The Virtuous Wife

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Praying the Proverbs

Dear Father

You are my father, Lord. You have saved me from all my wickedness. Make me righteous and bold as a lion to do your will for my life. Many are my transgressions against you, thank you that you chastise me and forgive me all my transgressions. Please make me a woman of understanding and knowledge so that I can understand your word and apply it to every area of my life. Let me be rich in you and feed my soul nourishing food every day so that I will grow strong in you. Help me never to forsake your law. Write it upon my heart and ingrain it upon my mind so that I will never go astray. Help me to understand your justice. Help me walk in your integrity. Make me a discerning daughter who keeps the law so that I will never shame you my Heavenly Father. Help me never to increase my possessions or make myself feel better at the expense of others. Let my prayers never be an abomination to you Lord. I ask for your grace and strength to always listen to your law.
Let me never be responsible for leading anyone astray from you. If I have done this in the past, Lord please forgive me for this sin and be with me and teach me to change my heart. Use me to lead others to your throne. Let me inherit what you have laid aside for all those who love and follow you Lord. Help me not to wise in my own eyes. Make me a person with understanding. When I wake up in the morning … let me rejoice and praise your Holy name. Let me not be ashamed and hide myself. Help us to prosper for your sake and praise you for all that we have. Help me not to be too proud to admit when I have wronged anyone. In your great love show mercy on me and forgive all my sins. Don’t let them stand between you and I. Help me to have respect for things that are from you. Harden not my heart against you. Please do not let any calamity befall me.
Help me not be like a roaring lion nor a charging bear over those you have put under my care. You have trusted me with my children, help me not to abuse that sacred trust. Help me not be an oppressor nor come across as one. Help me not to covet what I do not have but rather be thankful for the things that I do have. Prolong my days because my children and husband need me. More than anything, Lord, I desire to walk blameless before you and be saved from my sins and I know that you alone have the power to do this. I want to thank you for your work on the cross which made this possible. Thank you for saving me. I will eternally praise you for your great love and mercies to me.  Give me the stamina I need to work hard and provide food, clothing and all that is necessary for my family. Help me to faithful in the little things that you give me so that I may abound with your blessings. Help me to be rich in you and in love. I ask for your wisdom not to show partiality towards my fellow man. Please do not let poverty, especially spiritual poverty, come upon me. Help me not to flatter people with my mouth but rather be willing to rebuke in love. I want to be more worried about what you will say and think about me rather than worry about what people will say and think.
Help me to honour my mother and my father even when it is very hard. Let my heart not be a proud heart and help me not to stir up strife. Help me to fully trust in you and to prosper in your will for my life. Help me not  to trust in my own abilities for then I will be known as a fool. Deliver me from my foolish heart that often follows my own will and desire instead of yours. Bless me and give me opportunities to give of the blessings you have given me to others. Let me always increase in your righteousness my Lord and my God. Amen.
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