We are praying for our husband's view of money this week. Disagreements over finances is the number one reason for divorce so this is an important area to be on the same page with your spouse. Read Philippians 4:11-13 & 1 Timothy 6:10 and pray these verses for your husband and yourself.  Over the 30 years that I have been married the only fights Brian and I have had have been over money. It is vital to learn to be content with what God has blessed you with. Many times in my life I have had the "if only we had more money" attitude or the "once we have enough money to buy..... I will be happy". These are lies that feed discontentment and encourage the sin of covetousness. It can also put undo pressure on your husband to pursue money so he can buy things to satisfy you. Money or material possessions will NEVER satisfy. We need to learn to be content in all circumstances, trust God for our needs, and be thankful for the blessings we have. "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and we take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" I Timothy 6:6-8. I'm guessing that all of us that are reading this have enough to eat and are wearing clothes! We need to see money as a tool that can be used for good or for evil. Don't worship it, don't serve it, don't pursue it, but use it for God's glory. 

Congratulations you have completed one third of the book and you are still faithfully praying! Whether you are praying for one topic per week or praying for all of them, I commend you for your faithfulness. Don't forget to pray for some of the couples on the list. Remember this is not just about praying for your own marriage but for each others as well.

For a man his identity is tied to his work.  What he does and how he provides for his family is part of who he is. When introducing himself he says something like this, " Hello my name is Brian and I am the pastor of OTCF."  Our husbands are known as a policeman, plumber, pastor, fill in the blank. So this week we are praying for our husband's job. Elizabeth suggests using Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." We are praying that our husbands would find purpose in what they do and that they would be led by God in their employment choices. We pray that how they perform at work will be a testimony to their boss and co-workers. 

This week we are praying for wisdom for our husbands. Elizabeth suggests praying Proverbs 16:23 or 2 Chronicles 1:9-10. I believe it would be wise (pardon the pun) to pray these verses for yourself as well. She defines wisdom as "the ability to think clearly and make good decisions even in the midst of difficult situations and emergencies". Who doesn't need this?  
Thankfully God promises to give us generous amounts of wisdom when we ask, see James 1:5. So pray that your husband will fear the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and desire wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-14). 

Elizabeth also gives a couple practical things you can do as a wife: worship with your husband, spend time in the Word with your husband, pray for a spiritual mentor for your husband. I would add be encouraging and supportive, not belittling or second guessing every decision he makes. You want him to be the spiritual leader of your family so be his helper not his mom! Most importantly keep on praying.  

This week we are praying for our husbands in their role as dads. Chapter three is one of the most important chapters in this book for those husbands who are dads or will be some day. Even if your children are grown it is important that men continue in their role as shepherd of their family. On page 54 Elizabeth shows us how to pray 1 Peter 5:2-3 by inserting the name of our spouse. "Heavenly Father, I come before You now to pray for _______ , the father of my children. I pray for _________ to see himself as the shepherd of the flock You have placed in his life - our children. Give ________  Your love and wisdom as he leads as a loving shepherd of our flock, not as a lord over them, and not because he has to, but willingly and joyfully. May  _________ set a godly example in our family. Amen."  Also Ephesians 6:4 "Help ________ to train and teach his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Enable him to do this without provoking them to anger."

We are praying specifically for our husbands to lead, protect, endure hardships, provide, and sacrifice for his family. Look at John 10 & I Peter 5 to see what a good shepherd does. Your role as his wife is to support him in his parenting. This will look different depending on your family dynamics and stage of life.  Remember you are a team ! Lean on each other, encourage each other, and most importantly PRAY!