Good Morning!
The last couple of weeks in our time in the book of Ephesians we've covered the relationship between husbands and wives, how she is to submit herself as to the Lord as a testimony to her faith in Christ and His grace, and how the husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, being the spiritual leader and nourisher in marriage for his wife and his family. Well, when we talk about this it is worthwhile to get into a couple different aspects of how this is lived out. As I noted in the sermons as well this message also has something to say for widows, widowers, and single Christians. Paul's words are to be a blessing to all Christians no matter their current relationship status.
That being said when we talk about prayer especially in this regular Tuesday help what role does this play in the Husband's responsibilities especially? As I said this past Sunday the man is to be the "religious engine" in the home. He is to be the fire that lights all the candles of spiritual life under his care and one of the most important ways the husband does this is by praying first of all with his wife, and then also with his children. At the end of the day this is basic Christian life stuff. To the men reading this it should be a natural outgrowth of your own faith in your personal Redeemer that should move you to take this on daily, not as something the pastor is guilting you into in this short message, but as part of your love for your own flesh and blood. If you have time to check Facebook, watch TV, look at work emails, etc... then you have time to lead your family in something as simple as prayer. If it is something you are not doing then the best time to start is today, like as in April 20, 2021.
Now this doesn't need to be complicated. Again we like to make things complicated so we can get out of doing things. "Well, that's just too much for me." Sorry to be a little harsh here, but it is not too much. First of all you need to be taking care of your own personal prayer life. There is nothing more manly than strengthening your own souls in the Lord. As a husband, a father, a son of the living God He doesn't expect you to just do it in your own spiritual strength. You need to be taking advantage of the Lord’s ready means of grace in order that you are being fed in your own private times of devotion and study. I for one would be glad to talk to any man in our church (or outside the church for that matter) about how to go about this.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
We are here to mutually edify one another and build up each soul in Christ for the glory of God and the blessing of His people. And as men we have been given a particularly important responsibility to make it happen in the Lord's house. See this call as a call to action, to take charge of the spiritual life of your home and be the source of joy in Christ in the heart of your wife, your children, and the Bethany Church.
Now as we close what about those who may not necessarily be in the conversation above per se? What does this have to say to you? Well, from the Bible's example we are reminded of all of our callings as Christians to never neglect the blessing of prayer, not just by ourselves, but the importance of gathering together with others in times of corporate prayer offered by the Church, or that you take up on your own time and reason with others. Also, for those of you seeking a Godly spouse, remember to be looking for a man or woman who will either be that spiritual protector and feeder, or will be one that you will covenant to be the provider for in grace.
We are not alone in this. Not only do we have the Triune God present wherever two or three are gathered, but we are blessed with fellow believers who Christ has provided to bear one another's burdens, and joys together in Him.
The reading today comes from Focus on the Family and gives some basic tips on how to start today praying with your spouse.
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/how-do-we-pray-together/
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church