I had some dear friends get in a horrible car accident several years ago, and in true form to help the family we all chipped in and did whatever we could do to support. However, one thing that I saw happening was lots and LOTS of people wrote comments on their Facebook pages that they were praying for them. Prayer is awesome and powerful. YET, one thing transpired that I was impressed and moved by: the family wrote to their family and friends on a post and communicated that what they needed the most in prayer was that their words to be filled will POSITIVE, LIFE-GIVING, FUTURE-HEALTHY-OUTCOME TALK prayers. Each day they would list the next step that they needed prayer for. For example, we need prayer that the MRI will come back clean.
What I learned about this is the power of words, and how what we are saying is either purposeful building up or not advocating for change or sadly tearing down.
This amazing family friends of mine believe in the power of words in prayer, the power of words in self talk (I can do this), and they believe in the power in our influence on others through words.
I pray that my words would be edifying to the people I influence the most (my kids), and that I would always be building others up and glorifying God.
I also want to take the time to be intentional to pray for my husband and that he would speak with words that are edifying to those around him. I pray his words will build others up and Glorify God.
Ephesians Chapter 4 Says:
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:9 in the Message bible says, “But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. The text for this is, He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the booty, He handed it all out in gifts to the people. Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.”
I like that we all have different gifting, different places of influence, different ways we relate to people. But we all have the power words to guide, influence, and speak life on this journey of being alive in Christ. This however doesn’t mean we all need to be speakers in front of thousands, because I believe the one-on-one relationships/discipleships can really dive deep and create enteral change.
Lord I pray for my husband! As the spiritual leader of our house I pray that he would be aware of the influence of his words. I pray that they would be edifying to those around him, at home, work, friends, family and the places he goes in our community. I pray that his words would build others up and most importantly glorify YOU!
Join me as we pray for our husbands and their influence on those around them with their words.
Powerful words!