Pastor Tommy Nelson, of Denton Bible Church in Texas, gave a sermon to his church for Christmas, 1988, entitled “Jesus’ View of Christmas.” The text for this powerful sermon was an unlikely one . . . Luke 11:21-26. Those verses are several chapters away from the traditional Christmas story which we all know and love, Luke 2:1-20: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed . . . “ I was intrigued. How could verses about Jesus and Satan give us a message for Christmas?
“Praying Scripture for Your Marriage”
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Editor’s Note: Scott and Sherry Jennings are the managing editors of the website “Intentionally Yours”. You can find it at www.intentionallyyours.org. We thank them for contributing to this teaching from their April 14, 2014, posting “Praying Scripture for Your Marriage”.
Praying Proverbs 3:5,6 for your marriage—“I pray that my spouse and I will trust in You, Lord, with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding, and that in all our ways we will acknowledge You, God, and that You shall direct our paths.”
Combining two lives, histories, households and expectations into a marriage is tough! Nothing will make you more Christ-like than marriage—if you let it.
We unfortunately see the world’s way for marriage every day as we watch friends and family seek selfishness instead of consulting the Creator of marriage. That selfishness can end in separation and divorce—instead of seeking our Creator who is the only One who can heal broken hearts and relationships.
Let’s pray life into our marriages! Especially during deployment, when you are geographically separated, praying for each other and for your marriage can bring you close together across the miles. Speaking His Word out loud over your marriage changes everything—sometimes from the death of isolation to life of oneness.
So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
Since God’s thoughts and ways are higher than yours in your marriage (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He tells us His Word when spoken does not return void, let’s speak His powerful Word into marriage!
Lord Jesus, I invite You into every detail of my life, marriage and family. I need You and Your perfect Word to be with me in every way possible. I love You and I love my spouse. I know that our marriage was created to honor You and give You glory! God, in accordance with Your Word I pray…
…that as for me and my house, we will serve You, Lord. Joshua 24:15
…that my spouse and I will not depart from each other. 1 Corinthians 7:10
…that my spouse and I will love each other and that we will love our children. Titus 2:4
…that as the elect of God, holy and beloved, my spouse and I put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. I pray that we will bear with each other, forgiving each other, if we have a complaint against each other, even as Christ forgave us, so we also must do. But above all these things, help us to put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14
…thanking You that it is not good for man to be alone, thank You for making for him a helper comparable to him. Genesis 2:18
…that I always understand that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and that they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
…that my spouse and I will let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from us, with all malice. And that we will be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as You, God, in Christ forgave us. Ephesians 4:31-32
…that my spouse and I will be of one mind, having compassion for one another, that we will be tenderhearted and courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that we were called to this, that we many inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
…that my spouse and I will trust in You, Lord, with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding, and that in all our ways we will acknowledge You, O’ God, and that You shall direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
…that my spouse and I remember that hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Proverbs 10:12
Bring my spouse and I closer to You, Lord, than ever before! And as You draw us to You, draw us closer to each other, seeing each other the way You see us, knowing the amazing plan You have for our marriage to reflect You to the hurting world around us like nothing else. We love You, we praise You, we thank You, in the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Is this a magic spell that when repeated makes everything change? No. But when we pray God’s Word, we take it into our hearts and minds, and God uses it to change our perspective. That’s why He tells us to pray for our enemies. It’s easy to pray for someone you love! And when you pray for someone you don’t like, you can’t help but love them. And honestly, sometimes we don’t like our spouses, and that is when they need love the most!
Questions to Ponder:
1. What are some Scriptures you pray into your marriage?
2. Repeat the scriptural prayer above, either alone or together with your spouse.
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