On Our Hearts: Vow Renewal

"To love and to cherish, till death do us part." If you've been married a while those words may seem like all but a distant memory now, but there was a day where you probably nervously recited them back to the love of your life. A covenant vow that was pledged in front of your family and friends. An intimate promise that was extended to your husband only. However, it wasn’t just for that one day. Those words don’t have an expiration date and neither does your marriage. God wants us to be a loving, honoring, and respectful wife. And we do that not by words we say at a ceremony but how we treat our spouse every day. How are you continuing to love and to cherish your spouse?
 

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the man whom I call my husband. Show me how you want me to love him. Let my heart be open to him. May my words be tender and honoring toward him. Help me to become the wife that you want me to be. Show me how to cherish my husband and the moments that we have together and with our family. Let me become a sacred place for him to share his innermost secrets with me. Let our communication be based on love, trust, and respect for each other. Give me the desire to pursue my husband. May our marriage grow more dynamic and intimate as the years go by. Thank you for our marriage, Lord. Thank you for your perfect example of love so that we can show that same love to our spouse.

Amen

 ^"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

On Our Hearts: One Of The Family

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

I was reading through John during my Bible study this week and was reminded of just how much suffering Jesus Christ endured during that time on the cross. Imagine if you were asked to be placed in front of your office or home nearly naked and beaten and mocked for hours, just so your co-workers or family could live a life free of sin. I'm not so sure I would accept that proposition. Would you? Not only did Christ accept this call on His life, He did it knowing He would suffer in the worst possible way. Without complaint, without manipulation, and without even a mild anesthetic He willfully suffered to welcome us into His family. The devil wants you to think that God is a distant, harsh dictator who only delights in punishing us. The Bible proves that nothing could be further from the truth.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for Your ultimate sacrifice on the cross. We are so thankful that the blood You shed has washed us clean from sin. It is unimaginable the pain and suffering that You endured just for us. We are unworthy of the grace You have given us. God, we are Your child, You have accepted us. A child that longs for Your guidance, counsel, and protection. However, we can rest in knowing that our eternal salvation is secure in You. No amount of sin will compromise that. And no works are required to fulfill it. It is a free gift - underserving. And yet Lord we are so thankful that we no longer have to worry about our eternity. We have a Father in heaven who is ready to scoop us up and hold us in His arms. Our Abba Father who loves us unconditionally. A father who wasn't just handed his child, but a Father who took great care to choose us. What joy to have been chosen by the King of Kings!

Amen

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

Saturday Scripture: Growth

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,

but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Corinthians 3:7

On Our Hearts: Military Moms

Heavenly Father,

Today we want to lift up those moms who have dedicated their lives to the military. These women face unique challenges that most civilian moms never encounter. In addition to serving our country they deal with the day to day issues of parenting, home life, and spouses. While they defend our freedom they may have to leave their chilren and families behind. They often have to take off their "mom hat" and put on battle fatigues. They are mommy one minute and soldier the next.

Lord, we pray for those women who have laid their life on the line to serve in the military - past and present. We ask that You watch over them and protect them. May they be comforted as they leave their family behind for the battle lines. Father, we ask that You provide them with the right people and resources in their lives so that they are able to focus on their call of duty without worry. We pray for their families as they struggle with schedules, long absences and the stress that comes with military life. Lord we thank you for these women who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Bless them, God. In Jesus' name,

Amen

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Be on guard. Stand firm in the fatih. Be couragous. Be strong. And do everything with love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14