1 Peter 3:1-6

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. – 1 Peter 3:1-6

Dear Jesus,

Give my wife the faith to follow me when I am leading in a way that pleases you and the wisdom to gently challenge me when I am not.  Make her believe that beauty in your eyes and mine is a gentle and quiet spirit, rather than a body that defies aging or skin that looks 18.  Help her to believe that you can adorn her with inner beauty that makes her strong against self-doubt and self-criticism.  Thank you for the many virtues you have created in her and give me the wisdom to know how to encourage her in these fruits of faith.  Give me the love to build her up instead of tear her down.  When I do seem to be losing my way, give her the strength to honestly confront me without giving into fear that would make her want to control the situation and take all matters into her own hands.  Oh Jesus, help us live the way you want through the power of your grace.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Living our role in marriage takes grace and faith.