Dear Heavenly Father,
In Isaiah 41:10(NLT), You told Your people living in Old Testament times, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” These were tremendously comforting words for Your people living then, thousands of years ago, and they remain a solid foundation for those of us living now. There is so much chaos and confusion in the world, and many people are not turning to Your Word for comfort and strength. They are not pursuing Your wisdom and because they aren’t, their level of faith is not increasing in You, so they are becoming discouraged and afraid. Just as Hosea 4:6 states, they are being destroyed by the devil because they have not put the truth of Your Word in their hearts. This is the way the enemy is destroying many relationships as well.
As women, many of us have witnessed the mistakes of our mothers and grandmothers, especially in the area of their relationships with men. Some of them loved the men too much and some of them loved too little. They didn’t know they should have consulted You and walked according to Your guidance. Instead, they relied on their own efforts and know-how. In many cases, they repeated what their own mothers and other role models did and didn’t feel they could rise to trust that there is a better way through Your Word. They didn’t cling to Your Word when it came to their significant relationships, and because of this, many of them missed out on Your blessing.
Throughout the years, myths have been passed down. We were told that men can’t be faithful and committed, or that they will not honor Your commandment in Ephesians 5:25, which is to love their wives as Christ loves his church. Heavenly Father, it’s time for us to release the old habits and patterns of the past so we can reach out and grab what You have for us in the present and in the future. Please help us to do this. Help us to renew our minds to our newness in Christ so that we can walk in his liberty every day of our lives. This is what You desire for us, You want us to live and have joy at the highest level possible.
Some of us are terrified of making the same mistakes we’ve seen other women make, and because of this, we start new relationships with attitudes, behaviors, and fears that have been passed down for generations. Romans 6:4(NLT) declares, “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Dear Father, please help us to learn to release old dead ways that cannot help us prosper and live abundantly in Christ. We must strip off all the sin and heavy baggage that keeps us weighted down, and we must live the new life that is in us through Christ.
As we study Your Word, please teach us through Your Holy Spirit, so we can comprehend and receive incredible revelation that will aid us in marriage. As we apply ourselves to grow in faith, please fast-track our understanding so we can lean on Your wisdom. We must discern the truth regarding our new life in Christ from the old hand-me-down advice that is meant well but is inaccurate and cloaked in fear. Help us to trust that You will hold us up with Your victorious right hand, and we have nothing to fear when our trust is firmly placed in You. Guide us in Your love, Dear Father, for You are our refuge and shelter. In the name of Your powerful Son, Jesus Christ, we pray all these things. Amen. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Well-Meaning, but Inaccurate”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2021. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.