary; that he shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Thank you Father for Your faithfulness to my man. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Praying for Strength

The ministry year kicks off here at Trinity in a few weeks with lots of exciting new opportunities on the horizon. I'm so eager to see what God has in store for us and for our Trinity family. This is an essential time to be praying for my man and for me to continue to Unself.  I would like to invite you to join in and pray for your hubby or some other significant man in your life as the Lord prompts. I am using this book to guide us in praying the Word together.

God, in accordance with Your Word...

I pray that my husband shall wait on You, Lord, and that he shall renew his strength. I pray that he shall mount up with wings like eagles, that he shall run and not be weary, and that he shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

I pray that my husband will fear not, for you are with him. I pray that he will not be dismayed, for You are his God. I pray that You will strengthen him and help him and that You will uphold him with You righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

I pray that You Lord, are my husband's rock and his fortress and his deliverer; his God, his strength, in whom he will trust; his shield and the horn of his salvation, his stronghold. I pray that he will call upon You, Lord, who are worthy to be praised; so shall he be saved from his enemies. (Psalm 18:2-3)

I pray that You, Lord are my husband's light and his salvation, and that You are the strength of his life. (Psalm 27:1)

I pray, God, that You will strengthen my husband according to Your word. (Psalm 119:28)

I pray that my husband can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. (Philippians 4:13)

I pray that my husband will be strong in You, Lord, and in the power of Your might, I pray that he will put on the whole armor of God, that he may be able to stand against the the wiles of the devil. For he does not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

I pray that my husband will take up Your whole armor, God, that he may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, I pray that he will stand therefore, having girded his waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod his feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which he will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. I pray also that he will take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Jesus, may my hubby know that Your grace is sufficient for him and that your power is made perfect in weakness. May my hubby boast all the more gladly of his weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon him. For the sake of Christ then, may he be content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when my hubby is weak, then he is strong. (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

Thank you God for your faithfulness to continue what you have started in my man.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Praying for the Men

The other night Mike was sharing with me some thoughts from a meeting about the upcoming sermon series here at Trinity. Some pretty cool stuff is in store. The title of the series is "Unself" dealing with, well,... getting over and out of self.

I've had a couple of opportunities to offer thoughts and opinions and last night the Lord connected some dots for me to further this concept. There have been so many dots! Conversations, blogs, bible study, prayer and texts that have pointed to this same idea giving myself away : Unselfing (Have I ever mentioned I love making up words?)

It began with the gentle conviction and now a confession that I do not pray for my man in the same way that I pray for myself. I was reminded of a book that I used years ago to pray for Mike and am prompted to use again. Then I had the thought that I might not be the only one who could use some encouragement and direction in praying for my man. So here I am at what I hope will be a regular post on my blog. If you are not married, don't feel left out. There are men all around you who need prayer. Maybe you could consider praying for your dad, son, brother or boss just to give a few ideas. The point is to be giving your self away.

The format of this book I'm going to use as a guide is to take a topic and personalize scripture into a prayer. Hebrews tells us that the word of God is alive and active. James says that the prayer of a righteous (wo)man has great power. I'm not sure there is a better way to pray than to pray the Scriptures. Would anyone care to unself with me and pray for our men?

Lord God, I pray your words to You as my way to ask You to love my husband in a very special way. Help him Lord to experience Your love through your word and other ways as well. God in accordance with your Word...

I pray that my husband loves You, God, because You first loved him. (1 John 4:19)

I pray that my husband remembers that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate him from the love of You, God, which is in Christ Jesus his Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

I pray that my husband knows that You, God, have loved him with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness You have drawn him. (Jeremiah 31:3)

I pray that my husband realizes that You, God, rejoice over him with gladness. That You will quiet him with your love and that you rejoice over him with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Thank you Father, In Jesus' name, Amen