Comments on: Prayers – the good, the bad, and the ugly http://www.the-generous-husband.com/2010/03/28/prayers-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ Daily tips on being a better husband. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Mark Stooksbury http://www.the-generous-husband.com/2010/03/28/prayers-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-729 Mark Stooksbury Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:50:56 +0000 http://www.the-generous-husband.com/?p=2385#comment-729 I know this is an old posting, but I get behind sometimes and check my newer emails before getting to the old. Anyway, I appreciate the points that you made and in general they are correct. As the leader in my family I have learned that I need to pray for my wife, and that may be to pray for growth in areas that she would never pray for. I prayed that God would make her less materialistic because I saw that it was a problem. As long as she stayed that way her relationship with God would suffer. I happened to be better in this area than she was and was therefore able to see that it needed to change. I also knew that there was absolutely NOTHING that I could do regarding this. So, I prayed to God and left it to Him. He answered that prayer. There are times and situations now that I am more materialistic than she is, and I have to humble myself and pray for forgiveness as she has helped me see that I am holding onto possessions as well. Our relationship is much stronger as well (even though I didn't realize how strained things were because of that one issue), with her acceptance of me even though I don't make more money than I do (in fact I make considerably less than she does). The list of prayers were I am sure purely self motivated, but we men need to embrace our position of leaders not to put a thumb on our wives, but to guide them to a closer and more powerful relationship with Him. Only by embracing our role can we grow closer to God and gain His power in leading our family... when we are weak then we are strong. By turning our spouses and childrens spiritual shortcomings over to Him, we can see power in our families as God draws us all closer. It doesn't violate free will any more than Paul's conversion did. God will do radical things to get our attention and make the changes that are necessary, but in the end it still is our decision to follow or not. Our lives were changed radically and now people think that we are radical because we are willing to trust Him with the safety of our lives even though we only got to this point because He has proven His faithfullness previously (I see a rabbit trail, but I'm not going to chase it). This is my first comment, so I just want to say how much I appreciate your site, and daily emails. You have helped me see the need and some inventive ways to grow closer to my wife and be closer to the spiritual leader that God intends for me to be. Sometimes it's just a reminder of things I know, but have been falling away from, but that makes it so much more important to implement now before it becomes a problem. Thank you for your ministry. Mark I know this is an old posting, but I get behind sometimes and check my newer emails before getting to the old. Anyway, I appreciate the points that you made and in general they are correct. As the leader in my family I have learned that I need to pray for my wife, and that may be to pray for growth in areas that she would never pray for. I prayed that God would make her less materialistic because I saw that it was a problem. As long as she stayed that way her relationship with God would suffer. I happened to be better in this area than she was and was therefore able to see that it needed to change. I also knew that there was absolutely NOTHING that I could do regarding this. So, I prayed to God and left it to Him. He answered that prayer. There are times and situations now that I am more materialistic than she is, and I have to humble myself and pray for forgiveness as she has helped me see that I am holding onto possessions as well. Our relationship is much stronger as well (even though I didn’t realize how strained things were because of that one issue), with her acceptance of me even though I don’t make more money than I do (in fact I make considerably less than she does). The list of prayers were I am sure purely self motivated, but we men need to embrace our position of leaders not to put a thumb on our wives, but to guide them to a closer and more powerful relationship with Him. Only by embracing our role can we grow closer to God and gain His power in leading our family… when we are weak then we are strong. By turning our spouses and childrens spiritual shortcomings over to Him, we can see power in our families as God draws us all closer. It doesn’t violate free will any more than Paul’s conversion did. God will do radical things to get our attention and make the changes that are necessary, but in the end it still is our decision to follow or not. Our lives were changed radically and now people think that we are radical because we are willing to trust Him with the safety of our lives even though we only got to this point because He has proven His faithfullness previously (I see a rabbit trail, but I’m not going to chase it).

This is my first comment, so I just want to say how much I appreciate your site, and daily emails. You have helped me see the need and some inventive ways to grow closer to my wife and be closer to the spiritual leader that God intends for me to be. Sometimes it’s just a reminder of things I know, but have been falling away from, but that makes it so much more important to implement now before it becomes a problem. Thank you for your ministry.

Mark

]]> By: Africord http://www.the-generous-husband.com/2010/03/28/prayers-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-618 Africord Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:58:12 +0000 http://www.the-generous-husband.com/?p=2385#comment-618 Early in my marriage, I regularly prayed that I could carry out Ephesians 5:25-33 more faithfully. It transformed my marriage, but it took time. Its the concept of Matthew 7:3-5. Early in my marriage, I regularly prayed that I could carry out Ephesians 5:25-33 more faithfully. It transformed my marriage, but it took time. Its the concept of Matthew 7:3-5.

]]>