Day 30: Ministry and Mission

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Each of us is called to serve others both within the church (1 Corinthians 12) and in the world around us. (John 17:20-23) Our ministry is our calling to build up the body of Christ. Our mission is our calling to help others know Christ. Our ministry and mission often take us outside our comfort zone; we can be tempted to postpone ministry and mission and focus on other areas of life. When we do engage in ministry and mission, we are prone to view them as personal accomplishments and become either overwhelmed or proud. Christ’s words remind us that we’re working for Him and He’s working in us to accomplish His purpose. (John 15:4-5)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will respond to God’s call to ministry, serving the body of Christ with their unique gifts and abilities.

* Pray that these men will respond to God’s call to mission, sharing Christ’s love with the world and helping others know Christ.

* Pray that they will trust God to equip them with everything good for doing His will, serving Him with both confidence and humility.

* Pray that we as women will live out our ministry and mission without assuming responsibility for the ministry and mission of the men in our lives.

Day 29: Compassion

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

People all around us need compassion. Even today, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are hurting as a consequence of sin or due to circumstances beyond their control. The world around us is lost, experiencing every moment of every day apart from God. When we turn our backs on others’ needs, we disobey God’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves—and the parable of the Good Samaritan makes it clear that a neighbor is anyone God puts in our path. Jesus’ compassion for us led Him to die on a cross. We who have received His compassion remain on earth to share His love and mercy as well as His truth.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will comfort fellow believers in any trouble, as God comforts us in all our troubles.

* Pray that these men will regard the lost world with compassion and not condemnation, imitating Christ who laid down His life for lost sinners.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will be like the Good Samaritan, who responded with compassion while others turned their backs on the needs in their path.

* Pray that as women we will extend compassion to the men in our lives, humbling ourselves to serve them without placing demands on them in return.

Day 28: Leadership

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

You might recall a popular Christian song that contained the lyrics “Don’t look at me, look at Him.” While it’s true that none of us can claim perfection and Christ is the only example of a life without sin, biblical leadership requires a willingness to model godly living. Even young believers are called to such leadership. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) God provides safety and guidance through willing leaders. (Proverbs 11:14) Husbands and fathers are called to a particular kind of leadership, loving their wives as Christ loved the church and raising their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 5:25, 6:4)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray for men in leadership positions at our church, that God will give them wisdom and discernment, humility and self-control.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will respond to the call for biblical leadership, living as examples and pointing others to Christ.

* Pray that husbands and fathers will lead in their homes, loving their wives as Christ loved the church and raising their children in the Lord.

* Pray that we as women will respect the men in our lives and encourage them as leaders, practicing biblical submission even as we lead where God calls us to lead. (Mark 10:43-45)

Day 27: Activities and Rest

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Solomon knew that “there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12) In their proper place, leisure activities can bring joy and provide opportunities for fellowship or interaction with those who need to know Christ. But God warns us not to conform to the world’s ways. (Romans 12:2) His Word says: “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8) Activities for their own sake can become idols. Even when our intentions are good, we can get so caught up in activity that we neglect to rest. Jesus Himself rested, and God sets aside one whole day a week for that purpose.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will find pleasure in their daily activities and will recognize joy and satisfaction as gifts of God.

* Pray that these men will have an eternal outlook, engaging in activities that provide fellowship and opportunities to share Christ’s love with others.

* Pray that activities don’t become idols for our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons, and that they make time for rest.

* Pray that we as women will slow down and rest, that our church will become a community that observes the Sabbath and experiences joy in the Lord as a result. (Isaiah 58:13-14) 

Day 26: Giving

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

God calls each of us to give our time, treasure, and talent—and we’re to give from all three of those categories, not just one. Look at the blessings God has for those who give: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10) And: “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (Proverbs 19:17) When we give, we both acknowledge and imitate God as the giver of all good things. Giving should be both intentional (1 Corinthians 16:2) and responsive to needs that come to our attention.
(1 John 3:17)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will be cheerful givers of their time, treasure, and talent, recognizing that all good things are gifts from God to be used for His purpose.

* Pray that these men will be intentional about giving, planning for it within their schedules and budgets.

* Pray that they will be responsive to the needs of others as those needs come to their attention.

* Pray that we as women will give cheerfully as well and will not be stingy or begrudging with our time, treasure, and talent.

Day 25: Finances

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)

Paul knew the secret of being content whether he was in need or had plenty: he recognized God, not financial resources, as the source of his strength. (Philippians 4:12-13) The key to financial wisdom is acknowledging that everything we have is from God and seeking His will for spending, saving, and giving. Most of us lean more toward either spending or saving; God desires a balance in which we neither squander nor hoard the resources He’s provided. When we seek His will for our finances, both our spending and our savings are directed back to Him, and giving becomes a priority as well. Periods of income loss make our dependence on God even clearer, but He promises to supply all we need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will place their trust in God, not their financial resources, acknowledging that all good things are a gift from God and seeking His will for spending, saving, and giving.

* Pray that God will give these men wisdom to spend purposefully and save for the future, that they will find God’s balance between needless spending and miserly saving.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will be compensated fairly for their work and that those who are experiencing income loss will trust in God’s provision. Pray that Christ’s body will be a source of support for those facing a job loss or other financial hardship. 

* Pray that husbands and wives at our church will be in accord about financial decisions, seeking God’s will for an intentional approach toward spending, saving, and giving.

Day 24: Words

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(Ephesians 4:29)

God takes words seriously. In addition to His creation, the primary way He reveals Himself to us is through the words of the Bible. The Word is so important it is identified with Jesus Himself: the Word made flesh. Words can bring healing and life, or brokenness and death. If you’ve been hurt by the words of a husband, brother, father, or son—or if your words have hurt someone else—you know that words are easily spoken but impossible to unsay. The key to controlling our words is guarding our hearts. (Matthew 15:18) Often, keeping silent is the wisest approach. Especially when we approach God, our words are to be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will speak words of healing and life, not brokenness and death, that their words will build others up and benefit those who listen.

* Pray that these men will speak God’s Word with confidence and let their own words be few in the presence of God. 

* Pray for forgiveness and restoration where hurtful words have damaged our relationships with our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons.

* Pray that the people of our church will allow God to search us and know us and that our words will flow from godly hearts.

Day 23: Thoughts

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) 

The idea that we can control our thoughts might seem radical to anyone who is prone to worry, anxiety, doubt, lust, or even simple distractibility. God wants us to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,” and anything that is “excellent or praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:8) We are to set our minds on “things above” rather than earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) Our thought life is our most private reality, between us and God alone. Because they are private, our thoughts can make us vulnerable to temptation and doubt without accountability or encouragement. A mind set on Christ, on the other hand, can transform us for a life of worship. (Romans 12:2)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will take captive every thought, confessing to God any anxiety, doubt, or lust and allowing Him to transform them by the renewing of their minds.

* Pray that these men will think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will set their minds on things above and not on earthly things.

* Pray that as women we will not harbor negative thoughts about our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons but that our thoughts about them will reflect the mind of Christ.

Day 22: Witness

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

God’s Word makes it clear that we are to share His love and the message of Jesus with others. Jesus’ last words to His followers, known as the Great Commission, included the exhortation: “Go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Witnessing effectively requires a willing heart. Our reputation also influences the effectiveness of our witness. When God’s work in our lives is evident, people around us take notice and are more likely to desire His presence in their own lives.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will take the Great Commission to heart, willingly sharing the message of Christ with others.

* Pray that these men will have “blameless and pure” reputations, shining like stars to those around them and drawing them to the Word of God.

* Pray that the men of our church will share Christ’s message with both humility and boldness, trying to please not men but God. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

* Pray that the married women of our church will practice biblical submission toward their 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.” (1 Peter 3:1)

Day 21: Priorities

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”(Matthew 22:37-39)

In a classic essay titled “The Tyranny of the Urgent,” Charles Hummel describes how the most important activities in our lives, which seldom demand to be done right away, are constantly postponed as we attend to tasks that call for our immediate attention. Identifying what’s most important is the first step in overcoming the tyranny of the urgent. Jesus stated clearly what our priorities should be: loving God and loving others. Actually living by our priorities requires intentionality, self-examination, and discipline. God’s highest values are simple. When our lives feel complicated because of competing priorities, He will show us the one thing that is needed for each moment. (Luke 10:41-42)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will make God their highest priority and will love Him with all their heart and soul and mind.

* Pray that these men will prioritize loving others, second only to loving God.

* Pray that married men and fathers in particular will prioritize their wives and children above competing demands.

* Pray that married women will love their husbands second only to God; pray especially that married mothers will prioritize their husbands even as they love their children and respond to the many demands of motherhood.

Day 20: Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

When God invited Solomon to ask for anything he desired, Solomon asked for wisdom. Lest we wonder why Solomon valued wisdom so highly, Solomon wrote an entire book that explains his choice. The book of Proverbs says wisdom is more profitable than silver or gold; wisdom brings life, honor, happiness, pleasantness, peace, strength, and justice. Men can feel burdened by responsibilities and decisions. But God freely gives wisdom to anyone who asks, guiding us in the way that is right.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will not lean on their own understanding but will seek God’s wisdom in prayer and through the Word.

* Pray that these men will be open to hearing God’s wisdom spoken through other believers, that they will be sharpened as iron sharpens iron.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will be guarded against making decisions with irreversible negative consequences, especially those that affect the people around them.

* Pray that we as women will not be wise in our own eyes, but will humble ourselves to seek God’s wisdom and to trust Him to direct the paths of our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons.

Day 19: Humility

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
(Philippians 2: 5-7a, 8)

Humility is at the heart of a healthy relationship with God and others. The opposite of pride, humility means acknowledging that God is God and we are not. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, we open ourselves to His power and allow His glory to shine through us. In relationships with others, humility means placing others’ needs and desires before our own. It means admitting when we’re wrong and asking forgiveness; it means responding with grace when another person wrongs us, even if that person hasn’t apologized. A heart of humility is a servant’s heart. Jesus modeled humility when He washed his disciples’ feet, calling us to become servants too.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will walk humbly with their God, allowing themselves to be made less and God to be exalted.

* Pray that these men will have servants’ hearts, putting others’ needs before their own and showing humility in their relationships with others.

* Pray that as women our hearts will be humble before God and in our relationships with our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons.

* Pray that the humility of the people of our church will minister to our community, helping others to know the love of Christ.

Day 18: Character and Integrity

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9)

“What Would Jesus Do?” has become something of a cliché. While the phrase might be commonplace, Jesus remains a profound example for us to imitate. He is the embodiment of godly character. When we model our lives after Him, we grow closer to Him and enjoy His presence in our lives. Integrity takes godly behavior a step further. Integrity means we are the same person regardless of who’s watching. For a man of integrity, character is not a role to be played; it’s the person he is deep down inside. 

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will look to Christ as a model of upright character and will commit to living their lives in imitation of Him.

* Pray that these men will live with integrity, guided by the Spirit of truth.

* Pray that God will protect the men of our church from the temptation to compromise their integrity and that He will give them strength to stand firm in God’s truth.

* Pray that the women of our church will be women of noble character, bringing good and not harm to the men in our lives. (Proverbs 31:12)

Day 17: Attitude/Gratitude

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)

We’ve all been around someone who sees the negative in every situation, complains and criticizes incessantly, and expects the worst is yet to come. Not only does such a person lack joy, but he can drain the joy from everyone around him. Bad attitudes strain relationships. They are often contagious or passed from one generation to the next. A negative person lacks gratitude for God’s abundant blessings. Conversely, practicing gratitude can transform a gloomy outlook to an attitude of joy. Just as a bad attitude is contagious, one grateful heart can start an epidemic of joy.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will repent of any persistently negative attitudes and will open their hearts to receive God’s love.

* Pray that these men will recognize God’s blessings and will cultivate attitudes of gratitude.

* Pray for relationships that have been affected by negative attitudes, that they will be renewed and restored to joy.

* Pray that we as women will guard our hearts against negative attitudes and that we will be grateful to God in all circumstances.

Day 16: Repentance and Forgiveness

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

Acknowledging sin in our lives and becoming right with God involves three actions on our behalf: confession, or admitting to God what we’ve done; repentance, or experiencing true remorse for the wrong we’ve done; and asking forgiveness, which cleanses and releases us from our sin. Unwillingness to do any of these actions stems from pride. When we humbly and sincerely confess, repent, and ask forgiveness, God will never turn us away. An overwhelming joy results when we realize the gravity of our sin and the extravagance of God’s mercy. Receiving God’s mercy compels us to forgive others. Forgiving others is difficult, if not impossible, until we grasp God’s forgiveness of us.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will repeatedly invite God to search their hearts and reveal any error, humbling themselves to acknowledge any unconfessed sin.

* Pray that these men will not simply say “I’m sorry,” but that they will truly repent of recurring sin and will allow God to cleanse and redirect them.

* Pray that God’s forgiveness will compel the men of our church to forgive others, repeatedly if needed, modeling God’s mercy and pointing others toward the Gospel.

* Pray that we as women will have hearts that are both repentant and forgiving, particularly as we relate to the men in our lives.

Day 15: Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

When we recognize that we’re falling short of God’s best, it’s tempting to try to change ourselves by our own strength. And when our husbands, brothers, fathers, or sons fall short, it’s tempting to try to change them through our own strength. The Bible is clear that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control come from the Holy Spirit.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will rely upon God to conform them to the image of His Son and will not attempt to produce spiritual fruit by their own strength or willpower.

* Pray that these men will walk in the Spirit and bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

* Pray that we as women will look to God to work in the hearts of our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons; pray that we will trust Him to produce fruit and that we will not attempt to do God’s work for Him.

* Pray that our lives will bear spiritual fruit as well, that we will bless our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Day 14: Prayer Life

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer. (1Timothy 2:8)

Many of us have stories about the time we caught a glimpse of a celebrity—Erma Bombeck at the airport or Kim Kardashian at Target. Most of us will live our whole lives without any closer brush with fame, let alone royalty. But the King of Kings invites us to approach His throne any time, to place our confidence in Him and to hear His voice in response. We tend to take this invitation for granted, but as the hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Prayer is an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty and our need for Him. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will, bringing hope and peace.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will pray without ceasing, engaging in an ongoing, two-way conversation with God.

* Pray that these men will be anxious for nothing but will pray about everything with thanksgiving, that the incomprehensible peace of God will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

* Pray that the men of our church will pray together and will intercede for one another before the Lord.

* Pray that the women of our church will remain committed to praying for the men in our lives beyond this 30-day initiative.

Day 13: Self Image

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139: 13-14)

Too often, our self-image comes from what others have said about us or from our performance in various life roles. Men in particular are encouraged to view themselves as professionals, husbands, and fathers first and to equate their value with their performance in those roles. Viewing ourselves through a faulty lens distorts our self-image and makes us prone to overestimating or underestimating our worth. Seeing ourselves as God sees us, on the other hand, means knowing we are made in His image and that He valued us enough to die for us. It means giving God full credit for His workmanship and offering Him gratitude for His abundant love and grace.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will know that they are God’s workmanship, created in God’s image, fearfully and wonderfully made for God’s purpose and pleasure.

* Pray that these men will not see themselves through the distorted lens of public opinion or performance but will be humbly grateful for the unique qualities God has placed in them.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will understand who they really are by understanding who God really is, growing to know Him more and more each day.

* Pray that we will see the fingerprint of God upon the men in our lives, praising God for His workmanship and not imposing our own spoken or unspoken standards upon the work of God’s hands.

Day 12: Temptations

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

The Bible says temptation is common to everyone and that facing temptation is not a matter of “if” but “when.” We can be tempted by sex, pornography, drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, money, and possessions, among other things. Repeatedly yielding to temptation allows the evil one to establish a stronghold in one or more areas. Moreover, feeding our lusts often leads to destruction. The enemy knows where we are most vulnerable and will target our weakest areas. Prayer, both before and in the midst of temptation, is a powerful tool against the desires that cause us to sin.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will recognize the way out when they are tempted and will view temptation as an opportunity to choose God’s way over earthly desires.

* Pray that temptation won’t lead our husbands, brothers, fathers, or sons toward actions with irreversible negative consequences. Pray that God will deliver them from temptation that has already led to destruction and that He will bring healing and restoration.

* Pray that each man in our church will confess his temptations to at least one other person, opening himself to prayer and accountability and loosening temptation’s grip by bringing it into the open.

* Pray that the women of our church will recognize where our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons face temptation and will support them through intercession and with humility. Pray that we will grant forgiveness where it is needed and that we will confess and overcome our own temptations.

Day 11: Fears

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

It’s been said that the Bible tells us “do not fear” 365 times. The actual number seems to be about half that, but God’s point is clear: He tells us directly and repeatedly not to fear but to trust in Him. To fear something is to view it as though it were more powerful than God. In fact, the only thing we are to fear is God Himself. Unlike the fears that steal our attention away from God, the fear of the Lord brings life. (Proverbs 19:23)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that God will deliver the men in our lives from any fear that dwells in their hearts. Pray that they will confess their fears to God and receive the peace that comes from trusting in Him.

* Pray that these men will grow in a healthy fear of the Lord, even as they recognize Him as a loving Father, protector, and provider.

* Pray that the fear of the Lord will give our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons a right perspective regarding our fallen world. Pray that they will heed God’s voice when caution is what He desires.

* Pray that as women we will not fear for the spiritual, emotional, or physical wellbeing of the men in our lives but that we will trust God to guide and protect them.

Day 10: Sexuality

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. (Proverbs 5: 18-19)

Proverbs 5 reserves sexual relationships for marriage and warns men of the brokenness that results from infidelity. But these verses imply that wives also have a responsibility in maintaining a healthy sexual relationship. Husbands can’t be “intoxicated always” in a wife’s love if she is withholding that love. Our bodies are not our own; they belong first to God and then to our spouse. (1 Corinthians 6:18-7:4) Past sexual promiscuity or infidelity can burden a man and his marriage. Healing requires a contrite heart and God’s merciful intervention.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will remain pure, abstinent before marriage and faithful to the wives of their youth.

* Pray that these men will view their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and will understand sex as a gift from God, to be enjoyed and not abused.

* Pray for healing from past promiscuity or infidelity, that the people of our church will allow God to purify them and that marriages will be restored where sexual sin or indiscretion has driven a wedge.

* Pray that married women in our church will honor their husbands’ need for sex and will not use sex to manipulate or punish their husbands. Pray that both husbands and wives will understand that their bodies belong to one another and will share the gift of sex willingly and regularly.

Day 9: Emotional Health

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)

Emotions are inherent to the human experience and, in themselves, are neither right nor wrong. God experiences anger, sadness, and divine jealousy. Emotions are neutral, but our response to them can be sinful. Flying off the handle in response to anger is a sin; but bottling negative emotions can be sinful as well. (Psalm 139:23-24) God wants us to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, not by our emotions. In some cases, this means acknowledging a need for pastoral or professional help. Just as God deals compassionately with our emotions, He calls us to show compassion and mercy to others. (Luke 6:36, 2 Corinthians 1:4) Men and women often experience and express emotions differently. God can give us compassion for one another if we ask Him.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will be controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by their emotions. Pray that they won’t sin in their anger or jealousy or any other emotion.

* Pray that men who are suffering from depression will receive help and healing. Pray that they will not be ashamed to acknowledge their need for help and that our church will respond with grace and compassion.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will recognize and respond appropriately to any emotions that are bottled away but still controlling any aspect of their lives.

* Pray that God will give men and women in our church insight about our emotional differences and will equip us to respond compassionately.

Day 8: Physical Health

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

 (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20)

Despite significant advances in scientific knowledge and healthcare resources, our contemporary world offers almost moment-by-moment temptations to abuse our physical health. Unhealthy foods and sedentary activities top the list, but we’re also prone to sleep deprivation, caffeine and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and other forms of immoderation. In addition, men are less likely than women to consult healthcare professionals for preventive care or even for an existing ailment. On the flip side is an anxious preoccupation with health that compels people toward overly restrictive diets, extensive research of symptoms, and visits to the doctor’s office or pharmacy at the very first sniffle. At the heart of either extreme is fear. Often, fear is heightened in cases of serious illness or injury. God asks us to respect our bodies while we inhabit them, but ultimately we are to trust His provision for our physical health and the eternal security of our souls.

Today's Prayer Guide

* Pray that the men in our lives will honor and care for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Pray that they will not resist visiting healthcare professionals out of fear or pride or any other reason.

* Pray that they will not be preoccupied with their health but will trust God as the Great Physician and ultimately will accept that our earthly bodies are temporary.

* Pray that those who are sick will be comforted and restored to health according to God’s will. Pray that they, and those who love them, will trust in God’s perfect plan.

* Pray that as women we will refrain from nagging our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons to attend to their physical health. Pray that we will support them through intercession, encouragement, and example.

Day 7: Friendships

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

It’s been said that everyone needs a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in his life—a mentor, a friend, and a disciple. Men need other men to encourage them, validate them, and keep them accountable. Yet men often don’t seek these relationships or know where to find them. Married couples need friendships with other married couples as well. Fellowship with another believing couple provides encouragement and perspective, particularly during times of difficulty.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray for opportunities for the men in our church to partner with one another, sharpening and encouraging one another as they live out their faith.

* Pray that mentoring relationships will form among the men of our church, that more mature believers will make themselves available to God’s call and that younger believers will be teachable.

* Pray that married couples will enjoy fellowship with other married couples, strengthening their marriages and glorifying God.

* Pray that as women we will not manipulate our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons to form friendships that we ordain but that in prayer we will trust God to bring about the friendships He desires.

Day 6: Family Relationships

And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. 
(2 Corinthians 6:18)

A person’s view of God is strongly influenced by his family of origin. Parents who provide both love and discipline help their children feel secure in God’s mercy and justice. On the other hand, condemning parents can provoke perceptions of a condemning God, an absent or distant father can make God feel distant, and permissive parents can underplay God’s holiness. These misconceptions can be carried well into adulthood, especially if they go unrecognized. Likewise, we can pass along a false view of God to our children, or we can seize the opportunity to model God’s character by His grace.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will have a right view of God, their heavenly Father. Pray that God’s love will heal any past hurts and broken family relationships and will establish a new pattern for family interactions.

* Pray that fathers in our church will not exasperate their children but will bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord, modeling the loving discipline God provides His people.

* Pray that men of all ages will treat their fathers and mothers with honor and respect.

* Pray that interactions with extended family will draw each person involved one step closer to Christ. Pray that the men of our church will be salt and light to family members who are not walking with God and will be an encouragement to all their family.

Day 5: Marriage or Singleness

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am…To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7: 8, 10-11)

When marriage works as God intended, it gives glory to God and joy to a man and woman. But marriage can be a source of pain and turmoil when infidelity, unresolved conflict, unrealistic expectations, or resentment enter the picture. Longing for or fearing marriage can distract single people from serving the Lord in the place that He has them. In each case, marriage or one’s spouse or potential spouse occupies a place that rightly belongs to God. When God is at the center of our lives, He will be at the center of our marriages or our singleness.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that husbands in our church will love their wives as they love themselves and that they will remain faithful to the wife of their youth.

* Pray that God will restore troubled marriages, bringing husbands and wives to repent of any sin that has come between them and to submit first to God and then to one another. Pray that the church will be a place where people are vulnerable to one another and accountable to one another, supporting and interceding for one another through brokenness and strife. Pray that our local church and all the body of Christ will be a light to the world, committing to marriages that reflect Christ’s relationship with His church.

* Pray that unmarried men will remain pure and committed to God’s direction for their lives, whether it be to marry or to remain single. Pray that our church body will value single people and seek fellowship with them.

* Pray that wives in the church will respect their husbands and allow them to become the leaders God has called them to be.

Day 4: Work

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

Have you noticed that one of the first things we ask when we meet someone new is what they do for a living? A person’s occupation might well give us insight into who they are, but for men in particular an occupation can quickly become an identity. Finding one’s identity in Christ, however, creates a shift in perspective: an attitude of serving Him, regardless of employment status. Finding one’s identity in Christ counteracts both laziness and overwork and shapes relationships with employers and co-workers.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will work at their jobs as though working for the Lord, neither overworking nor underworking, with gratitude for the work God has provided.

* Pray that men who are unemployed, not yet employed, or looking for an alternate source of employment will find their value in Christ and will find ways to serve Him right where they are. Pray that God will use transition times to strengthen their faith in His provision and that God will lead them to the work He has prepared in advance for them to do.

* Pray that the men of our church will shine like stars in their places of employment, that they’ll find favor with their employers, and that they will have positive, Christ-directed interactions with their co-workers.

* Pray that as women we will support our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons in finding their identities in Christ and responding to His call regarding work. Pray that we will neither pressure them nor undermine their desire to do meaningful work.

Day 3: Obedience

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 
(Matthew 7:24)

In the parable of the two builders, obedience is compared to building a house on a rock. Disobedience—even among people who willingly hear God’s Word and perhaps believe that it’s true—is like building a house on sand. When rain and floods come, the disobedient fall hard. None of us obeys perfectly. But what can we do when we see the men in our lives walking a path of disobedience? The Bible says that far from nagging, wives are to submit to their husbands and win them over without a word through respectful and pure conduct. (1 Peter 3:1-2) God calls all of us to pray for one another in areas of sin. (James 5:16)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will commit to living in obedience to God’s Word.

* Pray that God will protect them from starting down a path of disobedience.

* Pray that those who are walking in disobedience in any area will repent and redirect their steps to align with God’s will.

* Pray that we as women will walk in obedience as well, winning over our husbands with respectful and pure conduct and praying faithfully for all the men in our lives.

Day 2: People of Purpose

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

(Proverbs 19:21)

Quiz time: What is the bestselling hardback book in American history? According to Publisher’s Weekly, that distinction belongs to Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. “Why am I here?” is among humanity’s most compelling and persistent questions. Generally, followers of Christ know that our purpose is to honor God and to follow His will. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Each of us has a unique purpose as well, and finding it can transform restlessness and doubt to contentment and joy. Supporting our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons means encouraging them to become who God calls them to be. It does not mean pushing them to become who we want them to be. Nor does it mean denying God’s purpose for our own lives. Rather, God’s design for us is compatible with His design for those we love because God is not a God of disorder but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will take hold of their purpose as people of God, seeking to honor Him and follow His will.

* Pray that every man will hear God’s call on his life and will respond in obedience and faith.

* Pray that our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons will look to Christ for their significance.

* Pray that we as women will humbly support our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons in becoming who God wants them to be. Pray that we will neither manipulate nor compete with them as we pursue God’s will for our own lives.

Day 1: Kingdom Seekers

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Everyone trusts in something. Every day brings opportunities to place our faith in money, work, family, science, religion, education, health, humanity, and our own abilities, among other things. Jesus taught that all these things are fallible and that investing our hope in them leads to anxiety and discord. But God’s kingdom is eternal (2 Peter 1:11), and seeking it brings security and peace. What would it look like if the men of Grace Church Roseville consistently sought God’s kingdom and righteousness – Christ reigning in the hearts of God’s people, making us right with God? What if we as women, instead of seeking to change our husbands or brothers, fathers or sons, turned first to God and trusted Him absolutely with the hearts of the people we love?

Today’s prayer guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will seek first God’s kingdom and the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

* Pray that confidence in their eternal future will give them a right perspective on living in the present.

* Pray that we as women will seek God first, trusting Him to love and guide the men He has placed in our lives.

* Pray that Christ will reign in the hearts of His people so that we will be a light to those around us, showing the way to God’s kingdom.