I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people…Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 1 Timothy 2:1-6, 8
Paul wrote this letter to his friend Timothy, who was the pastoral leader of the Church in Ephesus. The Church was in crisis because certain teachers were leading the flock away from divine revelation and truth. Paul emphasized the importance of prayer in the life of the Christian. Prayer helps the believer to focus on God, allowing Him to impart knowledge, wisdom and direction for issues that inevitably crop up in daily life. Paul knew it was critical to persistently ask for God’s grace to persevere in the Christian walk, both for ourselves and for others. Paul stressed that we are to continually bring the needs of other people to God, because He “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). Prayer has the power to change lives, to bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, softening hardened hearts and bringing the most cynical sinner to conversion.
I will give [them] a new heart and put a new spirit in [them]; I will remove [their] heart of stone and give [them] a heart of flesh. cf. Ezekiel 36:26
Are you interceding for your wife? Are you lifting prayers daily to God, asking “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” in your wife’s life? God wants you to bring every fear, worry and need to Him, confident that He is a gracious and merciful God who wants to help you. Do not despair and do not lose hope; persevere in prayer for your beloved spouse.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Praise and thanksgiving is an important part of prayer. Praise and thank God for the good work that He is doing in your marriage and family, even if there is no evidence of it. Give God glory in both the good times and bad. He is deserving of all praise.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11
Jesus also stressed the importance of bringing prayers to God, persistently, without wavering.
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
The widow prevailed, not because the judge was just, but because her persistence wore him down. God does not tire of your prayers like the unjust judge. He wants you to bring all your cares and concerns to Him. Be persistent. Be bold. Be relentless. Do not worry about wearing down God. He is just, generous and compassionate. God wants you to persist in your prayers so that any unbelief may be driven out. He wants to replace your fear and worry with peace and joy.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer moves mountains. Mountain-moving prayer is faith that has unequivocal confidence in God. It is prayer that is in union with the will of God. God wants your wife to come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Your marriage difficulties are important to God. God wants to heal your marriage. God wants to bless you abundantly. He wants your marriage and family to be a blessing in a world that has become darkened by sin. God needs your family to be healthy and whole so that you can spread the Good News to a world so in need of God’s mercy. Do not give up on prayer. God is pleased when you bring your needs to Him in prayer.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
Jesus has conquered sin and death. He has won the victory. You have nothing to fear, for He is with you, encouraging you, cheering you on to your victory.
God bless you, my Brother. I am persevering in prayer for the healing of your home and marriage.
Dennis Wingfield
For the joy set before Him…