"And it shall turn to you for a testimony." Lu 21:13

        Maybe this short letter will help you to see that you are not alone, I found this a blessing when I ran accross it while visiting websites,Bettie brings out some very good points here, Im so thankful that she wrote what her heart knows to be true. I hope it encourages you also. [Her e-mail is included at the bottom]

        I have been married for twelve years now. Let me tell you marriage takes a lot of work and PRAYER! It was'nt until recently that the Lord showed me how important prayer is.

        Prayer is not just a means of getting what we want. Or trying to impose OUR will on God. Prayer is giving God recognition in every situation. Offering Him blessings and honor, for He is worthy of these!

        Prayer is something else too though. When we pray we get to give God our burdens! "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. " (1Peter 5:7)

        Burdens. Cares. We all know about them. Mine may be different from yours. But they all do the same thing to most of us. They weigh us down and make it difficult to see hope any where. Some ride between the shoulders, some are chained to us at the ankle. But I think most are located at the center of our being...right in the heart! I can think of no burden (aside from the loss of a loved one) as heavy or overwhelming as a broken marriage.

        I think that's why our Lord says in Malachi 2:16 " For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: ..." He hates the hurt and emotional turmoil it causes His children. As Jesus says in Mathew 19:4-6 " Mt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. " That is why divorce is so difficult and painful!

        When the enemy destroys a marriage and divorce happens, it is the splitting of a pair that had been united as one. Is it any wonder why loneliness and depression can be so overwhelming when divorce has occurred. This is why it is so important to shield and strengthen your marriage with prayer! Using God's word in prayer...

        For many difficult years, I would pray and ask the Lord to help me, as I would place my hurt at His feet. He always answered my prayers. Whether it was by a sweet peace that quieted my heart, or a much needed phone call from a friend at 'just the right time'. The Lord is faithful to His kids!

        About one and a half years ago, the Holy Spirit gave me a wonderful gift! He began to teach me about using God's own promises from scripture when I pray. Never had I felt such power in my prayers. And such comfort!! To me, this was an amazing and awesome gift. When I pray using God's own promises, His word penetrates my soul and roots itself into my heart. His word protects, strengthens, teaches, disciplines and encourages me. I pray His promises over my children, for my marriage, and for His purposes. God's word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what pleases Him! Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. "

        For a very long time I prayed asking God to "save my marriage!" or "Lord cause my husband to repent!" Guess what I found out? God needed me to repent first! I was EXPECTING my husband to meet my needs. He can meet some of them, but God is the One who can meet them all!

        It was so unfair of me to put a load like that on my hubby. No wonder he resisted. I demanded that he 'love me as Christ loved the church'! OOPS...WAIT A MINUTE...No where in the Bible does it say: "wives make sure your husband loves you like Christ loved the church!" But it DOES say: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22)

        I can not be the Holy Spirit to my husband, but I can PRAY that my husband BE LED by the Holy Spirit! It is not up to me to change my husband. My part is to obey the Lord and respect, uplift, strengthen and PRAY for my husband. I'm beginning to learn to leave the rest up to God. After all it God's voice my husband is more likely to respond to!=)

Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. Ps 20:4

Written By: Bettie