Pray ’11, Day 4: Marriages and Relationships

January 4, 2011

Praise:
Praise God for being the source of blessing and good things.(Psalm 34: 3)
Appreciate the gift of life. Thank God for the gift of marriage and companionship. Thank God for being the author of true love.

Reflect:
“The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.”–Proverbs 31: 11-12

“In this same way, husbands ought to love their
wives as their own bodies. He who loves
his wife loves himself.”-Ephesians 5: 28

We pray for the strength and healing to live God’s ideal for relationships and marriage. We pray for spiritual maturity and maturity overall to be the kind of people who are prepared to love and be loved in a healthy manner.

Admit (or Ask)
Turn to God and confess how you have missed the mark in your marriage or relationships, or ask for God’s guidance if your marriage in trouble. You know someone whose relationship is in trouble or leading to trouble? Is there someone you know who is going through a breakup of a marriage or relationship. Pray for them as they are grieving. Ask for God’s guidance for them in this New Year. Cry out to him about your need for love, patience and wisdom in your marriage. Pray the same for a loved-one whom you know is going though a hard time.

Yield:
When we have done all we can? We let go, and trust God’s capacity to create a new heart within us, and believe in his ability to renew our spirit. Philippians 1:6 says: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”
May it be so.

Next: January 5 – Children and Families

PRAY ’11, Day 3: Young Adults

January 3, 2011

Praise
We Praise You God because You are a faithful. Thank you for the faith you have given us through our parents, friends, pastors or spiritual mentors. Thank you for the gift of prayer, and for listening to your children.

Reflect
“And here I am, your invited guest—
it’s incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.” (Psalm 5:8, The Message)

The way doesn’t always seem clear in what or where we should study, who to marry or what job to say yes to. We need your direction. Please send your divine protection,too.

Admit (or Ask)
We confess our need for you, especially when we have been distracted and have not always placed you first. We ask for cleansing, God. Revive us, Lord. Fill us up with your Holy Spirit. Direct our passion and gifts towards bringing good into the world and reflecting your character. Make us strong in you.

Yield
Help us to say yes to you, today and to start over this day with the assurance of Your Presence in us and through us. Use us, Lord. Amplify the gifts you have placed within us. Stir it up into flame so we may shine your love. You tell us through your servant Paul: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For what the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” -1 Timothy 1:6-7.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Next: January 4- Married people, couples, relationships

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