Attn: The UN-Courageous

This is an open prayer for all the UN-COURAGEOUS spouses out here. It will refer to the men even though I know there are wives & mothers who do the same thing.

However, I have personal experience when my husband of nine years did not come home from work one night. That weekend he decided to walk out on me and our three young children (ages 7, 5, and 2). I spoke with him before he actually moved out. I was told we were a burden to him. It's been over 22 years, and there are just some words that will never be erased from your heart.

Since then God has truly "blessed the broken road" and lead me straight to Brady who married me five years later. He has graciously become the dad he didn't have to be; walked 'our' daughter down the aisle when she got married; being Gramps to our grandchildren; being the financial, emotional & spiritual support needed in our family.

Wow - I really did get sidetracked. Here's my prayer to the husbands who have suddenly proclaimed they no longer and/or never did love their wife, who are tempted right now to walk out of their marriages, wives and lives of their children:

Dear Lord,

I pray now for You to grab Satan and the stronghold he has on this man's heart. I pray that You reclaim him as Your son and that he run back to You as his Father and also back to his wife. Praying for Him to put away all foolish notions in his mind: whether it be due to depression, sickness or stress. I pray for all the amazing memories of falling in love with his wife to come flooding back. Memories of their wedding day, starting their family, building their home together. Memories of raising their children together in YOUR church, Lord, to trust and love You. May all these precious memories HAUNT him until Satan's evil ideas of leaving his family flee his mind.

May he fully repent to YOU first, Lord, and then to his wife and precious kids. Please torment his mind with thoughts and pictures of his children growing up until he realizes that YES he DOES love his wife and always has - even in the dry spells.

Remind him to be THANKFUL for his family: his most prized blessings of all. Without them, he has NOTHING of value on this earth. Please bring people into his life 24/7 that will lead him back to his family: whether he's at home, at work, the store, wherever he may be. May even HIS family be supportive of his wife & kids and be praying for full reconciliation of his spirit to You and his wife.

Again, praying fervently for Satan's hold on him to be broken - no, CRUSHED!- and for a hedge of protection to be placed around his heart.

Lord, I know I've prayed a lot for this husband, but my heart is so heavy right now for his wife. Please place Your big, warm, loving arms around her & the kids. Help them each feel Your reassurance that IT IS WELL. Let them know Your peace, sweet peace.

Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your son and all You give us each day. Without You we would not survive days and trials such as these. Please bring a smile to this wife's face today just knowing she IS loved and special to so many.

In Jesus name. Amen.