Praying for My WifeНамуна

Celebrate Your Differences

My wife and I have wasted a lot of time arguing over whose ways are better. We’ve fought over every imaginable issue: “There’s no money in the account,” “There’s no gas in my car,” and “Why didn’t you call and tell me they were coming home with you?” We’ve been slow learners at times, but we’ve found a better way. Here’s the way we now handle our differing perspectives: We begin with the principle that neither of us has thoughts, ideas, plans, or ways that are always best. We’ve learned to navigate the challenges of differing perspectives by prayerfully asking the Lord to show us His thoughts on the matter. Since His thoughts are higher than ours, we know His ways are best. And as we’ve learned to approach the challenges of marriage in this way, we’ve not only enjoyed more harmony, but we’ve also come to appreciate one another’s perspective. I’ve come to value my wife’s insight into people, her sensitivity to our kids’ needs, and her gift of hospitality. She’s come to more fully appreciate my attention to detail, persistence in completing projects, and vision for our financial future.

PRAY: LISTEN TO JESUS 

Humble yourself, and I will lift you up. I love when you acknowledge your dependence on me. I can’t wait to come to your aid. I am ready to teach you my ways and lead you in how to celebrate the differences between you and your spouse. Your humility is what moves me to action. I keep my distance from the proud. So talk freely about how you need me and how you are depending on me.

* Jesus, please show me your ways and your thoughts. Especially when I’m tempted to think that my ways are best, reveal your perspective. I need to specifically hear you concerning ________. 

* Lord, I pray for my wife and our marriage. We are depending on you to help us navigate our differences. We especially need your help concerning ________.

LIVE: DO THE BIBLE (Ephesians 2:10)

* God, I want to see my wife as your masterpiece. Show me the traits about her that make you particularly proud of your creation. Show me, Lord. I am celebrating these uniquenesses about my wife: ________. May she see herself as your unique creation, especially in ________. 

* God, in the same way, I pray for my wife. Help her to see me as a different but still unique creation of God. Bring unity in our relationship, particularly in how we ________. 

* Lord, you have planned good things for each of us to do. Increase our unity and help us celebrate our differences so that we might point more and more people to you. 

TAKE ACTION 

• Write down the improvements or changes that you could make that would help your marriage communication, especially in regard to the ways you are different from your wife. 

• Look for an opportunity to defer to your wife. Say something like, “We’re really different in this area and yet I want to give to you by ________.”