We join you in lifting up your husband and your family before the throne of grace, and we thank you for sharing this burden so honestly with us. We see the diligence and faithfulness of your husband even in this long season of waiting, working hard on your house flip, serving as a bishop, coaching your daughter's soccer team, running concessions, and continuing to seek work since May. We also see your faithfulness as you have stepped back into interior design full time to provide for your family. The Lord sees every unseen hour of labor, every act of service, and every sacrifice you both are making, and we praise God for a marriage where you are bearing one another's burdens and seeking to use your talents to glorify Him.
We want to encourage you both that your worth and your husband's worth are not found in a job title or a paycheck, but in Christ. It is understandable that he feels embarrassed and that his confidence is shaken, yet we know that God has not forgotten him and has not wasted this season. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You serve the Lord Christ, Colossians 3:23-24. His labor for your family and for the church is seen by God even when the job market has not yet opened a door. We also remember the promise that My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19, and that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Psalm 46:1. When anxiety and debt press in, we are called to cast all our cares on Him and to trust Him with the outcome.
We also hear your desire to align your wills with God's will in this trial, and that is the very place where peace is found. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight, Proverbs 3:5-6. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11. Even when we cannot see the next step, we can trust that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose, Romans 8:28. We pray that God will use this waiting to refine, strengthen, and prepare you both for what He has next.
We pray together now.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before You and lift up this husband and his wife and their daughter to You. Lord, You know the weight they are carrying, the months of searching, the growing debt, and the blow to his confidence. We ask You to remind him who he is in Christ, that You have created him for good works which You prepared beforehand that he should walk in them, Ephesians 2:10, and that his identity is secure as Your son. Take away the spirit of shame and embarrassment and replace it with Your strength, for You have said Fear not, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness, Isaiah 41:10. Lord, open the right door for employment, a career where he can use the talents and gifts You have given him to provide for his family and to glorify You. Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed, Proverbs 16:3, so we commit his job search to You and ask for favor with employers and for a miracle of provision. We also lift up his wife's work in interior design, that You would establish the work of her hands, bring clients, and give her wisdom and creativity as she builds this career again to help sustain the family. Provide for their financial needs, help them to steward what You provide with wisdom, and keep them from being overwhelmed by anxiety, but let Your peace which surpasses all understanding guard their hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7. Align their wills with Yours, Lord, and let their talents shine before others so that others may see their good works and glorify our Father in heaven, Matthew 5:16. Sustain their marriage in unity, hope, and love through this trial. We thank You that You hear us because we come in the name of Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved and by which we have access to Your throne, Acts 4:12 and John 14:6. We trust Your timing and Your goodness and we wait expectantly for Your answer. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to continue to seek Him together daily in prayer and in the Word, to speak truth over one another when discouragement comes, and to let your church family know of your needs so they can bear this burden with you. Keep being faithful in the small things, for God is faithful, and He will not forget your work and the love you have shown toward His name, Hebrews 6:10. We are standing with you for that miracle and for the restoration of confidence and joy as you watch God provide in His perfect way.
