Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.(Psalm 16:11)
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
(Psalm 144:15)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22)
It's hard to criticize others when we are enjoying their company. Instead of speaking negatively to your husband today, enjoy him! Encourage him! As you experience fullness of joy with God, share some of that joy with your husband.
Does your husband have a playful side? A great sense of humor? Is there a "little boy" that wants to escape from time to time, reflecting the joy in his heart? This is a wonderful part of who he is, and a great strength. Let him know that you appreciate his joyfulness and his playful spirit. Find opportunities to join him in positive play times.
If your husband can sometimes be overly serious, coax him out occasionally for some play times. It could help him relieve stress and relax.
While praying for your husband today, pray that the Lord will cause him to excel in all that he puts his hands to, as you trust God to guide him, since it's by His Spirit that he be successful. Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective, living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism, worldly values, and temporary pleasures, instead putting God first in all areas of his life.
...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
(Zechariah 4:6)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(Matthew 6:33)
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
(Deuteronomy 6:5)
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
(Ephesians 5:15-17)
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12)
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 Nineteen!
May your marriage be blessed!
Prayer studies are adapted from ©Revive Our Hearts and ©Diving Deeper Ministries.
Used with permission.
