Power of a Praying Wife - Chapter 5

His Fears


There are many things in this world to be afraid of; only a fool would say otherwise. But when fear seizes us, tormenting and ruling our lives, we have become captive to it.
Men are often susceptible to that because without even realising it, they get attacked by the "what if's". "What if I can't make enough money?" "What if something happens to my wife and children?" "What if I get a terrible disease?" "What if my business fails?" "What if I can't be a good father" etc "Fear can take hold of a man (Ps 48:6) 

The second year we were married, Michael and I took a trip to Italy, Greece and Israel with our pastor, Jack Hayford and his wife Anna, and some people of our church. Michael had always been a very anxious traveller, so by the time we arrived in Greece, he was stressed. One night, after an exhausting few days, he said: "This is miserable for me. I can't stay on the tour"
"What exactly are you afraid of? I questioned him. "I am not sure..." he answered. "...But it feels like everything in my life is going to fall apart if I don't go back home right away."
Even though it was late in the evening, I called Pastor Jack's room to tell him we were leaving in the morning. I'm sure he must have been in bed by that time but he said "I will be right there."

He came to our room immediately and Michael shared with him what he was experiencing. Pastor Jack put a compassionate arm around his shoulder and talked about the love his heavenly Father had toward him. "God has adopted you as His son. When you're in the presence of a strong and loving Father, there's no need to be afraid.

Pastor Jack prayed for Michael to clearly perceive the love of his heavenly Father, and he also demonstrated a Father's love to him. It was a simple act of Holy Spirit-inspired kindness, but a powerful revelation to Michael. Because of it, he was able to rise above his fear and we stayed on the tour until the end. And it was good thing we did. I became pregnant in Jerusalem and nine months later our son, Christopher, was born on Pastor Jack's birthday. Significant things happen in our lives when we don't allow fear to rule the situation. 

There is a difference between a fearful thought that comes to mind as a prompting to pray for a particular thing and a tormenting spirit of fear that paralyses  You don't want to undermine promptings of the Holy Spirit to your husband's heart and your own, but you do want to support him as he battles destructive fear. Jesus said: "I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He was killed, has power to cast into hell" (Luke 12:5) The only kind of fear we are supposed to have, is fear of the Lord.
When you have fear of the Lord, God promises to deliver you from your enemies (2 Kings 17:39), protect you from evil (Prov 16:6), keep His eye on you (Ps 33:18) show you His mercy (Luke 1:50) give you riches and honor (Prov 22:4), supply everything you need (Ps 34:9) bless you children and grand children (Ps 103:17), give you confidence (Prov 14:26) a satisfying life (Prov 19:23) longevity (Prov 10:27) and the desires of your heart (Ps 145:19)


Prayer:

Lord, You have said in your word that "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18)

I pray You will perfect my husband in Your love so that tormenting fear finds no place in him. I know You have not given him a spirit of fear. You have given him power, love and sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7) I pray in the name of Jesus that fear will not rule over my husband. Instead, may Your Word penetrate him that Your love for him is far greater than anything he faces and nothing can separate him from it.

I pray that he will acknowledge You as a Father whose love is unfailing, whose strength is without equal, and whose presence there is nothing to fear.
Deliver him from this day from fear that destroys and replace it with godly fear (Jer 32:40) Teach him Your way, O Lord. Help him to walk in Your truth. Unite his heart to fear your name (Ps 86:11) May he have no fear of men, but rise up and boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:6) "How great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You. (Ps 31:19)

I say to you (husband's name), "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance with the recompense of God; He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4) 
May the spirit of the Lord rest upon you, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord (Isa 11:2)

Amen

Power Tools:

" The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 27:1"