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MALACHI 4:5-6 THE FAMILY AS GOD'S CHOSEN VESSEL FOR WARFARE I. GOD'S PLAN

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.(Mt. 28:19-20) A. B. God has a very definite purpose to disciple the nations. God has a very specific plan or strategy in His heart concerning His purpose to disciple the nations. There are four general spheres of this plan. The first sphere involves godly individuals filled with the grace of God. The second sphere is the godly family which is made up of godly individuals. The third sphere is the corporate unified city church. The fourth sphere is the society itself that is ruled by civil government. Summary: Godly individuals produce godly families which unify to result in unified churches that become the light set on a hill to affect the entire social order (Mt. 5:13-15).

C. II.

RESTORATION OF ALL

and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:20-21) A. B. The personal return of Jesus is related to God's commitment to restore all things. The "all things" spoken of by the prophets refers to the restoration of society and the restoration of the church. This is a central theme of millennial teaching. At Jesus return He will personally govern a worldwide Kingdom from Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of God will be openly and globally manifest affecting every sphere of life (political, social, agricultural, economic, spiritual, educational, law enforcement, family, media, arts, technology, athletics, environment, social institutions, etc.). All things will be restored. The restoration of the church is the primary vehicle that God will use to restore society (Mt. 5:13-15; 16:18-19; 28:19-20; 1 Tim. 3:15). God has a plan to fully restore the church (Eph. 3:19; 4:13; 5:27) How will this restoration occur? Jesus prophesied that Elijah will come to restore all things (Mt. 17:10-13; Mal. 4:5-6). Malachi had also prophesied the coming of Elijah before the Day of the Lord. Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. (Mt. 17:11)

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Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. (Mal. 4:5) 1. The coming of Elijah, like the coming of Jesus and the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit, is released in two stages. This created confusion with Jesus disciples in Mk. 9:11-13. Jesus claimed that John was Elijah (Mk. 9:11-13; Mt. 11:13-15; 17:10-13) and then added that Elijah will come another time. Also, John claimed that he was not Elijah. The solution is given by Gabriel said, "The spirit of Elijah would rest upon John." The anointing and purpose of Elijah was upon John. And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." (Jn. 1:21) And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 12 Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him." (Mk. 9:11-13) 2. The spirit of Elijah was upon John the Baptist thus fulfilling this prophecy in part at the first coming of Jesus. The Old Testament promises of a coming Messiah will not be fully fulfilled until Jesus comes in glory as a reigning King over the nations. Thus, Elijah's coming was to be related to both aspects of Jesus' coming. First, the spirit of Elijah was upon John at Jesus' first coming. Then the full release of Elijah is related to Jesus' second coming in full glory. It is apparent that John did not see the full restoration of all things that was spoken by Jesus about Elijah's coming. Peter related the restoration of all things to a time period after John and Jesus' death (Acts 3:21).

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E.

Malachi 4:5-6 reveals a key strategy in God the Fathers end time plan of restoration. Imagine what things God could highlight in this passage? Government. Religious institutions. God hones in on the foundational reality of the family. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (Mal. 4:5-6)

F.

God wants to restore families as a key strategy in His restoration of Gods people and society. Malachi specifically defines the restoration promised by God as restoring fathers to children and then children to fathers.

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1.

This is an outstanding promise. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 warns us that in the end times perilous times will come and the people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unforgiving . . . . Jesus warns us that the love of many will grow cold and that a father will betray his child and children will betray their parents (Mk. 13:12). Daniel 10:1 speaks of the great warfare that will come in the end times. 1 Tim. 4:3 states that even marriage will be forbidden. Running simultaneously with these disheartening words about disobedient children filled with pride and rebellion and the illegalizing of marriage is Malachis promise that the Spirit will be operating in the Church to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers. The restoration of the family is the key factor in the restoration of the church and society.

2.

3. G.

The Lord is restoring fatherhood as the foundation of mature ministry. At the heart of the story of the gospel is a heavenly Father who wants a family and a heavenly Bridegroom who wants a bride. 1. God is revealing His own Fatherhood to the nations. How? a. The Father revealed Himself when He sent His Son as the very radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His person. One of the Messiahs main titles in Is. 9:6 is Everlasting Father. Jesus did not act like a father. His very name and nature is one of an everlasting father. Jesus defined His entire ministry in Jn. 17:26 as that of revealing the Father. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6) "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." . . . He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (Jn. 14:7-9) And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it . . . (Jn. 17:26) b. The Father pours out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Rom. 5:5) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (Rom. 8:15-16)

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c. By bringing forth men in the church filled with His Fathers heart. God wants more than us to long for a fatherly, tender heart in our quiet times. He wants to manifest His fathers heart in and through us, starting with our own children. 2. God will restore natural fathers to their natural children even in a generation filled with divorce. God will reconcile these hurting relationships. Divorce is killing both the Churchs witness and its fruitfulness. God wants to reestablish strong families and has committed His end time resources to restore and strengthen families. Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously." (Mal. 2:14-16) 3. Before Christs return the Lord will establish men in a fathering role to children that are not even physically related to them, thus revealing His heart toward His people. It is supernatural for men to deeply care for other people's children. The present move of adoption is a supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit to restore the fathering heart back to the Church. George Whitfield often stated that the greatest thing he accomplished in his life was the orphanage he began in Georgia. Some may not be able to adopt a child into your family, yet may be able to adopt in your heart the kids on your block. I have committed in my heart to help strengthen the kids on my block in the grace of God. God will restore the spiritual fathers (Apostles, prophets, etc.) in the church that will lead the church to maturity (Eph. 4:11-13). The apostles and prophets of our generation will be fully established as men filled with the heart and wisdom of a father (1 Thess. 2:11; 1 Cor. 4:14-15; 1 Jn. 2:13-14). as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:11-12) For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Cor. 4:15) 6. True ministry and authority in God's house begins with men functioning as fathers (1 Tim.3:4-5). Men must manifest the combination of wisdom and gentleness in their relationship to training their children. This is a great invitation given by the Lord.

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7.

Having a fathers heart is not based upon your marital status. Jesus possessed a father's heart in ministry as a young, single man (Isa. 9:6; Mk. 10:13-16). If you are a single man, you do not have to wait to cultivate a fathers heart. Give yourself to serving young people right now.

III.

THE FAMILY AS GOD'S CHOSEN VESSEL FOR DOMINION A. God entrusted the Dominion Mandate to Adam and Eve as a family unit. They were to subdue the earth for God through godly offspring (Gen. 1:26-28). The promise given to Abraham is that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him (Gen.12:3). 1. The truth of the Incarnation is a great mystery. The truth that the Incarnation was dependent upon family lines is also a great mystery. 4000 years of family history passed before the promise of Gen. 3:15 would come forth. Jesus called brothers/families into ministry (Peter and Andrew, James and John, Mary and James and Jude).

2. B.

Whoever influences our children will rule our nation. 1. 2. The media and the public school system are fighting to control the children so that it can control the nation. The future of a movement is determined by their ability to train children to become like them. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2) 3. God is strategically restoring fatherhood in the church at this critical period of human history. The church will triumph over all the powers of hell. The restoration of fatherhood is foundational to our victory.

C.

What men believe about their individual responsibility as fathers to their natural and spiritual children is one of the most significant issues to settle in seeking to expand the Kingdom of God. 1. Families without committed fathers, churches that permit their men to neglect the children (especially the children of single mothers), and ministries lacking a father's heart and wisdom are greatly ineffective in restoring the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. The Dominion mandate entrusted to the church depends upon godly men cooperating with the Holy Spirit until a father's heart is fully established in them.

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D.

God requires men (single, married, young, and old) to function as fathers in the House of God. The enormous commitment of time and energy necessary to properly train children is required by God. Being graced by God with a father's wisdom and gentleness is one of the great privileges of men in this generation (Deut. 6:6-7). And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deut. 6:6-7)

E.

The training imparted by fathers ultimately determines the success or failure of the church in any given generation. The condition of the church ultimately determines the success or failure of society in any given generation.

IV.

THE FAMILY AS GOD'S CHOSEN VESSEL FOR WARFARE (PS. 127) A. Most ministries focus on the members who have the greatest resources and that can make our ministry footprints larger and extend our influence. This is because they lack the foresight of understanding the long-term impact that investing in the children and youth will have on the city and nations. The family unit is a fully engaged, independent, creative cell for the advancement of the kingdom. God is building a house (v.1). Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 1. 2. C. The Lord is committed to restoring the house of individual families and the corporate house of God. We must totally commit to building what God builds. The building of individual families or estates involves many spiritual, social, economic, education, and emotional issues.

B.

We must believe God and resist anxiety (v. 1-2) 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 1. We build our families in faith instead of fear that drives us to anxiously overwork ourselves in building our families. Hard b/c of various storylines with children. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

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2.

God promises to intervene in the building of our homes. It is vain to overwork and it is presumptuous to under work in this area. God will reveal to us the balance of wisdom if we ask Him (Jas. 1:5). If we do our simple part of obedience, the Lord will do His part, which is the largest. We must walk in faith praying and believing Gods promises.

3. D.

Children are a gift and a reward from God (v.3) 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 1. The trend today is to see children as interrupting our careers and our time for leisure and recreation. Many people wrongly choose career, money, a bigger house, and more free time over having more children. Rachel challenging me about children. God desires that we see all the children that he entrusts to us as gifts and rewards. This is a spiritual revelation. God has temporarily entrusted children to us as individual families and as a corporate church. We are our brother's keeper (Gen. 4:9) and therefore together we bear the concern for all the children given to us as a corporate church. Our children's ministry is the responsibility of all the saints in this Body of believers. We see this responsibility as a privilege because God has given us a multitude of children as a reward and gift for our faithfulness to Him. Adopting your block or neighborhood.

2.

E.

Each child is a unique weapon in God's battle against Satan (v. 4) 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 1. 2. Each arrow was individually made by the warrior who used it. We must see each child's unique potential in God's purpose. Each child entrusted to us must be individually cared for, loved, and trained in order to fulfill their special Godgiven role in the future battle. The future of this people rests upon the quality in which we train our children as a corporate church. No one can afford to neglect this vital role in our ministry in the church. There is a serious battle and a serious enemy. God has given His army powerful weapons called arrows. The arrows are our children individually and corporately who are being prepared to minister God's grace to the nations. These arrows are the young apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors, elders, deacons, scientists, doctors, lawyers, media messengers, song writers, etc. being prepared for tomorrow. Imagine the privilege of the people who aided the Apostle Johns parents in nurturing John in his childhood.

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F.

God's norm is many children (v. 5) 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. 1. 2. 3. 4. It is much wiser to have a multitude of arrows in the battle. The humanist, abortionist, and feminist are destroying their arrows for tomorrow's battle. God is prophetically awakening the church to a general trend of having larger families instead of smaller families. There will be many God-ordained exceptions to this rule. The population will be shifting from the ungodly majority to the godly minority. This is a strategic and prophetic reality with very powerful consequences for righteousness in the years ahead.

G.

Social Influence (v. 5) 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. 1. A large godly family has many trusted relationships in a community. These trustworthy reputations and social connections will make a significant difference in the influence of their family name in their community. Such a family does not need to be ashamed or afraid when enemies bring them to the gate (city authorities) because their family has a reputations and influence for righteousness which will give them favor before the authorities. My sons are my brothers. Example: A man with eight godly married children may be joined by marriage to eight other godly families who may also have similar joining to other godly families. God will grant great social influence to such families when He adds prosperity, anointing, and wisdom to such a network of relationships. The God-fearing man who trains his children may be greatly prospered and blessed. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6 Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel! (Ps. 128:1-6)

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Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. (Ps. 112:1-2) 5. The society with godly families will be blessed. That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style; 13 That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields; 14 That our oxen may be well-laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets. 15 Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! (Ps. 144:12-15) V. THE ONSLAUGHT OF THE EVIL ONE AGAINST THE FAMILY A. The evil one has assaulted the very foundation of the dominion mandate by attacking the family structure. From the very beginning Satan has worked to sow discord in marriages and turn brother against brother. Presently, America as a whole, including the Church is feeling the effect of this warfare. We have lost our key weapons in the battle our children! The latest US Census Bureau has revealed disturbing trends in our nation.

B.

Americans strongly believe that having a father and a mother in the home is essential to a childs happiness, although a significant minority of the nations children still live at least part of their formative years without their fathers in the home.1 1. 2. America had 74.7 million children under age 18 in 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Approximately 27 percent, or 19.8 million, lived with only one parent, in most instances their mother. About 23 percent of children lived with their mothers but not fathers. This included 50 percent of black children, 26 percent of Hispanic children, 17 percent of nonHispanic white children and 8 percent of Asian children. Ten percent of children living with two parents, or 5.3 million, lived with a biological parent and a stepparent. Most of these children (4.1 million) lived with their mother and a stepfather. 1 in 10 children live in their grandparents home. These shocking statistics have caused the current administration to call this the Year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families.

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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/16/dad-mom-in-home-is-essential-americans-say.

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5.

The National Fatherhood Initiative exhorts, Right now, there are 24 million children living in a home without their biological father. These children are more likely to live in poverty, drop out of school, engage in risky behaviors, and suffer from emotional and behavioral issues.2 Running simultaneously with these disheartening words about disobedient children filled with pride and rebellion and the illegalizing of marriage is Malachis promise that the Spirit will be operating in the Church to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. God has an answer to the crisis. It is the spirit and power of Elijah resting upon the Christian home.

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VI.

FIVE WAYS FOR US AS FATHERS TO TURN OUR HEARTS TO OURCHILDREN A. The Lord wants to turn our hearts. First, as fathers we must ask the Lord to turn our hearts toward the children. The Lord is inviting us into a season of prayer, reflection, repentance, and acts of love. We must ask the Lord to give us His heart for our children. There is a required turning. Most generations are willing to sell out their childrens legacy for their short-term gratification (i.e. Hezekiah in Is. 39:6-8, David and Bathsheba). The Testimony of My Dad and My Subsequent Salvation.

And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.'" 8 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "At least there will be peace and truth in my days." (Is. 39:7-8) Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' 11 "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.' " (2 Sam. 12:10-12) B. Second, we must turn our hearts to our children by understanding the importance of building a family altar. Abraham walked the land and built altars of worship that attracted the presence of God to the land. In fact, throughout Genesis the children of Israel would have encounters in the very locations which Abraham built altars unto the Lord. 1. We want to build altars of worship in our homes which attract the presence of God and lead to encounters for our children. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph had encounters and dreams in places where Abraham worshipped.

http://www.fatherhood.org. See this website for even more alarming statistics on the effects of fatherlessness in the home.

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2.

As a father do you have a prophetic history and are you forming a prophetic history with your family? Is the family tracing the beautiful storyline of Gods redemptive hand? Are you building altars of worship that your children and grand children will have encounters around? We are to facilitate an atmosphere in our hearts that cultivate a prophetic, watchful spirit. Fathers are to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Ive seen more homes where the wife is prophetically sharp but the husband has a dull, lethargic spirit. This must change. We have no idea the power of when a father has a watchful spirit (Jer. 35 Rechabites).

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Third, we must take the primary responsibility to train and equip our children in the ways of the Lord. We are not to wait for the Church program to reform our wayward children. Story of God speaking to me about my three children fulfilling what He put in my heart. 1. Paul only gives two admonitions to fathers in the New Testament. He repeats the first twice, exhorting fathers not to provoke their children to wrath (Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21). Fathers are tempted to enforce obedience through both severity and displays of anger. The second is to bring up your children in the training and admonition of the Lord. Paul declares that it is the fathers responsibility to take on the spiritual development of his children and to do so in a spirit of humility and loving instruction, not in religious harshness. We must teach our children how to pray and worship through relationship. Continually look for ways to call your children forth other than religious or planned settings. Provide your children with some heroes and pay young adults to take your kids out for coffee and provoke them through testimonies and the Word. Embrace a missionary life versus a western professional minister vocation. Missionary families do it together. Take your kids with you, not as a cute thing but as an integral part of doing the Lords will.

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Fourth, we must understand the great weapons for the Lord in our children and the great battle raging to destroy our marriages and families. We must reflect upon our childrens created design and call them forth in those areas, giving them a vision for how God may use them. The 1 Tim. 4:12 Challenge Samuel Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12)

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I, Allen Hood, am extending a month challenge to my son, Samuel Jackson Hood. This challenge will call upon all of Samuels internal and external resources. He will have to exert spiritual might, emotional fortitude, self-control, and physical strength. It will call for unusual levels of humility, goodwill, creativity, and endurance. When the challenge is completed after one month, he will receive a reward of $50. 1. 2. 3. 4. E. Brotherly Love Challenge Spiritual Might Challenge Humility and Honoring Challenge Physical Strength Challenge

Fifth, we must turn our hearts to our children by maintaining an unwavering commitment to our wives. Band of Brothers. The bloodiest and most violent battle fields in history were not at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, or the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. They are in our homes, our bedrooms, and our minds at work. We must commit to faithfulness in the marriage and home. 1. We must commit to financially provide for our families. The Bible states that a man that fails to provide for his family has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim. 5:8) 2. The responsibility for the building of a family altar begins with the husbands treatment of his wife. Everything hinges upon this reality. If the husband does not serve and cherish his wife, he will not have a spirit of prayer upon his life. This is why the prayer rooms of the earth are predominately made up of women. Without the spirit of prayer upon the man, the effectiveness of the family altar will be greatly reduced. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7) 3. Scripture calls us to understand and honor our wife as equal partners or heirs in the kingdom. Any man who fails to do this will be hindered in his prayer life. We must give her equal respect in the kingdom as co-heirs in the grace of God. Growing in prayer is linked to honoring and understanding women. The end-time prayer movement is a movement to honor marriage. We commit to understand and honor our wife regardless of how we feel about her romantically.

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