Contestants in the Wife Carrying World Championships meet in the Finnish town of Sonkajärvi. During the contest, men tote their wives a full 831 feet through gravel, grass, and sand, over two obstacles and through water. Dropping your wife means a 15-second penalty—not to mention dealing with an angry woman.
When it comes to marriage, I’m convinced that men need to carry their wives, and wives need to carry their husbands—so to speak. One important way to “carry” your spouse is through prayer.
If your loved one has slipped down a couple of notches on your prayer list, try some new angles. One idea is to ask God to give your husband or wife a “complete knowledge of His will” (Colossians 1:9). Wouldn’t it be great to have God’s wisdom for all of our family-related decisions, like how we should discipline our kids, best help our parents, and decide which local church to attend?
Besides knowing God’s wisdom, most of us need strength to meet life’s challenges. Paul prayed for the early believers to be “strengthened with all [God’s] glorious power” (Colossians 1:12) so they would have “all the endurance and patience [they would] need.” If your spouse needs help in some area, ask God to give him or her staying power to deal with the problem.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to ask God to bless your spouse with joy and a spirit of thankfulness (Colossians 1:11). Many times an improved outlook can shrink mountain-sized issues down to their true dimensions.
When my husband says, “I’m praying for you,” it comforts me. I know he won’t drop me in this race of life. I also know that the Bible says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power” (James 5:16).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Romans 8:19-39
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 for more ideas on how to intercede for fellow believers. Read Romans 15:30-33 to see what intercessory prayer can mean for us and for others.
Next:
How do you feel when someone close to you tells you he or she is praying for you? How will you begin praying more intentionally for other Christians?
Brianbenyosef on November 22, 2011 at 12:56 am
I pray for my wife often… But she is an agnostic because of a bad experiance in a Russian orthodox church in her youth. I think she still believes but is angry with GOD. I have been trying to bring her to Jesus to no avail. Please give me some suggestions.
foleyjcat on November 22, 2011 at 6:59 am
Brian,
The Lord taught me a lesson about my own wife. Rather than trying to convert her (which was going nowhere) I was to love her. That meant, not getting upset and/or angry when she didn’t want to go to church and be involved in the “things of God”.
I discovered that she had her own way to God, between her and God. I was just getting in the way. And she finally did come on her own.
Jack
daisymarygoldr on November 22, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Brianbenyosef, as you carry your wife in prayer, it is the perfect opportunity to show her Christ-like wisdom and love. Agnostic or otherwise, the wife is a woman. So, treat your wife as a treasure from the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). Be passionate about fulfilling her every desire—physically and emotionally.
As her head—protect, pamper and provide to make her feel secure. Remember, head is the source of growth (Colossians 2:19). Your servant-leadership will promote her spiritual growth to eventually know and love God.
Above all, honor and treat her with “understanding” so that your prayers for her salvation will not be hindered (1Peter 3:7). Praying for you and your wife…
roxanne robbins on November 22, 2011 at 6:30 am
I like Jennifer’s exhortation to pray specific scripture over our loved ones.
OnMyWayHome on November 22, 2011 at 11:46 am
It is good to see and hear the Word from another perspective. I just heard a sermon that if we really don’t know what to pray for others the suggestion was look at what Paul prayed.
The text mentioned was the above. What makes it more meaningful is hearing it again and for my wife as well. I do pray for her now I understand even more now.
Thank you
winn collier on November 26, 2011 at 11:49 pm
prayer as a language of love.