Praying for your husband

Prayer for your husband from head to toe. Pray for His Brain: Ask that God would keep it sharp and focused and that his thoughts would not be conformed to this world, but would be transformed and renewed by the power of God. (Romans 12:2 ) Pray for His Eyes: Ask that he would guard them diligently and would set no worthless thing before them. ( Psalm 101:3 ) Pray for His Ears: Ask that they’d be tuned to hear God’s still, small voice and that your husband would always remain attentive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. (1 Thessalonians 5:19 ; Isaiah 30:9 ) Pray for His Mouth: Ask that no unwholesome talk would proceed from it, but only what is good for building others up. Pray that your husband would always and only speak the truth in love. ( Ephesians 4:15 , 29 ) Pray for His Heart: Ask that Christ would sit enthroned upon it, that your husband would love God with all his heart and soul and might, that he’d love his neighbor as himself. (Mark 12:30-31 ) Pray for his heart to remain soft toward you (Proverbs 5:18-19 ) and to be knitted to the hearts of his children. (Malachi 4:6 ) Pray for His Arms: Ask that God would strengthen them and make them firm. Pray that your husband would take delight in his labour and that God would bless the work of his hands. (Psalm 90:17 , Ecclesiastes 3:22 ) Pray for His Legs: Ask that God would give him strength and stamina, that your husband might run with endurance the race that is set before him, without growing weary or fainting along the way (Isaiah 40:31 ; Hebrews 12:1 ) Pray for His Feet: Ask that they’d be quick to flee from temptation, to turn away from evil, and to faithfully pursue wisdom, righteousness, peace, love, and truth. (2 Timothy 2:22 ; Psalm 34:14 ; Proverbs 4:5-7 ) So that’s the whole plan. It takes only a few minutes to cover your husband in prayer from head to toe. Can you imagine the benefits you both will reap if you’ll make it a habit to pray this way for your spouse every day?

25 keys to a successful marriage

The key to a successful marriage is putting your spouse’s needs ahead of your own. Here are 25 practical suggestions gleaned from 25 years of happy marriage. 1. Listen To be truly heard is the longing of every human heart, and your wife is no exception. It sounds simple, but listening can be harder than it seems with so many distractions around us and within us. Set aside some time every day to look into your wife’s eyes and really listen to what she has to say. You may be surprised at what you hear. ( James 1:19 , Matthew 11:15 ) 2. Communicate Don’t make her guess what you are thinking or feeling. 3. Sing Her Praises Shamelessly brag about her good qualities and quietly pray about her bad ones. Her reputation is your reputation. (Proverbs 31:28-29 ) 4. Pray For Her and With Her Praying on your wife’s behalf not only enlists the help of the Almighty, but also puts her and her needs at the forefront of your heart and mind, right where they belong. Praying alongside your wife will strengthen your relationship like nothing else. Studies show that couples who regularly pray together stay together, enjoying a 1% divorce rate compared to the usual rate of 50% or more. (Philippians 4:6 ; Matthew 18:19 ) 5. Value Her Individuality Your wife is wonderfully unique. Don’t compare her to your mom, or your ex-wife, or your old girlfriend. Your mom may make the best chocolate chip cookies in the world, but unfavorable comparisons won’t win you brownie points. 6. Put the Seat Down Perpetually raised toilet seats are a pet peeve of wives everywhere. And while you’re at it, tidy up a bit. A little consideration goes a long way. (Philippians 2:4 ) 7. Throw Your Dirty Clothes in the Hamper, It’s likely just a few steps from wherever you are dropping them anyway. Make this a habit, and it will let your wife know your don’t consider her your personal maid. 8. Turn Off the T.V. Lay aside the video games, pocket the iPhone, and shut off the computer, as well. It is staggering how many hours we waste gazing at some sort of screen instead of interacting with the real people in our lives. Consciously set limits on your tube-time, whatever form it takes. Use the time saved to invest in your marriage: take a walk with your wife or play a board game together instead. (Psalm 90:12 ) 9. Loosen the Purse Strings We all have to keep an eye on our budget, but an occasional splurge can be well worth it. Seemingly frivolous things like flowers, jewelry, and overpriced restaurants let her know that she is more valuable to you than a number in your bank account. 10. Practice Servant-Leadership All organizations have a hierarchy. It’s impossible to function without one, but being a leader isn’t the same as being a dictator. The best role model is Jesus Christ, not Joseph Stalin. Jesus washed his disciples feet and then died on their behalf. It’s a challenge to exercise authority while maintaining a spirit of humility, but that is what being a godly leader entails. (Matthew 20:28, Philippians 2:1-8 ; Mark 9:35 ) 11. Remember that Intimacy’s a Two-Way Street Unfortunately, men are notoriously selfish in the bedroom, yet are dumbfounded when their wives are less than enthusiastic in this arena. Make this area of your relationship as pleasurable for her as it is for you and it will pay huge dividends. It may mean washing the dishes or helping with the kids, so that she has energy left at the end of the day. It may mean cuddling and candlelight, so that she can relax and let the worries on her mind drift away. If you aren’t sure where to begin, just ask her, and then listen. ( 1 Corinthians 7:3 ) 12. Give Her Time to Herself Everyone needs an occasional break to rest and recharge, and this is especially important for a wife who is at home all day with young children. Yet it’s very easy to neglect this legitimate need unless you regularly and intentionally schedule time for it. (Luke 5:16 ) 13. Set Aside Couple Time Soak in the tub together each evening or go on a date night once a week — whatever gets the two of you alone on a regular basis. (Genesis 2:24-25 ) 14. Be Careful with Female Friendships We all have friends and colleagues of the opposite sex, but tread cautiously. Not all affairs are physical ones. Honouring your marriage vows means remaining faithful in thought and word as well as in deed. (Matthew 5:27-28 ) 15. Use Good Hygiene It is amazing how meticulous guys can be prior to marriage in their attempts to impress a girl, but once they walk down the aisle, all bets are off. Clean up a little; I promise it won’t kill you. 16. Limit the Gross Stuff Few women find burping and farting nearly as hilarious as the typical guy does. Good manners are always a win. ( Ephesians 5:4 ) 17. Be Patient In whatever way this applies to you and your situation, apply it. (1 Corinthians 13:4 , Proverbs 14:29 ) 18. Cherish Her Children A mother’s bond to her children runs immeasurably deep. When you invest time or energy in them, you are investing in her as well. Kindness to them counts as kindness to her. (Malachi 4:6 ) 19. Choose Her Over Hobbies and Buddies Invariably there will come times in your relationship when you will be forced to choose between your wife and something else that you enjoy. Always choose her. 20. Provide for Her Needs This is so much more than just putting food on the table. It is all-encompassing. Whether it is physical needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, you name it — do your best to provide. Sometimes life’s circumstances hinder us in one area, but we can compensate in another area. Often the effort is as important as the outcome. (Galatians 6:2 ) 21. Dial Down the Anger Your caveman instincts are handy on the battlefield, but horrible for a happy home life. Every outburst or flare-up is a relationship setback. To go forward, the first step is to stop going backwards. Learn to control your temper or it will control you, your marriage, and every other aspect of your life. Just because your wife puts up with it and your co-workers tolerate it, doesn’t make your short fuse an asset. Do whatever it takes to gain victory in this all-important struggle that has haunted man since Cain slew Abel. (Ecclesiastes 7:9 , Ephesians 4:31 ) 22. Cut Out the Condescension If you have been blessed with a quick wit, you can either be the life of the party or a pain in the neck depending on the circumstances. Condescension is anger’s younger brother. It isn’t as loud or as dramatic, but it can be equally hurtful and all the more so for its subtlety. Lay off the snide remarks, the sarcasm, and the belittling. Speak to your wife in the same way that you would speak to a respected colleague. She is, after all, your partner in the most valuable investment of your life — your family.(Ephesians 4:29 , Colossians 3:19 ) 23. Actively Seek Your Wife’s Insights Value her input and give it a preferential place in your decision-making process. (Proverbs 19:20 ; 12:15 ) 24. Learn to Forgive Freely forgive your wife’s past, present, and future offenses. Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel and at the heart of every meaningful relationship. (Ephesians 4:32 , Colossians 3:13 ) 25. Verbally Express Your Love There are lots of ways to show your love, but women still like to hear it spoken.

Youth-Alive Easter Camp Meeting 2015

Praise The Lord! Be reminded that the Youth-Alive Easter Camp Meeting 2015 comes up from Thursday, 2nd to Monday, 6th April 2015. The theme is EMPOWERED FOR EXPLOITS. You are admonished to be a part of this life-transforming event; it shall indeed be an empowerment platform for exploits.

Keys to a Lasting Marriage

Dear Reader, A lasting marriage depends on the raw material you put into it. There are things you must do to bring about a lasting marriage. To enjoy a lasting marriage, you must be ready to give it all it takes. Come along with me as I give you some of the keys to unlock the blessings of marriage. This Week, I will be teaching on Total Commitment under the topic: Keys to a Lasting Marriage. Marriage is a lifelong partnership between a man and a woman. God’s Word clearly states that marriage is ordained by God to be a lifelong commitment. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall join to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh (Matthew 19:5). For you to enjoy a lasting marriage, you must be totally committed to it. So many marriages today, suffer a lot of setbacks because of lack of total commitment. You will not suffer again in Jesus’ name! Before I go ahead to show you the importance of commitment in marriage, it is important you have an insight of what commitment is all about. Commitment connotes an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action. It also means to bind together. We all know that marriage is a covenant and it involves two parties: God on one hand and the man (and his wife) on the other hand. This means that when you are committed to God, nothing can break your commitment to your spouse and children. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says: A threefold cord is not quickly broken. It is important for us to know that God will always fulfill His own part of the covenant, to be committed to the success of our marriage. The onus now rests on us to fullfil our own part of the covenant to be committed to God, in order to bring us to our expected end in our marriage. This takes us to the three strands in the three-fold cord commitment. Commitment to God Commitment to your marriage begins with your commitment to God. This simply means that, if you are committed to God, you will not have difficulty being committed to your spouse or your family members. Since it is God who instituted the family, it is only reasonable that He has a central part in family life. When we commit ourselves to Christ, Christ commits Himself to us. 2 Timothy 1:12 says: For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Commitment to God begins with Salvation. Not only do we need to commit our souls to Christ at Salvation, we also need to commit ourselves to doing the will of God. Psalm 143:10 says: Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. A husband and wife who are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and doing the will of God are walking in the light (1 John 1:7). This brings great stability into marriage and family life. Commitment To Your spouse To accept marriage as a sacred covenant means, first of all, to be willing to make a total commitment of ourselves to our marriage partners. This is why Paul in Ephesians compares marriage to the relationship of Christ with His church (Ephesians 5:25-26). Christ’s commitment to us, the church, is so total that He loved us, while we were yet unfaithful (Romans 5:8) and gave up His life that we may live (Ephesians 5:25).  Christ’s total commitment being with us in life and death, shows us the kind of total commitment upon which Christian marriage is to be founded. It is a commitment based on unrelenting love. It is a love which is “patient and kind; . . . not jealous or boastful; . . . not arrogant or rude; . . . it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. It is a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). It is this loving commitment which makes Christian marriage a sacred and permanent covenant. A Christian married couple is called to enter intimately into the kind of total commitment existing between Christ and His church. Such a commitment makes possible the blending of two lives into an existential union of marital inter-relationship, where they grow together in loving unity and faithfulness. God created a wife to be a companion, completer, helper and friend. Once you have chosen the woman for your wife, marriage brings you into a lifetime commitment to her. In Proverbs 18:22, the Bible says: Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. The point is, marriage is a lifetime commitment (Romans 7:2-3) with daily exercise of love (1 Corinthians 13). It is taking time to know your wife and communicate with her (1 Peter 3:7-10). It is building the kind of a relationship together, so that you enjoy being together and after years of marriage you are still ravished with her love (Proverbs 5:18-21). Every marriage must be based on commitment and an unselfish loyalty and concern for the other person.  If you are marrying for what you can get from a person, your marriage will not last.  If you are both marrying for what you can give to the other person, your marriage can be a huge success. The first step in a successful marriage is for both husband and wife to put all their efforts into the relationship—each giving 100%. Your commitment in marriage has to be total, or else, there won’t be any balance. 50% commitment will not be enough to have a long lasting marriage, because marriage is for ever. Before, I conclude this teaching, I will like to conclude with the third strands in the three-fold cord commitment. Commitment to Your Children The final strand in the three-fold cord is a commitment to your children. There is no way to be committed to God and your spouse and you will not be committed to your children. If you fail in any of the three, it will definitely affect the others. As we can see in the case of Eli, he was not committed to the training of his children. We all know the consequences. First, his family was cut off from the priesthood in Israel. Second, his two sons and Eli lost their lives. Thirdly, the whole land of Israel was punished: they lost the Ark of God to their enemies in battle (I Samuel 4:1-11). He failed to be committed to his children in terms of child’s training. You will not fail in Jesus’ name! It is God who gives us power to hold fast to our commitment. Commitment to God begins with Salvation. You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord. If you are ready to be saved, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan, to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again.” If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21). Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant Making Marriage Work Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GUIDELINES FOR 21-DAY PRAYER AND FASTING 2015

21 Days Prayer and Fasting : 5th – 25th January, 2015 WEEK I Day 1: Monday, January 5th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, thank you for confirming the Exceeding Grace agenda 2014 to the fullest in the Winners’ family worldwide (1 Kgs. 8:15). PRAYER 2: Father, let there be diverse overnight turnaround testimonies in my life throughout this year (Gen. 41:1-16). PRAYER 3: Father, cause every Winner to experience the reality of heaven on earth this year as prophesied (Rev 21:1-4).   Day 2: Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, we thank you for your good word to us this year because we know none of them shall fail (Num. 23:19). PRAYER 2: Father, by Heaven on Earth at work, bring to a permanent end all forms of struggles and hardships that have trailed the careers and businesses of members of the Winners’ family (Zephaniah 3:19). PRAYER 3: Father, let there be Heaven on Earth order signs and wonders in all our churches worldwide leading to uncommon gathering of multitudes (Acts 5:12,14).   Day 3: Wednesday, January 7th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, we thank you for preservation and divine covering over the Winners’ family worldwide all through year 2014 (Zech. 2:5). PRAYER 2: Father, turn me into a man of exploits after the order of Daniel, this year (Dan. 1:9; 2:46). PRAYER 3: Father, make every winner an aggressive soul winner. Let the fresh zeal for personal evangelism come upon every member this year (Acts 8:4; 11:21).   Day 4: Thursday, January 8th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, thank you for changing our levels through constant revelation of your words in year 2014 (Gal. 2:2). PRAYER 2: Father, let your unspeakable gifts bring out every member of this church into the open this year as it was the case of Daniel (Dan. 5:11-14). PRAYER 3: Father, make 2015 a year of Heaven on Earth for our nation. Let there be tangible progress for this nation in every sector and level of governance (Ps. 144:13-15).   Day 6: Saturday, January 10th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, I thank you for answering all my prayers since the week began (Jn. 11:41). PRAYER 2: Father, let this year be my year of supernatural advancement after the order of Moses (1Sam 12:6). PRAYER 3: Father, give unto us wisdom for effective follow-up of new converts and first timers in all our assemblies worldwide (Acts 16:4-5).   WEEK II Day 8: Monday, January 12th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, we thank you for divine protection over our lives, families, properties and other endeavours in 2015, making the plans of the enemies of none effect to us (Ps. 105:13-15). PRAYER 2: Give every member of the Winners’ family marital breakthroughs that will silence all mockers in this New Year (Prov. 18:22; Ps. 68:6). PRAYER 3: Father, let there be greater replication in our WSF leading to greater establishment of new converts and first timers (Acts 2:46,47).   Day 9: Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, we thank you for your ear that is always open to our intercessions and supplications granting us the desires of our hearts (Ps. 65:2). PRAYER 2: Father, let there be waves of strange healings, deliverances, preservation of life etc, among the Winners’ family this year (Job 33:21-25; 10:12). PRAYER3: Father, give your servant all round rest for absolute focus. Let there be no distraction whatsoever for him (1 Kgs.5:4).   Day 10: Wednesday, January 14th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, we thank you for the helps you are making available for your servant this year (Ps. 89:19). PRAYER 2: Father, let there be rain of financial fortune upon my life all through the year 2015 that will lead to massive transference of wealth for me as was the case of Israel (Ex. 3:21; 12:36). PRAYER 3: Father, by the spirit of faith that is at work in this Commission, cause us to enjoy conquest over our enemies after the order of Esther this year (Est. 5:2; 7:1-10).   Day 11: Thursday, January 15th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, thank you for the unspeakable favour, unimaginable favour and out-of-this-world kind of favour that this year holds for everyone in the Winners’ family (2 Cor. 9:14,15). PRAYER 2: Father, in this Heaven on Earth, terminate ever form of disgrace that I have hitherto suffered concerning my fruitfulness (1 Sam. 1:6,7,11-19). PRAYER 3: Father, we decree the release of your angels to the highways and hedges, compelling the influx of multitudes into our assemblies worldwide and as they come, they shall be firmly established (Matt. 13:39).   Day 13: Saturday, January 17th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, I thank you for the assurance of divine protection over my life and that of my family all through the year 2014 (Ps. 103:4). PRAYER 2: Father, cause me to experience unexplainable dominion in all areas of my life after the order of Israel this year (Ps. 44:1-3). PRAYER 3: Father, establish a wall of fire roundabout all members of the Winners’ family against all forms of assault (Ezek. 34:25).   WEEK III Day 15: Monday, January 19th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, thank you for your covering over lives, families, properties and businesses all through last year and for delivering us from the hands of the wicked ones (Ps. 116:8). PRAYER 2: Father, destroy the yoke of barrenness in our midst and cause everyone expecting the fruit of the womb to bring forth speedily this year. SOS 4:2; Ps. 127:3 PRAYER 3: Father, for everyone that is set for marriage this year, grant such individual exceeding grace dimension of speed with honour, joy, peace, fruitfulness and fulfillment (Ps. 68:6).   Day 16: Tuesday, January 20th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, we thank you because you will make all the places round about your people a blessing and there shall be showers of blessings upon every winner this year (Ezek. 34:26). PRAYER 2: Father, trouble every troubler of our nation and let their wicked deeds return on their heads and their children (2 Thess. 1:6). PRAYER 3: Father, grant the leadership fresh oil of wisdom and new depth of revelation to match the demands of this year Heaven on Earth agenda (Judg. 6:14).   Day 17: Wednesday, January 21st, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, thank you for the explosive church growth recorded last year both spiritually and numerically (Acts. 3:6). PRAYER 2: Father, let this year be a year of supernatural enthronement for every Winner. (Rev. 5:10; Ps. 105:20-21). PRAYER 3: Father, we decree the establishment of all our foreign mission operations and greater open doors this year (Rev. 3:8).   Day 18: Thursday, January 22nd , 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, once again we lift up our hearts in appreciation for the glorious and precious gift of this New Year Heaven on Earth 2015(Lam. 3:23). PRAYER 2: Father, empower the statutory bodies and leaders in our local assemblies with wisdom for healthy growth and establishment (Prov. 24:3). PRAYER 3: Father, heal the economy of this nation and restore her lost glory (2 Chr. 7:14).   Day 20: Saturday, January 24th, 2015 PRAYER 1: Father, I thank you because all through this year I will be enjoying your ‘Heaven on Earth’ and ‘wonders without end’ order of blessings as prophesied (2 Cor. 9:14,15). PRAYER 2: Father, by the spirit of faith that is at work in this Commission, cause me to enjoy conquest over my enemies after the order of Esther this year (Est. 5:2; 7:1-10). PRAYER 3: Father, let supernatural blessings become the order of the day in my life all through this year (Deut. 28:1; 33:23).