praying effectively: Nurture Our Relationships (Gen.2)

(Genesis 2:18-25)  Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we are not reclusive
- that we nurture our relationships
- that marriage is only between one man and one woman
- that married couples are considered "one" (until death)

Today's prayer:

Lord Jesus, I thank You that YOU are my soul-mate, and that YOU make me complete!  That You fulfill me and give me purpose.  Let me always be putting You first in my life.  ESPECIALLY when things get hectic.

You created us as social beings!  And, You know that I can be a bit of a recluse, so I do so appreciate the few friends who have come into my life.  But help me to be constantly reaching out to fellowship with new people!  HELP ME not to be self-centered in conversations!!!!  but that I will show them Your gracious love, compassion and interest!!!

Thank You for my loving, God-fearing husband.  I ask that the stress we are going through right now will only keep bringing us closer together.  Help us to work together effectively while seeking out Your guidance in all things.  May we have a unified front in the way we manage each issue, that we don't take out our frustrations on each other, but that we can discuss, process and keep each other accountable in how we give each item to You in prayer - for You to manage things for us.

I know even in my marriage, I can only control myself.  Help me to be the patient, loving wife that I should be, to support and encourage my husband, and to be respectful - always.

Thank you for our children.  Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you that they all know You personally!  And that they all are involved in their churches.

Bless our daughter and son-in-law's marriage.  May You build a hedge-of-protection around them to keep them strong in Your love and grace.  Let the friends and family around them see the difference that You make in their lives.

Bless our son in his efforts and love of sharing the good news to those around him.  Keep him content and fulfilled as a single.  Protect him from becoming desperate and rushing into an unhealthy relationship.  Give him patience, wisdom and clarity.  And bless, protect and prepare the woman who will one day be his wife, if this is meant to be.

Guide our missionary friends whose focus is helping set up and run marriage counseling conventions.  Help struggling couples to discover and realize Your unconditional love, and that strong relationships require the decision of commitment.