Tag: 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
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! 

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

 

 

A Prayer for Your Strength, Energy, and Health

Posted on by Evangeline

Is there ever a day where you don’t feel like you need more strength and energy? How often does that prompt you to pray for good health?

Here’s a prayer that you might want to use. It relates to your health and is based on Scripture. I’ve included a graphic of it that you can save, print, and share. The graphic includes the Scripture references that are foundational to the prayer.

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me.
Thank You that Your promises to me are true.
I praise You because You make all things new. 
You made it possible for Your life to be manifest in my body.
Because of what You did on the cross, I have authority to reject any sickness or condition that tries to attack my body.
I believe You have already healed me. 
I declare I am filled with strength and energy because You want me to live in wholeness!
AMEN!

prayer for health

HAPPY NEW YEAR- Expect to be Blessed in 2017

Posted on by Evangeline

Happy new year

As you celebrate the beginning of a new year, take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the good things you experienced in 2016. It’s important to make a decision to see the good, especially if 2016 was filled with disappointments.

If infertility was a factor in your 2016, what good came out of it? Are you closer to God? Closer to your spouse? Did you get better results by changing/removing some old habits?

If the death of a loved one infiltrated your life last year, what good came out of it? Did you learn that you are stronger than you thought as a result of that loss? Did love and support come from unexpected people?

No matter what your challenge may have been, there’s something good that came out of it…you just have to look for it.

Once you determine what those good things were, express gratitude for them. God always finds a way to show us His love in the midst of challenges and it’s a good practice to say, “Thanks” to Him.

A New Year of New Beginnings

And now as we begin a new year, let this year be the launching point of more good things experienced in your life–on an even higher level. Embrace what lies ahead and let go of 2016’s setbacks. Let your hope be reignited! Let what you say in 2017 reflect unwavering hope. Raise your expectancy for good things to come your way. Expect God to do wonderful, miraculous things in your life.

Prayer for 2017

What are some of the things you’re praying will happen in 2017? Please share them below.

My prayer for you in 2017 is that you will:

  • Gain a new and fresh revelation of God’s no-matter-what kind of love for you.
  • Ask boldly for what He has promised in His Word.
  • Expect to receive more than ever before.
  • Experience new-found freedom in Him, not settling for less than what He promised.
  • Look ahead with confidence, letting your words reflect what God has said about you.
  • Walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that it’s what you trust in but don’t yet see that keeps you moving ahead.
  • Be greatly blessed as you stand with daily gratitude.

May your 2017 be filled with abundance in every way!

Need help with clearing out old mindsets so that 2017 is filled with better results and more breakthroughs? I am here to help! Check out the scripture-based coaching services that I offer at iHope Coaching.

You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.
~ Psalm 65:11 NET

The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:5 MSG

His favor lasts a lifetime! ~ Psalm 30:5 NIV