Greetings Prayer Warriors,
Holiness is something that seems very attainable when you’re in the midst of marital bliss, where every day feels like a spring garden full of beautiful and fragrant blooms. However, when the the marital landscape feels like an endless wandering through a dry, withering and parched desert, holiness can seem very out of reach.
The “desert” can have many appearances. It can be an extended time ministering to a spouse with an acute or chronic illness, a shifting from feeling highly compatible with your spouse to incompatible, constant disagreements on how to parent, financial disagreements, etc. While one might be tempted to think of these as punishments from God, they are just the opposite. They are gifts which move you forward in the path to sanctification. They are opportunities to offer to the Lord beautiful sacrifices of the heart. They are an opportunity to humble yourself and see Christ in the other. Rather than holiness being out of reach, it actually is within reach!
Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
Loving the desert however, doesn’t come naturally. Thus, being warriors of prayer, we are going to pray for such couples.
Lord, in our very nothingness, we come before you in humility. We pray with all our strength that you will shower down your grace, like rain upon the cracked soil of hearts severely parched. By your Word, may you provide shade from the scorching heat of their daily existence. Even flowers bloom in the desert, so allow such delight to spring forth. Help them to see that deserts aren’t perpetual, but your Love is. May they serve you as they minister to their spouse, bringing them joy in the very cross of their sanctification.
“As he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I [am] holy.” 1 Peter 1:15
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
When the heat overwhelms you, put on some Son-screen! Pass it on!
