Friday, July 1, 2011

It's "Marriage Prayer Friday!"

We appreciate all who are joining us in this weekly commitment to prayer for marriage — the critical and sacred union designed by God to bring His children great blessing while causing great glory to Himself.

Sadly, there are many who are struggling in marriage and often feeling very alone. If you are one of those today, please know that we are standing in the gap with you, committed to asking God for growth, refreshment and even miraculous restoration. Please keep praying and don't hesitate to let us know if we can pray more personally and specifically for you. The Walk Right In Ministries Intercessory Prayer team will gladly come alongside in strict confidentiality to pray for you and for your family. Contact us at prayer@walkrightin.org.

May God bless you all this holiday weekend!

A prayer for your own marriage—
PATIENT LORD, I am so thankful that you are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Countless times you have forgiven me when I deserved nothing less than Your wrath. When I have failed to yield to the changes You wanted to make in me, You have still pursued me with Your steadfast love. Please help me to better reflect these things toward my husband/wife. The psalmist asked, “How long, oh Lord?” I have found myself asking that at different times too. (How long do I have to wait for my spouse to love me the way I want to be loved? How long do I have to wait for my husband/wife to give his/her life to You, Jesus? How long does our family have to wait for a better job or something important we need? How long must we wait for better health or healing to come?) You know what intimate questions I have asked You, God, and you know perfectly well what I am waiting for yet today, Holy Spirit. Please strengthen me and help me to persevere, God. Help me to discern when my waiting is necessary and worth it versus when You are prompting me to move on in some way. Help me to never rush ahead of You! Please fill me with Your peace, hope, and long-suffering love and help me to reflect Your mercy, grace, and abounding love to my spouse — whether I think he/she deserves it or not. I want this to be about what You think is best, Lord, not what I think is best. Thank you for the power of the shed blood of Jesus in my life, Lord God! AMEN

Something to pray for a friend's marriage—
PATIENT LORD, I am so thankful that you are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Countless times you have forgiven me when I deserved nothing less than Your wrath. When I have failed to yield to the changes You wanted to make in me, You have still pursued me with Your steadfast love. This is also true for my married friends, Lord, and I pray on behalf of their marriages today. Please help them to better reflect these qualities toward each other. The psalmist asked, “How long, oh Lord?” Some of my married friends may be asking this question today as it relates to their marriage and family. You know perfectly well what intimate questions they have asked You, God, and what they may be waiting for yet today, Holy Spirit. Please strengthen them and help them to persevere. Help them to discern when their waiting is necessary and worth it versus when You are prompting them to move on in some way. Help them to never rush ahead of You! Please fill them with Your peace, hope, and long-suffering love and help them to reflect Your mercy, grace, and abounding love to each other. Increase their desire to follow Your ways, oh Lord. Thank you for the power of the shed blood of Jesus that allows me to pray in authority and stand in the gap for my friends, Lord God! AMEN