How to Be a Good Christian Wife?

How to Be a Good Christian Wife? 

by Karla Downing

Are you looking for guidance on how to be a good Christian wife? If so, here are seven things you simply must do:

1. Pray for your husband.

The world is a difficult place for a man. They are competing in the marketplace for jobs, feeling the weight of the financial burden of providing for a family, and having to deal with many stressors beyond their control. They are also in a world that increasingly assaults their masculinity.

 

2. Speak clearly and directly to your husband.

Men use fewer words than women do. They want to get to the bottom line of the message quickly and they also process one aspect of an issue at a time. Women like to explore all aspects of a subject at the same time as well as give hints about what they really want. Give your husband the gift of direct and short messages he doesn't have to work at interpreting.

3. Have your own support system.

Too many women expect their husbands to handle all their emotional needs. Men aren't equipped to do that. They don't understand their wives emotional ups and downs and they don't understand how to respond to them. They want to solve the problem and don't get it when we just want empathy. Men aren't capable of being girlfriends.

4. Accept his relationship with his mom.

There's something about the two women in the kitchen that transfers to the two women most important to a man. It is hard for us to accept that there is something between our husbands and their moms that we don't share with them. Our mother-in-laws will always see them as their little boys. We will feel the same way about our sons. Unless their relationship is really dysfunctional and ruining yours, let it be.

5. Be his partner.

The two of you joined together to have a life together. Figure out how to take care of your needs and goals while prioritizing filling in the gaps that your husband can't fill. This way you are his helpmate and you are a valuable team member. Also make time for being with him doing things he likes.

6. Be an independent woman.

He was attracted to you as a single woman. He saw you as a person he respected and admired. You need to continue to have interests separate from your husband and to have different opinions. He needs to see you as a person and not just his wife.

 

7. Accept him as a spiritual leader.

Not all men lead their families spiritually by having sit down devotions. Some lead by example through hard work and good character. Some lead by their strength and desire to protect. Others lead by teaching life lessons. Accept whatever form of spiritual leadership your husband offers rather than making him feel like he is a failure as a spiritual leader.

You simply must do these seven things to be a good Christian wife. Your husband will absolutely love the new you and you will love your new man!

About the Author

If you need more practical tips and Biblical truths to help you change your relationships, get my FREE "15-Day Relationship Challenge" designed to give you back the power over your life. Just click here: Free 15 Day Challenge - http://www.changemyrelationship.com/subscribetodevotional.html Karla Downing is an author, speaker, licensed marriage and family therapist, and Bible study teacher. Karla's passion is to help people find freedom in Christ in the midst of their difficult relationships and circumstances through Biblical truths and practical tools. source : http://goarticles.com/article/How-to-Be-a-Good-Christian-Wife/6389260/

 

 

 

Source: http://www.godlywoman.co/2012/07/how-to-be-good-christian-wife.html

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

“She does him good . . .” (Proverbs 31:12a) 

Bless your husband by praying for him! The Apostle Paul instructed all Christians to pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18). This includes wives’ responsibility and privilege to pray for their husbands. Earnest prayer for your husband is good for him, for you and the spiritual health of your home (Proverbs 31:11-12).

Satan desires to destroy your husband, especially his character and his leadership in your relationship. Trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord’s wise, loving care.

Day 1 Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)

Day 2 Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Psa. 112:1)

Day 3 Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Psa. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)

Day 4 Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

Day 5 Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)

Day 6 Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Day 7 Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)

Day 8 Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)

Day 9 Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)

Day 10 Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

Day 11 Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

Day 12 Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)

Day 13 Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)

Day 14 Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)

Day 15 Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)

Day 16 Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)

Day 17 Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

Day 18 Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Psa. 90:12)

Day 19 Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Psa. 34:14)

Day 20 Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)

Day 21 Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Psa. 16:11)

Day 22 Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)

Day 23 Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

Day 24 Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)

Day 25 Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Psa. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Psa. 27:14)

Day 26 Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Day 27 Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)

Day 28 Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)

Day 29 Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)

Day 30 Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

Day 31 Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Source:

Article from Revive Our Hearts - if you go there you can download a PDF version of this article. 

From The Princess Warrior: I would prefer that you actually go to your own personal Bible to look up the verses. This will help you to remember where these passages are and will give you opportunity to highlight the verses if you like to mark your Bible. I do. It seems to help me remember where verses are found in my own Bible vs. just reading them at a website.

Have your Bible open as you pray and ask God for wisdom and understanding of the verses and to help you to remain faithful to pray for your husband each day. And, by all means, if God brings something to your mind that is not on the list for that day do not hesitate to pray about it for God brought it to your mind for a reason.

I hope you will commit to this 31 day challenge to pray for your spouse and watch God work in your husband's life, but it won't be just your husband who is helped, you will be as well. As God molds your husband into the partner you need, He will also mold you into the best wife for your husband.

Remember: If your husband is less than he ought to be and you are not praying for him, then you have not because you ask not. As a Christian wife, one of our highest priorities should be covering our husbands in prayer.

Anyway, I would love for you to come back here and comment on what God has done for you and your husband at the end of this 31 days of praying, and just maybe this will spur you on to continue to pray for your husband all the days of your life together.

I pray God will richly bless you in this en-devour.

For His Glory,

The Princess Warrior

Copyright Information 

Copyright © 2009 The Princess Warrior Ministries. All articles are copyrighted on the date they are posted, unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright and web address. Other uses require written permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the King James Bible.

Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

What I am sharing with you below was written in response to a loved one who asked for prayer and just needed someone to talk to. God prompted me to share this with you as well, but I am keeping it confidential and by no means demeaning my love and concern for who it was shared with first. It came from my heart to that person and is now being passed on as a help to someone else who may need to hear this as well. 

Dear Friend,

I'm sorry to hear that you are stressed. I hope you know that you can call me any time, day or night, to talk. I know how it is to need someone to talk to, but sometimes it just isn't possible. It is in those situations we can ALWAYS talk to the Lord. Jesus is our dearest friend and IS there for us every second of every hour of every day. Since He is the best friend any of us can have we can talk to Him just like we would a best friend. Through faith, we know He is listening.

King David knew stress -- he ran from king Saul for years, fearing for his life. He had to leave family and friends. He had to live in caves and rely on people he encountered to feed him. He had to fight battles against enemies that tried to defeat Israel. His child died. One of his older children tried to dethrone and kill him. Some of us can only imagine what his life was like, but even imagining, we could not begin to understand. When I think of how life has been hard on me...I think of David. 

God called David a man after His own heart. When considering the psalms we see David's heart. He talked to God like He was his best friend. He was so truthful with his thoughts before God because he knew God was aware of them anyway. So, he wasn't afraid to ask God why He had forsaken him (of course, God hadn't, but that was the way he felt at the time). He wasn't afraid to tell God his most intimate feelings whether they were good or bad.

David wrote the majority of the psalms and in most of them you can see his fear, sorrow, or shame at the beginning of each one and as he cried out to God you then see a change of tone. His whole thought process would change from complaining to praising. I can relate to that. When I am under great distress and pray and cry out to God there comes an inner calming of my spirit that I can't explain. When I choose to handle things on my own I continue to be in distress. 

In surfing the web the other day I came across this verse -- "Then David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." (1 Samuel 30:6) I wondered to myself...how did David strengthen himself in the Lord? What did he do? Then, God brought a thought and the following verses to my mind: 

Like I mentioned above, David was honest before God about his feelings and sought His comfort, but also David remembered how God was there for him in the past. While David watched his father's flock of sheep, lions and bears would try to attack, but David slew them and protected the flock. He had victory over these ferocious predators. He knew God had helped him. So, when David went up against Goliath, he had courage because he trusted God and remembered how the Lord had been with him before. Here are his words to king Saul, "Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee." (1 Samuel 17:36-37)  

We will do well to always let David be our example and do as he did in times of stress -- cry out to God and admit our inability to handle a situation and remember that God has been there for us before. With Jesus as our best friend and God as our loving Father we will get through anything satan throws at us! Greater is He (God) who is in us than he (satan) who is in the world. (Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. ~1 John 4:4) 

Goliath is a perfect picture of satan and satan was no match for David's God -- the same God we serve. God is no respecter of persons, so we are just as special to God as David was.

I will be praying that you will seek comfort in the Lord and you will feel His presence. And again, please know you can call me any time.

May God bless you today over and above what you are able to receive! 

With Much Love, 

The Princess Warrior

Copyright Information

Copyright © 2009 The Princess Warrior Ministries. All articles are copyrighted on the date they are posted, unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright and web address. Other uses require written permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the King James Bible.