Honoring Women And Children In A World At WarSample

Sexual Purity—Before & Within Marriage

How Your heart aches when we have not followed the pattern so clearly laid out. Your plan is for marriage between one man and one woman to be a reflection of Jesus and Your Church. Everywhere we look today (TV, movies, music, books, advertisements, and magazines) sexual purity is being assaulted, O Holy One of Israel. When You gave Moses directions for the tabernacle, everything was to be pure and holy. Now our bodies are Your temple. We cannot do whatever we want and expect Your blessing. We were bought with the precious blood of Jesus for a purpose—to glorify You in our bodies.

You will not spare those who fall into sexual sins: pre-marital sex, prostitution, rape, homosexuality, adultery, incest, or bestiality. You hate it because sexual iniquity is so destructive: to the individual, to the family, to the church, to the culture, and to the nation.

We will stand. We will fight against the enemy who delights in impurity and unfaithfulness. We fight in the power of the Holy Spirit with our example of being pure ourselves, with our teaching our children the joys of purity, and in grace-filled, appropriate ministry opportunities. Soften our hearts and words, Lord, so that we will stand alongside and uphold a man, woman, or couple who have slipped. May we not judge but forgive, being careful to look to our own sin propensity. Give us the balance between upholding and proclaiming penitence and redemption, grace and law, and truth and mercy.

Increase the desire for purity in men and women, teens and children. As they grow in purity of heart, they will see You in greater dimensions. Work in Your people around the world to find ethnic solutions to practices like unrealistic bride prices and dowries that encourage impropriety and immorality.