On Waiting

Dear Readers,

Whether you're waiting to meet The One, waiting for a child, a job opportunity, a house, or whatever your situation is, I hope this blesses and encourages you, too.

Much love,
Jen

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"Have you ever heard of anyone being greatly used by Christ who did not experience a special time of waiting, or a complete upset of his plans at first? From the apostle Paul's being sent into the Arabian wilderness for three years - during which time he must have been overflowing the the Good News - down to the present day, it seems those who will be used will have a time of waiting. Have you been looking forward to telling about trusting Jesus, but instead He is asking you to show what trust is, by waiting?

My own experience is far less severe than Paul's but reveals the same principle. Once when I thought the door was being thrown open for me to enter the literary field with a great opportunity, it was just as quickly shut. My doctor stepped in and simply said, 'Never! You must choose between writing and living, for you cannot do both.' The year was 1860, and I did not come out of my shell of isolation with my book Ministry of Song until 1869. By then I saw the distinct wisdom of having been kept waiting for nine years in the shade.

God's love is unchangeable, and He is just as loving even when we do not see or feel it. And His love and His sovereignty are equal and universal. Therefore He often withholds our enjoyment and awareness of our progress, because He knows best what will actually ripen and further His work in us." ~ April 13th in Streams in the Desert

Praying for him :)

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This quote really encouraged me & I hope you are blessed by it, but more than that, I hope it serves as a catalyst for a more meaningful and dynamic prayer life. May our longings bring us to our knees before His throne of grace!

"You don’t need to deny your longings, your aches, your confusion or your hopes. Rather, let those realities become the powerful fuel for your prayers—for our prayers—for new and robust life."

* For my single readers, please say "my future husband" when applicable. My married or engaged readers will say their husband's name.

Lord ~

help me to be a good wife. I fully realize that I don't have what it takes to be one without your help. Give me a new heart and work in me Your love, peace and joy (Galatians 5:22-23). Only You can transform me.

I pray that the commitment my husband and I have to You and to one another will grow stronger and more passionate every day! Enable him to be the head of the home as You made him to be, and shoe me how to support and respect him as he rises to that place of leadership. Reveal to me what he wants and needs and show me potential problems before they arise. Breathe Your life into this marriage. Make me a new person, Lord. Give me a fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and a renewed relationship with the man You've given me. Help me to see him with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion and new acceptance. Give my husband a new wife, and let it be me.

I lay all my expectations at Your cross. I release my husband from the burden of fulfilling me in areas where I should be looking to You. Help me to accept him the way he is and not try to change him.

"Ask, and it will be given unto you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened unto you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

"Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24

Wives in Prayer: A "How To" :)

Oh, Friends! I'm so encouraged by all the texts, phone calls and emails already about this Wives in Prayer Venture - I'm excited to see so many who are equally passionate about praying for their marriages (current or future!).

There really is no "right" way to be involved, but for those who would like more guidelines, here's my personal plan:

Each Monday night, I'm setting aside time to pray for my single friends who desire the ministry of marriage as well as those married friends God lays on my heart. You can pray by yourself, with another friend or group of friends - in person, on the phone, skype - whatever you want! You can also fast - from food, a liquid fast, a fast from T.V. or anything He leads you to set aside.

I took some time to pray for all the single friends on my prayer list and the prayer I pray goes like this:

"Lord, you created (friend's name here). And I believe You created marriage for her good and Your glory. I don't know Your timeline, but I'm asking You to fulfill her desire to be married. Thank You, Lord, for this strong desire You've placed in her heart. Thank You that You've already been where she's headed and that You already know what her future holds. Thank You for marriage and for her future husband. Please be with him and prepare his heart to do Your will."

Then I prayed (see post on blog titled "His Wife") with my mom for her marriage & she prayed for my future one.

My plan works for me, but feel free to pray as You feel led.

Much love,
Jen