Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 ESV
I strategically pray for my wife.
I memorized the book of 1 Peter twenty years ago. Chapter 3 verse 7 caused me to consider – how is my wife a weaker vessel?
In a lot of ways, my wife is stronger than I am. I get anxious, she doesn’t. I get impatient, she doesn’t. I say something negative, she counters by saying something positive.
But she isn’t perfect. Uh, oh, be careful, Pastor Grant.
After considering 1 Peter 3:7 years back, I began to pray that my wife would be strengthened in areas of her ministry – for endurance (especially with me), and for protection in spiritual warfare.
It’s true that my prayers for my ministry will not be answered if I don’t pray for my wife.
My prayer plan for my wife (wives, this works for your husbands as well):
- Consistent time and place. Monday morning for 20 years, I have set aside time to pray for my wife. I pray for her at other times, but Monday, for a short time, is focused on her. I have shortchanged her with my time in other areas but never with my Monday praying. Once, I prayed on an airplane from St. Petersburg to Siberia, Russia, at 9 p.m. on Monday because it was 9 a.m. on Monday in Springfield.
- Her breakthrough. Sanctification means we grow slowly. After one victory, there might be a defeat with another needed victory. There is a low place, a dark place, a place of frustration that builds in all of us. It comes to a point of nowhere else to go unless we experience a breakthrough of God’s presence and power.
My wife needs a breakthrough now in praying for the sick. She is frustrated that God isn’t healing others the way the Bible promises. I want her to experience breakthrough and then pray for many to be healed.
- Listen. I give myself a “5” out of “10” in my listening ability. Yes, I ask lots of questions to others and listen carefully but then come home distracted. My wife speaks softly, she speaks in suggestions, and she doesn’t get mad if I don’t get it.
I must focus. When she speaks softly, I must listen loudly. Her thoughts often reflect my inadequacies.
She knows things about me that help her say what she thinks. If I listen, spiritual growth is easier and there is less frustration for me because I avoid difficulties.
Peter ends 1 Peter 3:7 with… “so that my prayers may not be hindered.”
I need prayer. I work with many who need prayer. I have a desire to influence the church throughout the world from being mere disciples to become disciplers. I want to see revival.
I don’t need hindered prayer.
Praying for my spouse elevates my prayers.