Several years ago I found out about a friend who was married to an abusive man. I was so angry I wanted to go to my friend's house and pull her from the situation right away, then give that man a good piece of my mind. But I knew I couldn't do that without making the situation worse.

Counselor Leslie Vernick, author of The Emotionally Destructive Relationship, has some great advice for what to do and say when a friend or family member is in an abusive situation.

Also, she tackles the "sticky issue of submission" in the midst of abuse. You can read what she has to say here.

Other articles you'll want to read this week:

• Editors blog: Soul Staycation
• Featured download: Ministering to Working Women
• Walk with Me blog: A Christian Sense of Humor

Finally, wow, did we receive the responses to my blog post last week! If you read it and posted your comment, thank you. It's great to get a lively discussion going. Hopefully, it helps us to more clearly define what we believe and why when we're able to write it down and then read what other people think. I'm blessed to be surrounded by readers who are passionate about marriage and family.

Our job isn't just to read something and write our comments, however. God calls us to pray. As you go through your week, take some time each day to pray for all couples who are struggling in difficult marriages. Pray that they would be open to hearing God's voice clearly in the midst of their situation and to following his lead. And pray especially for the children—the innocents that God loves so dearly, that he would surround them with peace. Then if you're married, pray specifically for your marriage—that God would draw you together, that he would protect your relationship from the Evil One, and that he would use you to stand as a model to the world of what a God-honoring relationship can look like.

Blessings!