023 5 Christian Marriage Lessons on Prayer

3 minute read that will bless your marriage all week

Hey, it’s Edward from Elevate Your Marriage Newsletter - Good Thursday Morning!

Verse of the Week:

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children; and the Lord answered him, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Genesis 25:21 - NASB

By far, 1 of my favorite passages to share with couples 👩‍❤️‍👨. Here are 5 key points Isaac and Rebekah teach couples today about prayer {read Genesis 25:20-26}:

1. No Quick Fixes: If we only read verse 21, above, seems like Isaac prayed in the morning, the Lord heard him and his wife was pregnant by noon 🤣. We might want it like that, that’s not how it works then or now. Commit to praying for your spouse, realizing it’s not a quick fix. God moves in His own time and timing. 

2. Pray On Behalf: Isaac prayed on behalf of Rebekah. “On behalf of” is Isaac literally physically standing in front of God pleading for her to be able to conceive. See, praying when stuck in traffic or at points throughout the day are good, but when is the last time we prayed standing in front of God - on behalf of our husband or wife, with this Isaac like intensity? 🤔

3. God Owns Results: Verse 20, Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. Verse 26, Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah conceived. Quick math 🟰Isaac’s prayer on behalf of his wife lasted 20 years! That’s 20 years of standing in God’s presence, every day, seeing no change in his wife’s condition, but still showing up. Focus on God that can > what God does. Prayer isn’t about result. God owns the result whether (+), (-) or 0 change…keep praying on behalf of your spouse 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

4. Consistency: I’ve worked with at least 5 couples in the last year that said something like “But, I ain’t Job”. Something needed to be worked through, but 1 or both weren’t willing to wait on God to work through it. Point: God can move in 1 day quickness or like Isaac - 20 years. We never know what chapter we’re in or what corner we are right around, with God…consistently keep praying on behalf of your spouse daily.

5. Who Cares 🤷🏾: How many people, care enough to pray about what you care about - for 20 years? Short list isn’t it? SO, create/deepen intimacy by making prayer a marriage priority, knowing your commute to praying on behalf of each other, when you are at work, or sleep, or dealing with the kids…

   Bonus Thought: 10 or so years ago a woman I knew lost her husband, suddenly. Leading up to the funeral service and even years after we spoke often during that season of her life. He was a good guy, and he left her in “good financial shape”. 10+ years later, she never mentions the material things. Instead, she remembers he never missed a day of praying for her, in fact it was the last thing he did before his sudden passing. Insurance plans, life’s trinkets and a nice place to live are all good, but a legacy of prayer in your marriage…

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P.S. The 1st edition of the Grow in Grace Newsletter for Men drops on Monday, August 5th. 👏So, if you are a man, or know a man that could use some encouragement in faith and/or life share the link https://growing-in-grace.beehiiv.com/subscribe