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.
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