“I was talking with a neighbor the other day,” Stan commented one morning while we waited for breakfast. “He told me something about his prayer life that really caused me to pause, think about, and want to apply to myself.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“He told me that every day he brings a prayer before God that he calls the ‘spousal prayer’.”
“The spousal prayer?” I replied. “I’ve heard of the Lord’s prayer and the disciples’ prayer, but I’m not sure I’ve heard of that. What’s it all about?”
“As my neighbor told me,” Stan replied, “each morning he prays and asks God for His help in being only the man and husband his wife needs and wants. And he adds to that prayer a request for help in being only the man and husband God can and will use for His purposes in his wife’s life and in their marriage.”
“Oh,” I replied. “That sounds like a good one that could be used by both spouses in a marriage. Being only who they are wanted and needed to be by the other person. And being only who God can and will use in the other person’s life.”
“And in their marriage,” Stan added.
“Sounds like that might really help in a marriage,” I commented.
“Not only that,” Stan replied, “it has occurred to me that it’s a prayer that can and should be modified for every person God has brought and brings into my life.”
“That you will be only who God intends for you to be with that person?” I replied. “Is that it?”
“That’s it,” Stan said. “A simple prayer that can go a long way in helping me with all of my relationships.”
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Bible verses to consider:
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25.
Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, . . . 1 Corinthians 7:5.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you allow me to come before you in prayer. Please help me in praying only in accordance with your will. I know that it is your will that I be who you intend for me to be, doing what you have for me to do. Therefore, I pray and ask you to help me follow every step of your lead so I am the person I am wanted and needed to be by others, as well as the person you can and will use for your purposes in the lives of each person you bring into my life. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Do you pray to be the person God can and will use in accordance with His desire in all of your relationships? If yes, do you see a difference in your relationships? If you do not pray that prayer, can you see that it could make a difference? Would you like to see that difference in your relationships? What would that mean for you? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 