Tuesday, May 24, 2011

SCRIPTURE VERSES On Communication

Good communication is said to be a lifeline to the health of a good marriage. It’s pretty obvious to all who are wise, that there are good ways we can communicate with each other in word and deed, and harmful ways.
To help you to better discern the good from the harmful, you will find below, scripture verses dealing with communication. The following verses come from the New International Version of the Bible unless noted otherwise:
• Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless (James 1:26).
• The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly (Proverbs 15:2).
• The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (Proverbs 15:28).
• But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:37).
• A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction (Proverbs 16:23).
• The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse (Proverbs 10:29).
• A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
• Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).
• A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 14:16-17).
• A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly (Proverbs 14:29).
• An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22).
• Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself (Proverbs 22:24-25).
• A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered (Proverbs 17:27).
• Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him (Proverbs 29:20).
• Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes (Proverbs 26:4-5).
• A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).
• A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul (Proverbs 18:7).
• A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
• Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue (Proverbs 17:28).
• The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools (Ecclesiastes 9:17).
• Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is that Head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
• The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin (Proverbs 10:8).
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly (2 Timothy 2:16).
• When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (Proverbs 10:19).
• A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly (Proverbs 12:23).
• Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).
• Pleasant words are a honey comb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24).
• A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).
• The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value (Proverbs 10:20.)
• The tongue of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment (Proverbs 10:21).
• The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4).
• The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked (Proverbs 10:11).
• The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them (Proverbs 12:6).
• The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools (Proverbs 15:7).
• The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse (Proverbs 10:32).
• Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse (Proverbs 19:1).
• Put away perversity from your mouth keep corrupt talk far from your lips (Proverbs 4:24).
• He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin (Proverbs 13:3).
• He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity (Proverbs 21:23).
Rid yourselves of all malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind (1 Peter 2:1).
• A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble (Proverbs 17:20).
• Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment (Proverbs 12:19).
• The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful (Proverbs 12:22).
• My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All of the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse (Proverbs 8:7-8).
• An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips (Proverbs 24:26).
• The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace (Proverbs 13:5).
Above all, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned (James 5:12).
• He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
• The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
• Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—and the fool multiplies words. (Ecclesiastes 10:12-13).
• Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).
• A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11).
• Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife (Proverbs 17:1).
• Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).
• Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 26:12).
• When pride comes, then disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2).
• Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:2).
• Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
• Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10).
• If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife (Proverbs 30:32-33).
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight (James 4:1-2).
• Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out (Proverbs 17:14).
• It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).
• He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction (Proverbs 17:19).
• If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other (Galatians 5:15).
• The evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him (Proverbs 12:13-14).
• If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house (Proverbs 17:13).
• The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down (Proverbs 14:1).
• A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping (Proverbs 19:13).
• A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand (Proverbs 27:15-16).
• Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife (Proverbs 21:19).
• Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife (Proverbs 25:24).
Wives, be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1-4).
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7).
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9).
Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor [spouse], for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:25-27).
• In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice… Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind (1 Peter 2:11).
• If you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s [spouse's] hands: Go humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor [spouse]! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. (Proverbs 6:2-5).
• Remind the people… to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men (Titus 3:2).
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:14-15).
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:14-15).
• Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19).
When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly (1 Corinthians 4:12-13).
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:30-32).
Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:9-10).
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness (James 3:17-18).
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27.).
Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss (2 Corinthians 13:11-12).
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5).
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
• Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear (Proverbs 25:12).
• Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (Proverbs 1:5).
• The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice (Proverbs 12:15).
• The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly (Proverbs 15:14).
• He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Proverbs 15:31).
• He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame (Proverbs 18:13).
• The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out (Proverbs 18:15).
• Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise (Proverbs 19:20).
• Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge (Proverbs 23:12).
• Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it —he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (James 1:19-26).

from: http://www.marriagemissions.com/scripture-verses-on-communication/

RESOLVING CONFLICT GUIDELINES – With Scriptures

Read through each guideline and the corresponding Bible verses and discuss as a married couple if they would be good to use to set boundaries that you can and should live by whenever you encounter points of tension you need to resolve with each other. You can then put together your own guidelines that will best suit your needs.
We will start by praying together for tender hearts and wisdom—committing to come together in a spirit of humility and reconciliation —considering the health of our marriage as more important than our individual interests.
  • Psalm 139:23-24 — Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
  • Proverbs 2:1-5 — My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
  • Proverbs 3:7 — Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
  • Proverbs 11:2 — When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
  • Proverbs 16:18 — Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
  • Proverbs 26:12 — Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
  • Philippians 2:3-4 — Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
  • James 3:17-18 — Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
  • 1 Peter 1:13 — Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
We commit to handle ourselves with maturity being quick to listen and slow to speak —reaching for the goal of continually trying to better understand each other.
  • James 1:19 — My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
  • Proverbs 1:5 — Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
  • Proverbs 10:8 — The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
  • Proverbs 15:18 — A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
  • Proverbs 15:28 — The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
  • Proverbs 16:23 — A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
  • Proverbs 18:13 — He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.
  • Proverbs 18:17 — The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
  • Proverbs 29:20 — Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:11 — When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20 — Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
We will speak the truth in love respectfully honoring each other’s feelings.
  • Proverbs 16:23 — A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
  • Proverbs 10:29 — The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
  • Proverbs 12:18 — Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
  • Proverbs 17:27 — A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
  • Proverbs 18:2 — A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
  • Ephesians 4:15 — Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is that Head, that is, Christ.
  • Philippians 4:29 — Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
We won’t allow our discussion to escalate into yelling or name-calling. And we will refrain from provoking each other by delivering “cheap shots” —sarcasm, innuendos, and rudeness which complicates the issues. If that happens we’ll call for a time-out and come back together at an agreed upon time.
  • Proverbs 4:24 — Put away perversity from your mouth keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
  • Proverbs 13:3 — He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
  • Proverbs 8:7-8 — My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All of the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
  • Proverbs 18:21 — The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
  • Proverbs 29:11 — A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:5 — Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.
  • Galatians 5:15 — If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
  • Ephesians 4:26, 31 — In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
  • 1 Peter 2:11 — Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
  • Titus 3:2 — Remind the people to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
We commit to MEAN what we say —so neither one of us is put into the position of being expected to read the other person’s mind.
  • Proverbs 11:3 — The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
  • Proverbs 21:28 — A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.
  • Matthew 5:37 — Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes”, and your “No,” “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
  • James 5:12 — Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no or you will be condemned.
We will stick to the subject on hand —not allowing our discussion to sidetrack onto any other grievance at this time. (Other issues can be dealt with at another time.)
  • Proverbs 4:25-26 — Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
  • Proverbs 4:27a — Do not swerve to the right or the left.
  • 1 Peter 4:7 — The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
We will avoid using “never” and “always” statements —seeking to be accurate, truthful, and realistic in what we say.
  • Proverbs 11:1 — The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
  • Proverbs 21:23 — He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
We will work not to judge each other—but rather seek to express our own feelings over the matter.
We will speak to each other in “I feel” statements (explaining our own perspective) rather than in “you” statements pointed at our spouse accusing them of feelings they may or may not have. (An example of this would be: “I feel lonely when you’re gone so much,” rather than “You never come home.”)
  • Proverbs 15:28 — The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
  • Matthew 7:1-2 — Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
We will refrain from playing the “blame game”— and will each look for the plank in our own eye—rather than the speck in our spouse’s.
  • Proverbs 16:2 — All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
  • Proverbs 21:2 — All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.
  • Proverbs 19:3 — It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
  • Matthew 7:1-5 — Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother; “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
  • 1 Peter 3:8 — Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
We will readily apologize and sincerely ask for forgiveness for whatever way that we have hurt our spouse and for whatever tension we’ve caused in our marital relationship by our behavior.
  • Matthew 5:23 — If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
  • Matthew 6:14 — For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
  • Luke 17:3-4 — If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.
We will work to forgive each other as Christ has forgiven us — never again reminding our spouse of the pain for which we’ve said we’ve forgiven them. And we’ll make daily choices not to dwell on those painful thoughts in the future.
  • Matthew 5:9 — Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
  • Romans 12:18 — If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
  • Romans 14:19 — Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 — We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
  • Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
  • Colossians 3:13 — Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
  • Hebrews 12:14-15 — Make every effort to live in peace with all men to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
  • 1 Peter 5:16 — Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
We will end our time together in prayer giving thanks for what we’ve learned about our relationship with each other. We will each ask God to bless our spouse and help us to be a blessing to them knowing that is our mission because of our marriage vows.
  • Proverbs 16:3 — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
  • Philippians 1:9-10 — And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
  • Colossians 3:15 — Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
  • Hebrews 13:20 — May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 — Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
  • James 5:16 — Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
  • 1 Peter 3:8-9 — Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.


  • from: http://www.marriagemissions.com/covenant-guidelines-for-reolving-conflict-with-scripture-verses/

Scripture Prayers for Marriage

•  Lord, please show me how to find the time to store your commands within my mind. As I turn my ear to Your wisdom, help me to apply my heart to doing things YOUR way. I know you are the giver of wisdom; help me to hear what you want me to learn even if I don’t always understand Your ways, or why you allow certain things to happen in my married life. I want to trust you with my whole heart. Please help me. I know that as I trust in You, You have promised me that You will make my paths straight. Thank You. (Based on Proverbs 2:1-6 and Proverbs 3:5-6.)
•  Lord, help me so that “love and faithfulness” never leaves me, no matter what happens within my marriage. Show me how to bind them around my neck and to wear them around the tablet of my heart so they protect me. Help me to guard my heart from the temptations that are all around me. You know my weaknesses, but so does the enemy of my faith. I don’t want to do things that would dishonor You or my marriage vows. I want to be a promise keeper, just as You are a promise keeper.
Give me discernment when temptation is waiting to ambush me. I don’t want to stumble into that which will snare me into sin. Help me to “preserve sound judgment and discernment” and not to let them out of my sight, for I know they will be life for me. I know that “there is a way that seems right” but that it can lead to death. Help me not to go there. For you are my confidence and you are able to keep my foot from being snared. Thank You Lord. (Based on Proverbs 2:11-12, Proverbs 3:3, Proverbs 2:212-26, Proverbs 4:23.)
•  Sometimes I say things I shouldn’t. Help me to “let no unwholesome thing” come from my mouth, but only what is helpful” for building my spouse and children up, rather than tearing them down. I acknowledge that I am not my spouse’s Holy Spirit. That is Your position. I do not want to grieve You, or say things what will cause more damage to my marriage relationship, rather than help it.
I know that the “tongue of the righteous nourishes” and “spreads knowledge.” Help me to “speak the truth in love” when it will benefit the situation rather than contaminate it. I don’t want to be a fool who lacks judgment and speaks in haste. I know that discernment, and the timing, and tone of my words are as important as what I say. Thank You, and help me Lord. (Based on Ephesians 4:15 and Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 29:20, Proverbs 10:21 and Proverbs 10:32.)
•  Money, Lord, I know that loving it is the “root of all kinds of evil” because it has caused many to wander from the faith and pierced themselves with grief. So I don’t want to place a higher value on it than You know is best or would condone. But sometimes it causes problems in our marriage when our expenses seem to be higher than the money we have available each month. You promise to meet all our needs “according to Your riches in Christ Jesus.” If one of us is spending more than we should, or if we need to look further into how to expand our income, I pray that You will reveal this truth to us and help us to line our lives with Your will.
You tell us not to worry about how our needs will be met. Help me Lord, not to worry and to release those things that I cannot change concerning our finances. I know that as I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, You will give us the things we truly need. I need Your help in being “content whatever the circumstances.” I know that “I can do all everything through Him who gives me strength.” After all, You own it all, and if You deem that we should have more, it will be done. (Based on 1 Timothy 6:10, Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:11-13, Psalm 136.)
•  Heavenly Father, it is so difficult to forgive my spouse sometimes. But I know that I am not perfect either. I’ve fallen short of Your standards. And yet you love me and even sent Jesus to die for me while “I was yet a sinner.” Help me to be as gracious to my spouse as you are to me. I know that if I forgive my spouse for the things that grieve my heart, and Yours as well, that you will forgive me for the things I have done that I shouldn’t.
I also know that if I refuse to forgive my spouse, it will poison my spirit as it starts as a bitter root defiling not only my marriage, but others I come in contact with. Help me Lord to let go of unforgiveness and to be in the center of Your will for my life. (Based on Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 12:14-15, Matthew 
6:14-15.)

from: http://www.marriagemissions.com/pray-scriptures-for-your-marriage-marriage-message-363/

Scripture Prayers for Marriage

Father, I plead that we would speak the truth in love to each other, honestly and openly sharing our feelings with each other (Ephesians 4:15, 25).
Lord, I pray that our marriage will glorify You and be an example of Your intention for marriage (1 Corinthians 10:31).
God, I plead that You would give us wisdom and compassion in dealing with our in-laws (Matthew 5:7). Father, bless and strengthen our marriage in the midst of the pressure and problems of our lives (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Father, I ask You to protect our marriage from the attacks of Satan. Deliver us from his evil, destructive plans (1 Peter 5:8).
Father, grant that we might find great delight and joy in each other (Proverbs 5:18).
Lord God, I pray that You would deepen and strengthen our friendship to each other (Proverbs 17:17). Father, I plead that Your power would sustain and give stability to this marriage (Jeremiah 32:17).
Father, help us to discern and deal with those things that hinder and hurt our relationship (Psalm 139:23-24). Father, I ask that our strengths would match and overcome our weaknesses (Genesis 2:20-23).
I pray that we would be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).
I plead that we would be sensitive to the needs and hurts of each other. Enable us to minister to each other in these areas (Matthew 20:28).
God, create within us a hunger for each other. Let us be satisfied with one another (Proverbs 5:19-20).
I plead that You would give us a heart to seek after You and serve You all the days of our lives (Psalm 63:1). Father, I pray that You would grant us the wisdom and power to gain and use our finances wisely (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Lord, I ask that You would deliver us from pettiness and unforgiveness in our relationship (Matthew 18:20-21).
Father, I plead that we will surrender all that we are and all that we have to each other (Genesis 2:24-25).
I pray that we would love You with all our being and our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).
Lord God, I ask that we would love and obey Your Word, building our lives, marriage, and family on its truth (Psalm 119:97).
Father, I plead that we would be patient with each other in all the circumstances of life (1 Corinthians 13:4). Father, I pray that we will be kind and gentle to each other through the ups and downs of our life together (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Father, I ask that we would not let any jealousy or envy gain ground in our relationship (1 Corinthians 13:4). God, I plead that we will always seek what is best for our relationship (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Lord, I pray that we will share each other's burdens and hurts (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Father, enable us to overcome the pride in our lives. Set us free from the pride that will hinder and hurt our marriage (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Lord, I ask that we would not be rude or thoughtless concerning each other (1 Corinthians 13:5).
God, deliver us from the selfishness that would hinder and hurt our relationship (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Lord, I ask that we would rejoice in each other's strengths and gifts and would pray concerning our weaknesses and sins (1 Corinthians 13:6).
Father, I pray that You would give us a love that bears all things, believes all things, and hopes all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Lord, I plead that You would create in us a love that will endure the stress and problems that we will face (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Father, I ask that our love for one another will never fail (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Father, I plead that we would be faithful to attend and serve in the church of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:25). IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. AMEN

Thursday, May 5, 2011

How to Get Your Prayers Answered 
by Tom Brown

You should pray to get results. Unfortunately, many people pray, but they don't receive specific answers to their prayers. I'm going to show you how to pray to get answers. Once you know how to get answers to your prayers, you'll never be in need. You'll never have to stay sick, stay broke, or stay defeated all the days of your life.
The first and most important step for getting answers to your prayers is this: Find scriptures that definitely promise you the specific thing you are praying for.
When people say that they're praying for something, I like to ask, "What scripture or scriptures are you standing on in order to get what you are asking?" Often, people answer, "Well, nothing in particular." Well, that's what they'll get, Nothing in particular
Jesus says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (John 15:7). Notice that Jesus began this promise with a little word called "if". The word "if" is a little word with consequences. The word "if" means that this promise for answered prayer is conditional upon something. What is it? Jesus says that you can ask whatever you wish, so long as "my words remain in you."
You must have God's word abiding in you if you expect an answer to your prayer. Often Christians pray for something, such as healing, yet they don't have any promise from God abiding in them which guarantees that God will answer.
God has made many promises to heal you. What you need to do is find those promises and meditate on them until they become real to you. By doing this, you will be able to fight doubt when your healing doesn't manifest immediately.
You see if you pray for healing and do not know God's promises to heal you, when the symptoms persist, you'll begin to doubt that the answer is coming. Once you doubt, the answer is cancelled.
James 1:6-7 says, "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord." God answers only believing prayer, not doubting prayer.
Someone might say, "But if God doesn't heal us in response to our prayers, then maybe God does not want us to be well. It may not be His will to heal us."
The truth is, God's Word is His will. If you want to know what God's will is, then look at His Word. He only promises things that He is willing to do. Since He has promised us healing, we can be assured that it is His will to heal us. By not knowing His Word, delays in answers may make us think that God is denying us the answers. But by knowing the Word, delays are simply opportunities to stand on God's Word in faith.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
The second step for answered prayer is this: You must ask God for what you want and believe that you receive it.
What is it that you want? Be specific and ask.
Dr. Cho, the pastor of the world's largest church, said that many years ago when South Korea was poor, he asked God for a bicycle. Back then a bicycle was a big thing. Well, several months had elapsed, but he had not received the bicycle. Finally he asked the Lord why it was taking so long for Him to answer this prayer. The Lord answered, "Son, you didn't tell Me what kind of bicycle you wanted. There are many different brands, different colors, and different manufacturers. Be specific. What kind of bicycle do you want?"
I think many people need to be specific in their requests. Jesus asked a blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" It would seem obvious that the man wanted his sight. But Jesus never assumes to know your desire. He wants you to tell Him.
Once you are specific in your request, you must believe that you have received the answer, even before you can see the answer.
Jesus says in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Notice that this scripture does not say to believe that you will receive. No! It says to believe that you have received. This means that you must believe that you have the answer already, even before you physically possess the answer. This is faith.
Many times people are praying, thinking that they are believing, when in reality they are not believing, but hoping. Hope and faith are not the same. You cannot expect to receive from hope what is promised only to faith. Faith is what is required in prayer.
If you're praying and expecting that God will, sometime in the future, answer your prayer, then you are not believing but hoping. Faith says that God has answered my prayer the very moment that I prayed. Are you believing or hoping?
I'm reminded of a story that Happy Caldwell once told. When he was a sinner, he and his buddies used to love getting drunk. One day, they were driving down an old Arkansas highway when they drove past a run-down tavern. Its sign read: FREE BEER, TOMORROW.
"Whoa!" they were excited. They could hardly wait to guzzle down the free beer. The next day, they sped back to that old tavern.
"The sign for free beer is still up!" Happy exclaimed. They jumped out of their car, busted down the tavern's doors, and shouted to the bartender, "Hey! Give us some free beer!"
"What are you talking about?" the bartender asked.
The guys pointed to the sign, "You advertised free beer. That's what we've come for."
The bartender smiled, "Free beer—tomorrow!"
The devil is like the bartender. He will get you thinking that tomorrow you'll get your answer. And when tomorrow gets here, he'll say, "Wait until tomorrow." As long as you are waiting for tomorrow, tomorrow never comes. God says, "Believe that you have the answer today--NOW!" This is what Jesus meant in Mark 11:24: "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
THANK GOD FOR THE ANSWER
The third step for getting your prayers answered is this: Thank God for the answer, before you can see it. Since you have already believed that God has answered your prayer, the only logical step is to thank Him in advance for the answer. Doing this proves that you trust God's Word.
You may ask, "How can I thank God for answering my prayer, when I don't see the answer yet?" Because He promised the answer, and that's good enough for you to thank Him.
Suppose a gentleman promised me that he was going to buy a new suit for me next week. Would I say, "Sir, when you actually buy it and I'm wearing it, then I'll be grateful and thank you for it. But I'm not going to thank you until I am wearing the new suit you promised." Of course I wouldn't say that. I would immediately thank him for the new suit, even though I don't actually have it yet. I thank him, because I believe his word is good. The same is true of God.
God promised to answer our prayers, and His promise is good enough to solicit gratitude from us. So after you have prayed and believed that you have received the answer, then thank God for the answer.
KEEP YOUR MIND POSITIVE
The fourth and final step for answered prayer is this: Let every thought affirm that you have the answer to your prayer.
It is this last step that many believers stumble over. They will do fine until this last step, because many believers do not know how to fight the devil. Satan battles against the mind. The mind is the arena where the battle is fought.
Do not allow any negative thoughts to enter your mind. Let your mind affirm that you have the petitions that you requested from God. The reason you need to keep your mind on positive things is because doubt begins in the mind. And if you can keep it out of your mind, then you can keep it out of your heart.
These are the four practical steps to answered prayer!

Unanswered Prayer

http://www.openbible.info/topics/unanswered_prayer

James 4:3 


You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

John 14:12-14 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Isaiah 59:2 


But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Matthew 7:7 


“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Psalm 66:18 


If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Matthew 21:22 


And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Isaiah 1:15-16 


When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

Hebrews 11:1 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Mark 9:23 


And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Mark 11:22-24 


And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 John 5:14-15 


And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

1 John 5:14 


And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Philippians 4:6 


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

John 15:7 


If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Luke 18:1-43 


And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” ...

Jude 1:20 

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

1 John 5:15 


And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

1 John 3:22 


And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

James 5:15-16 


And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 1:6 


But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Romans 8:26 


Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Mark 11:24 


Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 18:19 


Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 17:20 


He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 7:7-11 


“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Ephesians 1:11 


In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

2 Corinthians 12:7-9


So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Luke 6:12 


In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

Matthew 6:9-13 


Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Ephesians 6:12 


For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Luke 11:1 E


Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”