(Please join me in praying for marriages, families, and children on Thursdays this year.)
As I’ve listened lately, two themes have been prevalent. First, a theme to renew, respect, and re-torch marriages and love relationships. Second, the struggle against the powers of evil continues in many ways and many forms.
One time I was reading (“slogging”) through the “GOD, they are after me! Rescue me!” psalms (c. 71ff), I came to sort of a break in the action.
O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:1-3, 18 NIV)
So this is my prayer for us and our marriages/love relationships this week:
Almighty and all-powerful GOD, we know you are stronger than any force of evil and that you know all that is going on. Today we pray for protection on the relationships of married and pre-married people. May love increase, may thoughts, words, and deeds be honoring to you, and may you prune them for great fruitfulness in your Kingdom. May they fulfill their vows and honor your name. In the strong name of Christ we pray. AMEN
Our souls yearn, even faint, for the courts of the LORD; our hearts and flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed ones.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. (Psalm 84:2, 4, 5, 9, 11-12 NIV adapted)
(adapted from a post from 2009)