But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.(2 Peter 3:18)
Sometimes we live so close to our spouse that we fail to see him as others may, after all, we are the ones to see our husband's faults the most.
But take a step back...
Perhaps he is growing spiritually in ways you have failed to appreciate or even noticed. How can you encourage his growth in a fresh, new way?
Remember, your husband is accountable to God, not you, for his spiritual development. You are accountable to God to encourage and not hinder that growth.
Can you identify an area of spiritual strength in your husband? Does he pray or read his Bible regularly? Does he like to read about or discuss spiritual matters? Does he go to church with you? Is he a spiritual leader? Is he taking strides in areas that used to cause conflicts in your marriage?
If you can identify a specific area, praise him for it! If not, pray earnestly that God will work in his heart, and watch for signs of spiritual growth in the future.
Your husband does have a free will regardless of your prayers, but that's where the consistent encouragement comes in with this challenge... the two hand in hand uplift your husband in a way that will not only urge God to work in him, but works as an enforcement through your positive role as well. It's your ultimate role as his help-meet.
While praying for your husband today, pray that he may he be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that he may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please God in all respects, bearing much fruit for God's glory. Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring men into his life who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead, encourage, or sidetrack him toward sin.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
(Colossians 1:9-12)
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
(Proverbs 13:20)
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
(Proverbs 27:17)
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 Sixteen!
May your marriage be blessed!
Prayer studies are adapted from ©Revive Our Hearts and ©Diving Deeper Ministries.
Used with permission.
