“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17
The Message Bible translation says it this way: “Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.”
This is our AG National Women’s Ministry scripture and theme for 2009. Being intentional in all that we do and say! As I was praying over this scripture, God showed me that I need to be intentional in my marriage as well. It occurred to me that I couldn’t be intentional if I don’t know His will for my marriage and me. I need to know what God’s will is for Bill so I can come alongside him and pray for God’s will to come to pass in his life.
God calls us our husband’s “helpmate.” He could have called us a lot of things but this is His heart for us. How many times do we do or say things carelessly in regard to our husbands and don’t think a second about how it can damage their self-esteem? God has given us the amazing opportunity to pray for His Will for them, to seek God for His intentions. Sometimes this means we have to let go of what WE want for them and allow God to move on their behalf.
Have you found yourself here? I have a few times now. I used to be a control freak and thought if I controlled the situation, then I wouldn’t get hurt and would have all I want for my life and marriage. Funny thing is, I didn’t have as much control as I thought and I was a hindrance in my own dreams for my marriage. Thankfully God has so much patience and grace for us and gives us the time needed to change this!
You may want a pastor or a professional football player or a missionary for a husband. Or like me, you may be praying that your husband will achieve the next level in his career. For us that mean Naval Chief! There’s nothing wrong with wanting these opportunities for our husbands, but maybe those things are not what God wants for them. Being intentional in our prayer time starts with “understanding” God’s will for them. To do that we need to ask God to direct our prayer time and then get out of the way and let God do what He is wanting to do in their lives.
I have included scripture for Paul’s thoughts on “walking in wisdom” below! My intention in this devotion is to open your eyes to God’s heart for our husbands and the role He has given us to accomplish this! One thing I have learned about Paul is he was very intentional in all that he did and said. I pray his heart and wisdom ministers to you as he has ministered to me.
15 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:15-21
Our International Women’s Ministry Prayer Covenant fits right where we are today. I have included it and pray that you will join me in praying this covenant over yourself and your husband each day. The purpose is to help us become more aware of how God wants us to live each day with His purpose in mind for us!
Intentional Prayer Covenant
Jesus, be the Lord of my life today in new ways. Wash me clean from every sin. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Bring glory to Your name-in me and through me. Remind me that I am a woman with a specific purpose.
Help me today to inspire others to follow in Your footsteps. I pray this in Your mighty name, Amen.
We are certainly walking through this right now in our lives. I've given up my "money making" job to pursue ministry and my husband is giving up his higher paying job to join law enforcement. That's a big cut in pay but God told us to do it and He has taken care of us every step of the way. We have to live for Him.
Amen Amy! :o) I pray our other wives got this point as well.
Have a sweet day!