Rally the troops! Family Fasting Day for Marriage ~ Tuesday, July 28th

This past week has been one of THOSE weeks. You all know what I am talking about. Everything was wrong and none of it was MY fault. A week where I allowed the enemy to spoon feed me lies, and I gobbled them right up like choice delicacies. Lies about myself, my husband and marriage, my child and family - you name it, it was there glaring at me in all its inadequacies.

Hebrews 2:1 say this, "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." I bring this up as an introduction to our Family Fasting Day for Marriage. You see, God gave me this scripture several years ago when my husband and I were going through a tough time. God gently but firmly told me to do something. "Ok, ok, I will", was my response. I did not respond - not immediately, and still not months after He asked. Enter Hebrews 2:1 - "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." Oops. Yet, in my stubborn humanness I again did not react immediately, but the Lord's request was at the forefront of my mind as I struggled with obedience. It was a blatant attack of Satan's which God allowed me to see that woke me up and put me into action. Once I did what God had been asking, I saw a change in my husband, in my marriage, in ME.

God has given us many truths, and one is to pray without ceasing - that includes continual prayer for our marriages. How many of us have seen the difference in our marriage when we are in constant communication for our spouse and marital relationship? I know I have. And there will be times we do not see an answer to prayer in the physical world, but we can not see what is being done in the spiritual kingdom. If this is you right now, please do not lose heart! Today my Pastor referenced Luke 18:1. The verse says this, " Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Continue to pray, even in those times, and as your sister in Christ I encourage you - do not give up! Jesus spoke these words into existence, hold on to them in times you feel hopeless. For when we are weak, HE IS STRONG.

Last week I came across the verse in Hebrews again and the second part stood out to me - "or we may drift from it." I don't want to drift from God, or my spouse but I allow it to happen at times. Distractions and interferences are all around us, begging to take the places that God, our marriage and spouse should hold. Every one of us is susceptible because every one of us is human. At the beginning of the year, I felt impressed that it was a year God was asking me to pray for marriages - for love and passion, for forgiveness and protection. We know that the enemy is out to destroy us. Marriages are a prime target and that is where I am asking us to focus for Tuesday, July 28th. We are calling it a Family Fasting Day because we are that - one family in Jesus Christ, one that needs to stand together in agreement for our marriages.If you choose to join in fasting and praying this day, please pray for your marriage, marriages in your family, within your community of friends and church - wherever God leads your heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a good God, that you hear us and want the best for us. As we come together and stand for what you have created, we ask for Your protection on us. We lift up our marriages to You God, and ask that You would breathe Your life into each one. Touch each husband and wife, renew our love for one another. Let our actions speak louder than our words. Help us to show our spouse the mercy and grace that You have shown to us. Where there is unforgiveness, replace that with a compassionate, forgiving heart for we all fall at times. Reveal to us areas where we need a change of heart. Protect our marriage from the enemy and from ourselves. Help us to make wise decisions that lead to a deeper commitment to our spouse and to You, Lord. Open our eyes to unhealthy habits or relationships with the potential to harm our marriages. Place a blood line around our marriages. Thank you Lord for the breakthrough You will bring, for the renewing You are going to do for our marriages God! Nothing is too big or beyond Your healing touch. Bless each husband and wife as they commit their relationships to You. We praise You Lord, for Your love endures forever.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Please feel free to forward this - where two or more are in agreement, the Lord is there! I look forward to standing with you Tuesday, July 28th, and fighting for our marriages.

Much love to you all,
Rachel Duarte