When Wives Pray -Part 6

"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." Ephesians 5:33

One of the biggest problems in marriages is when our expectations of what we thought our husband should be or do doesn't coincide with the reality of who he is.

As a young wife I thought I could just change Dana into what I wanted him to be. When all my efforts failed I would be so frustrated. Thankfully a wise woman told me that if I changed him into what I thought I wanted I would take away the essence of Dana, which is what I fell in love with in the first place. That was some great advice! So then...I began my prayer journey.

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Prov. 24:3,4).

Most would assume no woman would marry a man she didn't love, but too often a wife loses respect for her husband after they've been married for a while. Loss of respect seems to precede loss of love and is more hurtful to a man than we realize.

We should pray that God would help us esteem our husband the way His Word says.

We need to:

*Confess the times you have been disrespectful to him because it is a sin against God.

*Pray for unconditional love for him.

*Pray that God would tear down any walls between the two of you.

*Pray that God would give you a heart for him.

*Pray that God would allow you to see him through His eyes.

Praying like this gives us fresh eyes for our husband. We can see more clearly his potential for greatness instead of always focusing on his flaws. We have to have God's discernment to be able to understand where he is coming from, what he is feeling and why he does the things he does (Ps. 119:66).

The most important 'good' a wife can do for her husband is pray. Pray that God would give you goodness, kindness, long suffering, in place of selfishness, impatience and irritability. Ask God to transform you (Gal. 5:22,23). Ask Him to make us our husband's helpmate, companion, champion, friend and support. That He would motivate you to take care of yourself spiritually, mentally and physically. That He would grow you into a creative and confident woman who is rich in mind, soul and spirit (Prov. 31:10-31).

We need to lay our expectations of him at the foot of the cross. Release him to the Father and know that we do not expect him to fulfill us in areas we should be looking to God for. Pray that God would teach us how to pray for them and that or prayers would be a true love language (Amos 3:3). Pray that God would make you a team, working together in all areas of life, cheering him on and celebrating his successes (Rom. 15:5).

Pray that he would become the head of your home in every aspect. That you would release any strongholds of where you want to be in control. That you would take your respectful place under him as he becomes your leader. Pray for his very important role.

He has a lot to answer for when he faces the Lord one day, but we have just as much to answer for, especially if we are not a helpmate, and instead, try to stand in his way. May God breathe His life into your marriage.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Give us, who are wives, fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and a renewed relationship with the man You've given to us. Help us to see him with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance. Give my husband a new wife, and let it be me. Amen.

Be mindful to pray for:

His Obedience

His Self Image

His Faith

His Future