Book Study
The Power of A Praying Wife: The Power
pages 13-23
Good morning everyone!
I am so excited to start our book study of The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.
This book is set up so that every chapter deals with a different aspect of your husband's life, with a specific prayer at the end of each chapter dealing with that particular characteristic.
This week, we're going to be looking at what is essentially the introduction to the book, a chapter Omartian has entitled The Power.
The Power emphasizes the absolute essential nature of praying for our husbands. On page 18, Omartian describes marriage in this way: "They are a team, one unit, unified in spirit. The strength of a man and wife joined together in God's sight is far greater than the sum of the strengths of each of the two individuals." She goes on to say that "the enemy" despises "this oneness" and "devises ways to weaken it." Which is why it is so crucial to cover our spouses and our marriage in prayer.
The final portion of this chapter covers an area that I have honestly wondered about, and I'm so glad that she highlights. The heading at the top of page 21 says, "What About Me? I Need Prayer, Too." Omartian lets us know that "it's natural to enter into this prayer venture wondering if your husband will ever be praying for you in the same way you're praying for him. . . .Regardless, whether he does or doesn't is not your concern, it's Gods. So release him from that obligation."
That is so tough for me, but it is so necessary for both my sanity and the sincerity of my prayers for him.
What it comes down to is we're all in different places in our marriages and in our walks with God. But no matter where we find ourselves, God longs to commune with us, and he longs to give us fullness of joy in every aspect of our lives. That does not mean that it will be easy, I don't think that anything worthwhile ever is. But it does mean that we do not have to do any of this under our own power. The Power to persevere comes from the One who is greater, and stronger, and more wonderful than we could ever ask or imagine. Praise the Lord!
"Keep in mind that you are both imperfect people. Only the Lord is perfect. Look to God as the source of all you want to see happen in your marriage, and don't worry about how it will happen. It's your responsibility to pray. It's God's job to answer. Leave it in His hands."
Praying for my hubby, and for you all!
I need to re-read that book! And I love how she makes sure we understand that it's not our responsibility to get our husbands to pray for us, but God's. One year after I had read PPW, I got Sound Man PPH(usband). Yeah. Um...he has YET to read it. Not that he doesn't pray for me! He just wasn't ready to read the book yet. I don't know if he ever will, but that's okay. I know he loves me and does pray for me...maybe just not exactly how I THINK he should be. : )
ReplyDeleteHA! The word verification is "mates"! Love it!
I read that book and enjoyed it very much. In fact, I even took it into the delivery room with me! (I thought Joe should feel pretty good that I was trying to be a better wife, even during contractions!) It helped me consider aspects of my husband's life I had never thought to pray about. You are such a thoughtful wife to look for so many ways to honor and bless your husband!
ReplyDeleteWow...God is amazing. OK - so my initial plan was to have 'Marriage Monday" on my blog back when you originally started the PPW series...but life got in the way, and I didn't get around to it. And then, after an argument hubby and I had over the weekend, Marriage Monday was the farthest thing from my mind. But, God kept impressing it on me today - and I thought to myself "What's the use, I'm going to be SO far behind now." And lo and behold, I make it back to your site just now and find that you just reposted starting at the beginning! Guess I don't have any excuses now. :)
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