By Mr Timothy Lee
Ephesians 5:21-28
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
We praise you, Elohim (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33), the Creator of all things, who in the beginning made man and woman that they might form a communion of life and love. We acknowledge your greatness and our need for your grace. We give thanks for married couples in our midst, we pray they will grow in their personal walk and intimacy with you. That each of them may experience your unconditional love and grace so they would be able to give the same to each other.
We come before you, Jehovah-M’kaddesh (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 27:28), the Lord who sanctifies, makes holy; thank you for you have forgiven our sins at the cross. As couples experience conflict in their relationship, help them to forgive each other in the same way as you have forgiven them. Sanctify them by your truth. Remove pride and arrogance and help them to walk with humility. Soften their hearts that they may be quick to forgive and not hold grudges against each other. Grant them patience to stay calm and be slow to anger.
We look upon you, Jehovah-Rophe (Exodus 15:22-26), the Lord who heals. We commit couples struggling in difficult circumstances into your loving arms. They need you, O Lord, in the challenges that they are facing. Search their hearts, remove any obstacles between them and with you, fill them with your love and grant them the care they need. Heal the pain and division they have experienced. Help them to remain faithful and true to their vows to love each other even though things are not going well. Reconcile them and grant them hope in Jesus Christ, make them one again.
We give thanks, Jehovah-Tisdkenu (Jeremiah 33:5, 6), the Lord of our Righteousness, who provides righteousness in the person of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for us “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thank you for the assurance that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Our shepherd, Jehovah-Rohi (Psalm 23:1). We ask that you refresh the soul of our couples and lead them in paths of righteousness. Even though they are walking through tough times, help them know you are with them as your rod and staff comforts them. May you grant them an abundant life and may your goodness and love follow them all the days of their lives.
We seek you, Jehovah-Shalom (Judges 6:24), as you are our peace. Couples and families are facing many concerns and dilemmas, having to juggle work, school, family, and other issues. We pray that you show parents how to be good fathers and mothers to their children. Help them to set a good example and be diligent in teaching Your Word. May you bless the time they have together in enjoying your love and peace. We ask that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
We trust you, Jehovah-Jireh (Genesis 22:14), the Lord who provides. We give thanks for providing our daily needs. For families going through difficult times, we ask that you help them to continue to trust in you for you care for us, for you are our provider who supplies all our needs according to Your riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).
We pray that we, as a church, will be a loving, safe, and authentic community for couples and families to connect and build friendships. We too pray for families to be grounded in the church community to receive encouragement, support, and counsel through the different seasons in life. We pray for your provision of experienced couples to rise up and invest in the marriages of younger couples through prayer and godly guidance.
We continue to dwell in you, Jehovah-Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35), who is there for us. Help couples and families to remember that you are always there for them. Even if they do not always “feel” your presence, help them to believe your Word that you are always there for them and will never leave nor forsake them. Thank you for your assurance that you will never leave nor forsake them. May you, our abiding presence, be with our couples and families, from this day and forever more!
In Jesus’ most precious and blessed name,
Amen.