The Gift

By Karen Evans

After recently praying about and considering what to write, I thought I had the subject. When I started trying to type it out on my computer, it felt as if I were trying to deliver a 10-pound baby. I knew it should have been easier than that, so I kept waiting on the Lord. I then heard Him ask me this question:

What is the greatest gift you have ever given Jimmy?

I knew the answer immediately. My greatest gift to Jimmy has been prayer.

Now before you are tempted to say, "Yeah, so? Been there, done that," let me tell you my story...

"What Happens When Women Pray"

When Jimmy and I were first married, I was really hungry for fellowship and Bible study. A very godly woman from our church was teaching a small Bible study, and I began going. The book she was using was titled What Happens When Women Pray.

At first I was scared to death because I had never prayed with others. I was very concerned it would be found out that I didn't know how to pray, much less what the Bible said.

At first I was scared to death because I had never prayed with others. I was very concerned it would be found out that I didn't know how to pray, much less what the Bible said. But a friend encouraged me to keep attending with her, and as I did, for the first time in my life I felt hope—hope for my marriage as well as hope about my walk with God.

This book gave simple examples of how to pray, and especially how to pray for husbands. I was hooked. For the first time in our marriage I thought, You mean God really cares about me and what is best for our marriage? I know that may sound ridiculous, but at the time I had never been encouraged that way. I went home from those studies having learned how to pray and what to pray. From that study, I also learned how to treat Jimmy with love and respect in real ways. For instance, I discovered I was to treat him nicely even if he had been really mean.

Immediately, I began seeing results in our lives.

There was a double blessing through this experience. I began developing an intimate relationship with the Lord as well as learning how to trust Him to heal our hearts and troubled marriage.

It Pays to Wait

Some of my favorite Bible verses are in Isaiah 30. What I want you to see in this Scripture is prayer. It says:

The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says, "ONLY in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it …" But the Lord still waits for YOU TO COME to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for HIM to help them." (verses 15; 18 NLT, emphasis mine).

Isn't that awesome! Only in going to the Lord with quiet confidence in Him— instead of worry, anxiety, fear, or taking matters into our own hands—only by returning to and trusting Him can we receive His help. He is the faithful One. He is loving and compassionate and wants to meet our needs, both personally and in our marriages.

This journey of prayer for Jimmy began during some of the most difficult times of my life, both personally and with him. I would read Psalms and be so encouraged to find that God understands our pain and hurts. I began to pour my heart out to God and tell Him how much I wanted to change to be a godly wife, as well as His daughter.

Too, I started praying specific prayers for Jimmy. I would pray that his heart would be turned to God and he would hunger for righteousness. I asked God to help him be a good father. I prayed Jimmy would be protected from the lies of the enemy and God would help him be a good businessman.

I will never forget the first time I experienced answers to prayer. I was amazed that The God of the universe cared for and heard me. I had discovered how to go into my room, shut the door and pray to my Father in the secret place; and my Father who sees in secret rewarded me openly (Matthew 6:6). He'll do no less for you.

Prayer Creates Beauty

First Peter 3:1-12 also gives us great insight into prayer. In these verses, the Lord describes a precious woman as having inward beauty and gentle quietness. I know for a fact that when I have been praying and trusting God with issues, a quietness, peace, and inward beauty come over me. I no longer am fearful, and I have the ability to do what is right. And, in this passage of Scripture, God talks to men about prayer too, saying that if they do not treat their wives well, their prayers will be hindered.

Prayer is so important to marriage.

If you have never prayed for your spouse, or if you have prayed before and gotten discouraged, let me encourage you to return to the Lord. He is waiting for you. He is the One who can change your circumstances.

Jimmy and I are proof that God answers prayers. Jimmy is the man of God he is today because of the Lord's faithfulness. We have the life and marriage we have today because of God's great love for us.

The wonderful gift called "prayer" changed us and changed our circumstances. It will do no less for you.