Daily Devotion | Day 296
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7, KJV).
So far, we have identified in the Bible two barriers to prayer: unforgiveness and doubt. Today, we will look at a third barrier. This time the barrier is located within marriage. Specifically, it applies to husbands. Therefore, if you are a husband or are planning to become one, you will find today’s message personally relevant. As usual, let’s briefly recall the purpose of the current series on “Prayer Barriers.”
Prayer is vital to our relationship with the Father. Therefore, if there are factors that can block our prayer from being heard, it’s necessary that we identify them. Identifying the root of a problem brings us closer to its solution. Fortunately for us, the Bible talks about these things. Our duty is to become acquainted with what the Bible teaches. Once a barrier is identified, the goal is for us to remove the obstacle and prevent it from being a problem in the future. Let’s look at today’s passage taken from 1 Peter.
In chapter 3 Peter had a word for married couples. He started with wives, reminding them to submit to their husbands, and to imitate the holy women in the Bible, in particular, Sarah (1 Peter 3:1-6). Next, as expected, Peter turned to husbands. His message for husbands is what you find in today’s opening Scripture. Let’s start with the last thing Peter said, which is, “that your prayers be not hindered.”
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter revealed something profound concerning marriage in general and husbands in particular. He revealed that a husband’s prayer can be hindered, depending on how he treats his wife. To prevent this from happening, Peter says husbands must dwell with their wives according to knowledge. In a husband’s relationship with his wife, he needs to be guided by knowledge on two levels.
First, he needs to know that the woman is “the weaker vessel.” Aware of this, the husbands needs to do what he can to uplift his wife. He does this by treating her with honor. When you honor someone, it means you esteem them and acknowledge them as having significant value in your eyes. But if you dishonor someone, you lower their value. For a husband, an attitude of dishonor will hinder his prayer.
Second, the husband will do well to remember that he and his wife are joint-heirs of “the grace of life” in Christ Jesus. In other words, in Christ, the couple has a common (joint) inheritance of God’s grace. Being head of the household, the husband is expected to be aware of this and treat his wife accordingly. As he honors his wife, he can be sure that his prayer is not hindered.
Husbands, may the Lord grant you wisdom, understanding and strength as you lead your household. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
For further study: 1 Samuel 1:1-8 and Ephesians 5:22-33
Higher-Self Realities 