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“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

My younger sister and I have always been close. We shared the same room until we were in high school and did everything together, like two peas in a pod. Then life took us in two different directions. I chose to follow after God, and she chose a different path. We were both raised in the church, and when she turned away from the things of God and began to make choices that only made the situation worse, I felt heartbroken. No matter how much I prayed for her, it seemed she only grew more resistant and stubborn. It’s hard to watch someone go down a dead-end road. It’s hard to talk to someone that argues with everything you say. It’s hard. But God is continuing to help me understand that He sees the end from the beginning, and He’s at work in her heart even when it seems like He’s not. Just as God is helping me, I pray He helps you too. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Whatever we feel we can’t do, God will do it through us. Don’t give up on your family. In the words of my mother, “If you love people through their mess, they will never forget it. Keep loving them.” I share that same wisdom with you.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for encouraging my heart. I pray for my unsaved loved ones. I pray that you will penetrate their hearts with your love and your light. Until they make a quality decision for you, protect them, Lord. Help me love them with your love. Help me not to judge them. That’s your job. Help me be patient as you save my family, and not give up on them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Colossians 4:5; Jude 1:20-22; James 5:16)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“When everything reminds you of what you’ve lost, I remind you of what you’ve found in Me. You’ve found My way, My truth and My life. This alone will give you hope when you feel hopeless. I wake you morning by morning because I have a purpose for your life. Look to Me and you will find the comfort you need. Learn of Me and you’ll find rest for your soul. I will never leave you alone, no, never. I am the lifter up of your head. I am your way in the wilderness. I am your safety in the storm. Yes, I am your guide. I comfort all who mourn and give them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. I am lifting the spirit of heaviness from you now, and I am giving you a garment of praise. Receive what I am giving you. I am commanding My peace and I am commanding My joy for you. I am wiping your tears away and strengthening you from the inside. Open your eyes My daughters and see My great love that surpasses all knowledge. I will do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think. Just when you thought your life was over because of what you lost, I will show you, no, your life is just beginning! Your latter will be greater! I am turning your bitter waters into sweet because I care deeply for you, and I love you with an everlasting love. You are the object of My affection and I am your Comforter. Says the Spirit of the Lord.”

(Scripture References: Isaiah 61:1-3; John 14:6; Matthew 11:29; Exodus 15:25)

“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” James 5:16, Amplified.

With all of the challenges my husband and I faced over the 21 years that we have been together, one reason I stayed with him was because I didn’t want to leave and someone else reap the benefits of all the prayers I have prayed for him. I knew God was going to transform his life, I just didn’t know when. I knew God would help him learn how to lead our family, but I didn’t know when. I knew God was going to show my husband how to be the man He called him to be, I just didn’t know how or when. I prayed for him more than I prayed for myself, and God has answered my prayers.

A trick of the enemy is to cause a woman to become so hardened in her heart towards a man that she no longer prays for him with compassion and faith. Her heart is so angry that her once humble and sweet prayers turn into a bitter venting session about what he is and is not doing.

For a real man to change, it requires the hand of God. No matter how good the sex is, how good the cooking is, how fine your body is, or how encouraging your words are in his ears, it takes the power of God’s Holy Spirit working in a man’s heart and mind to bring true change. It also requires your faith and your patience.

I believe that every man wants to be the man God created him to be, he just doesn’t know how. Keep praying and interceding for him in your alone time with God. Declare that he is a Psalms 112 man and other scriptures God leads you to declare over his life. He may be a good man, but God desires to make him into His man who He can use to fulfill His purpose and plan. God is no respecter of persons. What He has done for me and countless of others, He will do for you!

Prayer: Father God, thank you for ministering to my heart. I pray for the man you have given me. Way before he was mine, he belonged to you. You love him far more than I ever could. I ask that you cause him to see himself the way you see him. Open his heart to receive your love and your wisdom. Teach him how to lead our family. Help me to believe the truth of your Word and to be patient. Help me to be the wife he needs and to see him the way you see him. Make him into the man you destined him to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read Romans 8:34; Hebrews 10:36

Recommended Resources: “The Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormie Omartian

Side note:

**Please Note** It is important to note that my husband already knew the Lord when we met, but was needing God’s help in learning how to lead his family well. The fact that he already had a relationship with God made it easier for me pray for him and then trust God to deal with his heart. If you are believing God to save your husband who doesn’t know Jesus, it would be wise to not compare my situation with yours. If you are praying for a man who is unsaved, he could surrender his life to the Lord or reject Him and completely turn away. This is because God never overrides our will. If he doesn’t give his life to the Lord, it’s not because you are not praying hard enough. Even with your best efforts, my sister, understand that God has given us all the power to choose Him or reject Him. To my single sisters, please marry someone who knows the Lord and has a growing relationship with Him. This will save you lots of heartache and pain. 💛

“…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Ecclesiastes 3:4

One evening I sat at the dinner table with my husband and children and we were about to play a game called Chubby Bunny. It’s when you try to see who can fit the most marshmallows in your mouth while saying chubby bunny each time. Before we began, I told everyone I would win because my mouth is the biggest. My husband just stared at me. He just knew he had me beat. So we began. One marshmallow, then two. My son put two in his mouth and he was done. My daughter fit three, then gagged, and said “I’m out!” My husband was able to stuff six in his mouth before calling it quits. I reached seven, the most of everyone, and it was hilarious. Trying to say chubby bunny with a mouth full of marshmallows sounded more like hubba hubba. But I did it! I won and I was happy! After I did my little happy dance, we looked at each other and said, “That was fun!”

In your pursuit of God’s will for your life, know that it is His will that you enjoy your life and the people He has placed in it. Enjoy your husband. Enjoy your children. Enjoy your friendships and every moment God has given you.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the gift of life. It is precious. I ask that you help me to enjoy the life you’ve given me. Help me to enjoy every moment and the people you’ve placed in my life. Let me take nothing for granted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” Hebrews 6:1

It’s a new season, my sister, and it’s a new day! God is putting the wind back in your sails. He is showing you that nothing can stop you, and no one can hinder you when God is on your side. Those old fears will not work this time. You’re in a new place in God, and it’s time to receive His grace to continue your progress in Him. If you made it this far, you could go on! Go further than your mother did! Go further than your grandmother did! Go further, my sister! You have everything you need to fulfill God’s divine purpose for your life. It’s all within you! Instead of running from problems, watch God help you face them head-on. Instead of caving under pressure, watch God help you stand on His truth. Anything that held you back before will not work this time. You’re not going backward; you’re going forward!

Declare this from your heart today: “God is with me, and He is for me! I am not looking back. I am moving forward in Jesus! It’s a new season for me, and it’s a new day. God’s face is shining on me, and His grace is with me. I am a woman with a vision, I am a woman on a mission, and I am a woman with a purpose. God is building me into a kingdom woman, and I am totally surrendered to Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17, Berean Study Bible.

You are not losing your mind. Breathe, my sister. Breathe. You are who God said you are. You have what God you have. You can do what God says you can do by His grace and power. Everything God said about you is true. The truth of His word is settling you now. God is helping you push past how you feel and focus on what is true. He is quieting you with His love. He is commanding His peace over you now. Breathe, my sister. God is in control, and everything’s going to be ok.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for ministering to my heart and mind. Thank you for helping me push past how I feel and focus on what’s true. You are in control of my life, and your peace rules over and governs me. Everything you’ve said about me is true, and I receive the truth of your word. Thank you for commanding your peace over me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

Some people are like kids on an elevator, they will push every emotional button on you, never realizing they are being used by the enemy. When everything in you wants to react in a negative way, don’t go there. Walk away. Remember, whoever overcomes you controls you (see 2 Peter 2:19).

There have been times I have literally cried in my time alone with God because He wanted me to love someone I wanted to hate. He wanted me to do good when I wanted to get even. I wanted to be overcome by evil and show that I’m not a doormat, but His Spirit within me wouldn’t let me go there. Oh thank God for the Holy Ghost! Oh thank God for His help in keeping our flesh under! When God’s Spirit truly lives in us, we can’t do whatever we want to do and say whatever we want to say. We submit to God’s rule in our hearts, saying “Yes” to Him no matter how we feel about it (see Colossians 3:15).

You have influence in this world. Someone, even if it’s one person, is watching you and your example. Don’t give evil nonsense a moment of your time. It’s not worth it. Receive God’s help to overcome evil with good. Choose to live the life God has called you to live. Move forward into doing what He has purposed you to do. Remember, don’t go there!

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for the help of your Holy Spirit. You loved me enough to put your Spirit within me to guide me through life. When everything in me wants to act ugly, help me Lord to stay in the Spirit and not go there. I rebuke all strife and wrath and I yield to no other spirit but yours. Be glorified in me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.” Psalms 34:15

One evening, I arrived home and didn’t have the key to the door. Needless to say, my husband who I love, was inside sleeping like a rock. He didn’t hear me knocking on the door like the police. He didn’t hear me ringing the doorbell repeatedly. He didn’t hear me throw a bucket next to the window. That man was completely knocked out. So I yelled next to the bedroom window, “Baby, open the door!” Seconds later, there he was standing at the front door. I asked him, “You didn’t hear all of the noise I was making?” He said, “No!” “So what woke you up?” He said, “I heard your voice.” It is not our emotional fits, tantrums, and pouting that gets God’s attention. His ears are attentive to our voice. God hears you and if you know He hears you, you know you have the petition you have asked of Him. His ears are attentive to your prayers and when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. Let God hear the cry of your heart, let God hear your voice!

Prayer: Father God, thank You for watching over me and being so attentive to my prayers. You hear my voice and You draw close to me when I draw close to You. When I face difficult situations in my life, help me to always stay reminded that You do hear me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read James 4:8; 1 John 5:15)

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” Romans 8:29, NLT.

Our destiny is to look like Jesus on the inside and to behave like Jesus on the outside. Many of us are spiritual powerhouses, can pray the house down, sing the roof off, hang off the chandeliers when we praise the Lord, and can administrate duties with a spirit of excellence. We appear like strong mighty lions, but who are we inwardly? Do we love just as loud? Forgive just as strong? Are we as obedient to God as our prayers are powerful? These are issues of the heart that matter most to God.

The nuts and bolts of a woman of character is how she responds when it’s time to let go, how she behaves when she doesn’t get her way, how she responds when her gift and calling is ignored, and what she does when she makes a mistake. Our deepest cry must be, “Lord, beautify and adorn me inwardly. Make me what you consider beautiful. Have your way in me.”

God wants to break off everything that doesn’t look like Him. The lying has to stop. The bad attitude, the unforgiveness and bitterness, the sexual promiscuity, and the pride and arrogance, no ma’am. The selfishness, not you woman of God. No more making a person your idol. Time to tell fear and timidity goodbye. You can be the woman you know in your heart you were created to be. Let God break these things off so you can have His character. You are chosen and predestined for a great work that will bring God great glory, but His work in you is where it all begins.

Prayer: Yes, Lord. Beautify and adorn me inwardly. Cause me to be what you consider beautiful. Have your way in me. Break me down and build me up into a woman of character. I know whatever you reveal to me that needs changing in my heart, you will help change it. I am not alone on this journey. You are with me. Be glorified in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

(Read Proverbs 31:30-31)