Day Twenty-One: That God would be his Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:14-16 ESV)

Life can be overwhelming and we can be tempted to direct our own steps and instruct our own hearts; especially when things don’t go our way or God’s timing isn’t the same as ours. The Word says that a man plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps and that if we delight in the Lord He will make our paths straight. The world, some Christian cultures, and even our own hearts delude us into endlessly searching for that mystical, hidden path that God is “keeping “from us. In reality God’s will for us is thanksgiving and conformity to His Son. Let’s pray fervently for God to bless our husbands with the grace to search for, clearly hear, and obey The Shepherd’s Voice.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of our husbands. As we come before you now, help us rid our hearts of any bitterness towards our husbands that our prayers may not be hindered. Lord, we know that you are the Shepherd of our husband’s souls. We know that you desire to gently lead, guide and instruct their hearts and mold their lives into conformity to Christ. While he is in the pasture you have lovingly placed him in, help him learn to drop everything at the sound of your voice. (In my mind I am picturing a grazing sheep’s response to his shepherd and it’s making me smile…) In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Nikki Leake is the wife of Mike and mother of two adorable children. She enjoys decorating, soul-food, elephant-petting, and worshipping Jesus.

Day Twenty: That his understanding of the word would grow

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statues; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart (Psalm 119:33-34)

Our husbands bear the weight of leading and supporting our families. That task cannot be undertaken apart from God’s word. They need understanding that only the word of God can provide.

Father, I thank you for a husband who believes that your word is truth. I thank you that he grew up in a home where the Bible was read and revered. Thank you that he has been an example to our children in showing his love of the word. I pray that in the midst of a busy schedule, with many responsibilities, he would continue to make time for your word. Many things intrude into his life, competing for his attention, but you want him in your word. Each decision he makes comes from a sanctified mind and heart; he needs the spiritual food of your word. Help him carve out the time to study your word and to mediate upon it. Remove the distractions and obstacles that may stand in his way. And when he does have those moments, give him understanding of your law, that he may observe it with his whole heart.

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Kim Shay is a wife, mother, bible teacher and blogger who lives in Canada. She has been married for 27 years, and has three young adult children. She blogs regularly at The Upward Call.

Day Nineteen: That he would keep his eyes fixed on the Lord

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:7-8 NIV)

In my wedding vows to my husband, I promised to follow him wherever he might lead in our life together. Keeping that promise has included living in five different states over the years. Marriage has been an adventure and I still would follow him to the ends of the earth.

The reason for this confidence is that I know he is following God’s leading. He understands the truth that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” (Prov. 16:9) My husband has many dreams and goals, but when a crossroads is before him he looks for the Lord’s leading and obeys. If God tells him “go,” how can I do anything but follow?

Lord God, thank you for your perfect plans for my husband. You are the source of his talents, dreams, and the opportunities that come his way. I pray that he would never take his eyes off of you. Give him a desire to please you with his goals and decisions, surrendering his life to you in every way.

Deepen my husband’s faith to trust you even in times of frustration or disappointment. When he doesn’t know which way to go, instruct his heart by your Spirit. Give him wisdom through your Word, and let him pursue righteousness above anything the world might offer.

Thank you for loving my husband and guiding him as he makes his way in this world. I praise you for your faithfulness—with you beside him he will not be shaken.  Amen.

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Joanna Teigen shares life with her husband Rob, two sons, and three daughters in Michigan. She is the co-author of 88 Great Daddy-Daughter Dates, A Dad’s Prayers for His Daughter, and A Mom’s Prayers for Her Son. 

Day Eighteen: That he and his wife would be protecting from fault finding

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” ~Genesis 3:8-12

 “The door is wide open!”my husband grumbled. I recall that day, not too long ago, when we returned home and found that “someone”- picture my husband turning to me with an accusing eye – had skipped out of the house without shutting the front door. In fairness to him, I had been extremely forgetful that day, and I seemed to be the likely culprit. As the night wore on, however, I realized I had exited the house by the back door while he had left through the front, so guess who really left the door open…? In light of Adam and Eve’s “very bad day”, this was a small incident to be sure, but what struck me by it was the speed with which we accuse our beloved mates (whose company we were enjoying just seconds before) and the dark separation that causes in a marriage – if even for a short time.

Lord, like Adam and Eve, my husband and I are fallen creatures in need of your redeeming work. Though you placed us in a union to bring you glory, we often fall short and blame one another as a result. Jesus, give us grace in this matter. Protect us from finding fault or holding grudges against each other. Help my husband be quick to lead and take responsibility and to forgive me when I fail him. Where he is weak, please make him strong in you. Amen.

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An anonymous wife.