My Father, Today I'm in a reflective mood, looking back on more than 35 years in ministry to hurting families—in tandem harness with my Gorgeous Redhead and Beloved Wife. Thank You first of all for not throwing us away when we were so lost when it came to creating and growing a Godly, life-long marriage.
Profound thanks for the people You placed before us to teach us how to get marriage right. Sorrow for the years we wasted before they came along to teach us how to get it right. Now, in the days ahead, keep sending us couples with whom we can share the experience, strength, and hope You have taught us. Keep us humble to recognize when what we teach works—it's not about us, but about Your transforming power to help couples learn and then practice what no one ever taught them before.
Empower and embolden the couples we have served in Your name, not only to prosper but to pass on what they learned when they were with us. All praise and honor to You for first rescuing us and then allowing us to be part of Your redemptive work in families. Keep us doing that as long as we live. This is my prayer in Jesus' matchless name. Amen.
Verses for Today:
For redemption of broken marriages:
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" — 2 Corinthians 5:17
For marriage ministry:
"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." — Matthew 19:6
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." — Ephesians 5:25
For passing on faith/lessons:
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." — Proverbs 22:6
"Command and teach these things... Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers." — 1 Timothy 4:11-12
For humility in ministry:
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." — 2 Corinthians 3:5
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." — Matthew 7:12
Reflection Question:
"Who in your life has mentored your marriage? How will you pass that lesson forward to another couple?"
