I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.(Song of Solomon 7:10)
While the concentration of prayer for our husband today is off-topic from this, it's time to acknowledge the elephant in the room of marriage...
The Sexual Relationship.
It's one of those elements, right along side with money and children, that can derail a marriage through negative comments. Negativity destroys intimacy... it becomes the last thing a couple is interested in when a "poke at the faults war" is going on. However, encouragement toward your spouse builds and strengthens the marriage bond, in turn strengthening the intimacy as well.
Let's get practical here. Is your husband a "good lover"? Have you told him so? Be specific. Let him know when he pleases you. Most husbands genuinely want to please their wives, especially in this important area of marriage. Perhaps this is a struggle for some. In moments of intimacy if you find your mind wandering, this can change as you focus on something wonderful about your husband. Realize that your husband wants intimacy with you... his desire is toward you.
Your girlfriends and neighbors have nothing to do with what's going on behind closed doors, so keep them out of a discussion about it afterwards, regardless of whether it's good or bad. Your intimate times with your husband should be kept sacred between the two of you. It's a line of trust and intimacy that should never be crossed!
Does this area of your marriage need some work? Remember that this is a sensitive area for men, whether they admit to it or not. Be sure to encourage his lovemaking and masculinity in positive ways... and remember, keep it between you and him!
While praying for your husband today, bind the spirits of procrastination, laziness, complacency and foolishness far from him, so he won’t be delayed or diverted from moving ahead in the works God has created for him to accomplish. Pray that your husband uses practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
(Galatians 5:13)
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
(Philippians 2:3-4)
Whether your husband already has a strong root in doing these things, or is an unsaved sinner running from God, prayers seeking these things with selfless humility will uplift and encourage him to become or continue to be a spiritual leader and guardian of the home as God has designed him to be!
Just a reminder about this 30 Days of Covering Our Husbands in Prayer:
Each day for 30 consecutive days, I will be posting a husband related topic, devotion, motivator, and/or encouragement here on my blog. Please feel free to access this prayer challenge any time you feel ready to start, or even to re-do the challenge to enforce the strength of the Lord in your marriage. You can click here for a printable calendar to view each day when going to prayer for your husband. Each day provides specific biblical prayer topics with bible verse references that seek God to touch the lives of our husbands.
In addition to specific prayer each day, there is a daily two-part challenge for you that will build up your husband through your own spoken (and unspoken) words:
Feel free to join me at any time in this prayer venture over your husband. You can always refer to my blog archives (the beginning post is May 24, 2012) if you're starting day one while my posts are further ahead in the challenge. If you have a blog, you're welcome to take the "30 Days of Covering Our Husbands in Prayer" graphic above and link it back to this topic's starting post (here), to encourage others to meet the Lord in prayer over their husbands too. If you decide to make this a goal for the next month in your life, whether you have a blog of your own or not, please comment or send me a message, I would be honored to pray for you by name as you seek God through the journey... regardless of when you begin it!
See you tomorrow for Day Fourteen!
May your marriage be blessed!
Prayer studies are adapted from ©Revive Our Hearts and ©Diving Deeper Ministries.
Used with permission.
