By: DeBorrah

Giving up Me-ness for We-ness

PRAYER FOR MARRIAGE RESTORATION

Marriage is ordained by God! It was meant to be a Covenant relationship sanctioned by a Covenant God! A Covenant is a sacred vow witnessed by God! For Christians it is the most solemn agreement that one can make between a man and woman! A Covenant requires sacrifice it represents the merging of two lives. The two becoming one. This does not mean one gives up their own personal identity. Two strong hearts join together as One! They cleave together not out of neediness, but because of an undying Love & Commitment and the desire to have a loving complimenting companion!

Many marriages are dissolving for a plethora of reasons! Many are and have been unequally yoked from the very beginning. Many have embraced worldly concepts and the idea of what is good for me takes precedent. It is important to continue to ignite the flames of love, honor, comittment, communication, respect, passion and understanding! Many couples allow marriage to become a secondary priority and treat it accordingly. Slowly, but surely they begin to allow their needs to be met outside the marriage as well! Many have allowed manipulation and deception to embed itself in the relationship that only smothers intimacy! Many have behaved so repulsively towards one another that respect and sensitivity have been cast into the sea of unforgiveness! Many have allowed domestic violence and abuse of all sorts! Many are bound by compulsion and ambivalence that only serves to vamp the very life out of one another Instead of building a healthy home environment. They build a marital nest of confusion, turbulence, pain and unhappiness. Marriage was never meant to be a competition of wills nor a degrading of one anothers character. Divorce comes about because of the hardness of the heart. Divorce is leaving many casualties!

Life presents many challenges as well as Celebrations! Marriage is about learning how to commit to someone who you can learn to be transparent with. To build and share an ongoing growing, loving, lasting mutually satisfying physical, emotional and spiritual relationship. To nurture, one another and give each other healthy space as well. To have one anothers best interest at heart. To celebrate and encourage each other through the challenges that life presents from time to time. To together live your lives to please God an allow him to use you to spread that love to others! Just think how life would be if this was really the case! God really has a marvelous workable plan for marriage! Instead, Gods design for marriage is constantly being pushed to the background! Too many instead embrace infidelity and alternative sexual relationships and listen to bad ungodly, unscriptural advice..

If you are at a place in life and you know that your marriage is not all that it is meant to be Or if you are having an affair either emotional or physical Or if you never really thought about the vows you made or the seriousness of marriage. Or if you have let anything and everyone come between you and your spouse… Know it will not just get better on its own. Marriage like anything else of value takes work! You must do something, dont continue to live in a mystic haze of unhappiness! Repent! Which simply means to CHANGE it! Keep in mind you can only change yourself! Think about it! Had you ever really thought about it; God totally knows whats up? You are not fooling Him! Start by giving the courtesy that you extend to your friends, coworkers, acquaintances, lover, strangers or whoever else to the one who you supposedly committed to Love, Honor, Trust and

Again, and I think it is worth repeating that divorce comes about because the hardening of the heart. Here is what the WORD of God says: And He answered and said to them, What did Moses command you? They said, Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her. And JESUS answered and said to them, Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote this precept. But from the beginning of the Creation, GOD made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are not longer two, but one flesh. There fore what GOD has joined together, let Not man separate Mark 10

Take some time and really think about where you are going in your marriage? Have you taken a detour? Pray this prayer or pray your own prayer if you are seeking restoration for your marriage! It is your heart that the Lord is concerned with! Not how you make things appear to others. Embrace the powerfulness of TRUTH! It is here you will discover the TRUE LOVE that can only come from being connected to God! Life is precious! You can never ever really be happy when you jump from relationship to relationship without dissolving the former conflict. It just builds up and gains momentum and at some point those issues will appear again. Learn to allow the LORD to purge you from all that Baggage! Give yourself the gift of breaking the cycle of dysfunctional and sometimes generational unhappy relationships. COME OUT OF DENIAL!!! Its never too late! Commence to commit to discover and learn healthier relational dynamics then actually implement them in your own marriage NOW! Pledge to committing to the building of a lasting, secure, committed, satisfying, realistic, rewarding, marriage where Love, Respect and mutual concern take the helm. And let “Jesus take the Wheel! Begin to give up Me-ness for We-ness!

Father,

We first want to say Thank You for being our God and our Father! We Thank You Lord, that we have You to come to at anytime, anywhere and in any and every situation. Lord we Thank You for Your precious Son Jesus Christ who sacrificed His life that we may live life to its fullest. Lord, we come in the name of Jesus asking that you would open the pathway for healing for ________ (name of spouse and his wife ( husband) and restore their marriage. As your servant Lord I come realizing that you know what the needs are here. Without saying Lord you alone know what is going on, and all that has ever happened!

Lord GOD, I pray that you will allow healing and reconciliation to take place. That whatever hurts or disappointments they have experienced can be mended through the power of your undying eternal Love and your precious HOLY SPIRIT! We realize Father that they cannot change anything that has happened. But, they can go forth together keeping, renewing and once again honoring their vows. Father we realize that much spiritual warfare is about them. We realize that it wants to divide and separate them. We ask Lord that they invite you into the messiness to bring about order! Lord we realize that ALL of your promises are true. We ask that you endow them with the necessary strength and wisdom to endure.

Father, WE ASK that you would knit their hearts closely together and allow nothing else to come between them. Lord we ask that they both take personal inventory, repent and seek forgiveness for any wrong doing. We pray that they extend love and patience to one another and that the lines of communication, sensitivity as well as understanding are once again opened. We ask that you will allow all the pain, hurt suffering and disappointment to begin to subside. Lord we ask that forgiveness is welcomed by each of them. Lord we ask that you would allow your JOY to flow once again from heart to heart between them. Father, we ask that you direct them as they seek you first in building trust, transparency and both physical and emotional intimacy. Father we pray peace over their household. Lord we Thank You for being who You are and we realize that ALL the power, ALL the honor and ALL the glory belongs to You now and forever, and for this we give you the PRAISE. In the WONDERFUL name of JESUS ….

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By: Author With Joy!

May the light
of Jesus guide us
as we follow our path

May the song of
love be sung in
our actions and words

May forgiveness be
freely given as it
has been given to us

May the passion
and the courage
of the Holy Spirit lead us on

May our eyes
be open to the
wonders of God

May our ears
be open to the
cries of the poor

May we rest
in the holiness
of our soul

May we know we
are God’s beloved
and rejoice in God’s love

May we see the
goodness and sacredness
in all knowing they are also God’s beloved

We ask this with
and open heart
and willing soul

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By: David Qaoud

God answers every prayer of ours all the time just not always how we want it to be answered. God has three answers for us in prayer when we ask him for things:

1) Yes: Yes, because you asked, God is going to grant you your request for your joy and his glory. Ask, and it will be given to you (Matt. 7:7)

2) No: If God answered yes to every prayer he would be a horrible God. But because God is all-knowing and all-wise, he does say no. So in times when God says no, we have to trust that he is working all things out in our life for our good and his glory. 1 John 5:14-15 says, . . . if we ask anything according to his will. . .we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. When God says no to something we ask of him, it is because it is outside of his will and and has something better for us.

Jesus prayed, Father, take this cup (Gods wrath) from me (Matt. 26:39). That didnt happen. The Apostle Paul pleaded with God three times to remove a painful thorn from his side. God didnt, but instead said, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). So, if God says no to you in prayer, trust that it is the right thing and know you join the company of people like Jesus and St. Paul.

3) Later: Yes, what you have asked of God will be given to you. . . later. Be patient. Trust in Gods perfect timing and will.

It is worth noting that no where in Scripture does God ever promise to answer the prayers of unbelievers but occasionally does to display his excellence and mercy. Prayer is the wonderful privilege of the elect, Gods children, whom he choose in eternity past and desires that we pray to him.

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By: David Qaoud

Some Christians foolishly think that if they dont pray for things God is still going to give it to them because it is part of Gods plan for their life. This is a man-made statement and contrary to the teachings of Scripture.

James 4:2 says, . . .You do not have because you do not ask. James is ultimately saying this: prayer causes things to happen that wouldnt happen if you didnt pray.

Wayne Grudem puts it this way: Our failure to ask God for things is often the reason we do not receive what he delights to give us.

General prayer is better than no prayer but specific prayer is better than general prayer. God wants us to pray to him specifically and ask him for things regularly. Though God is sovereign over all things and knows what we need before we ask him (Matt. 6:8), he still wants us to pray to him to increase our dependence, love, and delight in him. Additionally, God is a good Father. And just like any good earthly father, he delights to give us gifts. However, he has set it up in a way that we get to joyfully participate in asking him in order to receive from him.

Ask God for things in prayer. He likes when you do that.

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By: Dr George Watkins

UNDER ARIZONA SKIES
A dry hot breeze kicked up dust as it pushed a tumble weed down the empty street. Old Shep, the town mutt, laid stretched out in his customary place, sunning himself on the wooden porch in front of the Lazy Days Saloon, the social center of this young Southwestern town.
Last night was business as usual for this den of iniquity, something that seemed to be increasing as each year passed. Those that hadnt stumbled home to their own beds, early this morning, had found a place to sleep it off–somewhere in or around the Lazy Days.
Why is it that sin and evil dont seem to need as much care to nurture and grow as righteous and purity do? At least thats the way it seemed when Wayne Peters rolled into town with his first wagon load of booze. That was only four years ago, just a few months after Flagstaff had been founded in 1871.
Then in the spring of 72 Wayne sent for two of his old cronies from Saint Louis. The evil triad was complete.
If anyone had of cared, they would have noticed that something changed at the Lazy Days, and around Flagstaff the day Brad Dixion and Dixie Lee showed up. Of course they didnt come alone. Brad brought his gambling equipment and Dixie Lee brought her girls; about six of them to be exact. So, for the past four years, sin has prevailed at the Lazy Days, until today,
Two blocks south at the end of Main Street, Frank Bartel stirred from his kneeling position at the edge of his simple cot; he had been there most of the night in prayer.
He was a slight built man in his mid thirties. Not much taller than the back of his gray mare, he had rode into town about four months ago.
Frank was the kind of man that could blend into the back ground of any city, large or small. So, no one gave him much notice when he slipped into town and rented a small room over Eddys Livery. That is, until he announced he was the new preacher from the East.
Of course, he didnt reveal who he was, or his purpose in town for the first week. Franks a veteran at establishing a beachhead for God in godless areas. So, like Nehemiah in the Old Testament, this modern restorer and builder of the wall, spent that first week surveying the town and listening to the people.
By the end of the week, Frank Bartel, Gods secret weapon, had his strategy set and knew exactly where the strongman resided. Then he made the announcement.
It was a small ad, announcing Sunday worship service beginning the first of the month. They would meet at the school house.
You would have thought he had dropped a mouse in the middle of the Womens Sewing Circle from the reaction that he got.
Arent you a little far west to start a church, young man? some grizzly old miner growled at him on a Saturday night across from the Lazy Days. Why dont you go back where youre really needed.
Frank would just grin and reply that this is where God had sent him to bring a message of Gods love and forgiveness to Flagstaff, Arizona.
So within a few weeks the new preacher stirred up a fair amount of interest and a handful of citizens were meeting with him on Sunday morning. It was a beginning.
However, Frank Bartel was well experienced at this kind of warfare, and knew that the battle lines had just been drawn. The real change would come when he would face the strongman. Then, youll see a spiritual change in Flagstaff.
Frank was an intercessor and was well acquainted with what the power of prayer could bring about. He had been trained by the best, as a new believer. Then, sent to Ohio as a pioneer pastor where he cut his teeth on prayer and intercession.
While in Stubbenville, he became involved with his future father-in-law, a hardened veteran of many spiritual battles and pioneer pastor of the early Ohio frontier.
This old soldier of the cross was the one who taught Frank not to consider the physical circumstances of a new town or pioneer work, but like Abraham of old, consider not your own strength, but the strength and abilities of the God who has called you
It was also in Stubbenville under the tutorship of this prayer warrior that Frank learned about the strongman in an area. In other words the master evil spirit or sin that controlled and dominated the region. (Eph. 6:12)
He was instructed how to go into the spirit of intercession against such evil powers and pull them down, taking authority over them in the name of Jesus. (Mark 1:27; Mark 13:34) Rendering them helpless before the power of the Blood and the Cross.
This son of a West Virginia farmer, knew all about warfare, strategy and strongholds on the natural side because as a teenager in the summer of 61, he left his Dads farm to join the Union Army.
After two years of bloody fighting, Frank found himself as a Second Lieutenant on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg, in the middle of Picketts Charge. It was in the middle of the bloodiest day of his life when 10,000 soldiers died, that young Frank Bartel gave his life to the Lord and His ministry. Yes Sir, this preacher understands the strategy of warfare.
Frank rose from his knees and rubbed them. It had been a long night, a hard struggle, but he had finally pressed through to victory. He instinctively knew in his spirit that the strongman that had been controlling Flagstaff had received a fatal blow.
And now it was time for action. God had given him a word for Wayne Peters. So, splashing water on his face, he put on his black hat and long preachers coat and stepped out into the morning sun.
It had been a particular hellish night at the Lazy Days. The well used sins of man were in full operation, as the music and laughter droned on into the early morning hours.
The place was full of customers, the liquor was flowing, and girls were busy working the suckers at the bar. But Wayne Peters was miserable.
Usually the life of the party, especially when money was coming his way, Wayne stayed to himself, except the few times he came to the bar for a fresh drink. He looked sullen and confused.
Then about 2 a.m. Wayne and Brad Dixion were heard yelling and arguing in Waynes office. No one ever knew exactly what it was all about. Something had changed in the atmosphere around the Lazy Days.
Frank Bartel stood for a full two minutes outside his door before going down the stairs to the wooden sidewalk.
He knew the break had come during prayer and he also knew God would give him victory in the final outcome. However what he was about to do was a new venture in his faith life. He was trusting he had heard from God and not his own head.
With each of the eighteen steps that he took down to the front of the Livery, Frank shot another prayer to God.
Is it you, oh Lord, or is it me? Give me assurance that Im in Your will.
So, by the time Franks boot hit the sidewalk below, God answered by flooding the young preachers heart with such peace, that he knew what he had heard was God.
Frank turned toward the Lazy Days and shifted into his easy relaxed stride, that reflected a man who was confident in the mission he was on.
Not much was stirring on Main Street that morning, except the wind and the tumble weeks. Those that werent already in the fields or mines were probably hung over and sleeping it off.
Frank passed Olsons Mercantile and noticed Mrs. Olson was just unlocking the front door. She was in service last Sunday with her children. He tipped his hat.
Smoke from the forge at Arnies Blacksmith, was beginning to boil out of the chimney. Arnie waved from across the street. Youre getting closer, Arnie, Frank said to himself as he grinned and waved back.
Yes Sir, Frank said to himself, as he stepped off the wooden sidewalk, its a good day in Flagstaff.
With his eye on the front door of the Lazy Days the preacher crossed the dirt street without effort and stepped up on the porch, stepping across Old Shep who hadnt moved a muscle. Frank took a deep breath and went through the swinging doors. It was dark inside.
Frank waited for his eyes to adjust to the dim light, then he moved toward the bar.
What in the world are you doing here Preacher, exclaimed the surprised bartender, are you out saving souls this early in the morning?
Frank couldnt tell if the poor guy was up early or had never been to bed. He looked beat.
Ive come to see Wayne, Frank replied, with as pleasant a smile as he could muster. I have a message for him thats rather urgent.
Youve got to be kidding me, the barkeep replied, Hes never up this early; hell be madder than a wet hem if I try to wake him.
Just do me a favor and try. Ill take the responsibility, Frank urged. The man shrugged his shoulders and disappeared to the back of the saloon.
Frank felt rather silly and out of place, standing in the middle of the Lazy Days Saloon all alone. He hadnt really been in here before so he looked around.
It was a typical western saloon, nothing unusual. A long bar that stretched most of the way across the room with a large mirror hanging over the center of it.
Frank thought, as he looked at his reflection, that he was amazed the mirror was still in one piece considering all the fighting that went on most weekends.
Then, of course, there was the gambling equipment, wheels, tables etc., a piano and assorted tables for customers to sit and drink at.
Standing in the middle of the enemies camp, Frank breathed a prayer of thanksgiving.
Thank you, Lord, that the days of this hell hole are numbered.
What are doing in the Lazy Days, Preacher?
The sudden volume of the voice from the balcony over Frank, startled him. It was Brad Dixion. He looked tired, angry and still had his six gun strapped to his leg from last night.
Here to see Wayne, Frank managed to squeak out, I have a message for him.
Any message for Wayne you can give to me, Brad growled back, Were partners, we aint got no secrets.
Sorry Mr. Dixion, Frank replied, as firmly, yet politely as possible. My message is for Wayne.
Brads eyes narrowed to two slits. Dropping his hand on his gun, he moved toward the stairway.
You getting smart with me preacher? I ask you a question, I expect an answer.
Frank noticed perspiration starting down the back of his neck.
Brad!
The authority in the voice stopped everything in the room. It was Wayne and he had his eye on Brad.
Back off Brad, Ill take care of this.
Frank could feel hostility between the two men. He was glad Wayne showed up when he did. He couldnt put his finger on it, but it seemed like something had already changed about Wayne. (Pro. 16:7)
What can I do for you Preacher? Wayne said, turning his attention back to Frank.
Trying to ignore Brad on the stairway over his shoulder and the tension in the air between these two partners in sin, Frank swallowed hard and began.
Wayne, Ive come with a message and when I give it Ill leave. The message is from God.
A curse word whistled over his head from Brad. From God, he jeered, Preacher have you been out in the sun too long. Im going to throw you out. With that he started down the stairs.
Brad thats enough, the steel in Waynes voice froze Brad to his tracks.
Maybe you had better give me the message and leave, he said, turning to the preacher again, his voice and eyes noticeably softened.
Like I said, Frank continued, God told me to come and tell you this. Suddenly Frank felt the anointing sweep into the room just like it does on Sunday morning. He knew God was with him.
God said its time to come back to the Father. Come home Wayne, God still loves you.
Laughter and curses mixed together, erupted from behind him.
Shut up, Brad, Wayne demanded, Im listening to the preacher.
Frank noticed a little moisture at the corner of Waynes eyes.
Frank continued, God told me to tell you, no sin is too great for Him to forgive; no wickedness is too ugly that he wont cleanse. You remember what it was like Wayne, before all of this. Gods waiting for you to come back.
Silence filled the old barroom.
Thanks preacher, for the message, youd better go now.
Frank was shocked at the softness in Waynes voice–even a hint of it breaking.
As Frank approached the swinging doors to step outside, the commotion in the background increased until he heard Brad cursing again.
No preachers going comes into my saloon and talks about God. Im going to blow his head off.
The next seconds seemed like minutes as Frank heard the cock of the six gun and the all too familiar boom as the slug was sent to the target.
To this day, Frank Bartel is not exactly sure what happened. All he knows is that God watches over his own. (Ps. 91)
It seems that at the same moment the deadly slug was launched toward the preacher, he had just stepped through the door. The swinging door met the speeding bullet at just the right time to deflect it past Frank, inches from his head.
The second shot, the preacher heard, was from Waynes hidden derringer. It would be the last time Brad shot at anyone. (Ps. 37:40)
Frank lost track of Wayne a few years after he went east. He heard he was doing real good.
The Lazy Days never recovered its mortal blow from the intercessor. Flagstaff had a church and a future that looked bright.
Frank Bartel? Well you know intercessors–he found another impossible town.
Theres victory in prayer!
G.W.

Looking to the past to embrace the future.(In the continuing tradition that Jesus began, these are stories and parables that bring to life Gods truth and principles for daily living. Some are from life experiences that God has taught me along the journey that I have had with Him.)

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