Week Three

Hello, Devoted Girls. I’m over half way through the book. Amazing things are happening as I have opened my heart to my Pursuer. I told a friend the other day, if I’d known when Jesus walks back through your wounds with you it doesn’t hurt as bad as the first time, I would have done it years ago. I think many of us have memories continuing to flash across our minds and we’re rebuking the enemy instead of realizing God is whispering, “Can I come in and heal this?” I’m excited about recognizing the ways He’s been talking to me and drawing me. I’m hearing Him speak to me throughout the day, because the things that have caused His voice to be distorted for so long are being removed.

There’s a movie where the star talks about how the man of her dreams will know her. He’ll know she always wants extra dressing and how to create the ‘perfect bite’. I can still see her (because I have it on DVD) placing each perfectly sized piece of lettuce, carrot, radish, celery, olive (or whatever) on her fork to make the ‘perfect bite’. When ‘he’ comes he tells how fascinating he finds her and how he loves the way she meticulously creates the ‘perfect bite’. This is a glimpse into God’s perspective of us. We fascinate Him. He appreciates everything about us, especially the things no one else notices. He is enamored with us-inflamed with love and captivated by our uniqueness. May you open your heart to Him today and allow Him to heal your deepest places. He is waiting for you.

Week Two

I’ve found over the years my flesh has these funny little patterns. When my life feels out of control, I can become almost obsessed with finding a new planner or at the least new pages for my old planner. I’ll go from store to store visiting the planner sections and get online and visit all the planner websites and after several days of this it will dawn on me, a new planner is not going to restore peace to my heart. When I feel a little down or unsure, I find I want a good cup of coffee (coffee flavored cream actually). I will think about coffee throughout the day for days until suddenly I realize, the smell and warmth of this coffee can’t comfort my heart. When I went to the store to look at the guided journal to go with Captivating, I visited the Bibles. I have many Bibles in several versions already, but I was sure I needed a new prettier one, maybe in pink, but they didn’t have the version I wanted in pink. I was considering going to another bookstore on the way home that day, but felt I shouldn’t so I didn’t. When I was almost home, of course, still thinking about a new cuter Bible, the Lord, my Friend, so gently said, “You don’t need another Bible.” I knew it. I felt distant, like I couldn’t quite reach Him and was sure if I had a new Bible it would make me excited about reading about Him. I tried this last year, it didn’t work too well then either, that’s why I was going for a different version with an even cuter color. Isn’t He sweet to always reveal the truth and draw us right back to Him.

A few days ago, He said to me, “I’m the Pursuer.” I thought, Ok. He really has been excavating my heart and at that point in that day, I was numb. This statement didn’t evoke any tears from me, I didn’t really feel too moved by it at all. Then He continued, “You know that guy (before my husband) that pursued you and then when you’d respond, he’d reject you (this pattern continued over and over for about a year). That was the plan of the enemy, but I won’t reject you.” Immediately it all came back, emotionless at this point, but I remembered. The longing to be desired, the devastation of rejection, and the hours of crying myself to sleep at night completely empty and completely spent and alone. I would try to worship, but nothing. I gave every gift I had, every scripture I knew, every part of my soul and he was silent, thus I felt God was silent. My conclusion, I am unlovely, unloveable and something is wrong with me at my very core. This was not the first time I had arrived at this conclusion, this just reinforced my conclusion.

As I’ve read this book, I’ve felt like God’s in the book. Just looking at the cover, I can almost hear Him saying, Stephanie, you are captivating and I am captivated with you. Over the last few days I’ve begun to understand, He wants me. Just me as me. I always thought He wanted to heal me and transform me so I could become someone else, you know the person He saw I could be, because He sees the end from the beginning, and all those other verses that have become so twisted for me. No, no, no! He wants to heal me so I can be…me. Not someone else, just me-healed. I had a gold butterfly I wore on a necklace as a little girl, it was supposed to symbolize the new birth-a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. My favorite book as a two year old was creepy caterpillar who became the most beautiful butterfly. But I saw it as I needed to become someone completely different to please Him. But it’s not true. He wants me as me and He wants you as you. This is such a relief, doesn’t it just make you want to rest. I don’t have to “try and try harder (but fail anyway)”. I used to say that would be my epitaph, but not anymore. Now it can say “She was good. She was great! She was… herself.”

Week One...The Heart of a Woman

Hello, Devoted Girls. I hope you've all gotten your books. I must confess I haven't started my journal. It's been hard to stop reading to answer questions. I've read 3-4 chapters and keep trying to go back and reread from the beginning to answer the questions. God started excavating my heart last month and He has just continued to bring healing as I've been reading Captivating. Don't get all bogged down in the journal, the purpose is just to let Him heal you as you read and pray. Do whatever part of the journal you can. We'll finish just before Christmas and begin next year with unveiled souls. Remember, He's captivated with you and looks forward to every moment to draw you closer to Himself.

Your Invitation

As I prayed about what to do in my devotion time, my heart kept returning to the book Captivating. Once I began reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I was overjoyed about the lives of my daughters. That night as I slept I awoke at least five times because I heard someone in the room and as I awoke I heard "Captivating". I believe He came to visit me. There is a stirring in my heart about this book and living the life of a woman with an unveiled soul as the new year begins. I would love for you to join me.

His Future

Well, Devoted Girls, we've made it! It's the end of September. My husband and I can both tell changes in each other and he's asked me to continue in focused prayer for him. My heart feels like it's been excavated but it's definitely better than leaving all that junk in there. We have renewed vision and direction for several decisions. I'm so proud of us Devoted Girls for finishing and if you haven't then pray all the prayers at once and then go back and read later.

Mrs. Omatian wrote, "If your husband's eyes get so focused on the day-to-day details of living that he loses his vision for the future, your prayers can lift his sights." There really are no limits to what God can do through our prayers for our husbands. Our prayers will just continue to lift them to new levels while lifting us as well. Let's keep going, things are only going to get better and better!

His Faith

I don’t remember praying for David’s faith, but when I look at the scriptures I should. Jesus prayed for Simon that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). This sounds like our faith could fail, but when it doesn’t, Matthew 17:20 says, nothing will be impossible for us. This is where I want us to live--in the realm of impossibility.

His Self-Image

I loved this chapter. She said some things that really helped me and brought understanding. One, about how we should pray for God to help us speak to our husbands in the spirit and not in the flesh so they’ll receive it the right way. Another thing she wrote was that as we pray God will show us how to pray. My favorite line of the prayer was, “May his true self-image be the image of Christ stamped upon his soul.” We should all be praying this!

His Obedience

How many of you have noticed your husband doing something wrong and if you didn’t notice the enemy was quick to point it out? Now, how many of you tried to encourage him to be spiritual “like you” and he responded with a “Honey, thank you so much for revealing that to me I’m going to repent right now and ask God to give me clean hands and a pure heart?” Whatever!?! If you have we want you to post your comment immediately! Praying first, even if you need to say something is such good advice. Often women don’t pray about IF they should say something and they just skip to praying about HOW to say something and then when no answer seems to come from praying, because they’re not supposed to say anything, they wing it. It’s not pretty. Mrs. Omartian says, ultimately it’s God’s voice that has the greatest impact. It’s so true. OK, it’s time for the hanky ladies!

His Deliverance

Because He has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because He has known My name. (Psalm 91:14) He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. (Psalm 18:16) These verses are so wonderful. There is nothing God can not deliver our husbands from. He is a faithful God, our God of deliverances.

COMMENTS

Hey Devoted Girls!! I'd love to know what chapters you are on. If you have to, pray the prayers and save the reading for another time. If you've been reading and not posting I'd love to know. At least, "Hey, I'm reading" would be great! Hang in there the month is almost over and husbands are stirring. You're praying is having eternal effects!

His Repentance

Doesn't this seem like a dangerous prayer? This entire month of praying for my husband seems to be excavating my own heart. Mrs. Omartian says, "This kind of prayer can be annoying to the one being prayed for, but it's far easier to have God shine His light on our sin than it is to experience the consequences of it." So get ready for your own excavating!

His Talk

We all need this prayer. I've been praying about my words a lot lately. The verse that keeps coming up in my heart is the last verse of her prayer, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

His Walk

Everyday he chooses a path. The way he walks affects every aspect of his being-how he relates to other people, how he treats his family, how people view him, even how he looks.

When men learned to walk with the spirit of God and His image became imprinted on theirs, they developed a richness of soul, a glorious purity and an inner confidence of knowing what direction they were going. This gave them a strength and a sense of purpose...

"He who walks with wise men will be wise..." (Proverb 13:20)

Pray that he stays on the path by having faith in God's word, a heart for obedience and deep repentance for any actions he takes that are not God's will for his life.

May Your presence be like a delicacy he never ceases to crave.

In my favorite lines of this chapter, she seems to say it all.

His Emotions

I love the testimony of the woman praying for her husband, how from the first day, they both noticed that every time she prayed, his spirit lifted and soon they began to pray together. The word says, nothing is impossible to him who believes and all things are possible with God. God is just waiting for us to believe Him. He wants us to believe every word so He can be a part of every area of our lives. He is so great!!!

His Marriage

“Pray that God will make your marriage a source of joy and life to both of you…” This is so good. I don’t want mundane, I want Dave to look forward to talking to me. Most of all, I want him to think I’m hilarious and hilarious people are fun to be with it. It’s interesting as the years have gone by we added a dog, then a house, then another dog, then a baby then another, and of coarse there’s all those fish in heaven, some seasons haven’t seemed too funny but this is what I want. I want him to thrive in the atmosphere of our home, because of the joy and life he experiences here. The word says, laughter doeth good like a medicine. III John 2 says, Beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. I believe we can all have this, we just have to be willing to work at it.

His Attitude

"Give him a spirit of joy and keep him from growing into a grumpy old man." Doesn't just praying that make you laugh, but it is so true. Joy in the midst of circumstances does drive out the 'grumpies'. I've been thinking of putting a sign above my mantle with just one word "forgiveness" as a physical reminder of the sign that I choose to keep over the mantle of my heart. Yes, I'm back to forgiveness. But if we were ever conscious of His forgiveness wouldn't we live in joy, peace and sheer relief? Wouldn't we sense His great grace all day long and be quick to bestow it on others? I'm not talking about focusing on all we've done wrong, but on all He's done right. He ever lives to make intercession to the Father on our behalf. Calling us to come boldly to the throne of GRACE to find help in time of need, because His blood has been sprinkled on the MERCY seat in heaven and it cries 'FORGIVEN!', it cries 'PAID!', it cries 'RIGHTEOUS!', it cries 'I'M A JOINT HEIR WITH JESUS!' Are you now hearing the song in your head 'You know, it makes me wanna shout, come on now shout..." or did you see a congregation of excited women waving their hankies saying 'Umhuh! Come on Siss-ta! You go girl!'? Come on, tell the truth, who saw the hanky ladies?

His Past

This book has been bringing me such understanding even in my own life. I kind of feel like my heart is going through an excavation process while I'm praying for Dave. "While no one can pretend the past didn't happen, it's possible to pray for all the effects of it to be removed." I pray this for every one of us. I heard about a minister sharing on forgiveness and that we should pray like Jesus "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34) because they have no idea the effects their actions could have on the future. Is our unforgiveness crying "Crucify Him!" or everyday do we remind ourselves that the blood of Jesus paid for my sin the SAME as it paid for yours? That HE is alive in me to pour out forgiveness when I don't feel I can and remove all effects of sin and the past while redeeming our time as if we never sinned. He is alive in me and I choose Life.

His Fatherhood

Getting to know our Heavenly Father is the way to become a good parent. Praying to know the intimate love of our Father really is an ongoing prayer. Understanding God's grace and His correction certainly helps in decisions we make with our children. It's interesting to me the importance to God of honoring our parents, so it will go well with us all the days of our lives (Eph. 6:1-3) or by cursing your father and mother, your lamp will be put in deep darkness (Prov. 20:20). Unforgiveness opens so many doors. I've noticed that over and over in my life when I forgive, healing comes in, physically and emotionally. When we operate in forgiveness we open the door to light in every area of our lives. Maybe that's why it says, the spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly (Prov. 20:27).

His Relationships

OK, where do I start? What do you Devoted Girls think about this? I always joke, you can't make playdates for your husband, God has to send the friends. But at the same time do you want him to yourself? What about leaving and cleaving? Where does that put them in relation to their family relationships? Yes, I'd love to have comments. I just prayed the prayer and expected revelation.

His Priorities

I love these suggestions. Smile and hug him in the morning, ask him if there's anything you can do for him (and remember to do it), and asking him if there's anything you can pray about. Just remembering to do it can be an incredible accomplishment. It lets him know even though he's out of sight, he's not out of your mind.

His Reputation

I am realizing there are so many areas of Dave's life that I've been on the defensive instead of the offensive. I've had the attitude if someone attacks him THEN I'll pray. But I could be praying protection over this area of his life and he would never even have to deal with any problems. You know, we serve the God who sees ahead. Praise God for God. I'm growing from faith to faith.

His Integrity

I never thought about letting your "yes" be "yes" and your "nay" be "nay" being integrity. Praying and reading through this book is teaching me a lot. It is helping me to recognize and stand in my place. I have often told other wives to "take their place", but I'm realizing I really haven't been. Dave can really tell I'm praying, not just because I've told hin but because it has changed my behavior and the atmosphere of our home. What does this have to do with integrity? We committed to love and cherish them through thick and thin, not just when they look spiritual. So let me encourage you, if things seem to be getting better at home imagine how much better it will be, if things are seeming strained then the "stuff" must be coming to the surface to get it out so keep praying. I heard a minister say one time, there are two reasons to pray for someone, when they're doing something right and when they're doing something wrong. Just know today, you are bringing change to your present and your future.

HIs Trials

Girls, I'm so excited about your comments. Thank you for sharing and being open. It's so funny, in hindsight, how the enemy tries to make me feel isolated when I'm surrounded by friends going through similar things. I love the phrase she wrote, "His love attends every moment of our lives." The word attends has several visual pictures for me, attending to someone who is sick, attending a wedding or even attending a funeral. It sounds like attentive. He's attentive to me. God is paying attention to every moment, when I "slip" in my walk throughout the day, He's there to encourage me. When I'm concerned my children will have my issues when they grow up because the devil keeps telling me I still have my issues, He reminds how far I've come and where I'm going. He gets it. God gets us. You know, He's not dissappointed we're girls. He chose US to be girls. I believe as we serve our husbands through prayer, we're going to see how great it is to be US. I share basically everything with David, but I don't ask him to read my blog, because this is our place. Being a girl isn't about having children, it's about seeing God in a whole new way. We're a revelation of the fullness of God. It's like men are only half of who He is and we're the other half. You can't see Him fully without both of us. So go ahead girls be GIRLY!!

His Protection

"Our husbands are on the battlefield every day." Have you ever thought of it that way? I tend to pray over special events or meetings but this is a good reminder that our dear husbands are in a battle every day and need to be covered. Psalm 91 is another great prayer of protection.

His Health

I loved her testimony about her husband's exercise habits. She prayed and nothing happened for months, but once he did start exercising it has continued. Lasting results for her "shut up and pray" method. That's pretty good. Is there anything that any of you Devoted Girls would like to share about shutting up and praying?

His Choices

I must confess I felt very convicted reading this chapter. When it comes to praying for him about our business, I've not felt very confident in hearing God in this area so I've not been very diligent to pray. This was a good reminder that if I'll just pray the word God will speak to him.

His Purpose

"Lord, take my husband from this place, reveal to him what you've called him to be, and open doors to what he should be doing." I could pray this everyday for the rest of his life. There's always a higher place, always more God could reveal about who He is and who your husband is, and life just seems to be a series of doors of all sizes and distances apart.

His Fears

I just want to say again, it is so important for us to stand in our authority. I refuse for my children to be tormented by fear, it angers me, but I haven't always taken the same stand with my husband. We have got to cover them in every area, even if they aren't struggling in that area. Thank God for His grace, but now we know.

His Mind

While praying this prayer it dawned on me I hadn't been taking the authority I've been given to pray over my husband in EVERY area. In fact, as I was praying this prayer with several others I could tell I'd stepped up into my place as Dave's intercessor again. The next day we had a little "discussion" and I realized I had really made some headway and the enemy was trying to stir up strife to stop the effectiveness of my prayers. When I realized this, I thought I'm gonna really get the devil, I'm going to love on my husband a lot more today just to make the enemy mad. You know, like Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the sick in retaliation for the beheading of John the Baptist. If you've sensed things stirring in your home, press into walking in love because the enemy will do anything to nullify and disarm the effectiveness of your prayers.

His Affection

"Let the husband render to his wife the affection DUE her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." (I Cor 7:3) I read so many verses on marriage before I got married, that once I was married I tended to think I've read that before. I must confess I tend to feel like, Dude, I don't have time for hugging, I'm running late. One night I joked with him, I don't have to spend with you right now I've got to go read my book about praying for you. Obviously, after a good laugh, I decided to spend some time with him instead. It seems like praying for him is really bringing my own priorities in order and helping me realize that sometimes I'm so busy trying to order everything in our home "for him", I forget the point is to minister "to him". Aren't you thankful for God!

His Temptations

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)" I knew this verse but I see it differently now that I'm married. It is an area that is certainly deserving of attention. I love it that my prayers can help both of us get crowns.

His Sexuality

I seriously considered not posting on this chapter, because I felt like I should be whispering while typing. I am so thankful for my husband because we talk about everything, but sometimes I still just don't get it. I love how she said, "Wives sometimes have it backwards. They think, We can have sex after we get these other issues settled. But actually there is far greater chance of settling the other issues if sex comes first." This is pure revelation. No woman naturally thinks this way. Doesn't it seem to always come back to laying down your life for theirs. I'll put aside this thing that's screaming at me, possibly literally, to take care of you. It sounds wimpy, but really it is quite empowering once you've done it.

I planned last week to write some wonderful prayers full of scripture and very spiritual for my husband to make it effortless for him to pray. While thinking about it I had the impression, Don't reinvent the wheel, turned and picked up The Power of a Praying Wife and decided this would be great to do since it had 30 chapters and September began the next day. I was so excited. It took me two days to realize God had corrected me and made me think it was my idea. I'm the one doing all the praying and God didn't tell my husband to do anything. I want God to teach me how to parent that way, correct my children and they get excited.

But I can say, I've already noticed kinder and gentler responses to things that would have really upset me before. And I've noticed it doesn't linger, I mean I'm not stewing for hours. So I'm getting excited about the process, which I have NEVER been excited about before. These are going to be the best 30 days of our lives.

His Finances

Obviously, his finances are mine, too. Praying for us to live in balance between spending needlessly and being miserly has been a great journey for me personally the last few years. I've always joked I could talk myself out of buying anything. I have found that just when I begin to feel proud of myself for saving so much money in an area, the Lord corrects me for not receiving something that I want or need because I think I can live without it. It all comes down to obedience...asking the question "Is this bread or seed?" Some people eat all their seed, the money God intended for them to bless others with. Other people plant all their bread, the money God gave for them to use personally, giving more than God intended, then finding themselves in a place of lack and blaming God for it. He is a good Father wanting more for us than we can fathom for ourselves or our own children. When it comes to money, know He loves you and just obey.

His Work

I thought it was interesting that those who have actively praying parents seem to find their life's work early and have a sense of purpose and destiny that propels them in the right direction. Our prayers are so important in order for our children to have a revelation of their gifts and talents. She said, our prayers can pave a path for our husbands. When I read this I saw a picture in my mind of us as devoted prayers laying asphalt and building a road for our husbands. Proverb 4:18 says the path of the righteous shines brighter and brighter. Our prayers bring light to their paths. James says, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man makes tremendous power available dynamic in its working. So even when we don't see anything in the natural God is working. So keep praying!

His Wife

I am so excited about each of you sharing your heart. Lindsey, I love what you said about accomplishing everything God wants us to do when we help our husbands first. I think it would create a lot more peace in our homes if we would just remember this.

I like what was said about one of the greatest gifts you can give your husband is your own wholeness and focusing on your own willingness to change. For most of my marriage I have put a lot of pressure on Dave to fix me. It has been so good to release him from being my savior and just receive God's grace.

I love the line in the prayer "show me how to support and respect him AS HE RISES to that place of leadership." We're assuming and expecting that he really will rise to his place. It takes me out of "hoping mode" and into "expecting mode". It made me think of the song, "May the glory of the Lord rise among us".

The Power

The Power, the chapter before the first chapter: This was so encouraging to me, it made me want to press on. On page 18 it says, "In every broken marriage, there is at least one person whose heart is hard against God. When a heart becomes hard, there is no vision from God's perspective." Our marriage isn't broken, but I believe everyone can susceptible at one time or another...at least once a month. Daily prayer keeps my heart hearing AND seeing. As I've pressed in to pray over Dave, even in the last few days, he's noticed more attention turned toward him. I Corinthians 13:5 says love takes no account of a suffered wrong. I pray Dave can say that of me at the end of the month. Happy devoting!