Praying for My HusbandExemplo

Goals and Plans

Developing and maintaining an intimate marriage requires a consistent investment of time and emotional energy. Our marriage relationship dramatically improved when we began what we called our weekly “marriage staff meetings.” We didn’t leave the meetings to chance, instead making this time together a priority. Consistency was important, but the emotional benefit of prioritizing each other encouraged our closeness. As I heard my husband turn down engagements with friends so that we could keep our marriage staff meetings, my heart was incredibly blessed. When Kevin saw that I didn’t even take my cell phone into our staff meetings, he felt loved and reassured that I had concern for him and our marriage relationship. Here are some topics you might want to talk about: 

• Coordinate calendars: discuss kids’ schedules, church attendance, and community events. 

• Family goals: discuss financial savings, vacation ideas, and landscaping plans. 

• Parenting plans: discuss discipline issues and spiritual training. 

• Affirm one another: share appreciation and approval.

PRAY: LISTEN TO JESUS 

I love to see the plans you make, especially as you include me. It brings me joy to give you the desires of your heart and make your plans succeed. It’s a part of my divine nature to bring good things to your life. So seek me out, include me in your plans, because I long to meet your needs. Harmony is precious to me, beloved. I love seeing my people make decisions in unity. 

* Jesus, I know you have good things planned for us and I’m grateful. You’ve been faithful to give us ________. Grant us wisdom now as we make plans to ________. 

* Lord, I pray that my husband and I would come together in harmony around these goals: ________. 

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (Song of Solomon 3:2)

* God, I want to seek your counsel about this goal: ________. Help me to know the best way and best time to seek my husband’s input about our plans for ________.

* God, in the same way, I pray that my husband would hear from you about ________. Show my husband and I the plans you have for us. We want to hear what you have to say about ________. Bring us to unity, Lord. We want to please you with the harmony and unity of our marriage. 

TAKE ACTION 

• Ask your husband to discuss plans for a special date night. Meet your goal for increased closeness. 

• Ask your husband’s input about the specific character traits that need to be emphasized as you train each of your children. Discuss plans for parenting your children in these ways. 

• Write down your response to this statement: “If all my dreams for the future could come true, here’s what our life, marriage, and family would look like: _________.” Ask your husband to do the same, and then talk through both responses.