Greetings Prayer Warriors,
June has long been considered the month of weddings, and I imagine the next several months will be busy with all the wedding ceremonies postponed over the last year. More important than the wedding day is the lifetime to follow. Thus, it seems fitting to share this scripture, so the betrothed can really meditate on God’s marital plan for “wives and husbands”.
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. Ephesians 5:21-30
I hope the women didn’t stop reading or absorbing the message after the second sentence. If so, go back and re-read! The synergy of the marital dance is out of reverence for Christ. He who is the head, is to be sacrificial as was Christ for his beloved, to sanctify her. The two are one flesh, and thus there is no longer room for self-love, but rather love for one another. This may be an eye-opener for newlyweds, but for older-weds, it is a journey they know needs to be continually coupled with prayer.
So let us pray for and with one another!
Gracious Lord, bless all those couples making their marriage vows before you. Shower them with the gifts of patience, kindness, love, perseverance, fortitude, wisdom, and fertility! Extend these gifts to all married couples, especially those who beg for your grace and intercession. May love pour forth from each couple as they radiate your light of peace and joy. May this flame of love bring light and hope to those whose hearts have dimmed. O Fire of Love, send sparks to ignite/reignite hearts to love one another forever, imitating your unchanging and unending love for us. Amen.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Prayer fans the flames! Pass it on!
