There’s no magic here. Only power, impact and blessing in a simple daily prayer for any person, couple or young growing family. ♦

One year when my daughter was home during a college break I found her reading Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge. While I owned a copy of the book, I had never read it. I asked her “Isn’t that a guy’s book?” She said “Yes, Daddy, you should read it, you’d like it.” Confused, I asked “But why are you reading it?” Her answer floored me. “Because I want to understand the heart of men” was her reply. After I picked up my jaw, I went straight to my office, found the book and started reading it.

Christian Legacy
The book does that and more. For me that episode started a chain-reaction of eye-opening awareness of my role as a man, husband, father, friend, worker and follower of Christ. Eldredge’s guidance in personal daily prayer also had a profound impact on me. For my daughter, her commitment and devotion in Christian faith continued in depth and maturity. Now as a young mother, she recently shared a daily prayer she’s written and prays for her husband. Once again amazed by my daughter, I asked and she gave me permission to share this.

A Daughter’s Prayer for Her Husband

Lord, I pray that you would fill my husband with your Spirit and strengthen him by it, that he may walk in its power and so resist the desires of his flesh (Eph. 3:16, 5:8; Gal. 5:16). As he flees from all things evil, help him to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness of others (1 Timothy 6:11, Colossians 3:12-13).

Let your Word dwell richly in him (Colossians 3:16) and be his greatest delight, and may he respond by living as an example to others of you and of your followers, in his speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (1 Timothy 4:12). May he not grow weary of doing good, but work heartily in all he does for your sake and not to please men (2 Thessalonians 3:13, Col. 3:23).

Lord, help him devote himself to prayer (Colossians 4:2) and to daily put on the full armor of God so that he’ll be able to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy (Eph. 6:11). Purify his mind and help him to dwell only in what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, good, excellent, praiseworthy and true (Phil. 4:8).

May he be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man and be strong (1 Cor. 16:13). Make my husband into the man of integrity (Psalm 100:2) and leader of our family that you created him to be. May you be first in his heart today and always.

All glory be to you, Lord. Amen.

A Gift and a Blessing
There’s no magic here. It’s simply Scripture, God’s Word, offered up in sincere petition to our Heavenly Father for spiritual strength, protection and guidance for her husband to be the man and leader of the family he was created to be.

But what a gift – what a blessing. And the blessing falls on their entire growing family. Just think if every man had his wife praying for him like that every day. What a different life it would be – what a different world.

Be Encouraged, Not Discouraged
This is an opportunity to reset and redirect. As I learned, this is not about rote repetition, a guilt trip, or just another task. This is about new submission and surrender of heart, mind, will, soul…and time. With an objective toward daily prayer, start just once or twice a week. You’ll soon realize it’s a priority and submission issue, and that God loves us just as we come to Him. May you too will be emboldened and encouraged.

Women, are you praying daily for your husband? 
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Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. – Philippians 4:8

Categories: Devotion, Faith, Family, Fathering, Jesus, Marriage, Theology

Tags: Christian faith, daily prayer, Husbands, John Eldredge, marriage, prayer, praying for your hustband, Wife, Wild at Heart