It's "Marriage Prayer Friday!"

My husband is out of town for 2 weeks and it got me thinking about what distance means in marriage. For some, career travel and other physical separations are common or frequent. (We might praise God for Skype and FaceTime!) For others, the distance is at a soul level and there is deep grief. I am personally thankful that physical distance, or any kind of distance for that matter, CAN be an opportunity for couples to learn new ways of connecting. Let's seek the Lord on this!

A prayer for your own marriage—

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH (Lord My Companion), thank You that Your presence with me is not limited. I am so thankful that you are always accessible to me and my husband/wife, no matter where we are. We have experienced numerous separations as a couple. Sometimes the distance between us is physical and sometimes it is emotional or spiritual separation that affects us at a soul level. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, I ask You to intervene on our behalf against any forces that would come to harm our marriage. Thank you that every separation can be an opportunity for growth, new perspectives, deeper appreciation, increased longings, and a spirit of adventure that is exciting when we yield to Your grace, power and purposes. Please help us to use all the resources available to us, by Your wisdom, to ensure that our marriage is growing, thriving and reflecting You to our children and others. Dwell in our marriage, God, as You dwell in us. AMEN

Something to pray for a friend's marriage—

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH (Lord My Companion), thank You that Your presence with us is not limited — that you are always accessible no matter where we are. I have married friends and family who have experienced numerous separations as couples. Sometimes the distance has been physical and sometimes it has been emotional or spiritual. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, I ask You to intervene on behalf of these couples I name in my heart right now. Come against any forces that would try to harm these marriages. Thank you that every separation can be an opportunity for growth, new perspectives, deeper appreciation, increased longings, and a spirit of adventure that is exciting when yielded to Your grace, power and purposes. Please help my married friends to use all the resources available to them, by Your wisdom, to ensure that their marriages are growing, thriving and reflecting You to their children and others. Dwell in these marriages, God, as You dwell in these people I care deeply about. AMEN

FINDING GLORY Wednesday

God wants to do BIG things with the intersections of our lives so we hope that you'll do more than just experience this series privately but also step out in new levels of faith and share what you're thinking and learning. Your comments here are valuable to people reading all over the world. But your perspectives and faith stories shared in the daily moments of your life at work or school, on the playground and at the dinner table have the power to bring Light into other people's lives for something eternally good as well. Keep talking about the good gifts God is giving!

Today’s scripture and discussion question are:

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

PSALM 19:7-8

What connections exists between God's Word and having joy?

How have you experienced that in your life?

If you are part of a past or current Finding Glory Group, please give us your feedback about what is going well, what could be better, and how God is working. Your comments help us develop and improve future resources. Write us at larry@walkrightin.org or lisa@walkrightin.org.

For more information about Finding Glory Groups, visit http://www.findingglory.com/findingglorygrou.html.

The Pursuit of Peace

No one can expect inner peace unless their heart and mind are seeking Jesus. While a well-balanced life, exercise, a fun hobby and a good friend can help, we must recognize that deep and abiding peace — the kind that surpasses understanding — comes from only one place. Where? In the presence of our Heavenly Father. Let us be still and know that He is God.

Psalm 46

New Living Translation (NLT)

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Interlude

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Interlude

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.