A Prayer for My Husband Day 20

In case you are new here, below you will find:

1. Scripture - this is the Scripture assigned for the day

2. Meditating on the Word section 

3. Digging Deeper section with some reflection (optional)

4. A Prayer for our husbands: one for those whose husbands proclaims Christ and one for those whose husbands do not.

5. A Challenge to help you with your marriage and prayer life in some manner.

Mercy

We hear a lot about the grace of God, but not near enough about His mercy. What IS mercy exactly?

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:10-13

Biblically speaking, the mercy of God is "kindness or good will toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them." More specifically, mercy from God is being spared from His wrath. It can also be defined as compassion and pity. James in this passage is warning against what can only be described as selective obedience. God does not care about just one commandment; He cares about all of them.

According to James 2:12, believers in Christ are now under the law of liberty, but what exactly is that? We must go back to James 1:25 to understand what this is. If you would like to see a short video on the law of liberty, here is a short video by David Guzik:

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:25

"Looks into" here means to stoop, peer in, look down, or look intently. The "law of liberty" is a "declaration of righteousness and salvation by Christ," or the gospel. The use of "the two contradictory terms—“law” and “liberty”—made the point, especially to the Jews, that this was an entirely new way of thinking about both of these concepts. Paul uses this same technique when he refers to the “law of faith” in Romans 3:27." You can read more on the law of liberty here.

According to Trapp, "It is also called a law of liberty, because it is freely and willingly kept of the regenerate, to whom it is no burden or bondage." Praise the Lord we are under the "law" of liberty, the saving grace of Christ Jesus!

We need to remember to show compassion and mercy to our husbands and be guarded over our words and actions with them. Mercy will certainly be given to us under the "law of liberty" on the day of judgment! As James says here, "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

Scripture

Day 20 of 30: Prayer Challenge for Wives

Meditating on the Word

Think about the Scriptures today. Ask the Lord to help you be slow to get angry and quick to give compassion and mercy towards your husband when you get angry with him again. Write this verse on an index card if this will help to remind you or set an alarm on your phone to reflect and pray on these things throughout the day.

Digging Deeper

If you are inclined to dig deeper, here are some application questions based on the Scripture for today.

1. What does it mean to you to be under the law of liberty now that you understand what it means?

2. How does understanding that God's mercy is saving you from His coming wrath for all of eternity make you want to have more compassion towards your husband?

3. Think about the last time you got angry with your husband. What were you angry with him for? Are you guilty of doing things like this yourself? If so, according to the law, should YOU receive God's mercy for doing the same thing, or any other sin, for that matter? How about how you spoke to your husband? Was it respectful or slow to speak? What can you do to try to avoid this type of behavior in the future?

Prayer for My Husband Today

(For those whose husbands proclaims Christ)

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you so much for my husband. Lord, today I want to lift my husband up to You and ask that You deliver him from all spiritual oppression, attacks, and anything that is not of You Lord. I ask for you to protect our home, our hearts, our minds, and guard our tongues. Lord let us speak with compassion and understanding. Please help me to remember Your mercy when I get upset with my husband and help me control my emotions when I normally wouldn't. Thank you and I love you.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Day 20 of 30: Prayer Challenge for Wives

Prayer, Option #2

(For those whose husbands are not in Christ)

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you so much for my husband. Lord, today I want to lift my husband up to You and ask that You deliver him from all spiritual oppression, attacks, and anything that is not of You Lord. I ask for you to protect our home, our hearts, our minds, and guard our tongues. Lord, let us speak with compassion and understanding. Please help me to remember Your mercy when I get upset with my husband and help me control my emotions when I normally wouldn't. Help me to be a picture of Your mercy so that my husband may come to know You as his Lord and Savior. Thank you and I love you. 

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Day 20 of 30: Prayer Challenge for Wives

Challenge

Ask your husband to pray with you today, whether together or separately. I want to encourage you to ask him at some point. It is important that your husband knows you are praying for him. It really helps your husband to see the words that you are praying for him. (Firsthand experience!)