Word@Work 1Pet39 - 1 Peter 3:7
Published: Thu, 06/18/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
WHEN HUSBANDS STOP ANSWERS TO PRAYER
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.(NIV)
Peter has been instructing wives in the responsibility of holy living (1 Peter 3:1-6); now he addresses the husbands. Despite the strength that men possess, they are urged to treat their wives with gentleness and respect. However much a man may be involved with his work, when he comes home, he is to think about his wife's needs, and to consider what makes her happy. Women are not servants for mens' needs and pleasure, they are partners in the marriage, and equal inheritors of God's Kingdom (if they are both believers in Jesus).
It seems that few married couples understand that to be out of relationship with each other, means that they have an impaired relationship with God too. The careless selfishness or arrogant bullying of a husband reduces his prayers to meaningless words, which God may not answer. God intends that a husband should provide the necessary spiritual nurture for his wife; it should be his priority to ensure that she stays firmly on track for heaven. In the domestic context, he is her primary pastor.
Of course, many couples do not intend to get into an uncaring relationship - they usually just drift into it. So Peter's instruction is helpful to many who need to re-examine their marriages. While submission is the responsibility of the wife, consideration and respect is the obligation of the husband. So too is the leadership of the prayer life in the marriage. Where Christian couples have departed from this pattern they need to repent and return. Those who are being obedient now need to watch lest they drift. And those whose spouses are unbelievers should play their part well and trust the rest to God.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for this reminder of the need to be in a right relationship at home if we are to gain your blessing. Please forgive me for past failures and help me to live in the light of Your Word in the future. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Peter has been instructing wives in the responsibility of holy living (1 Peter 3:1-6); now he addresses the husbands. Despite the strength that men possess, they are urged to treat their wives with gentleness and respect. However much a man may be involved with his work, when he comes home, he is to think about his wife's needs, and to consider what makes her happy. Women are not servants for mens' needs and pleasure, they are partners in the marriage, and equal inheritors of God's Kingdom (if they are both believers in Jesus).
It seems that few married couples understand that to be out of relationship with each other, means that they have an impaired relationship with God too. The careless selfishness or arrogant bullying of a husband reduces his prayers to meaningless words, which God may not answer. God intends that a husband should provide the necessary spiritual nurture for his wife; it should be his priority to ensure that she stays firmly on track for heaven. In the domestic context, he is her primary pastor.
Of course, many couples do not intend to get into an uncaring relationship - they usually just drift into it. So Peter's instruction is helpful to many who need to re-examine their marriages. While submission is the responsibility of the wife, consideration and respect is the obligation of the husband. So too is the leadership of the prayer life in the marriage. Where Christian couples have departed from this pattern they need to repent and return. Those who are being obedient now need to watch lest they drift. And those whose spouses are unbelievers should play their part well and trust the rest to God.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for this reminder of the need to be in a right relationship at home if we are to gain your blessing. Please forgive me for past failures and help me to live in the light of Your Word in the future. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work, click here to make a donation
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
All the 'back copies' for the series in the Bible books of Mark, Ephesians and James can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
W@W1Pet39 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2009 | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk