Active prayers for your husband: Parts 3-4

Yesterday I posted 2 ways that I am working toward actively praying for my husband. I believe there is power in prayer, and that talking to God draws you more intimately in both your relationship with Him, and with your husband. Unfortunately, I have this incurable syndrome known as highly distract….. sorry, I had to check facebook.

Anyway, here are a couple more ideas that keep me focused while I am praying for my husband.

Prayer Massages

I’ve never been so lucky to pray for my husband. Back rubs, scalp massages, or full body massages are great ways to focus on specific areas to pray for your man. I like giving foot rubs and praying for him to have “feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15) I pray the rest of armor of God for my husband while gently massaging the corresponding area (helmet of salvation=scalp massage, etc.)

I also pray protection over my husband. I rub his ears (it really does release tension) and pray for protection over what he hears. In a world of sarcasm, rumors, gossip, explicit songs on the radio in public places, cutting remarks, and false teaching, what my husband hears can deeply affect his resolve to be a man of God. I know the enemy is firing darts at my husband, so I pray protection over him. I do the same with his hands, feet, heart, and eyes (though I don’t recommend you massage your man’s eyes).

There are times I have prayed for 30 minutes or more, at which time my husband is usually drooling. You would think I’d be exhausted, but I can’t seem to stop praying. I thank God for the unique ways He created my husband. While I rub his shoulders, I praise God for making him into the strong leader of our family. While scratching his back, I thank God for giving him a strong back-bone and the courage to please God and not man.

Finally, my prayers end with the request for peace that lasts longer than a relaxing back massage: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [my husband’s] heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

I always pray silently, but my husband knows I am praying for him. It might mean the world to your husband to hear your prayers for him, or he might just appreciate the quiet stillness of God’s work on his heart while you work on his muscles.

Prayer walks

I love to walk, especially if it is nice outside. Our little puppy is 1 now, and very energetic, so I find myself taking more walks regardless of the weather. It is a good time to get away from the to-do list, the tv, and the “demands” of facebook. I enjoy praying as I walk; walking is a good metaphor for my relationship with God.

It also gives me more prayer material for my husband. I pray for him to have a walk that looks like these verses:

That my my husband would walk in wisdom, which brings safety and peace:

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26)
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding… Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:13, 17)

I pray he might walk in obedience to the Lord, receiving the blessing of God and freedom in doing so:

Blessed are all who fear the Lord , who walk in obedience to him. (Psalm 128:1)
I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. (Psalm 119:44, 45)
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:6)

And that my husband would enjoy an intimate, day by day, step by step, walk with our Savior:

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. (Leviticus 26:12)

Check back tomorrow for Idea #5 in actively praying for your husband…