Day 15: Original 50 Days of Pray Revisited

Thoughts of Day 15: I believe every marriage can be rescued. I know that certain circumstances make it feel impossible and sometimes not wise to even consider. Those situations are between you and God. As believers who have a relationship with God, are you fighting for your marriage rather than fighting your marriage?

 

27 Feb 16

DAY FIFTEEN

I was sound asleep, but in my dreams, I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It’s the sound of my lover knocking, calling! “Let me in, dear companion, dearest friend, my dove, consummate lover! I’m soaked with the dampness of the night, drenched with dew, shivering and cold.” “But I’m in my nightgown-do you expect me to get dressed? I’m bathed and in bed-do you want me to get dirty?” But my lover wouldn’t take no for an answer, and the longer he knocked, the more excited I became. I got up to open the door to my lover, sweetly ready to receive him, Desiring and expectant as I turned the door handle. But when I opened the door he was gone. My loved one had tired of waiting and left. And I died inside-oh, I felt so bad! I ran out looking for him But he was nowhere to be found. I called into the darkness-but no answer. The night watchmen found me as they patrolled the streets of the city. They slapped and beat and bruised me, ripping off my clothes, These watchmen, who were supposed to be guarding the city.

I beg you, sisters in Jerusalem- if you find my lover, Please tell him I want him, that I’m heartsick with love for him. (Song of Solomon 5:2-8 MSG)

I wonder if like the story above we are slow to respond to our spouses. When they call out for help or need us do we ignore or make excuses to rush to them? This is what happened above. She was making excuses to why not to answer the door and let her lover in and by the time she finally decided to roll out of bed he was gone. This man knew his lover was home, was expecting her to be excited to see him but alas she wouldn’t answer the door. He probably felt unwanted, neglected and unloved so he went somewhere else to find what he needed.

This is a problem that plagues marriages all over the world especially our continent. Spouses feeling like they are not loved, wanted, or appreciated and they go find it in another. It may start out as just finding another man/woman to comfort them in their loneliness but sin has a funny way of creeping in a destroying what God planned for good.

So today, if you are the one in bed, making excuses not to spend time or run to your lovers’ side. STOP IT. Make your lover feel important, meet their needs, love them, show them you still desire them.

And if you are the one at the door, looking for attention, love, desire, DON’T GIVE UP. Keep trying to connect, love them, make them feel important, show them you have a strong desire to be with them.

Do whatever it takes to reconnect. Pray for your spouse.

Dear Jesus, help us to rekindle the love we have for our spouses. Help us to be persistent in our desire and pursuit of satisfying our lovers. If we are lonely in our marriage help us to speak out and tell our spouse that is how we feel. Better for us Lord be embarrassed with our spouse over little things then let them become huge sins. God be with my spouse today, love him/her and bless them. Let our lives reflect marriage as you intended. Amen

Day 13: Original 50 Days of Pray Revisited

Day 13 Thoughts: Intimacy between Husband and Wife is so important. Just as important as communication, there is a bond that keeps you connected.  I wish I could say this is the cure for all marriages that are falling apart all around me, but I know that it isn’t the fact. Sin has wedged its way into marriage making it become a disposable commodity. But as believers, if you stay connected with Jesus, and focus on your marriage, mentally, physically, sexually and spiritual you will have a marriage that thrives. Whoever said marriage was easy obviously wasn’t married very long.

 

25 Feb 15

DAY THIRTEEN

During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honourably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. (Luke 1:5-7 MSG)
When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn’t long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she said. (Luke 1:23-25 MSG)

Let’s talk about sex. The Bible talks about sex, so why are so ashamed to bring it up. Sex between a married man and woman is a holy thing. God intended sex to be the bond that connects us to our spouse, it not only connects us physically but spiritually.

As we read above Zachariah and Elizabeth were old and could not have kids. But as you read a little further in the chapter it shows that it didn’t stop them from having sex.  It reads they lived honourable before God. He was a priest, and he was intimate with his wife. I can think of many excuses why he or his wife might not have wanted the intimacy in their relationship, or why the passion would be gone; 1) they couldn’t conceive so why have sex, 2) he was a priest and well they shouldn’t live like that, 3) they were old, and old people don’t do that.

They choose to follow God, and live honourable, they took the vow they made to one another seriously and didn’t let the passion die in the bedroom. They didn’t let their age stop them as they understood that the connection sex brings is something honoured by God because they kept the purity of marriage bed holy.

Are you spending quality time with your spouse? Is sex something you enjoy with your spouse on a regular basis, or do you only bring it to the bedroom on special occasions? A healthy sexual relationship with your husband or wife will help centre your marriage, cool your anger and focus your marriages direction. Sex with your spouse, when given freely and not thought of as a chore, will bring you to a place where there will be no desire for another. He/she will be what you long for, and you will put the effort into becoming and amazing partner for them in the marriage bed.

I wonder how many marriages fall apart due to chore sex, and not sex as designed by God.

I pray that today if you are in a marriage and you want to honour God with all you do that you take the time to show your spouse that you are in your relationship 100%. That they are important and you want to connect with them physically and spiritually.

Dear Lord, I know this topic will bring mixed feelings to some, I pray Jesus that who this needs to reach will read it and feel such a burning in their hearts to rekindle the passion for their spouse. Help us to have a desire to have an intimacy with our spouse as you have designed it. Help us who are single to wait to have sex till we are married as to enjoy what You have set aside as amazing for this who commit their lives to one another before You. Please forgive those who may have prematurely had sex before marriage, You forgive all sins and will cleanse all who ask of You. Bless all who read this today. Let our marriages be an example to those who don’t know you. They matter to you so they matter to me. Amen.