Category: prayer

What Do You Pray for Your Husband?

Posted on by Evangeline

 

I’ll be honest…sometimes, I realize that it’s been a while since I’ve prayed a targeted prayer for my husband. You know, something more than “God bless him with favor at work” or, “Help him Lord to do what it takes to be healthy”.

Using Scripture in your prayers is not only wise, it’s strategic and powerful! I know the importance and effectiveness of praying God’s Word and yet there are times when I don’t do it. Can you relate?

How often do you find yourself praying for your husband? When you do, are you praying strategically and using God’s Word in your prayers?

I’d like to share one of the Word-based prayers I’ve prayed for my husband before. It’s based on Ephesians 3:16. Here it is from The Passion Translation:

And I pray that He would unveil within you the unlimited riches of His glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with His divine might and explosive power.

See how much more powerful that is than my somewhat puny prayer of “God bless him with favor”? 🙂

Praying His Word assures me that God hears my prayer (see 1John 5:14-15). It helps me pray with confidence and boldness. I simply read Scripture to the Lord as part of my prayer time! It blesses me AND I know that I’m praying according to His will.

Here’s another scripture I’ve prayed for my husband (Zechariah 4:6 EXB):

I am the Lord All-Powerful. So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit. 

This verse applies to a multitude of “issues” that I might feel led to pray about.

Do you pray Scripture? If so, what Scripture have you recently prayed for your husband? Please share it in the comments below.

Using Scripture in your prayers is not only wise, it's strategic and powerful! Share on X

 

prayer - how to trust

Your Prayer Life: How Strong Is It?

Posted on by Evangeline

A prayer life is the foundation of good success.

Have you incorporated prayer into each day in order to get positive results? How do you pray?

Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that we need to beg God to give us what we desire. But Psalm 37:4 NLT tells us that He will place His desires in us if we ask Him and trust Him and then He will manifest those desires.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

We may even think that our prayers should somehow manipulate God to overlook our missteps/sins in life, hoping that He will not condemn us. But Romans 8:1 assures us that because of Christ, we are no longer under condemnation. So there’s no need for manipulating Him.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Approaching God in Your Prayer Life

There is a protocol in approaching God. We’re given an outline of that protocol throughout the Psalms. And we’re given some important keys about how to come into His presence. 

Psalm 100 says we are to enter his gates with thanksgiving, enter his courts with praise and be thankful to him. Praise and thanksgiving are critical in an effective prayer life. I think it’s good to start prayers by expressing gratitude.

When we include Scripture in our prayers, it is a call to action for God and His angels. They are moved by his Word. He honors His Word and always keeps His promises. 

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. – Psalm 138:2 NKJV

Victory Through Prayer

As we take time to talk with God, it is also our opportunity to make a strong, bold declaration that reminds the enemy that Jesus defeated him through the cross. We can freely declare our gratitude for a life filled with deliverance, victory, and power!

Husband and Wife: Praying God’s Word Together

Posted on by Evangeline

If you’ve read many of my blog posts, you know I’m a big proponent of speaking God’s Word out loud. Our words carry the power of life and death. Jesus said that His words were spirit and life (not about death!). So why not ensure that your words are carriers of life by infusing Scripture in what you say?

“The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit. They give life.” John 6:63 NIRV

When Jesus was faced with temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), He always answered the taunts of the devil with something from Scripture by saying, “It is written…”. I think we should imitate the example He set!

Husband and Wife Praying

That’s why I want to encourage you to consider including speaking relevant Scripture out loud when you pray with your spouse.  There’s a special power available when God hears a husband and wife praying together–we’re assured that He’s in the midst (Matthew 18:19-20). AND, there’s added power if that couple is incorporating God’s Word– Scripture –in their prayers. Check out my previous post in this series on praying with your spouse.

As you start/build and strengthen the habit of praying with your spouse, here is a sampling of verses you can incorporate in your prayers. Speaking God’s Word is how you apply His promises to your situation. It also increases your faith and empowers you to pray with confidence that He hears your prayers. Another benefit is that it will help you believe that He will follow through on what He said in His Word (Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:14,15).

Praying Scripture

Print and share these verses with your spouse as you prepare to pray together:

[Romans 8:1 ESV]  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

[Psalm 118:1 ESV]  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

[Psalm 66:20 ESV]  Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

[Isaiah 41:10 ESV]  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

[Jeremiah 32:39 ESV] I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

[2Corinthians 2:14 ESV] But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.

[Psalm 84:11 ESV] For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

What other verses would you add to this list?

As you start/build and strengthen the habit of praying with your spouse, here is a sampling of Bible verses you can incorporate in your prayers. Share on X
Praying with your spouse - love in action

Praying with Your Spouse

Posted on by Evangeline

What is an advantage of praying with  your spouse? Taking time to pray with your husband can help you get thru the daily grind of handling issues at home, at work, within relationships, etc. And it can help the two of you draw closer to one another and to the Lord.

I’ve learned over 37 years of marriage that there’s a certain “magic” that you can experience when praying with your spouse. Incorporating this action/habit into your life will help fortify your marriage. Even if there is conflict in the relationship, praying together will work to defuse the disagreements. Also, there is power in praying together because the two of you are inviting the God of the universe to be involved in your circumstances.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20 NIV

Prayer always serves to bring calm in the midst of the storm. This is true especially when your prayers are infused with the Word of God. It’s good to find scripture verses to include in your prayer time. Look for verses that specifically address the issue you’re praying about. By doing so, you’ll see how praying together will bring a peaceful and unifying effect to your daily life.

There is power in praying together because the two of you are inviting the God of the universe to be involved in your circumstances (see Matthew 18:19-20). Share on X

Does Praying with Your Spouse Feel Weird?

Praying with your spouse may feel weird at first. Due to circumstances that affect your marriage, it may not be easy to do. But don’t give up! As you and your spouse become more comfortable with regularly interacting with God together, the more you’ll see evidence of His guidance,  wisdom and peace.

Praying together should be friendly, not forced. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some suggestions of things to pray about:

  • blessings you’re thankful for
  • how to joyfully serve one another
  • protection of your family
  • the health of each of you

Consistent fellowship with God by praying your concerns and the things you’re thankful for with your spouse can transform your marriage. By getting in touch with His love for the both of you, your marriage relationship is strengthened. And then you’re better able to recognize and enjoy the blessings He has planned for the both of you.

 

Prayer : We All Have Our Own Perspective

Posted on by Evangeline

What’s your prayer perspective? How do you see the importance of and the effectiveness of prayer?

The definition of prayer according to Webster’s Dictionary is:

In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits.

My definition of prayer is :

Talking with God.

Conversations with God should be like those we have with our closest friends. We should be able to tell Him everything. He is, after all, described as a friend in the Bible.

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ~ James 2:23 NIV

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.  ~ John 15:15NIV

Prayer Perspective: Praying Scripture

In addition to sharing my heart with Him, I like to also incorporate Scripture in my talks with Him. When I tell Him what He has said, I am reminded of the promises He’s made and the power of His Word. Isaiah told us that when we “return” God’s Word to Him (by speaking it aloud), it will be effective in carrying out God’s intentions and will not be void of results.

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. ~ Isaiah 55:11 NKJV

For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them. ~ Proverbs 22:18 AMPC

Pray for Your Husband

In a previous post, I mentioned praying for husbands. So today, I’m sharing a specific prayer you can pray for your husband as you fellowship with your Creator, Protector, and loving Father.

Lord, help __________________________ to realize who he is in Christ. Give him certainty and clarity that he was created for a high purpose. Enable him to walk worthy of his calling. And help him become more and more of the godly man you made to him to be. Grant him a fresh revelation of Your love for him. Give him patience to wait for Your perfect timing as You work in his life. May he seek You for direction, clearly hear when You speak to him, and then act on what You say to him.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I like to also incorporate Scripture in my talks with God. Telling Him what He has said acts as a reminder to me of the promises He's made and the power of His Word. Share on X
Praying - where is god

Praying for Your Husband

Posted on by Evangeline

Do you have confidence when you’re praying for your husband?

I want to encourage you to trust the power of God’s Word and show your confidence in it by including it in your prayers for your husband.

I love finding Scripture that is applicable to whatever is on my mind. Sometimes, I think of a keyword about whatever my concern is and then I look it in a concordance to find a verse that relates. Other times, a verse may come to my remembrance and I search for it in various translations. I like to use BlueletterBible for both of these searches. Currently, I’m praying Ephesians 3:16 AMPC for my hubby:

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 

Praying Scripture

Have you prayed Scripture before? If so, how you confident did you feel about it?

Be encouraged… God said His Word would not return to Him void. So when you return His Word to Him by praying it and by confessing it aloud, you can have confidence that He not only hears you but He’s also putting appropriate action behind His Word.

In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do. – Isaiah 55:11 ERV

That’s right. From this know that I am watching over My word until it is accomplished. – Jeremiah 1:12 VOICE

We have such confidence in him that we are certain that he hears every request that is made in accord with his own plan. And since we know that he invariably gives his attention to our prayers, whatever they are about, we can be quite sure that our prayers will be answered. – 1 John 5:14-15 PHILLIPS

As you’re praying for your husband, have confidence in God’s Word being true for him.

What’s on your mind today about your husband? What Scripture is applicable to that concern or desire?  Please share the Scripture in the comments below.

So when you return His Word to Him by praying it and by confessing it aloud, you can have confidence that He not only hears you but He's also putting appropriate action behind His Word. Share on X
Speak the Word

What is the Foundation to Answered Prayer for Your Current Challenge?

Posted on by Evangeline

When you pray, how are your prayers shaped? By your feelings? By what you’ve heard others pray? The foundation to answered prayer always starts with God’s Word.

Scriptures are the building blocks for effective prayer. Isaiah 55:11 (NIV) encourages us to pray the words that God uses in His promises.

So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Tips to Answered Prayer

God already stated that His promises are Yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). So take the time to find the specific Scripture that addresses your specific problem/mountain. Then strengthen your belief in that Scripture by repeatedly and consistently speaking it to yourself. That will build your faith in God’s specific promise. Finally, PRAY that Scripture–return it to Him, as Isaiah instructs us to do, by speaking it in prayer to Him. Mark 11:23-24 encourages us because Jesus said:

“I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

 

I think the key phrase in those verses is “if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Jesus was teaching an important prayer principle. He wanted us to understand that when we pray believing that His work is already done, and believing that the thing we desire is already ours, we can stand knowing that it is a done deal. Even if we don’t yet see it manifested, we can have a heart that stands strong in the belief that it’s done and that thanks God for it! It is confident in receiving answered prayer.

Pray the Word

God is not a liar. His answer is always “Yes” to His Word. Trust Him. It’s through Jesus’ finished work on the cross that we choose to believe that He has already done what He said. He IS a promise keeper!

Let your prayers be shaped by God’s words.

What Scripture(s) do you pray and stand on with gratitude about infertility or some other challenge you’re currently facing?

Jesus taught an important prayer principle here. He wanted us to understand that we can have confidence in experiencing answered prayer. Share on X
God says - prayer - stand firm

A Prayer To Help You Through the Season of Infertility

Posted on by Evangeline

You can always decide to have a new prayer season, one in which you stand firm on a Scripture that addresses your current problem. Here’s another Scripture-based prayer for you to use during the season of infertility:

Heavenly Father, I know You see me. I know You love me. But it’s difficult to see Your purpose in this season of infertility. Despite that, I know that You’re working, even when I don’t feel like You are. Thank You for that.

Would You please comfort me right now? Open my eyes and my heart so that I can see and receive Your love. Help me to remain focused on the solution (Jesus) and not on the problem (infertility). Show me how to speak Your Word to this mountain. I need wisdom and instruction about how to rest in Your willingness and ability to change my circumstances.

Help me to remain focused on the solution (Jesus) and not on the problem (infertility). Share on X

I pray that I’ll walk in Love daily so that I can see the supernatural take place. Help me live each day in faith, being confident in Your power and in Your love for me. Please give me insight about how to mix faith with patience, so that I will stand strong in Christ for the blessing of children to be manifested in my life. I desire a fresh vision, to see myself with the child(ren) You have planned for me and my husband.  

I ask that You help me dwell in Your presence and that You will show Yourself strong on our behalf.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

If you decide to have a new prayer season, how will you use this prayer? Please share in the comments below.

#Don’tStopBelieving! 

Are You Strong Enough to Ask for Help?

Posted on by Evangeline

strong enough to ask for help

Can you relate to this scene? You’ve had too many hard days and you’re feeling lonely, misunderstood, and emotionally weak. You just want to make the pain stop.

Are you strong enough to ask for help? That may sound like an oxymoron, but it really does take strength to ask for help.

So many times, we can get stuck in that place of feeling weak. We believe the lie that we’ll appear even weaker if we make it known that we need assistance in making life better… or at least bearable.

In spite of what is going on in your life, it’s important to decide to go to the One who loves you through it all and has the power to change it all.

Here’s a prayer that I hope will encourage you to be strong enough to pray and ask for help so that you step into your place of strength, right in the midst of your weakness and pain.

Ask for Help

Lord, I need You. I’m hungry for You. I’m thirsting for You.

Help me to believe Your words are true, to trust You more, and to expect You to work in my life. Help me to say so.

Show me the power of Your Word.

Teach me how to use Your Word so that I can be strong in facing my challenges.

Give me wisdom. Encourage me. Strengthen me. Help me to hear You more through Your Word, so that my faith grows.

Open my eyes to see You. Help me to focus on Jesus.

Open my ears to hear You.

Soften my heart and adjust my desire so that match Your desires for my life.

Help me to always see Your love for me. Your love makes me strong.

Help me to always acknowledge my need for You… and to ask for Your help.

I want to always be open to receive Your guidance and assistance.

Thank You for loving me.

Thanks for being EVERYTHING I need.

Thank You that Your grace is always working on my behalf, especially in this moment.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

In spite of what may be going on in your life, it's important to decide to go to the One who loves you through it all and has the power to change it all. Share on X
Prayer

A Prayer of Confidence: Psalm 3

Posted on by Evangeline

How do you pray with confidence? I love finding points in the Word that are applicable to my circumstances so that I can pray them. Praying the Word brings power into prayer. Jesus set that example for us. Praying Scripture instills confidence about our prayers.

I’d like to give you this prayer that I crafted from points in Psalm 3. I hope that it encourages you!

Prayer Points from Psalm 3

“Lord, it seems like so many factors are against me and I feel like they’re surrounding me. It’s as if they’re screaming at me, ‘God’s not on your side!’ BUT, Scripture assures me that You are on my side. You are like a shield that surrounds me. You are the One who lifts my head when I’m feeling down.

In the past, I cried out to You and You answered me. I have confidence You’ll continue to answer me. I dare to close my eyes in the midst of chaos so that I can sleep and rest. Because of You, I wake up in safety– You watch over me even as I sleep. Just like a loving father should. Even though I feel surrounded by negative circumstances, I’m not afraid.

Lord, I ask You to ARISE against my enemies and confirm who You are by saving me from these troubles in my mind, body, and spirit.

I’m grateful that my victory comes from You. Thank you for loving me and keeping Your hand of blessing upon me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

What part(s) of this prayer did you find helpful in building your confidence in prayer? Please leave a comment below!

Praying the Word brings power into prayer. Share on X