I am currently reading a book by Stormie Omartian, titled “The Power of a Praying Husband.” So many times in marriage, energy tends to be focused on outwardly reacting to either what the spouse has done or not done. We often fail at preparing for the battles that are to come, we just choose to fight with them rather than fight for them. For two lives to become one both spouses must focus on the “we” and not the “me”. For this to happen one must give up his or her life i.e. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13). Omartian writes “One way is to lay down your life for her in prayer.” One thought that challenged me as I read this book was for me is to effectively dwell with my wife then I must accept how much my wife needs my covering, protection, and love. One key way for me to meet this need is by praying for her.
Here are a few things to pray for as you start out on this journey:
Start with praying for God to reveal any offensive ways in you that could hinder this journey. (Psalm 139:23-24)
Treat (honor in KJV) your wife respectfully in words, thoughts, and actions so that your prayers will not be hindered. (I Peter 3:7)
Pray that God will help you grow in the following areas, based on I Peter 3:8, as you travel on this journey.
Be like-minded (Matthew 12:25; I Corinthians 11:11)
Be compassionate. Omartian defines compassion as “to have a deep sympathy for any area in which she suffers and to have a strong desire to alleviate that suffering.”
Be loving (Ephesians 5:33; I Corinthians 13:4-7)
Be sympathetic. Understanding everyone struggles; including ourselves allows us to relate and pray more in line of what is needed.
Be humble. Think, talk, and treat your wife in way that is not beneath you but as equal.
(Omartian, Stormie. (2001). The Power of a Praying Husband. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.)
