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Have you ever been in a situation where there was no way out? Any choice you made would bring pain in your life or in someone else’s life. It was a no-win situation, but that’s where I found myself, and it was terrifying.
The choices before me were to end my marriage, or to dig in and fight for it. While I’m a fighter by nature, I didn’t know if I could manage this fight. I tried to pray, I tried to ask for wisdom, but I could barely find the words.
You see, my marriage was up against some tough issues. Some of those issues were inter-personal, some were spiritual and some were legal. Everything that was happening was completely outside the limits of anything that I would consider a “tough marriage”. We faced life-altering decisions and I had no idea how to ask God to save our lives, our marriage, our family.
Please believe me when I say that I never wanted this story. The only way I could find my way forward was through spending time with the Lord. However, when I tried to pray, I had no idea where to start. I couldn’t form words that conveyed the depths of my feelings.
That’s when God put four words on my heart. These words became the simplest, but hardest, prayer for my marriage.
There was not a lot of fluff, there were no extra words. I’m not even sure what I was praying for when I prayed those words.
This became the 4-word prayer that changed me.
I’m sharing the rest of this post at Fulfilling Your Vows. Come on over to find the prayer, and to hear how the prayer changed me.
If you are facing a crisis in your marriage, here is some support and encouragement for you.
Click here to fill out the form for the Facebook group.
Sharing with Suzie Eller at #LiveFreeThursday, Alisa Nicaud at Salt & Light, Richella at Imparting Grace, Arabah Joy at Grace & Truth, Lori Schumaker at #MomentsOfHope, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, Jaime Wiebel at #SittingAmongFriends, with Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday
What a powerful prayer, Rebekah. Since I read the four words and the rest of your post over on Fulfilling Your Vows, I’ve found them running through my mind at various times. Which is a good thing, because I’m currently working hard to crowd out OTHER things running through my mind. 😉 And I love that you referred to this prayer as one that changed YOU first and foremost. Because we’ve all got something that needs changing, and doesn’t that usually (always?) start with changing us? Thank you for giving me a new tool in my “take every thought captive” arsenal. Stopping by from Salt & Light!
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Thanks for making the decision to stick with your marriage even though it was difficult at the time. Blessings to you as you pursue Him and live in grace.
Michele Morin recently posted…Standing Ready to Be Amazed
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Thank-you Rebekah for your wonderful ministry! You have been an encouragement to me and many others. Because I so appreciate what you do I have nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award. You can read my post about that here:
https://hisdearlyloveddaughter.com/2017/07/17/better-to-give-than-to-receive-blogger-recognition-award/
Thank-you for using your pain to point others toward Christ and to bring glory to Him! Thank-you for being a fierce warrior in the fight for marriage! I appreciate you and your ministry!
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Thanks for writing about your marriage, even when you didn’t want to at one time. Your vulnerability will help others. Love this 4 word prayer. There is not one of us who does not need more grace and mercy, or need a reminder to give more grace and mercy.
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Rebekah Reply:
July 29th, 2017 at 9:14 am
Thank you for your encouragement! Yes, we are all in need of God’s mercy and grace - to receive and to give.
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Thank you for writing this.
I will join you in praying this.
I’ve found over the past couple of years that the more simpler prayers sometimes are the most real and responded to.
Thank you for the hope you shared here.
God bless you
Somer recently posted…Comfort
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Rebekah Reply:
July 29th, 2017 at 9:12 am
In my own life, yes, sometimes the simpler prayers reflect a desire to have God work as He will, not according to how I think He should work. Thank you!
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I know I can use more mercy and grace. Thank you for being open!
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Rebekah Reply:
July 29th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Oh, me too! Thank you, Sarah!
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Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your journey and your heart! I believe we can all use this 4-word prayer in our life!
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Rebekah Reply:
July 29th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Yes - it’s so simple, but yet covers all of what our hearts may be longing for as we seek the Lord.
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I first read your article several days ago, and this simple, powerful prayer has lingered in my mind. I have already begun to pray these 4 words over countless situations. But two of them, I want to share. A friend from another country, who we met on a mission trip messaged to let us know his wife was in the midst of a difficult labor and he was very worried for both her and the baby. I am happy to report that they have a healthy baby boy and mother and child are both doing great. I also whispered this prayer last evening as we prayer walked through the halls of my daughter’s high school in preparation for the upcoming school year. So many needs there, both known and unknown, all in need of His mercy and grace. This prayer will regularly be a part of my prayer life. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. God bless you and your family.
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Rebekah Reply:
August 15th, 2017 at 10:40 pm
Nicole, thank you so much for these words! What a blessing it is to know that God is using this prayer to encourage others. Congratulations to your friends on their new baby! Blessings!
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That is a beautiful prayer, Rebekah. Pinning this today.
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Rebekah Reply:
August 15th, 2017 at 10:39 pm
Thank you, Betsy! I appreciate you sharing the post!
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Hi Rebekah,
I have pinned many of your articles and encouragements on my boards.
I appreciate how you are trying to serve the Lord and reach others, while strengthening yourself ad your marriage!
I am going to go to thos 4 word article, and concentrate. Its been 2 years of separation, pain, sorrow and loss from my husband. Its about to move to divorce. I have about given up hope on it, he is already living with another woman.
So, not only am i going to try, and to see if its even God’s will to try and go back, but I have forgiven him, there is like you had said, so much more. We were married 33 years.
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