A Valentine's Prayer
My powerful and glorious and holy God, with everything I have and everything I am in Christ, I come before Your Throne to intercede on behalf of marriages. Lord, I come before You with complete confidence because I know with irrefutable certainty that I am praying according to Your will. Father, You are PRO-MARRIAGE. You are FOR US. And if You are for us, who indeed can be against us? Lord, Your enemy the devil is waging full scale war on the marriages of Your own children. Havoc resides in the earthly house of God. Our churches will only be as strong as the families that inhabit them.
If not for Your Spirit living within us, Satan's psychological warfare would be almost too much to bear and his lies too sly to discern. We cry out to You, Lord! I ask You to rise from Your Throne in behalf of each of our homes and marriages and cause our enemies to scatter violently. Open our eyes to the deceit of the enemy that tempts spouses to think they need something - someone - brand new. Help them to see that it would be an unending cycle of newness always wearing off and demanding something deeper to sustain it. Renew us, Lord! You created marriage and You alone can sustain it. Breathe fresh life into each of our marriages. You are a master at resurrection life. Raise marriages from the dead, O Lord! Reclaim those that have given up. Put a holy tenacity in them to refuse to let go. Give each spouse eyes only for the other. Cause each husband to thrill to the touch of his wife. Cause each wife to thrill to the touch of her husband. Renew a fiery passion in their hearts toward one another. Fill each wife with the desire and obedience to treat her man like he's the real man You created him to be. Forgive us our serious trespasses of dishonoring or belittling our spouses in any way. Forgive us for making our men secondary priorities to our children. Help us to see that the best thing we could ever do for our children is to have a wonderful relationship with their father.
Cause each man to be lavish in his demonstrations of love toward his wife. Open his eyes to see how hard she works and how badly she needs his blessing. In turn, open her eyes to the pressures that fall daily upon her man and enable her to love him in a way that soothes and relieves him. CLAIM OUR HOMES AND OUR MARRIAGES, LORD! I know You can perform miracles over the worst of marriages. You performed countless wonders over my own. Lord, in Jesus' Name, You bring to a stunning halt every weapon forged against each couple and every scheme the enemy may already have under way. Bind every single person and subsequent action that may be coming against one of these marriages. Halt any hint of extra-marital flirtation or fantasy in the powerful Name of Jesus. Cause any other person that has become dangerously attractive to now become utterly repulsive to them. Empower every person at risk to flee for his or her life from sexual temptation and immorality. Make each spouse TRUE, Lord, in heart, soul, and mind.
God, I lift this to You with great urgency and fervency. Enough is enough! Enough Christian marriages have disintegrated! I don't just pray for couples to stay together. I pray for them to LOVE staying together. I pray for the return of laughter, flirtation, desire, and life-long commitment. Interrupt mediocrity with fresh fire. We are all weak in our natural selves, Lord, and we know we'll never have perfect marriages and homes but we are fully capable in Your sovereign power to have good ones. Healthy ones. FUN ONES. L-A-S-T-I-N-G ONES! Lord, the beauty of praying in Your will is knowing that every single couple who desires and receives it can have it. Every couple can be healed. Every couple can be in love again. Every family can be whole if they are willing. Make them willing! I offer this intercession with the absolute belief that You initiated it, Lord. You do not waste time nor effort. If You prompted it, You meant to answer it. Now, compassionate and wonderful Father, do what only You can do. Out-do everything we ask. Do more than we could think to request so that Your great Name can be magnified above all else. I set before You every marriage represented by those who read this entry. Cause every couple to have a glorious Head-on collision with You, Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Nothing is too difficult for You. My prayers are unmistakably heard and my thanks already appropriate because I offer each of these petitions in the incomparable and delivering Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
posted by Beth @ 11:22 AM
107 Comments
107 Comments:
I'll have one of those someday and I pray it be just as you described. Not just married but loving being married. What a gift that would be!
AMEN, ALLELUIAH AND AMEN!!!
AMEN, ALLELUIAH AND AMEN!!!
Beth Moore-May God Bless You! I soooooo love my man. Your prayer just made my day! You ROCK sista!
Thank you and Amen!
AMEN! Lord be mighty in this prayer that Beth writes...it speaks our hearts. Let us be, as Steve Green sings, found faithful to those who come behind us.
In the mighty NAME of Jesus,
Holly
Monument
Amen and amen.I loved this so much, Beth. Here is a verse that I thought of.."Do not be afraid of the enemy: remember the Lord and imprint Him on your minds, great and terrible, and take from Him courage to fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes. Everyone worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other hand.: (Nehimiah 4:14,17) This I will do in Jesus' name. Jenny from Va.
Thank You Beth for your Prayers, may the Lord continue to use you for his GLORY! Thanks Cheryl
As chills slowly covered my body and while tears filled my eyes, I simply cried out to God - may this be the prayer of my heart... no may this be the prayer of every marriage!
I have often selfishly wished that you would write a book on marriage. I know that you have a wealth of Godly wisdom that you can share. But I also know that if you ever were to open yourself up in that way, Satan would attack even more fiercely than every before. And I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, especially you. So for now, I will hold on to the tidbits that you share in your books, lessons, and seminars and cherish them dearly.
FYI - I purchased your audio book for "Get Out of the Pit" and finished it in one day at work. Oh what a joy and blessing it brought!
Amen!!! This prayer just gives me chills! Our church has really concentrated on marriages for a long time and I just sent my pastor to a weekend men's conference and it was about marriage. I am tired of satan attacking the marriages and home. I, agree, enough! I say this as a divorced woman of 10 years and I have raised my two sons with myself (and God.) I believe God can do miracles in marriage. My husband wasn't willing and Beth you said it so perfect, help them to see the unending cycle of someone new. Please take it from a divorced woman with children, the process of healing is long and I praise God for healing my heart. I can say that God has healed me enough to forgive my ex-husband and his new wife. That took a miracle but the thing I will never forget is what my then husband said, the boys will get over this in 5 years. WRONG. My oldest son of 18 is dealing with it to this day and is having trouble with choosing relationships and feeling that God loves him. I see the anger in his eyes even today that our marriage and family didn't make it. As a Christian mom that breaks my heart but believe me, God and I have had many talks about this and God is helping my child. I see the coldness in my ex-husband and I know only God can touch him and I pray every day for his salvation and his wife's salvation. Join me in praying for them. I know God is up to something because he had me give her a Bible at Christmas. There are miracles for divorced people too and amazing healing but I pray that it would never come to that for all who are married. May God be the center of your marriages and bless you and your husband with love that far exceeds what our human hearts can give!
AMEN SISTA!!
Dear Sweet Beth,
I KNOW that God set that prayer alive in you today just for my family. We are great risk, Beth. Satan has set out to get us. We are in his line of fire and I feel at times that we are going to buckle under the pressure. I'm empowered by your words to God and printed them out to pray myself, in my own words. Thank you for following the Holy Spirit's leading on this. IT WAS FOR ME!!!!!
WOW. This is an amazing prayer, and I feel so blessed that you have offered it over my marriage. Boy, I feel like you have spoken to the core of some of the areas in which I'm tempted in unbelief, but you're right, God is for us! Hanging out through the hard brings the huge! Your devotions on marriage have some days been the only thing that keep me from my gut-instinct to run, and to instead turn into the Word and ask for what I lack. Amen and thank you!
Thank you Beth for your prayer. I am having a difficult day. Due to inclement weather, school is closed. Both my children ages of 22 years and 6 years are putting me to the test. I am very drained from their needs and have been praying for "more Spirit". I do not want to take this out on my husband. I have gained peace within just from reading your prayer. I am even going to print it out and meditate upon it throughout my day
God bless you and all the Sistas!!
I agree...Amen, Alleluiah and Amen
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone...
From your Blogger Sista,
Debby Ann
Amen! God has done a complete transformation of our marriage. Five years ago, we were hours away from divorce, and today, we are the envy of most couples we know. It is by God's grace, mercy, and transforming power. THANK YOU, JESUS! May our marriages be glorifying to You!
My dear sister Beth, I agree with you before the Throne. Through the Grace of God my marriage is going on 19 years. We have an uncommon bond - everyone who knows us says it. All we can do is point to the Lord Almighty in thanks and adoration for bringing us together. I say that publicly as a thank offering to you, Lord!
For those to whom God has given the desire to be married, though it can seem long and difficult, stay the course. I know what it is like to long for a soul mate. Ours is a truly Cinderella story, written by the Master. He is faithful! He will do it. Trust in Him!
Thank you! If we are would vow to pray like this, I believe the power of prayer could change this world we live in. So many marriages could be saved, so many homes blessed, so many chilren saved from misery. I loved this prayer! I praise God for blessing me with a strong marriage and a good loving husband for the past 40 years.
Linda
Thank you, Beth. Thank you so much.
AMEN!! THANK you for praying for my marriage on this day! God is Love and Love is Love is patient, kind, it does not envy, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong, Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always Perseveres- LOVE NEVER FAILS and you Beth resonate HIS love. THANK YOU!
Lovely Beth, I so appreciate your prayer for marriages. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, but I have just come our Bible studies at church where there are some sad women today - Valentine's Day - because of difficulties in their marriages or because they are single. For those singles, I pray that they will discover how the Lord longs to be their husband and will be the protector and provider they search for. For others I saw hurting today, I echo your prayer for marriages and thank the Lord for showing His glory through you.
Thank you Beth and Amanda for sharing and giving so freely and graciously of yourselves. I love you! Happy Valentine's Day!
I Amen this prayer as a fellow recipient of the lavish grace of God! Thank you Lord for the redemptive work you've done in my marriage, and I agree whole-heartedly with Beth's prayer. I am convinced that the heart of God desires a radical transformation in the hearts of Christian married people. May we be set on fire with love for You and one another. Open our eyes to see the "one another" in our spouses.
you are truly an amazing woman--compassionate and fully devoted to your call and to God's people. :)
this was a beautifully articulated, and so full-of-love prayer and i am floored by it.
what i love most is the thought that not only did Mama Beth pray this prayer on our behalf, but EACH of us that reads this with a prayerful heart and mind will be praying those words and blessings for EVERY SISTA and her man!
we just had a prayer bath!!! i hope you got soked!! :) lets see the devil try to put that fire out--a wet altar and we're still a'blazin!!!! :D
love you girls
AMEN and AMEN!!!!
AMEN! What a blessing!
My Bible Study neighbors/sistas and I are praying and fasting today for our marriages. How appropriate that you would post this prayer today Beth. God is so good - I love it when He orchestrates agreement in the body! Praise You Lord - We know You will answer!
My marriage is proof that nothing is impossible for God. There were so many times my husband and I were ready to quit, but the Lord's timing being perfect, we never wanted to quit at the same time! Now after almost 21 years of marriage, tons of prayer, and finally choosing to obey God, instead of being each other's worst enemy we have become each other's greatest ally - thank you Lord.
I am so looking forward to what God has in store for us this weekend in Detroit! I am praying for your safe travel. Bundle up - it's cold here!
AMEN! and THANK YOU!!! *tears* It's just what I needed today and I know that, sadly, so many others do too. Thank you so much for your heartfelt prayers (I just love to hear you talk to the Father) for people you've never met but know are out here. I thank God for you often...that he uses you and and that you've humbly (and painfully) accepted and use the gift he's blessed you with. I also pray for your protection from any kind of evil because we all know that Satan has thrown many a temper tantrum because of your service to God. God bless you, Beth!
What a privilege to log on and pray along side each of you this afternoon.
I've been lurking on your blog for some time now. I enjoy reading the comments as much as I do the posts! It's been good for some great laughs and some great Truth.
Thank you!
AMEN and AMEN!
I AM PRINTING THIS ONE..absolutely the best, most ANNOINTED marriage prayer that I have EVER heard. It has left me pinned to my seat.
Sarah, TN
I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MYSELF AND THE DESIRE TO SEE THIS PRAYER WRITTEN ACROSS THE SKIES, COVERING THE EARTH. IT MOST CERTAINLY IS FROM HIM, FOR HIS GLORY, AND FOR MY LIFE. I PRAYED IT OUT LOUD, SOOOO LOUD, IN FACT, YOU SURELY MUST'VE HEARD ME SHOUTIN'ALL THE WAY TO THE LONE STAR STATE! I'M IN NORTHWEST WA. STATE ON AN ISLAND...OH, SET IT IN MY HEART SWEET LORD JESUS AND THE HEARTS OF EVERY MARRIAGE. THANK YOU FOR TH ENCOURAGEMENT, STANDING IN THE GAP, AND THE REMINDER THAT HE IS THE GOD OF MIRACLES.
With tear-filled eyes, I say "Thank You" for this prayer on behalf of our marriages. May we all one day see more of God's glory in and through them!
Thank you Beth,I prayed it right along with you! That is a tall order sent up to an exceedingly powerful God! Amen!
How many times we have heard it said "behind every successful man there is a woman pushing". What I say is behind every Godly man there is a Godly woman lifting him up daily. I want to be that Godly woman. I have one of the best men in the entire world and I love him passionately even 43 years after marrying him. I will continue to pray for marriages every day. Mimi24
I am FLAT ON MY FACE THANKFUL for the healing and restoration that God has brought to my relationship with my husband!
I join you and all of the other ladies here in this prayer for our own marriages and for all of those who are struggling.
\O/ AMEN! \O/ AMEN! \O/ AMEN! \O/
Thank you Beth
Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier....a "sista" mentioned in a previous comment to this post that she wished you would write a book on marriage...I, too, share that wish! Our Sunday School Class (mainly young parents of toddlers), has been looking for a marriage series to study...I immediately went to your website looking to see if you had one, but found you did not. Would LOVE it, if the Lord so leads you to write one!
Sarah, TN
As I take a break from Daniel 11 day 4, I thought I would comment.
Praise the Lord for giving you the intercession of the Holy Spirit for words to pray!
As it says in 1 Cor 13...
Love
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.
Be Blessed!
You better not be readin' this on Valentine's night!
I claim these promises for my family and confess to being one of those mamas who has to be reminded of my priority! Thanks for reminding me on this important day! I just changed my cookie recipe from son's favorite to hubbies!
thank you for praying for me and my husband!!! i wish that i was disciplined to pray for us every day. amen to your prayer!! Happy V-Day
When I was a little girl, I loved to look at bridal magazines, I thought it was just the height of romance! Now, not so much. What moves me now -to tears- is pictures of couples who have travelled the road of life and remain together. Beth, I just loved the picture of you sitting with your hubby in Seattle. I loved that it wasn't posed, just a real frozen moment. Loved the tenderness, the One-ness it portrayed. In one of your books you said, 'I love old love'. I do too! Having been married for almost fifteen years, I can attest that it does get better with time. Amanda and other young marrieds, you have so much to look forward to! The best really is yet to be.
Thanks Beth and Amanda, for lifting up marriages in prayer. Hope you ladies and your husbands have a wonderful Valentine's Day together.
Dear Beth,
Thank you for that prayer. You are a praying woman - and eloquent at that!
How can we take the world if we are crumbling in the church? How will they see the difference if we are not set apart? Our marriages look like any other. I pray, too, for strength and revival and passion, and the laying down of the stuff of earth.
Sweet Beth, I will see you Friday night here in Detroit!
Thank you Beth for this prayer. Even at moments when we think we don't need it, we do. I pray often to love my husband even more than I already do. And God is answering that prayer. This is my second marriage and I want so much for this marriage to bring glory to God in a way my first marriage never did. Thank you Beth for the love you have for us and that you share with us. God bless you and Keith on this Valentine's Day.
Amy
Eveyone's comment is so overwhelmingly positive; it just makes me feel more alone. I've never "blogged" before, but after reading Beth's prayer, I had to say something. I have yet to see a marriage I want to emulate. I love God, we have a vital relationship, but my marriage is joyless, funless, seemingly loveless - I feel like I've been duped. He's a great man - loves God, the kids, probably even me, but there is no affection, admiration, affirmation, connection, communication or intimacy. Don't worry - I'm committed to remain in this marriage - divorce is not an option. But misery is. I'm tired of hoping for change - it doesn't come. And all this really affects the way I view God (obviously). Sorry to be a downer, but I know I can't be the only one who feels this way.
sweet Beth, thank you for this valentine prayer today. i'm still waiting for my love, but inserted the names of my mom & dad and brother & sister in law & prayed over their marriages today. you are a kindred spirit. thank you for giving all of us a way to connect with you on a personal level.
Thank you for the powerful prayer and thanks to Jenny for the scripture from Nehemiah. I'm writing that on an index card! As God calls us to do his work, Satan will stop at nothing to stop us or distract us from that work, and our marriages are not off limits to his attacks. Hang in there, Sistas, for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
Lord, I agree with this prayer and ask that you would pour out special grace and mercy for military marriages. Father, I cry out for families in all branches of service, but particularly the Army that have separations of over a yea--that You would protect these marriages from hardened hearts and from all the other temptations any married couple faces. How easy it can be to say, "whatever" or "I just don't care anymore about the deployments", but Lord You care about these marriages and these families. Lord, may the time of separation in the desert be times that families grow closer to You and then too each other. Your Word shows how deserts can be a good thing for a deeper relationship with You and we claim it for these men and women leaving their families behind. I pray for the children, Lord that You would be their Abba Father in a greater way and that they will learn to seek You. No greater gift do these families give than to sacrifice their lives for their brothers and I pray that You would bless their sacrifices with protection over their marriages and their families. In Jesus' precious and Holy name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer is SUCH a POWERFUL thing when we use it. Thank you for practicing prayer in your life, Beth. I want you to know that God has called me to the area of prayer and it's because of how powerful you have taught that Praying God's Word is that I'm even able to approach God's throne. Praying for others SCARES ME AS MUCH AS YOU SAY PUBLIC SPEAKING SCARES YOU, but I'm more scared of disobeying God. Thank you for your example of the power of a praying woman. I could just see you practically POUNDING the keys on the keyboard. What a POWER-PACKED prayer. I echo that for ALL marriages.
Beth, thank you so much for your prayer. I have a wonderful marriage--how can you not love a man who got up early to bring you a mocha and scone from Starbucks before you got up?!?! But we pray for our marriage regularly--Satan is so sly. One of my biggest burdens right now is a close friend's marriage that is in crisis. I know God can save this marriage and am praying desperately for a soft heart and open eyes for both of them. Your prayer so touched my heart because it echos the cries of my heart for this precious Christian marriage these last few weeks. Does anyone out there know some verses or principles about how to biblically handle an abusive marriage?
Angie, WA
Dear Beth
I cannot see to type through the tears. I am a pastors wife who really needed your prayer. Praise the Lord for what He is doing through you!
Love
Kristi B.
Beth,
My marriage is one that Satan fought to kill, but GOD took it and made it REAL!
And guess what,Beth? After 25 years later here we are ,me and my Man getting ready to drive to "Patriarchs" Bible study TOGETHER tonight! Yep, we are going the study together on Valentine's Day!
My man loves God, God did it dear Sistas, not me. It was an extreme miracle, Glory to God! He is faithful, He is faithful!!!!!
Thank you so much Beth for praying for our marriages, God bless you and Keith beyond measure!
Beth, what an awesome prayer! I am single but i have printed that prayer out to pray over my own marriage that i trust will be in the near future!! what a great way to cover a marriage before it even happens!! You are such an inspiration and blessing!!
Today is my 20th wedding anniversary. As we have approached this day, I have spent time thinking about the things I have learned and reflecting on the state of my marriage. (It's funny how mature I thought we were and how we really knew nothing. I suppose in another 20 years I'll be thinking the same thing.) I really appreciate your prayer for marriages. It made a wonderful anniversary gift.
What an incredible prayer...it goes very much along the lines of what someone at our church prayer meeting prayed last night.
One day I believe this for my marriage, I have not met him yet but I pray for our "family to be" already.
It's true, our churches are only as strong as the families that are in them. May we see ourselves as His family, and may His love and Spirit keep us united as our eyes are focused on Him.
Beth,
I had to thank you again for posting such a beautiful prayer. My day had started off rough. It was one of those Mom Days of feeling overwhelmed, overstressed with nothing else left to offer. As I told you, I printed out your prayer and prayed along with you.
At the end of the day, my husband came home with a beautiful letter he had written which included the following...
"I thought about buying you a religious book for you to read. Instead I will study the Bible more myself so I can be a better person and servant for God."
Beth, God answered my prayer! I've often wondered at times what is on my husbands heart. The letter I got tonight was the first he had ever written which stated how he truly felt from his "heart" not just from his head. My questions I had within were answered. My son came over to me after he had his bath, with not a stitch of clothes on leaned over and gave me the biggest hug and kiss and said " I love you MOMMY". My daughter came in and said " I love you Mom, you are my best friend".
The LORD is soooooo awesome!!!
My Sistas keep the faith and pray.
You are in my prayers...
love you in Christ
Debby Ann
Hello Beth, Thankyou for this prayer. My husband walked away from our 22 year marraige, because he was mixed up in online pornography.
Our Children were devastated and we are now in the middle of a divorce.
I never expected this or saw it comming. His last statement was I am tired of living up to God's expectations. He was such a godly man that went terribly wrong.
This was beautiful. I hope wives will read it to there husbands.
God Bless
Dear Queen-of-Sanquine!
I just discovered your blog and am delighted to "be closer friends"! I've done most of your studies...and your passion for Jesus has fueled and refueled my own.
Thank you, Beth, for the great sacrifices you and your family have made to serve us, the sistas in the Body of Christ!
Blessings from North Idaho!
If any of you read this please pray for a gal in our church who lost her husband to a heart attack this morning, this Valentines day. Her name is Sue. They are both maybe not quite 50 or just there. This is so sad. Thanks for lifting her up before the throne. Kelly
Hmmmmm Beth, a study on marriage... Sounds like God is using your Sistas to tell you what's next--or in the near future at the very least! Love you!
Beth,
This was a wonderful prayer. It was kind of hard for me to read, b/c my husband has decided he doesn't want to be a part of our family anymore. I have just started reading your book, "Get Out of That Pit" and already my life has been transformed. I know God is bigger than all of this, and is already using me to further His kingdom. Thank you for your God given inspiration!!!
I am so touched! God knew this was so timely for me and my marriage! Thank you for your obedience to lift up loving prayers and interceding for those of us who have marriages that are currently under attack. Blessings to you and yours on this Valentine's Day!
Dear Weary, I'm sure you aren't the only one either. It does take courage to post a not-so-happy comment on such a positive blog--I wanted to do the same about something else a few days ago and didn't have the courage. Our God really is big enough to heal your marriage and I will be praying with you that He will.
Angie, WA
Beth please thank Mr. Keith for praying for your single girls yesterday. I am one of them. I am 30 years old and I have never really had a boyfriend. It really touched my heart last night when he prayed for us. Hope y'all had a great day today.
much love,
Ashley
I pray for the state of marriages today too. I was married 14 years the first time and in an abusive relationship. Thank God He provided a way out and also a godly man that kept after me until I married him! We have been together 20 years this fall. For our anniversary, my man is driving me to Nashville so I can go to "Deeper Still" and then onto another state to be with our friends. Marriages can't get any better than that and I praise our Father for showing me what true love really is. I have been blessed and I want all women to know that same joy. Amen.
Thank you so much for that prayer and being so in touch with the holy spirit that He can use you in such an obedient and timely way. My husband has recently decided that he wants a "break" from being married. What's worse is he is/was a minister. We have been separated since the new year and I am clinging to Jesus with all that I have. I praise him b/c even during my worst nigtmare Jesus is faithful. Beth, God has used you in ways you will never know (till we can chat in heaven:) I am so thankful to be blessed by you and your ministry. This blog has been an incredible source of encouragement as well. Oh Lord Jesus you are everything we need! Thank you for the gift of desperation, b/c it's here that I am falling at your feet like Mary did (Luke 10:39). Lord you can call me my by state!
Thank you for the prayer, Beth. I can say with confidence that God is so faithful to restore and deliver a marriage on the path to destruction. I praise Him every day for the awesome work he has done in my marriage. Time and space doesn't permit to tell the absolute miracles he has worked in mine but I encourage everyone to constanly lift their marriage up in prayer. (even in the good times.)
Thank you to all who have prayed this prayer. My husband left me and filed for divorce a week before Christmas. I pray what seems like every moment of the day, for God to take satan away from our marriage and rebuild our life together. Any prayers are greatly appreciated! - Thank You Erin
We receive this in our marriage. Praise You Father!
Weary--
Thank you for feeling like you could be honest here. :) I think all of our Sistas can be so positive because at some point or another, in marriage or our personal lives, we have been in that place that you find yourself now. Some of us are still there. But some of us have also come through on the other side and seen that our God is faithful even when we are not (2 Tim 2:13)!! And that HE who has begun a GOOD work in you WILL be faithful to COMPLETE it!!(Phil 1:6)
Girl, with a "been-there" heart I so urge you--don't give up on God. Pursue HIM with everything you've got--look to HIM to be those things and to restore those things that you feel are lost. You are NOT "too far gone"!!! ASK HIM to show you if there are any areas of captivity that are keeping you from enjoying the benefits that HE has always intended you to have! You ARE NOT the one person that God can not restore JOY to. He wants us to be FREE and to live FULLY ALIVE in Him--sometimes that means giving up a part of ourselves that we didn't even know we were holding on to.
Sweetheart, I am PRAYING for you!! Perservere my sista!! God WILL see this through--approach His throne with confidence, KNOWING that He hears your cry for help! HE LOVES YOU!!! Your sisterhood is here whenever you need us... :)
Yes Lord!!! Amen and Amen!!!
I cannot believe I am going to post a comment today on the subject of marriage. I am a single mom of two. Four years ago, my husband went home to Jesus. Our marriage was turbulent to say the least and wrought with all manner of issues. I never imagined that my life as a 30 year old woman would look this way. But that is not what prompted me to post tonight. Over the last four years I have spent Valentine's day essentially feeling sorry for myself, wishing I had what all my married friends have.
Tonight I am resting in my completeness in Jesus, allowing Him to fill the void in my life, because only He can truly fill it.
Tonight my kids (ages 9 and 5) and I celebrated v-day by eating a four course meal by candlelight with our Heavenly Father and Husband. He is meeting every need.
For the first valentine's in a long time, I am able to focus on what is eternally important...Jesus.
Thank you so much, I beg of God to answer this prayer for my own marriage as He is the only one who can help it at this point.
Beth,
I had to re digest this prayer this morning. Last night it was meaningful to me, but I went back to it this morning, printed it out and prayed it, soaked it in, took it for my own plea and joined you all in prayer. I know this was of the Holy Spirit. It just touched so deeply and completely.
Thank You, Father! You are Holy and worthy to be Priased. Your Love Endures Forever.
For the couples in our circle of family and friends, I claim this and praise You Jesus. For the couples that are hurting and have no cirlce of family and friends to pray for them...may this be a prayer for them in a powerful way. Give them connection with trustworthy couples that will be good and encouraging.
For my marriage with Todd...Praise Yor Father, Thank You Father, Bless us more than I'm even thinking about.
In Jesus Name. I love you all!
Robyn
Amen. I am truly blessed to have such a marriage.
Dear Weary,
My heart is with you. Cling to Jesus and begin praying His Word. And KNOW that Satan is the only one who will dupe you. Rebuke him in Jesus' name - (out loud is how I do it.) God is all Truth and Love - believe Him and claim the power that is yours as a child of the King! Have you done Beth's study, 'Breaking Free'? If not, get the book and read it right away. It was life changing for me.
I am praying for you, Sister, and I love you.
Beth, I have been praying for such things for a family member. How easily we settle for for living in mediocrity and unhappiness until one spouse can no longer stand it. May God light a roaring fire in the heart of all marriages! Those who are working so hard or so well and those who have settled for so much less. Thank you, Beth!
Beth,
I was one of the reasons God changed the subject of your talk to marriage and forgiveness at Downpour Miami in November. This prayer touched me in so many ways. I pray that God will restore my marriage and soften my husband's heart so he will agree to go to counseling with me to give us another chance before the divorce papers are filed. Please pray for us.
Trish
Greenwood MS
Thanks you Beth for such a beautiful prayer! Unfortunately, I find myself in a failed marriage. I never thought it would happen to me. My husband of 20+ years left me and our children. He is openly living with another woman. He has no intentions of working on our marriage or coming back to us. I did everything I could to save our marriage, but my husband had no interest in even trying to save it. I have prayed, sought both spiritual and secular counseling, and find I must move on. I know God has great things in store for my life, even though my marriage failed. I would love to hear your comments on this type of situation. I see there are a other women on this blog who also find themselves in this quandary.
Thanks so much for your beautiful inspiration!
THANK YOU BETH!! So many times I have wanted to comment and tell you how God uses your words in my life but today I had to! GOD HAS HEALED MY MARRIAGE! I have finally broke free only weeks ago from my fears, anger, and unforgiveness and my marriage is on its way to what God has always wanted. At times I am shocked that my husband and I have made it this far but God is FAITHFUL! In Ezekial 36:26 it says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh". HE DID!! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Beth! My prayer is the same for so many.
Thank you for your prayer Beth! Amen and Amen. I am a child of divorce and did not want my children to experience what I did growing up. I prayed (as a young women) for a marriage that would last and GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL (26 yrs and counting)!! I pray this over my children's future marriages as well!!.
Precious Weary-
Your post hurt my heart. Don't you know that Satan is doing back handspringss because he THINKS he has made you marriage so difficult that you wil be miserable in your marriage. Stay on your knees sweet sister-Jesus loves you so.
I will keep you in prayer. Prayer is the answer. God transcends ALL evil. Love to you sista
I have been married for 19 years. Yesterday, Valentines day, a day when you should not come home with nothing. However, my husband went with me to the doctors office to hear test results,(all good by the way). After dropping him off at work, I proceeded to go to work, at got a flat tire on the middle of 225. Thank God for cell phones. I called my husband to let him know, and he immediately came to my rescue. After all, the flowers will die and we know where the candy ends up, and it nice to know that after 19 years he is still my HERO.
P.S. I'm loving tuesday nights, see you there
so i (lucky me) got some $ for val day....which cece winans cd would you recommend?
Beth,
Thank you so much. I will lift you and yours up to the Most High as well.
Sarah in Georgia
Wow. I needed that prayer. Thank you, Beth, for interceding on behalf of our Christian marriages. God bless!
Good morning, Beth,
I was going to wait until you posted today to comment, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to scroll down and read other comments. I think I know why now, and if Weary reads this, I want her to know, as I'm sure you do, that SHE IS NOT ALONE! I went back to your original post, and with Matthew 18:19 in mind - Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven - I let "Weary" and her husband represent all couples as I echoed every word of your prayer, fervently and with my whole heart believing God that He will do all these things.
James 5:16 says confess your trespasses to one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. The reason I'm quoting that verse, is because I hope Weary will read this. Until yesterday, I'm afraid I had a little trouble reading all the positive comments myself. God has a purpose for me to visit this sight, and prior to my "Come to Jesus" meeting yesterday, envy, covetousness, and jealousy in my heart kept me from realizing it.
Beth, as a fellow visual learner, have I got a word picture for you and it involves something I must confess. Prior to yesterday - when in my prayer closet turned surgery suite, the Great Physician performed open heart surgery - I struggled with jealousy. I went as far as to stop visiting this sight altogether, but God had other plans. "Green around the gills" and "green with envy" are connected you know, because covetousness is sickening to God. My figurative surgery was scheduled at 5:30 a.m. I guess you could say the Psalmist was the anesthesiologist because God did allow me to read from the Psalms before getting started. During the lengthy procedure/Come to Jesus meeting, The Great Physician removed the root - didn't just pluck off the leaves or stem, He went all the way down to the root, removed it, stopped the bleeding, cleansed the wound, and gave me a prescription to prevent future infection. Psalm 119:36 says Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, Now godliness with contentment is great gain. Bless His name, He set me free. When the green-eyed monster of jealousy dares rear its ugly head again, I am to do what Psalm 119:60 says, make haste and
do not delay to keep God's commandments - the greatest being love. When I'm on this sight and inclined to be envious, I purpose in my heart to pray for the very things I envy and want for my family - for yours instead of mine. Today, I prayed from Psalm 78:14 that in the daytime, our Father would lead the Moore and Jones families with the cloudy pillar of His presence and at night with a light of fire.
Beth, this part is precious. When the Great Physician was making His rounds to check on His recovering patient this morning, He gave me 2 Corinthians 11:2, For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Hallelujah, He has replaced my envy, covetousness, and jealousy with godly jealousy and when it is time for the marriage to the Lamb, we will be a chaste and spotless bride.
I love you and your precious family, and considering the prescription the Holy Spirit has written, I will be praying for you daily.
Free Indeed,
Patti Hayes
Amen! Amen! And Amen! Marriage is worth fighting for-keep sticking the course girls...it is so worth it!!!
Patti,
What a Great Heart Story for Valentines!
Bless You Patti!
Robyn
If it is ok I want to reply to Shanda. My heart goes out to you. I am a mom of two sons and I remember in the first years of being divorced I dreaded Valentines Day . My divorce was final on Valentines Day. Praise God for healing and mending broken hearts. Anyway, what you said about having dinner with your children and Husband (Is. 54:7) brought back a sweet memory for me. When my two were little I decided to have a candlelight dinner for them and it was so sweet to spend my time with them. Our radio station had a contest for women to write a short paragraph about why their husband was the best. I wrote about my Husband, how God truly was the best Husband ever and they read it on radio while we were having our dinner. Is God good?!! I am going to be praying for you and your children. I pray that God will give you a big delight this week!
To the woman who lost her husband on Valentines Day, my heart goes out to you and I have prayed for you. I pray you will feel God's comfort and peace.
To all the other women living thru difficult marriages, I am praying for you. With God ALL things are possible! I am believing God for a miracle for your marriages!
I'm surprised this post isn't closed yet. Beth, as if you need more proof that marriages are in trouble... My husband (he is not a Christian) asked me for a divorce a little over a year ago. I begged him to stay (humility at it's best/worst). He said he liked being married, but just thought he could find someone else whom he would be happier with (we'd been married for 16 years at the time and have 2 children). By God's grace (and nothing else) we are still together. But more of a testament to God's grace is the fact that I can still love him after and during all the hurt. I admit I have to pray for God to give me that love continually. I pray that God will change my husband's heart - as I know He can work in the hearts of even those that don't belong to Him (He's a GREAT BIG GOD!!!), but I also ask Him to continually change my heart and to love my husband all the more every day. There are many times, I would like to give in and let him leave, but that's not God's plan - that's Satan's plan. God has blessed me through this time and I pray that I will someday be able to give a complete testimony to God's faithfulness to me (but now I'm still trudging through the valley to get to that mountaintop). I have to admit I am jealous of Christian marriages, so it was good for me to read that Christian marriages aren't all perfect either - just different problems. God help each of us to remain faithful to you through each of our specific and difficult circumstances. May we glorify you in our marriages and may we humbly submit to Your ways.
Beth, and I thought that prayer was just for me.....
beth amen! amen! amen!
for the weary sista... i was so self-centered. focused on how my needs were not being met and the areas where we were not meshing. i wasn't even attempting to be what i vowed to God and my husband. we had to start all over again. we had to go away and be willing to be taught. love and be loved. we had to forgive and be forgiven. we had to get on our knees and want to be twined tightly together with our Savior. sista-fix your weary eyes on the Lord. you are right. you don't want my marriage or your sistas! it takes so much work...i take work...my husband takes work. but it's my journey and i have and get to see the miracles of God. he has given you such a special gift. eachother. i am praying you will have your socks blessed off and will testify the day you see His goodness.
thank you for posting weary sista.
you are loved...loved by God. let Him show you how much.
Ps103:1-5
lovin a resurrected married life-lisa
amanda, thank you for the video! boy oh boy, i had to rest in knowing God hand picked who He wanted in seattle. yep, some get to stay & pray! :)
beth-thank you for being obeidient to what the Lord causes you to speak and put to print. whew! the lives that have been directed toward the Savior, healed and filled. "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing..." col 1:6 GLORY TO GOD!!!
as far as a marriage study/book goes...you & God just go about your business and do your thing. if He directs you to do a specific teacing on marriage go for it.
but until then... how bout...
believing God FOR YOUR MARRIAGE, to live as Christ FOR YOUR MARRIAGE, get out of the pit FOR YOUR MARRIAGE... would a workbook study be something my man would sit and do with me? ahh... no! (wk-end away..more likely) but sistas let me tell you...he & i laughed (and cried) driving down the road listening to Beth and ended up having a great time BELIEVING GOD for our marriage.
lovin life in Him & praying for a sunny day on the rainy WA coast-lisa
Beth,
Thank you so much for this prayer. It seems that the enemy has tried to make Valentine's day difficult for me and my husband 2 years in a row.But the Lord has given you powerful words to speak over our marriages. I know with Christ we can overcome our difficulties in our marriages and we will have the victory!
AWESOME< WOW O WOW!!!!
For WEARY... #1.Don't even try to emulate anyone's marriage...Yours is The Only Marriage that is Yours and your husband's. #2.You might try praying for feelings of affection, admiration, etc... for your man, but preferably one at a time and #3God probably is worried because Your Marriage is to bring Him Glory! #4 Quit "hoping for change" PRAY FOR IT! Pray to want to BE changed! and lastly but hardly leastly....Could you try viewing "all this" through God and not the other way around. I'll pray for your marriage along with the many other sistas who read your note..
Beth, thank you so much for sending up to heaven this prayer for marriages. We are all in such desperate need of prayer in this day when Satan is roaming the earth. I can't wait to hear you at the simulcast next Sat. God always speaks to me through you when I go to one of your conferences. I have gone to 1 a year for the last 6 years. I can't wait to see what I need to learn this year. I need to get out of this pit. Thank you so much for allowing God to work through you to teach us.
I pray for that everyday! Not only is satan trying to ruin marriages through the avenue Beth mentions but also through the idea that homosexuality is ok. I have several friends struggling with that issue. It just breaks my heart the lies satan tells us and how so many are led astray. Thank you Beth for your willingness to follow God's will and be obedient to Him.
My marriage is a testimony of this prayer, "Lord, the beauty of praying in Your will is knowing that every single couple who desires and receives it can have it. Every couple can be healed. Every couple can be in love again." This is what can happen when we truly let God be our deliverer. He makes all things new. I remember 8 years ago, at very small conference in England, Beth placed her hands on me and prayed God would restore my marriage. Today, my marriage is so awesome and I love my man like never before. Thanks be to God!!! Thank you Beth for praying for me years ago, and thank you Amanda for your Valentine's Prayer. God is so GOOD!
Do it Lord...Do it...because
YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE,
YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU CAN DO,
WE ARE WHO YOU SAY WE ARE,
WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST,
YOUR WORD IS ALIVE AND ACTIVE IN US!
In the mighty name of Jesus, we agree with our sister Beth. WE BELIEVE YOU! Amen
I am agreeing with you in prayer. My heart breaks for my friends and their marriages. I feel called to work in marriage mentoring in some capacity. I am just waiting on the Lord to let me know the what, when and where. Thank you for your prayer and for your obedience to our Lord and Savior. God Bless You Beth!
Thank you Beth, Just reading your prayers for all of us has made me a better prayer warrior. I start reading your prayer and find myself adding to it and finishing it. I sooo needed to get back in touch with my marriage and this has really helped. Praise God, He is in the healing business!!!!
You have such a way of crying out to God that pierces my heart everytime. My marriage is going on 14 years (with 3 boys under 10) by the grace of God alone. I am hanging on with everything I have. I will use this prayer for my marriage daily. God bless you Beth Moore. God has used you to be one of the top influential people in my life.
Struggling in florida..
Beth,
My girls are coming to see you tonight in Detroit- take good care of them!
I'd be there myself but we adopted a 2 year old from China a few months ago and I can't leave her yet. I'll be praying for you all!
Sue (Pastor Mark's wife!)
something God spoke to my heart this about this week.
I asked him why we but heads like angry rams? He asked me if the problem might be me? I answered...well, I think it's him (ha!) He mentioned to my heart that rams are both male. I said OH yes, they sure are. I gathered that maybe I was ramming around trying to force my will on my husband when in my heart I understand God's message of respecting my husband and the blessings of submission.
I asked God to annoint our heads with his oil, (Ps 23) so we will have less friction, healed wounds, and protection from pesty irritants that intrude in our day to day life. Max Lucado wrote a beautiful illustration of the annointing of our heads with oil and how it is used by the Shepherd. His book is Traveling Light.
When you allow the Shepherd to annoint your head with oil, you have to humble yourself and lower your head under his hands.
My prayers goes out to each of my Sistas as I read over the comments from each of you. I was 36 years old before I was ever married. Before then I lived my life filled with a lack of trust due to abuse I lived out all through my childhood. I was one of those gals that always wore a smile on her face, hoping that the pain and shame would not be revealed to others. I fell into so many pits trying to fit into the standard of perfection set by the worlds system. I found that no matter what title I had in my career, the label of my clothes I wore, how fit I was physically or how super of a mom I could be...I still found myself in the deepest darkest pit you can imagine. It was when Jesus called me at the age of 32 that I found that there truly was light above. Gradually over time, I began to experience the pain and heartache shed from within. I often wondered why I had to endure pain that stemmed from others. I know that we are all given free will to choose good or bad. I know that Satan is real and that his purpose is to steal, kill and destroy each of us. Yet, in my life I am a witness of what Jesus can do if you will place your trust in him. My life has a purpose. I am married to a wonderful man who by all means is not perfect but he is transparent and looks to Jesus for his answers. My daughter is now 22 and my son Aaron is 6. We continue to go through many trials but have learned that we can endure nothing on our own without faith in Christ. Ladies...I press forward with faith in Jesus Christ, through reading his Word which is life and power in scripture, prayer and leaning on the Holy Spirit to guide me. Now my smile I wear is real. Not that I am happy all the time, but I have peace within knowing that Jesus is with me and will never forsake me and knowing now that when I miss the mark I can repent and Jesus will lovingly forgive me. May the Lord fill you with his peace. I pray that he will take away your pain and heartache. I love you all and know that I am praying for you daily...
Your Sista in Christ,
Debby Ann
Thank you for your prayer. Our marriage of 14 years was wonderfully touched by God four years ago. I thank God for His never-ending pursuit of me! My husband and I testify to it every chance we get.
I commented earlier and wanted to comment again. Mine was one of those 'happy' posts. It breaks my heart to think it may have been a stumbling block or painful for those of you who are struggling in your marriage, have gone through the pain of divorce or loss, or those of you who are single. I want you to know that I've read all your comments and I weep for those who are hurting. And I'll be on my face praying for you. God hasn't given up on marriages, let's seek Him with everything we've got.
Love you Sistas,
Roni
Does anyone know of an awesome Bible Study to do with teenagers?? Something like Beth does?
I just wanted to share a word of encouragement for those who are hurting. I'm quite certain the enemy had it out for my marriage a couple of years ago. We walked the hardest and most painful season of our lives, but God grew us deeper in Him than ever before. Our Almighty God can trump any attempt of the enemy. Our Lord Jesus is utterly faithful to redeem, transform, renew, and restore. Believe Him for it!!!
I could weep with such gratitude that God would work such deep healing and full redemption in our lives. His Word is for you. Believe His Word over your circumstance and your feelings, and hold onto His truth. Take Him personally. Even the worst of seasons can be made so beautiful and the thrill of our walk with Him.
2 Kings 20:5 says "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you."
Two songs that greatly ministered to my heart through this devastating time were "All Things New" and "Believe Me Now" by Steven Curtis Chapman. I poured myself into God's Word, and listened to these songs and other praise music all day long.
He holds us and carries us through. We can come through these horrible times with healing and wholeness, and depth with our Savior greater than our dreams. I praise Him!!!
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