MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Wife"
Chapter 11: HIS HEALTH

My husband also has frequent back spasms due to a car accident years ago.  Every night when I wake up to take care of a child, I crawl back into bed and put my hand on his back and fall asleep praying for him to be healed.  Some periods of time are better than others for him... sometimes he notices a difference and other times he doesn't.  I love what Stormie says about praying for healing in this chapter:

Remember, however, that even though we pray and have faith, the outcome and timing are God's decision.  He says there is "a time to heal" (Ecclesiastes 3:3).  If you pray for healing and nothing happens, don't beat yourself up for it.  God sometimes uses a man's physical ailments to get his attention so He can speak to him.  Keep praying, but know God's decision is the bottom line.  -Stormie OMartian (p.105).

She goes on to say:

The same is true when praying that God will save someone's life.  We don't have the final say over anyone's hour of death... God does.  And we must accept it.  We can pray, but He determines the outcome.  We have to give Him that priveledge without resenting, gaulting, or getting angry at Him.  -Stormie OMartian (p.105).

While addressing these two very important parts of our husband's health... I have to admit, I've always loved this chapter because it gives me hope every time I read it (and a little chuckle) about Stormie praying for her husband to exercise and finally she decided to "shut up and pray" about it... and eventually she heard her husband on the treadmill!  I, too, have a husband who has wanted to lose weight for years... and it's been similar to that of a yo-yo.  He does real well for awhile, and then struggles again.  I know my pregnancies (and cravings) don't help in that area either!  As we get older, however, I find myself becoming more and more concerned with his health, and even though I DO pray about it... I'm not as faithful to this specific topic as I should be.  I say more than I should and need to be better about "shutting up and praying" because if it's one thing my husband DOESN'T respond to... it's me TELLING him something he's already convicted about. 

Since there's always "another side to the story", some of you wives have husbands who DO work out and take care of their bodies... in fact, it may even be a source of contention in your marriage.  This is a tough spot too because you may feel as though you (or your family) are coming second to "his health".  You see the other areas of his weaknesses and failures and it frustrates you in the same way as the above mentioned group of women.

So, here's "the deal" ladies... it doesn't matter "which side of the fence you're on" in this topic... there is a constant truth in either circumstance:  A man does NOT like to be weak... he does NOT like to fail either.  But worse than either one of those things, is when someone (especially his wife who is supposed to honor and respect him) points out his area(s) of weakness or failure(s).  That's just NOT our job ladies... we are supposed to be our husband's "helper"... his "cheer leader".  So with THAT in mind, how are you doing with showing your husband you support him and believe in him, regardless of his weaknesses and failures?  You know, this little change could be the first step in changing EVERYTHING.

A man has a tendency to try and prove himself... DO NOT BE A WIFE THAT MAKES YOUR HUSBAND PROVE HIMSELF TO YOU.  He has areas of weakness just like you... show compassion and love for him... it's so hard to be weak and fail, but having someone there to cheer you on makes ALL the difference in the world.  My husband has told me before that he can have the entire world crashing in around him and barely be able to breathe... but if I'm standing in his corner... he can make it another round.  Don't be disappointed in your husband's moments of weakness... pray harder so he can overcome them... (he may not mind the cheer leader outfit either... tee hee...)

MY PRAYER: 
Dear Heavenly Father,  Please watch over my husband and give him health.  Lord, I don't want the cause of his death to be over something health related and I pray that You would heal his body completely, so everything functions as You designed it to.  Strengthen his body.  Heal him from any disease, illness, injury, infirmity, or weakness (p105).  I pray that he would sleep peacefully at night and wake early feeling completely rested and ready for a new day.  Give him energy Lord, and a desire to take care of himself and his body.  I know he knows that his body is Your temple... and Lord, he's tried so many times to lose weight... I ask You to encourage him especially in this area.  Help him to fight against temptation and give him a new desire and determination to become healthy in this area so his body will not be done before he is.  I pray for him to live a long and healthy life Lord, and when death does come, that it would be peaceful and not with any agony or suffering.  Thank You that you will be waiting for him to welcome him into Your presence, and not a moment before Your appointed hour (p.106) In Jesus' name, Amen.

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It's not too late to join us for the month of June as we pray for our husbands!  You can check out more about it by clicking the following link: S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer...  Please share a link to your blog post if you've made one on this chapter!