Time-Warp Wife

Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve

Marriage Challenge – 31 Days of Prayer (Introduction)

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31 Days of Prayer for Our Marriages

My Challenge to You

What does prayer look like in the life of a wife who desires to bring life to her marriage?

Could this be a picture of me praying by the kitchen sink while I’m washing my dishes? It could be. And yes–the Lord assures me that my eyes might be open as I take in the view from the back yard. I see the trees that my husband and I planted together, and I praise God for his gift of a husband.

Could this be a picture of me praising the Lord as I snuggle in close to my husband at night? What about that quiet moment in the afternoon when I’m folding his laundry?

Home is the tapestry I weave day in and day out, and prayer is the loom upon which I place my thread. Every prayer is a gift of love I stitch into their lives.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV)

Marriage is giving of yourself tirelessly down paths you’d never imagine to travel. Through sickness and pain, poverty and loss, it’s carrying the weight of another. It’s being the smile they see in the morning, and the body they hold close at night. It’s pure love. It’s standing together in the face of adversity. It’s riding alongside each other in a battle that threatens to tear down your marriage and seeks to grab hold of your faith. It’s strength under pressure.

I challenge you as I challenge myself to draw closer to God by equipping ourselves with the gospel, taking time out for prayer, and walking according to His will–not ours. I pray that we will hunger for more than a lukewarm marriage and half-hearted faith, by pursuing God with all of hearts.

This is an excerpt in part from Messy: Beautiful Love by Darlene Schacht. Used with permission from Nelson Books © 2014. 

What You Can Expect:

I’ll be posting encouragement on the blog, Monday – Friday during the entire month of October. Each day will have a post or a video, a challenge, and a short prayer. The posts and prayers are based on my new book, Messy Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages.

What You’ll Get:

A set of 31 Printable Prayer Cards, “31 Prayers for my Marriage.”
A PDF copy of the Messy Beautiful Love Study Guide
Encouragement throughout the month

How to Join:

Pick up a copy of Messy Beautiful Love
Subscribe to the blog (below) so you don’t miss a post.
Leave a comment on this post indicating that you are committed to praying with us.
Email me at unlockmyfreebies@gmail.com with the words, “Prayer Challenge,” so that I can email you the study guide and printable prayer cards. Note: please allow me time to respond as I’m not always online. Also gmail has a limit of 1,000 emails/day and I’ve had over 1,000 replies so far. For each thousand I have to wait 24 hours again. Hopefully you’ll get my reply within the next 24 hours.

Jumping in Late?

No problem. Commit yourself to 31 Days of Prayer. Don’t go back and start at the beginning, but start on the most current post. Once we reach the end of the month, you can go back and read the ones you missed. That way you’re not left behind.

To find all of the 31 Days of Prayer posts: Click here

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife

Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife


Comments

  2. After 28 yrs. of marriage, my husband has received a devastating diagnosis of a severe, incurable,
    progressive brain disease.
    This prayer challenge is right up my alley and in perfect timing. Thank you!

    Reply

  4. I’m engaged to be married in three months so even though I’m not yet a wife, I am ABSOLUTELY committed to praying with you!

    Reply

    • Same here… I have discovered the importance of praying for the marriage even before being actually married and this challenge is just what I needed these days! Praise the Lord for the initiative!

      Reply

  6. I want to pray with you! I committed Sept to pray through The Power of a Praying Wife, so this will be a great next step! I am so excited!

    Reply

  8. I think this sounds like a great prayer challenge that I would like to commit myself to participate in. We can always use prayer for our marriages. Thanks!

    Reply

  9. I’m committed to the prayer challenge.
    My marriage suffered a little a while ago and I need God’s grace through prayer to rebuild trust.

    Reply

  10. Just got your book today (to review)! But I’m in … saw your book and read what you shared over at GMG so I knew this was perfect for me. Thank you Darlene for being so transparent and willing to show us how to better pray for our marriages and spouses! Looking forward to both the challenge and your book ! I know God directed me here, now, for me and my estranged marriage to find hope. My marriage was a mess, (I was a mess and I totally messed up my marriage similarly) and I walked away from the mess back in ’96 but the mess is still waiting for God’s redemptive work for I am still married to my unbeliever and know God loves him and is waiting on us to let God fix us. Love what I have already read in your book and the first prayer! Thank you so much … I’m blessed by your ministry.

    Peggy
    (oh and I’m not online as much either but I will capture each day and be praying along!)

    Reply

  27. I am committed to praying! My husband just began a 4-6 week outpatient program for severe depression. He needs this prayer coverage more now than ever before!

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  30. I’m sooooooo in!!! Thank you so much for the challenge to commit to praying for marriages, your time, your honesty, and willingness to be so open-it’s allowing me to see what’s right instead of what’s wrong-so easy to do after spending 10+ years with someone! I’m totally committed to this challenge and will be passing along the email/challenge to my married and single (they will be married someday!!) family and friends-it’ll be so awesome to see what God has in store for all of us! Marriage can be hard and just knowing that there’s a community of like minded people committed and intentionally focused on getting through to the other side makes me so hopeful!!! Thank you again and can’t wait to get started!!! Blessings to you and your ministry!!

    Reply

  33. I have been following you and reading your articles. I’ve also obtained your book The Virtuous Life and it has brought a whole new dimension and growth to understanding who I am. I am committed to praying with the belief I will continue to grow personally and continue to learn how to be the woman and wife God calls me to be. Thank you for being a vessel God uses to bless us.

    Reply

  39. I just ordered the book for myself and my sister and can’t wait to join this challenge!! My husband is such a great guy and I want to learn to be a better wife!!

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  45. I’m taking the challenge, Darlene. Thank you for your time and effort to pull us women together in prayer for our marriages.

    Reply

  51. I except the challenge. I am need of a rekindling after 32years God has kept us together and believe this is just what our marriage needs. I am glad we all are on this journey together.

    Debra Barrett

    Reply

  54. Darlene,
    I am definitely going to take this challenge! I need this desperately… I am unequally yoked and my hubby is struggling with alcoholism. I believe that God has a plan for all that we have gone through, and I am holding on for the ride! Praying that He will work a miracle on my hubby’s heart as well as mine and that He will help me to be an example of Christ’s love in these heartbreaking trials. Thank you for all you do! I love reading you messages in my email!!!
    In Christ’s Love,
    Christina

    Reply

  57. We Celebrate 30 years in October!! What a blessing it is to have shared life with such an amazing man. I am looking forward to renewing my marriage with this challenge. Let’s not just say we’ll pray for each other….let’s really do!!

    Reply

  60. I had your book pre-ordered and am excited to read it. Thank you for this challenge! Prayer is one of the things I really want to work on, especially for my husband who is deserving of a praying wife. I’m in!

    Reply

  70. I am so looking forward to joining all of you in prayer for marriages – for my own and for all of ours. The timing is so perfect. Thank you for following God’s heart and leading us in this!

    Reply

  71. So excited to join this prayer challenge. Have been hearing the call to dig deeper in the word & this is a perfect way to jump in as well as expecting our 3rd daughter to arrive shortly in November. Thank you so much for leading our marriages & lives as wives closer to the Father!

    Reply

  74. Thank you so much! I will be doing the prayer challenge. I have been under major attack by the enemy who tries to tell me I’m terrible at being a wife and I’m worthless. I’m infertile, so he uses that the most in trying to convince me I’m unworthy, among many other things. He wants to destroy my marriage. I’m hanging on to the Lord with all I have. This came to me at just the right time. God is GOOD. Please pray for my husband and I. God bless you and all the wives!

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  77. Committed to pray!! Hope my book arrives by middle- end of next week:) my husband is a pastor and just resigned from the church he had been at for 7 years it has been a hard and long month( especially on our children as this was the only church our youngest really knew) I have ?? My husbands decision several times although I know I shouldn’t have. I pray for strength to stand by him although I don’t understand He said if he had stayed he wouldn’t be in Gods will and I know and believe that’s where we need to be even though it’s a sad hurting valley right now. So I commit to pray and to be the support he needs us to be during this season. Thanks for all your encouragement!! Looking forward to the book and what The Lord will reveal to me thru it

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  82. I am committed to joining you all in praying for our marriages. Darlene, I started reading your book last night and I have been so blessed.

    Reply

  83. Committed to pray over my husband. Without him I would be lost and I thank God everyday for giving him to me. Truly my best friend!

    Reply

  84. During our 15 years of marriage, we have always had a good marriage. Never any major issues. Until this summer. After constant prayer, I left corporate America to be home with my children. To compensate financially, my husband began working 80 hours per week. He is tired, stressed, and idols are now appearing in his life that are affecting our marriage in negative ways. This prayer challenge seems fitting for me, and I am looking forward to covering my marriage in prayer.

    Reply

  90. So glad I found your site (and this challenge!) thru a post on The Unveiled Wife site… Looking forward to reading your book and to the things God has in store for me, my husband and our marriage through “praying the challenge” with you!

    Reply

  93. Having just been up with my father in law all night, caring for him, I will need this so much. My guy lost his Mom and brother almost 50 years ago, he is now losing his Dad to liver cancer. We only have a few days maybe hours. I love my husband so much and I know how much he and our four kids will need many prayers. With the up coming decisions, plans and fatigue to follow, I don’t want to falter in my prayers. I won’t be alone now. Sending praises for this plan, thank you so much.

    Reply

  98. Will be praying with you.
    1 John 5;14-15
    “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
    These are some of my favorite prayer scriptures, that I prayed with, during the period of 7 years and 7 months waiting on God to grant me a permanent resident status (a green card) . Praise God, He answered my prayer!

    Reply

  105. I thank God for this blog! I have only been married 20 months but feel like we’ve been through so much! You have encouraged me so many times to look beyond what I am feeling and continue to love, honor, and pray for my husband. I am definitely committed to this challenge because I know prayer absolutely changes things!

    Reply

  109. I am committed! My husband is a pastor and I know that pray is what keeps us going. Looking forward to the challenge.

    Reply

  110. This came at a critical time for us. At 62 my husband is out looking for a job after a career in one place and the company has how gone bankrupt. He needs my prayers more than usual while he fights the battle of finding a way to support us when we aren’t quite ready to retire. I will look forward to the tools to focus my prayers for him during the next 31 days. Thank you!

    Reply

  115. I’m in! We just welcomed our second child at the end of the August, so our marriage and my spiritual life seems to have taken a backseat. We are trying but I are just exhausted. I’m up for the challenge in commiting to pray for my marriage. 🙂

    Reply

  121. I am definitely in!! My 8th wedding anniversary to my high school sweetheart is coming up next month!! Thank you for doing this Challenge!

    Reply

  129. I’m committed to praying. My husband has tourette’s syndrome and must stay at home on disability. He is also overweight and needs to lose 23 lbs. I desire to be his helpmeet and support and encourage him

    Reply

  134. I’m in, thank you I have been convicted about my prayer life and then I read this, God is good, he has used you once again, thankyou I’m committed

    Reply

  138. I am looking forward and committed to to take the prayer challenge. May God use this challenge to first glorify Him through the commitment and union with my wonderful husband, but also to strengthen our marriage along with many others.
    Thank you Darlene for sharing and taking the challenge of being a mentor through God’s word.

    Reply

  142. We have faced many hard times during our 16 years of marriage, but God has blessed us richly too! Loving this man forever is my life long desire! Praying with this challenge.

    Reply

  162. I’m committed to praying. I also want to buy your book. These blogs have been such an inspiration to me in my journey as a wife. I have only been married for 9 months, October will be the 10th, and I have been searching and reading about how to become a better wife and encourage my husband in his walk with God. He doesn’t have close christian friends like I do so its much harder for him. Over the last few months I have seen glimpses of the man God wants him to be, and I am so excited about praying!
    Thank you for your caring heart!

    Reply

  167. Committed to praying. My husband left our marriage 2 years Oct., been praying for healing and restoration since. God does amazing things when we pray.

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  168. I am committed to Praying for my Husband and our Marriage! We have been together for 20 yrs. and Married for 17 as of Sept.12th, 2014. He helped me to Raise my Children from my first marriage, they were only 4 and 1at the time and 10 yrs. ago we welcomed our daughter into our lives. There have been many health issues in years past and God has brought us through them all! I almost made a marriage ending mistake 2 yrs. ago, My Husband forgave me as did God, we are stronger together now than ever! Thank you for this challenge, can’t wait to start!

    Reply

  170. I am committing to praying. My husband and I have been separated for 3 years and we are now living and working together. I have continued to pray for God to restore our marriage. It has not been restored yet, but I’m trusting in God to work in our marriage and I think this challenge will be good to do. Even if it’s just to pray for healing. Thank you.

    Reply

  183. I commit to this challenge! I have been married 28 years but have been separated for 3 months and my husband has filed for divorce, something I do not want. I trust that God will bring healing, reconciliation and restoration to our marriage.

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  184. I have a 7 y/o high energy step daughter and an almost 6 week old son who required a 28hr labor and emergency open heart surgery at just 10hrs old. My husband and I have been in a whirlwind ever since. Our son will need another surgery by 6 months which causes much tension as we vividly remember the recovery and don’t want him to have to go through that again. Don’t want our family to have to go through that again.
    But with all the sleepless nights, poopy diapers, first grade homework (and friend drama), at times I feel in over my head and struggle to connect with my husband.
    There is no better time than now to be praying for him and our marriage.

    Reply

    • I just prayed for you Maggie. As I was praying I was warmly reminded that this is merely one of many seasons in your life. I prayed for strength a that God’s peace would wash over your family.

      Reply

  191. After 32 years of marriage, my husband and I are in counseling and trying to get past some real hurts. I am excited to join this challenge. I can’t buy the book right now, finances are very tight. But I will follow along and pray.

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  195. Committed to prayer! I need this do bad right now. My husband and I are approaching our 1 year and the enemyis trying his best for us not to make it. We’ve had some bumps alongthe way and my husband had given up that our marriage won’t work.We are both still in love which gives me hope even when he says it won’t work. I pray that this will help since no papers have been filled and we still talk on a daily basis with saying I love you before ending our conversation.

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  201. Committed to praying. My husband and I are fighting what seems like battle after battle for our marriage. I am hoping that this will bring us closer and give us more encouragement for any battles we may face in the future.

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  202. Exactly what I need at this time. I welcome the challenge, praying for it to grow me closer to my husband in every way through our loving Father. Bless you for your Christian Actions and sharing your gifts.
    Love in Christ!

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  207. commited!!! perfect timing for this in my life! uprooted our family of 7, to finally walk full time in ministry, a dream of my husbands, and we have come to realize how much marriage is important. we married as best friends and slowly thru the past 16 years, we’ve acquired the back seat to our 5 boys, ministry and work…so yes, this is definitely the jump start i need to getting things back!!! thank you!

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  210. While my marriage isn’t a complete mess, I know that there are areas where I need to grow as a daughter of the King that I might find my joy and peace in Him and be in a place to reflect that to my unbelieving spouse and to the world. Today is the first day of our 31st year, and my desire is to continue to grow in Yahweh’s grace. What better way to do so than to start this year bathing our marriage in prayer.

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  212. I will definitely be praying! I will finish a 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge on Sept 30 th… God always has perfect timing!

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  228. Committed to praying. Looking forward to this challenge. WIll be purchasing my copy of Messy Beautiful Love on Kindle. Although I’m still reading The Good Wives Guide and The Vituous Life of a Christ-Centred Wife.

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  230. Committed to pray! Got the Kindle version of your book last week and I am ready to get started! God’s timing is always right on!

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  231. I’m committing to pray in this challenge! Married to my husband and best friend for 25 years, I pray continually for him and our marriage. I look forward to this prayer time enriching my marriage and look forward to it teaching teach me something new. I can always learn to grow, and I can always learn how to listen when God speaks to my heart! Can’t wait!

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  232. I pray everyday for my husband already, but am always ready to refresh my prayer life. You never know when a prayer you’ve never considered praying, but should be, will pop up.

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  233. I’m am very excited for this prayer challenge!! It is marriage and fault month at our church and this is the perfect challenge I needed!!
    God Bless your ministry

    Reply

  234. Hi, thanks for the opportunity to join you in praying for our husbands. With your accountability and God’s help I will pray more than just arrow prayers for my husband in the month of October 2014.

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  238. I am committed to praying with you! My husband and I both have health issues and while it gives us both compassion for each other, we also have very little time and energy for each other when we give what we can to our children, work, etc. We have been together fourteen years and married for eight. He is my best friend and I would do anything to make sure that he is okay. Thank you for this challenge and God Bless!!

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  239. I’m so excited about this, thank you for this opportunity & for your constant encouragement! It’s great to know there are other women out there that are seeking to honor God in their marriages!

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  241. Not able to get the book right now, but so committed and ready to pray. I have a wonderful husband and am awesome God that has kept us strong over the last 3 very rocky years… He is so good! Love being blessed!

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  250. I am committed to praying for my marriage. I am also thankful for the encouragement that you give me in all areas of my Christian journey. May God richly bless you!!

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  258. I’m gonna join even though I’m not married. I’ll be praying for my family and friends marriages and for my future husband if the Lord has that in my future.

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  274. I am committed!

    My husband and I are going through some very difficult trials. His alcoholism, issues with my step kids, and his threats to leave every time we disagree.

    He’s going for residential treatment tomorrow, and I’m watching the kids. After he’s home, we’ll see how our marriage issues go.

    I’m committed to praying for him, even when I’m angry, hurt, disappointed, sad, lonely. It’s VERY hard. Harder than losing my first husband in a car accident.

    Reply

  281. Committed to praying!! Married 9 years on Wednesday!! We got an early start and were up against some pretty crazy odds and statistics, but have made it through because of Gods grace and love, and also a LOT of people praying for us 🙂

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  290. I am divorced, not currently dating, but hopeful and prayerful that marriage is in my future again someday, so I am joining this challenge and will be praying for my future husband, should that be God’s will for my life.

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  292. I love this opportunity to be committed to prayers for my husband and my marriage. Thank you for this opportunity to participate!

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  296. Committing to 31 days of prayer for my husband and our marriage. Please pray for us as we are currently struggling with a serious chronic illness.

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  303. committed to prayer.
    thank you for this!

    (what happens if i can’t afford to buy the book? do you think i might find it at the library? just curious, thanks)

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    • That’s such a great idea! And did you know that you can also take out digital books online? I’ll suggest this to other women too. Either way, I’m sure that you’ll glean much encouragement from the blog posts. And please email me for the printable downloads.

      Reply

  309. I’ve been praying for my marriage since I was a young girl (5 or 6). Now after being married for 2 years we have hit a really rough patch so this is perfect timing. I need this so I don’t give up praying even when it feels like God isn’t listening. Because no matter how I FEEL God is always listening and always in control of every situation.

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  318. 49 years and we continue to grow in our relationship. We ask ourselves, “How can this possibly keep getting better?!?” And yet it does!! God is so faithful. When we surrendered our individual lives to Him and then our marriage (after 15 yrs of trying to do it without Him), EVERYTHING changed. Prayer changes lives and marriages! Your message is SO needed. You’re touching lives for eternity. I’m looking forward to this prayer adventure with so many wonderful young women who are seeking to follow God’s perfect plan for marriage. Having tried our marriage without Him and then with Him and following His ways, I want to encourage every woman to surrender to God’s ways and you’ll be amazed at what happens.

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  326. I am committed to praying! I just ordered my book on Amazon! I am so excited to begin! I pray for person who joins us that God will use this time to bless themI. I pray also the friendships can be started that will lift each of us in time of need!

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  327. Committing to prayer for my marriage not because we are struggling but because that is what God would hav me do for my husband. Expecting great things. Thank You for your commitment to the Lord and to us as well! I love your writings and have been so blessed by them. We will be married 29 trs. this Oct. 4th

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  328. Committed to this prayer challenge for my marriage. Just became empty nesters. Need The Lord to see us through this next stage of life.
    Thanks Darlene

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  329. I’m in! Our very first anniversary is just around the corner, and God has given me the best team mate in the world. We are so curious to see how He wants to use us for His Kingdom here on earth. Hopefully what starts as a 31 day challenge will become a daily habit for the rest of our lives!

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  330. I am committed to pray not only for God to send the man he has picked for me, but for all of my wonderful friends and their marriages.

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  334. I am committed to pray! I need restoration in my marriage that only God can give. My husband has filed for divorce and refuses contact. I stand in faith that God’s Will be done!

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  335. I would like to pray with you for my marriage. I have been neglecting my husband recently due to the birth of our son, and I feel terribly about it.

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  341. Thank you ! After Two years of marriage and many adversities ( finding out about my husband addiction to pornography 1 year ago and me dealing with insecurities and anger) I need God to make me a wise woman and pray for my husband to be set free completely from this spirit of lust ,thank God he is willing to battle against it.

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  349. I am very much looking forward to this. I truly believe in the Power of prayer amongst believers. Thank you fort his opportunity. <3

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  351. I have been married for over 22 years to my wonderful husband. I know our prayers for each other have helped to sustain our marriage. I want to be part of this challenge.

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  352. I accept the challenge and look forward to it. My husband and I are struggling currently with our relationship and I am having a hard time staying positive and fighting depression.

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  353. I’m committed. Just celebrated 35 year anniversary. Seems like more obstacles everyday but my God is so faithful. Excited about your book

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  360. I am committed to Praying … I am struggling with bitterness and personal insecurities of myself ( weight and possible unfaithfulness on his part) and marriage. And I know my attitude is not helping. II have packed my bags 2xs in the past couple of months. 30 years of marriage.. I NEED this challenge. I cant be the wife I know God wants me to me. MY flesh gets the best of me.

    Just broken….

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    • Suzi, I’m so sorry to read this. I pray that there will be a revival both in your spirit and your marriage. Be reminded that this too shall pass. There is joy for each and every one of us. Keep pressing toward that goal, turning your eyes off of this world including your body, and turning them onto Christ. He sees you perfectly.

      And I pray that your husband is faithful to you. With all of my heart I ask that God intervene in your lives.

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  361. I am committed to pray! committed to the challenge to effect a change not only in our marriage but marriages around us! Thank you for the encouragement! 🙂

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  365. Thanks for the challenge. After 31 years of marriage, I need to be reminded that our relationship is always a “work in progress.” Committing to pray!

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  370. I am joining in on the challenge, I will be married for 40 years in November, need to continue to pray for our marriages. Thank you for this challenge.

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  371. I’m very excited for the opportunity to participate in this prayer challenge! I would like to get in the habit of praying for my husband and my marriage more, so I’m hoping this will give me the encouragement and motivation I need to make this a lifelong habit! Thank you so much for offering this opportunity!

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  372. If God is the author of marriage then i better decide to talk to Him about it if i want it to work!
    Thank you for stirring us up – God bless you! Will certainly invite some of my girlfriends to join in…

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  378. The devil tried to steal my marriage on 9-11-14. My husband’s had an affair. Satan is a liar and he can’t have anything that God had given me. I know we will survive and I’m glad there is resources available for us to use to heal our marriage.

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  382. Totally committed to praying for my marriage! Thank you ever so much for the invitation and may God bless you for what you are doing!

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  385. I am committing to prayer. My husband and my marriage are part of Gods plan and I will be honoring both by participating in you challenge. Thank you for being a leader of Gods women!

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  394. We just had our 23rd anniversary. My husband suffers from chronic depression and many times over these years, I have thought, “I didn’t sign up for this.” And God sweetly says to me, “Yes. You did.” So with that, I am giving all of this mess to Him and committing to praying this marriage up and into a whole new level of richness.

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  395. Thank you Darlene so sharing your heart and leading us. I am committed to pray for my husband and our marriage (42 yrs.) God’s way is the only way.

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  399. It’s been a long rough yet exciting year for my husband and I. Lots of changes from our youngest heading to college leaving us with just us for the first time in 24 years, a scary cancer diagnosis, to an across-country move coming up. This prayer challenge is just what we need!

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  401. Yes I am glad to join all of you in praying for our marriages during Oct. thanks for making this opportunity available, Darlene.

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  403. I am commented to praying with us guys. My husband recently left me and I don’t know if we will ever work it out but I pray that God is working on us and that we can work everything out.

    Sincerely,

    Kelli

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  404. When I saw your book coming out, I wrote it on my birthday list for my family to buy. I could not wait, I just ordered it. Waiting for its arrival. I pray for my man everyday. We have been married 21 years. His job has taken him out of state for 2 years now. We have had A LOT of challenges in our marriages, and God has been so good to keep us together. I am committed to pray! Thank you for your ministry!

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  409. In the past month or two, my husband and I were very emotionally deteriorating…. what with a new job, long hours and new friends, my husband changed hiis entire self in a matter of weeks. He asked me if we could “seperate” (not legally – more emotionally) and waited, and prayed. I prayed for 6 long weeks morning, noon, night and just about every time in between. I prayed for his heart, One night, I earned his heart… he held me close, and wouldn’t let me go, he said this will probably be last last time I ever hold the love of my life like this again. He cried. Then I was hit with the worst of the worse…. ” I got drunk, she got pregnant.” And my Lord so sweetly came down to the bed and handled the situation for me. I didn’t feel angry or discusted but my first response was “what do WE do?” Through the Lord’s strength I have completely forgiven my husband and am committed to being the wife God has called me to be. I know my love is unconditional. He’s learned a piece of God’s love through me. My husband, the great man that he is, was called to pastor at a young age, and he’s running, but with prayer I know every problem will be solved, every hurt will be healed and my marriage will prevail. and I believew that my husband will get back to a place where God wants him. That is why I am committed to prayer, not just for 31 days, but for life.

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  417. After 25 years I love my husband more now than I did in the beginning of our marriage. Thank you so much for the encouragement and reminders that you give. Prayer does improve our marriage! Thank you for your ministry! I am excited for this challenge!

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  421. What does prayer look like in the life of a HUSBAND who desires to bring life to his marriage? I am committed to prayer with you. I pre-ordered your book to share with my wife. I pray she will at least pick it up. Please pray for us. Our marriage is under attack and in danger.

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  422. I am committed to pray!!!! My marriage really needs lots of prayers, we have been going through a lot in the past year.

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  424. So excited to join you in praying! I just started a 28 day clean eating challenge, so I am excited to pray for my husband and nurture that relationship while making my physical body healthy as well.

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  430. Committed to pray,even after 35 years of a wonderful marriage you may think nothing can touch you,but that’s not so. We need to stand strong against everything that the devil throws at us and can only do this in Gods power. I’m in!

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  438. I am in for this challenge even though I’m not married I will pray for my boyfriend and I’s relationship, and do so already.

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  449. I think I need this. It’s much needed here, and I could use outside prayer as well, so, when anyone sees this, please say a prayer for me. With your help, and the help of this study. I’m committed to pray for my marriage.

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  450. I struggle in my prayer life and am hoping this will get me on the right track. Thank you so much for showing women how to be the wife God intended us to be.

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  454. Recently my parents divorced after 21 years of marriage and three children. I got married in June. My husband and I are striving to build our marriage around God that we will stay together through what ever life throws our way. I am committed to this challenge for my marriage and to bring honor and glory to God through it.

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  458. I would Love to do this, but unfortunately I am committed to another prayer and study thing with my church this coming month. I am wondering if you will be willing or are planning on doing this again in the future?

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  463. Committed to pray – the best thing you can do for your spouse, to pray for God’s protection, and for God to be at work in his life every day. It’s not about me, it’s not about us, it’s all about God and how we can glorify Him through serving each other in love.

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  467. I am committed to praying. My husband just overcame robotic prostate surgery that was very aggressive. He has to take radiation as well. This comes right at a time where I need encouragement. God is our healer!!!!!! I am looking forward to to your encouragement. Thanks! Mrs.Victory

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  469. Thank you for your ministry! I am excited to take this challenge and eager to see how God blesses my marriage as a result. My husband and I have been together since we were 17 and have been through a lot together. We have made it through and are now on the other side and IN love again! GOD IS SO GOOD! Thank you again.

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  476. I’m committing to pray… What a wonderful opportunity to pray for the Most special person God has placed in my life!! 🙂

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  490. Greetings from Canada! This challenge is coming at a great time of year for me.

    As the daylight hours get shorter here, this is usually the time of year when I get the most self-absorbed and tend to forget or bypass the needs of my husband. Winter up here is usually 8months of the year and for about 6 of those months the sun comes up about 3-4 hours after I have gotten up (0500h) and usually starts setting about 1700h, so basically less than 8 hours of my day is during sunlight.

    This challenge is right up my alley and will help me to focus more on my hubby and others before myself.

    Blessings

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  492. I’m in. I’m praying for reconciliation & restoration of our marriage. He’s been gone a few years, but God is bigger then our fears! I won’t give up yet- trusting for The Lord to work on our hearts.

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  497. I’m committed to praying. Gods timing is always exactly right. My husband and I are dealing with alot right now… Both individually and together in our marriage. We are a military family and he is currently deployed. I’m praying for my marriage!! And I will pray for other marriages as well! God is ALWAYS good and I’m so thankful He is on our side:)

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  498. I read the book, loved it by the way and am committed to praying with you. You can teach an old dog new tricks, I’ve been married for 34 years and learned a lot from your book and posts. Thanks for your ministry.

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  501. I am committed to reading and praying during this time and am encouraged by how many have already made the pledge to do so as well.

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      • I’m committed to this prayer challenge.

        My husband and I have been married for 1.5 years. Everyone always assumes our marriage is amazing since we are still newlyweds.

        But we’ve had a rough start to our marriage. We have experienced 2 miscarriages. And a couple months ago my husband was having an affair

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        • (I hit post before I was done typing)

          As soon as his affair became physical my husband wanted a divorce.
          Before I learned that he was having an affair I asked him to wait a month before leaving. We were in the last few days of the month and then I learned of his affair. A few days later he decided he no longer wanted a divorce.

          It has been difficult for us. I am trying to follow God through all this but my husband has lost all hope in God. Ready for this challenge and hoping it brings life to our marriage and helps me be a better wife.

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  508. Thank you for telling your story. My story is very similar and I felt so alone, but I stumbled upon your book from looking for activities for my special education class and then found your blog as well. This blog is so timely. I have been struggling for awhile on finding reasons to stay in my marriage although we have been in counseling for over a year. I am a believing wife of 24 years next week and have counseled numerous other wives on staying in their marriage. I still find it hard to take my own advice. I too was confronted and confessed to an emotional affair last summer, if that’s what you can call it. Either way it was wrong. We separated, but he seemed to understand that I was very broken due to infidelity on his part throughout our marriage. He forgave me and I forgave him and we were back together within 3 months. I still have not felt the same since as if I haven’t forgiven him or myself. I want to honor my commitment to my husband and family and learn to love him wholeheartedly again. God is so good! He knows what you need even before you need it. Thanks for sharing your heart and I accept the challenge!

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    • I’m glad that you found your way here. There is so much healing to take place, but God is good! He offers hope where all hope is otherwise lost. I pray that you will take this challenge with us. 31 days of prayer. Just one more way to let go and let God.

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  509. As we are expecting our first child, a daughter, in the next 10 weeks I am committed to praying for my husband and for the wonderful daddy that I can already see he is going to be. I haven’t purchased the book yet but have it on my list to pick up!

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  511. Wow! I cannot wait to see how God will transform the lives and families of so many women willing to do battle for their marriages.

    Committed to pray!

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  515. I am committing myself to pray and read during the month of October. I just got your book in and I am looking forward to getting started in it! Lord, during this month may you mold, shape, and turn our hearts more towards you.

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  522. I am committed to pray. After 20 years of marriage and 4 boys., we need some prayer and recommitment in our relationship.

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  524. Count me in, I want to hold up my husband before the Lord. He’s been out of work for 4 years goin on 5 and it’s hard for us and him especially though I work. The frustration and despair is overwhelming, but God is able.

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  533. I am joining as a single parent as I have this overwhelming feeling I need to pray for my future relationship and husband. If I can learn to pray now, I feel I will be more useful to my future husband when I am blessed with that opportunity.

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  536. As I read through the preceding comments, I was again struck with the fact and knowledge that satan is attacking marriages to undermine God’s good work. Satan does not plague those who are already in line with him, only those who are striving to be closer to God and do works in God’s honor. I thank you for your blog, blessings to you for providing such an uplifting and concrete method to help our marriages.
    I commit to praying each day for my husband and marriage. I also commit to praying for protection for you, your family and leadership. I also commit to saying a prayer asking for God’s blessing on all the women who are taking this pledge. May we all learn to see the blessings of God.

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  542. Committed to praying for my hubby. I pray often now, but I’m looking forward to the challenge to pray specifically and EVERY day! Can’t wait to see what God does in our marriages through this challenge!! 🙂

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  543. I pre-ordered 5 copies of your book for the mom’s group I run. Looking forward to reading it with them AND praying for my husband and marriage! 🙂

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  548. I am committed to pray for my husband. After 13 years, he told me that he is not longer happy in our marriage. Oh yes, I accepted the challenge. I know GOD is in control.

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  549. thankful to be part of this concert of praise and intercession for God’s people and our marriages! thank you, darlene…God bless you and your marriage. <3

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  550. I am not yet married and it is my desire to get married soon. I will be committed to this cause for the whole month of October and onward. Praying for my own husband and my parents and other marriages of people in my life. I hope I will do this with my friends/prayer group. For long I have wished there is a similar group of unmarried people with such wise wisdom but I have realized no one wishes to be unmarried for long but we all want to be wives and mums for the rest of our lives, and it is best to prepare for what lasts a life time! I have stopped feeling left out when I visit this page 🙂 God bless you Darlene for the great work!

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  551. I’ll be praying. My husband and I have been together 18yrs through college & married for 11 this October. Perfect time for me to do the challenge. Thanks!

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  553. Thank you Darlene for answering my prayers for me and my husband. We are both ready to commit to prayer and taking this journey together as a couple!

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  554. Having been convicted of not praying faithfully for my husband in our past almost three years of marriage, I can think of no better way to spend the month leading up to our 3rd anniversary than praying for him. I’ve just found your resources and look forward to becoming the more Godly wife my husband deserves. Thank you for all I’m sure I am going to learn from you. Blessings, Kelly.

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  556. I am committed to doing this prayer challenge. My husband and I have had a very rocky marriage from the start, even with great Christian counseling and the wise counsel of close friends. This will be a great way to move into the holiday season that tends to be more difficult that the rest of the year.

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  557. After 20 years of marriage to a good, but unbelieving man I’m going to try this. Maybe 31 days of concentrated prayer will soften his heart in a way that my often sporadic prayers for him haven’t done.

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  559. I would love to join this!!! My husband and I are young… And still trying to figure out many things and trying to be good parents to our little boys, so prayer is much needed in our life!!!!! Thank you for this challenge!

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  576. I am looking forward to praying along with my fellow sisters in Christ. Praying daily for our marriages and making it a priority.

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  577. I really need this and feel that it is God’s timing. Our marriage is just plain awful. We simply coexist and are tired of trying. Only 3 things keep us from splitting up: God, our ages and money. That is it. My son, who is 12 went to my husband to say that he is stressed over our situation. My husband replied that he need not worry or stress but he does need to accept that this is just the way it is. Pretty sad actually. Doesn’t exactly give our kids a lot of comfort or hope. So, thank you. I think well thought out, directed pray will be good for me because I simply dont know what to pray for anymore.

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  588. Wow! I read a few of the comments as I scrolled down to find this box to put in my own comment to pray. I am so impressed by the number of women who are saying they are engaged and want to join in with this and commit to praying for their marriages before they are married. What an awesome thing to do!! I have already been doing this due to a book I have read called The Power Of A Praying Wife, But am recommitting myself to do this with you. Your blogs and books are always such an inspiration to me.

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  591. Hi. I’m committed to praying. My name is Ami, and I’m 31. My husband died about a year and a half ago. God has carried me with tangible grace. We had a beautiful marriage, and some have said that we packed 50 years into 2 1/2. Jon was so committed to the gospel and Christ. He was one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met. He was committed to leading our home and shepherding me. He adored me, but adored Jesus more. Because I’ve known deep love, and a marriage centered on Christ, I want to commit to praying for my friends’ marriages. And, in faith I’ll pray for a second beautiful marriage. Thanks for creating this challenge!

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  627. I’m committed to praying. We’ve been married for 28 years and there have been ups and downs but we still love each other. We have fought together for the past 7 years for our older daughter in her battle with a vicious eating disorder, cared for and pushed for answers for our younger daughter in her now 4 year battle with dysautonomia, and walked through medical crisis after medical crisis until the end with my husbands parents. The past 10 years have been focused on others, and while I am thrilled we have not let those stresses pull us apart, I am sad that we haven’t really been able to nor have found time to focus on US. I want us to nourish each other again–to get back to a place of us-ness that has been replaced with praying for and fighting for everyone else.

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    • Wow, you’ve been through so many trials. I’m sorry to read this Linda. I pray that God will bring healing to your family and give you and opportunity to have the much needed “us” time you desire.

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  631. I am committing to praying, and will order your book today. I have a question, don’t know if it’s appropriate to ask here, and if not, I apologize. Do you think this would be appropriate for a wife whose husband is not a believer?

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    • Absolutely without a doubt yes. The best thing we can do to draw a husband to Christ is to a) pray for his salvation b) win him over to Christ with our behavior. Both of these will be stressed throughout the challenge.

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  642. I’m in!! My husband is a non-believer and doesn’t attend church with me. I already pray for his salvation everyday but I know there are so many other ways I could be praying for him and our marriage. This may be what I have been needing!

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  643. My husband is in his first year of med school, and to say this past year (and last few months) has been tough is an understatement. I find ourselves the only ones in this boat, and he is exhausted with school, finals, patient contacts, studying late into the night/morning, and I am exhausted taking care of our three little kids, house, bills, making ends meet, and not getting good quality time together like I want…… Etc. This is so timely and I am in for sure! Probably more for myself than even him, but that’s more of the point sometimes isn’t it?! 🙁
    Thank you Darlene and team for all of this and all of you do period!!! 🙂 So hoping I can get your book soon!

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    • My husband owns his own business. I devote a chapter in my new book to discussing this very thing. He worked so many hours and when he was home with us he was exhausted. I was taking care of little kids. That season of our life was so hard. He’d often say, “if I was a doctor, this is what it would be like.” Now I see what he means.

      I pray that God will give you strength and joy during this time of your life.

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  649. Committed to praying! Trusting that God is going to move in great ways in all our marriages this month, & I’m so excited!

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  656. I’m in- our anniversary is Tuesday and we haven’t “celebrated” it in many years. Hoping to find contentment and peace in my own heart even though it feels one-sided.

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  662. For the 2nd time in a year, my husband has said he wants a divorce. A year ago he committed to staying, and now I don’t know what’s happened. I feel physically broken. Hoping and praying that this helps.

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  663. I am committed to praying. My husband asked for a divorce this summer, after only one year of marriage. It was an awful year for us, but I never expected divorce. We are both Christians, but he feels he is following God by making this decision and says we have made a mistake. I know I did not do things right this first year. I was not the wife I should have been. But I am learning so much and I am still committed to my husband and our marriage and I will pray for him every day. I already bought your book without knowing of this challenge, but I will be praying along with you as I grow deeper in my faith and pray for the restoration of my marriage. Please pray for us if you can. I know this isn’t what God wants, but my husband has hardened his heart and put up his walls. Please pray God can get through to him before it’s too late. Our divorce is scheduled for this December, if not sooner. Thank you so much!

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