Men of Prayer

We will often times at the HIT men talk about being a man of prayer. This last week at our Wednesday night meeting we looked at 1 Peter chapter 3 and had some good discussion about the first 7 verses. The reminder I want to focus on here today is from 1 Peter chapter 3 (I would encourage you to read it all) and verse 7.

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)

If we seek to truly be men of prayer, those who commune with our Lord Jesus in a real, regular, tangible way. Those men who spend time worshiping and weeping in prayer with the fierce passion of broken hearted repentance. If we desire to be such men of prayer, then how we treat our wives seems to be not only related but important.

Often we have quickly accepted the message about how individual our faith is as a relationship between me and God. While this is true, we have often neglected the Biblical teaching and application about marriage and family. The Bible teaches that in marriage the 2 people will now be as 1 person. The idea here is that as a married man you are not to live a separate life from your wife. The intent is that all areas of life will not affect each other and has the potential to add value or cause hurt to the relationship. This is true for our spiritual state and relationship with God. If I am not treating my wife in a manner that honors God and re-enforces the Biblical teaching on marriage, then I place myself in a position of disobedience and my prayer life will be hindered.

So men, do not delay in your desire to be the man of prayer you are called to be. Do not allow the current or past issues with how you are treating your wife to cause you to stop in your path to being a man of prayer. Instead become repentant to God for your disobedience and sinful ways, then repentantly apologize to your wife and family for your mis-treatment of them. Make the commitment to be different, to be a Biblical man, and continue your journey to be that man of prayer.

Let us not grow weary in striving to grow and become the men God has designed us to be. For those who are single, consider whether the life you are living is preparing you to be the husband that your future wife will need you to be? Consider the Biblical teaching on manhood and follow the same path as the married men with regard to manhood. This will also help your prayer life to not be hindered.

Press forward into battle!

Preacherman