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Men of Integrity, Nov/Dec 2000
Would Her Depression Lift?
This Week's Theme: Praying for Your Family
Tuesday, November 28
Key Bible Verse: … to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3b).
Bonus Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
My wife, Allison, was having a major struggle with depression. I began praying specifically that she would be happy, that she would experience her worth to God and His kingdom, and that her sense of esteem would come from her relationship to Christ. I prayed that she would be the queen of our house, and that God would be glorified in our marriage. Once as I was reading in Isaiah, I sensed that I should pray [today's Key Bible Verse] on Allison's behalf. I began to pray that God would bless her with "a crown of beauty," "the oil of gladness" and "a garment of praise."
No sooner did I start praying than Allison started getting worse! But while her condition grew more serious, answers started to come. Along with her depression Allison was having intense internal pain. Her doctor discovered that there was an existing physical reason, a condition that was treatable. Subsequently, Allison had the first of three major surgeries. Much of her depression was biochemically produced by her medical problems. Today she has normal ups and downs, but the quality of her life and our marriage were radically changed for the better. God answered prayer.
—Bob Beltz in Becoming a Man of Prayer
Respond:
Thank God for answers.
Thought to Apply:
Where a man belongs is up early and alone with God seeking vision and direction for his family.
—John Piper (pastor)
Adapted from Becoming a Man of Prayer (Shaw, 1999).
NOTE: For your convenience, Becoming a Man of Prayer is available in the ChristianityToday.com Shopping Channel.
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Prayer for the Week |
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I praise you, Father, because you are at work in my family.
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