DARE: Begin praying for your spouse's heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse's life and in your marriage.
"You cannot change your spouse. As much as you may want to, you cannot play God and reach into their heard and mold them into what you want them to be. But that's what most couples spend a large part of their time trying to do- change their spouse."
Todays dare is on interceding for your spouse. We all have things that bug us about our spouses. Since mine is reading this now, it might a little weird jsut stating the things I want to change, but here is the thing. It isn't my place to change them. The books says something profound. We all know what the definition is of insanity right? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But isn't that what happens every time we ladies nag, nag, nag at our spouses? Or complain that they don't something we want them to do? For example, I haven't watched an AUburn game with Cory all year for one reason. Last night I entitle him Mr. Negative Auburn Fan. (and btw WAR EAGLE) He knows it! He is one of the most negative true fans I have ever seen. And it bugs me! But reading today's lesson gives me new perspective. WHO CARES if he is negative?! That is the only thing I can really think of in his WHOLE life that he has negativity towards - that's it! And he LOVES some Auburn football! Hanging out with him is really a blessing, and I really should have been more excited that he wanted to watch the game with me! I know that is nothing compared to what some of you may be going through. But here is what the book suggests:
We have to turn it over to God. Most of us ladies long for our husbands to be more spiritual leaders in the household. But we have to turn it over to God. We are doing this dare to nurture our spouses heart by changing ourselves from the inside out. Then depend on God' for the results! Of course, we can do it alone. Why would we try? We need to focus one something more powerful that anything else we have...Prayer! Believe me, it works! Look at us?! Prayer can keep us from giving up. Pray can bring peace. Prayer can make a difference. I have had so many of you praying for us, Cory's family, my family, Cory's best friend, our friends....Prayer works! But you must remember, the God is sovereign. he might not do it our way and may not give us every little thing we wish for, but He does desire a close relationship with us, with me and with you!
There are some key points that must be in place for prayer to work. The Bible says "Confess your sins toone another and pray for one another...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16 This may be the answer some of us are looking for!
Isn't funny how God gives us such close insight into our spouses faults? We no them better than anyone. Wonder why? Not so we can nag and scold them and try to make them a better person, but so we can intimately pray for them. We find we can fix each other better than we can fix ourselves. But me, a wife, can accomplish more through strategic prayer than from all her persuasive efforts. And it is a much more pleasant way to live, than stressing day by day about what Cory is doing wrong!
So today, I will pray specifically for Cory. After my dare challenge, on my hands and knees. The book suggests to: Pray for his heart. Pray for attitude. Pray for his responsibilities to God. pray for truth to replace lies. Pray for forgiveness that would replace bitterness. And pray for your heart's desires - for love and honor to become the norm. Pray for romance and intimacy.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you."
No comments:
Post a Comment