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The Power of Praying for our Husbands and Fathers

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31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

As Father DAy quickly approaches, we need to be diligent in praying for our husbands and fathers!  HEre are some helpful ways to pray for them.  Join others at calvary, for the next 31 days  in covering your husband and fathers in prayer!

“She does him good . . .” (Proverbs 31:12a)
Bless your husband by praying for him! The Apostle Paul instructed all Christians to pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18). This includes wives’ responsibility and privilege to pray for their husbands. Earnest prayer for your husband is good for him, for you and the spiritual health of your home (Proverbs 31:11-12).
Satan desires to destroy your husband, especially his character and his leadership in your relationship. Trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord’s wise, loving care.
Day 1 Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)
Day 2 Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)
Day 3 Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)
Day 4 Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)
Day 5 Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)
Day 6 Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)
Day 7 Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)
Day 8 Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)
Day 9 Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)
Day 10 Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)
Day 11 Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)
Day 12 Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)
Day 13 Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)
Day 14 Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)
Day 15 Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)
Day 16 Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)
Day 17 Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)
Day 18 Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)
Day 19 Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)
Day 20 Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)
Day 21 Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)
Day 22 Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)
Day 23 Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Day 24 Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)
Day 25 Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)
Day 26 Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Day 27 Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)
Day 28 Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)
Day 29 Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)
Day 30 Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

Day 31 Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

FEAR

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FEAR
{From a young mother’s blog}
~Jennifer Heemskerk

It’s been two years since our family went through one of the biggest trials we have ever faced.  A father’s greatest fear is usually that he won’t be able to provide for his family. A mom’s greatest fear is typically that something will happen to one of her children. Fear is a funny thing. It sometimes provides healthy caution, but more times than not it seems to produce undue stress and anxiety regarding things over which we have little to no control.

As a mother of four small children, my mind is constantly on the go, where my kids are concerned. Most things are small, everyday concerns, such as: Did they brush their teeth? Are they cold? Are they wearing matching socks? Does their hair look presentable to leave the house? Did they have enough for breakfast? Did they do their homework? But then I have flashes of fear that pierce my heart, and make my pulse quicken. Mostly this happens when I hear of bad things happening to other children. (why do I watch the news? *sigh* I think this is why I am so mentally spent by the end of the day.

The Bible has a lot to say about fear. I remember, when I was a teenager, my pastor spoke on fear. And I remember him stating that in the Bible it says; “do not fear” (or the equivalent to that) about 365 times. Interestingly enough, that’s a good reminder for each day of the year! I’m not sure why that little tid-bit stuck with me- but it did. And since then, I have found many verses that have encouraged me, when I am feeling fearful. Here are some of my favorites.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One ofIsrael, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

I do not write on the topic of fear lightly. Two years ago, fear became a reality, when our youngest child was delivered at 32 1/2 weeks by emergency C-section. When she was born, it took her 10 minutes to breathe on her own and another 51/2 weeks in N.I.C.U to be big enough and strong enough to come home. During that time, my minutes, hours, and my days were filled with fear. Fear of losing our precious little princess. Fear that she would have long term consequences because of her early birth. Fear of further complications…future medical procedures and the list went on and on and on.

During the first day or two, it didn’t look good- our baby was not well. Sitting by her isolette, I watched as her stats moved from the “normal” range and periodically drop to the range where alarm bells would pierce my ears and heart…The worst was not being able to hold my sweet baby. I felt completely helpless, and all the while, my soul screamed to God, “Please, don’t take her.” How do you tell a lifetime of dreams all wrapped up in one child goodbye? As I prayed, I heard a gentle whisper in my heart; “Whose child is she really?” My heart knew she was God’s. She was God’s child, He had created her….but my voice kept repeating, “she’s mine, she’s my little girl.” Through my tears, and knowing full-well the answer in my heart, I finally answered; “She’s yours.”

In my exhaustion, I mentally lifted up our daughter and released her to God. The thought of losing her was the darkest time in my life, but I also knew that my life would become even darker if I walked away from God. My husband gently led me to pray when I couldn’t face reality on my own. We prayed against the “what if’s” and even though fear was trying it’s best to paralyze us, we took refuge in the Lord and He gave us the strength we needed to get through the tough times.
In the end, God’s answer was to leave her with us. But the lesson I learned through our daughter’s early birth will stay with me forever. When I fear for my children, I have to go back to that N.I.C.U and lift my children up to God.
Yes, I ask for them to be kept safe.
Yes, I believe in the power and provision of prayer.
But, I also have to realize that not by my worries, and certainly not by my fears can I control my children’s safety. I need to trust God.

To help me trust more, I lean on the little encouragements in His word. As scripture tells us; “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) I have learned, that Satan uses fear to distract us from accomplishing God’s purpose. Through Evelyn’s birth, God taught me (and is still teaching me) that when fear threatens to invade my life, my reaction should not be to fear but instead, to turn to God.

This weekend, our family will be celebrating Evelyn’s 2nd birthday! The Lord has done great things and we are filled with joy!

Rescue – with a determination that won’t Quit

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In the month of April, Calvary Baptist had the privilege to have Smita Singh come and speak about the Mahima Care Home, a Kolkata-based girl rescue and rehabilitation home that addresses the grave injustice of sexual slavery, by providing a safe haven for girls under the age of 18 who have been rescued from the sex trade.
On Sunday May 27, 2012 Calvary Baptist presents Charles Billingsley- a worship concert event, where a special offering be will taken to support the Mahima Aftercare Home (Smita’s ministry). Below is just one of the many stories of how God is working in this part of the world. How He is restoring and transforming these young women.
Suhana* was only 16 when she was rescued by IJM and local police from a Kolkata brothel. Brought to a secure and loving aftercare home, she began to thrive. After more than a year of healing, Suhana and her counselors decided she was ready to start a job outside of the shelter.
She made a new friend through this job, but the friendship had terrible consequences. The unthinkable happened: Suhana was trafficked to a faraway city. Tricked and betrayed, Suhana was sold to a pimp and returned to the nightmare she thought she had escaped forever. Night after night, she was raped, abused and exploited.

But Suhana was not forgotten. IJM was determined to rescue her – no matter how impossible it seemed.
Early investigative leads revealed she had been brought from Kolkata to Mumbai. And so began a desperate mission to find one lost girl in the huge city.
After four months of relentless searching, IJM investigators pinpointed Suhana’s precise location. In a city of 18 million people, in the middle of a massive red-light district, one girl was found.   “They didn’t give up on me. They searched for me and they found me, rescued me again.”

Reunited with the IJM staff, and Smita Singh, who had never stopped caring for her, Suhana felt how deeply she was loved.
IJM lawyers fought for justice in court, and several of her traffickers have been convicted and sentenced to 7 to 10 years in prison. Confident in her freedom, Suhana is studying and hopes to become a social worker. “I’m just one of so many girls forced into prostitution who were lost, but now, are found,” Suhana says.

Show Your Eagerness to Help!

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Last Tuesday, my eldest and I sorted and sifted through all the loose change Granddad had given her. The peanut container had become quite full and happily needed to be emptied. Usually we allow the girls to take the coins out for a visit to the bouncy castles, but this time there was a different purpose for emptying out the container. Instead of being spent on something the girls wanted, the coins would be placed into an egg bank- given to us by our church. The money collected is donated to missionaries all around the world and different organizations that will help support those in need. A cause that is important to us since both Jeremy and Renee have travelled to different places around the world to spread the gospel.

As the coins clanged together and the tin emptied out, Rachel asked about each one;

“Mommy, what is this one called?”

“That’s a penny, it’s a tiny coin and worth 1 cent.”

“What about this one?”

“That is a nickel, it’s worth 5 cents.”

“Whoa! That’s a lot and it’s shiny!”

“Honey, let’s take some of the pennies, nickels and dimes and put them into your egg bank for church to give to the boys and girls who don’t have food and warm blankets and sometimes they have no toys.”

Her eyes widened, “The boys and girls don’t have any toys, how come they don’t have any?” Her little voiced quivered as the thought of having no toys was obviously stressing her out.

“Because, sweetie, their Mommies and Daddies work very hard but there is no money for toys. Only money for food.”

I tried to explain using language a 4 year old would understand, how extremely blessed we are to have such things as warm blankets, and beds, food to eat, water to drink and of course toys to play with. As the coins were dropped into the slot of the egg, Rachel’s eye caught a new coin in the pile on the table.

“Mommy, look…what’s this one?” as she held it up with excitement

“That one is called a toonie and it is worth $2.00. Much more than a penny and a nickel.”

“Wow! $2.00! that’s way more. It’s a special coin!”

“Yes, it is”, I replied with a little laugh.

“Mommy, this coin is SO special. We need to put it in the egg. We need to give it so that the boys and girls can have food to eat.”

My heart swelled with pride but I wanted to be sure of her commitment; that she wouldn’t get upset about the coin after it was inside the egg. “Rachel, you have already put plenty of coins into your egg. It’s almost full. Are you sure you want to give that special coin away?”

“Yes, it’s special. I want to put it in the egg.”

In that very moment I was not only proud to be a mommy, but I was also humbled. Here I was trying to teach Rachel the value of giving. I had focused on giving away the coins that were of little value. The coins that were considered “loose change” and were taking up room in her coin container. And here Rachel was giving away the “most special” coin from her tin – the coin that actually possessed the most value and was worth something to her. It represented the admission cost of going to the bouncy castles. In this one teachable moment, my little girl taught me that you don’t just give- you give the VERY BEST!

Condolences

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Our sympathies go out to Anne Boyle, whose mother Renee Byrne passed away in England on April 9th 2012.

Our sympathies also go out to the family of Caroline “Carrie” Spencer (sister to Wally Mills) – Carrie passed away on Sunday.Visiting will be at McIntosh-Anderson-Kellam (MAK) on Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4pm and 7-9 p.m. The funeral will be Thursday at 11am at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Please also pray for the family of Neil Verbeek, who also lost his sister Alice on Tuesday April 3, 2012.  Alice was in her 49th year.  Cremation has taken place and a private family service was held on April 7th 2012.