Christmas Gift Ideas for Pastor's Wives. . .

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

~ II Corinthians 1:3-5

This has been my "Life Verse" for many years . . . even before becoming a pastor's wife. And over the last few years, I've learned something: Most people in ministry have similar convictions. And . . . sometimes those people who have made God's Kingdom their life's work become so busy in their obedience to the work of their church or ministry, that they become a stranger to the God of their work.

Ministry pulls at its servants both positively and negatively in terms of our own spiritual walk. Satan attacks ministry in the most unsuspecting ways and through the most unsuspecting people. It is not easy work. Obedience to God's call brings great reward, unspeakable joy, untold heartache, indescribable sorrow, and an immense void filled only by solitude. The solitude is hard to find . . . .

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

~ Luke 5:16

One of the best Christmas gifts you could give your pastor's wife -- and her husband! -- is to let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifices made and difficulties faced - most of them completely unbeknownst to those around them. AND that you understand the need for solitude and refreshment for the soul.

Bless your pastor's family this year with a simple Christmas card expressing these sentiments in your own words.

And as for those great gift ideas:

(. . . and yes, they're all books. What ministry family doesn't love books?)

Celebration of Disciplines by Richard Foster
Resting Places by Jane Rubietta
Quiet Places by Jane Rubietta
Come Closer by Jane Rubietta
Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton
Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels

More Good Gift Ideas HERE.

And finally. . . For the creative gifters: An appropriate and beautiful quote from Max Lucado to fit into you Christmas gift this year. . . On Obedience:

“You’ve stood where Joseph stood. Caught between what God says and what makes sense. You’ve done what he told you to do only to wonder if it was him speaking in the first place.” … “If you are asking what Joseph asked, let me urge you to do what Joseph did. Obey. That’s what he did. He obeyed. He obeyed when the angel called. He obeyed when Mary explained. He obeyed when God sent.”
~ Max Lucado

From “Joseph’s Prayer" in The Heart of Christmas

~ A Pastor's Wife

A Prayer for Wisdom. . .

I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

- Psalm 119:99

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

- James 1:5-6

Pray that your pastor's wife will use discernment through wise use of Scripture as she counsels people, teaches, and supports the ministries of the church. Pray that she would rely on God's power and not her own as she fulfills her various responsibilities throughout the day.

Sadly, There is much unwise counsel in the world today. Even in the Christian community. We live in a world of information overload - where just about anyone can be an "expert" on anything. Too many of us take pieces of information as truth without considering the source or comparing its idea and intention with God's Word.

Pray that as an extension of her husband's ministry, your pastor's wife would avoid the pull of the world with its popular psychology and false models of "spirituality." Spiritual matters will ultimately decided a person's eternity! Shouldn't the counsel come from the one and only source of Truth?

Pray that your pastor's wife will have discernment through the wise use of God's Word when she is helping people in need.

- A Pastor's Wife

A Prayer for Her Friends. . .

...with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

- Psalm 55:14

I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.

- Psalm 119:63

Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your pastor's wife. Pray too that her children would choose godly friends who come from God-fearing homes. Pray that her friends and acquaintances would be able to strengthen her and her family for ministry as well as provide meaningful fellowship and accountability.

When you study the Old Testament, you uncover just how many ungodly people there are in this world. When you study the New Testament, you learn that God's Kindom workers are under attack. The pool of godly friends is certainly not plentiful in the world and this is one of the saddest realization for those in ministry. (Ungodly people -- Surprise! --even attend church!) Some pastor's wifes are hesitant to make friends in the church . If your pastor's wife seems stand-offish', try to understand why. Pray that God will bring her godly friends. BE a godly friend. If she has friends, pray for them.

Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your pastor's wife. Send her a note that includes the above Scripture and tell her how you've prayed.

- A Pastor's Wife

How To Pray For Your Pastor's Wife

Praying for Your Pastor's Wife

by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

A pastor’s wife is often in the shadow of the man who fills the pulpit every Sunday. Most of the time, she is pleased that God has called her husband to this place of selfless service, but there are days when she wishes for a more “normal” life.

She listens to her husband’s dreams for the ministry, and creates a safe haven for him when it seems he has no friends. She loves and respects him, prays for him, and serves him. But who will listen to, encourage, and pray for her needs?

Most people focus on the needs of their pastor, but one of the greatest gifts a congregation can give to their pastor is to pray for and care for his wife and family. We must never forget that pastors’ wives are human. They face the same challenges as other women in the congregation. They are tempted to sin, grow weary in ministry, and often struggle to balance their roles and responsibilities.

Your pastor’s wife needs encouragement, friendships, support, practical help, and most of all, earnest prayer. Your prayers are crucial to her spiritual and emotional health, and God will reward your efforts to cover your pastor’s wife in prayer.

If you accept the challenge to pray for your pastor’s wife, let her know that you are praying for her. Ask her if she has specific prayer requests. The following prayer guide with accompanying Scriptures offers some practical ways to pray for her.

1. Pray that your pastor’s wife will love God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in her heart in power, and that she will value and follow biblical priorities. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)

2. Pray that she will cultivate strong character and uncompromising integrity. Pray that her testimony will be genuine, and that she will guard her heart. (1 Tim. 1:5; 3:7; Prov. 4:23)

3. Pray for her personal walk with God—that her soul and spirit will be nourishedand strengthened in her times with Him. Pray that she will spend more time in the Word of God than in reading Christian books and articles. (2 Tim. 2:15-16; Ps. 119:7)

4. Pray that your pastor’s wife will counsel and teach with discernment through the wise use of Scripture and faith in God’s power. (Ps. 119:99; James 1:5-6)

5. Ask God to protect her marriage and keep it strong as a model of the Church’ssubmission to Christ. Pray that she will respect and practice godly submission to herhusband’s leadership, and that her husband will love and cherish her. (Eph. 5:23-33)

6. Pray that God will protect your pastor’s wife from discouragement and bitterness when she or her husband faces inevitable criticism. Pray that she will trust in the wisdom of the Word of God to answer her critics, and commit herself into the hands of God, who judges righteously. (Heb. 12:15; Ps. 119:42; Col. 4:6; Prov. 31:26; 1 pet. 2:23)

7. Pray that your pastor’s wife will remember truth and practical principles from the Word of God during times of trial, and that the Scriptures will bring her comfort. Pray that the Word will become her delight and song when circumstances are tough. (Ps. 119:28, 52)

8. Ask God to protect your pastor’s wife from the evil plots of Satan. Pray that she will not be corrupted as she rubs shoulders with the world. (John 17:15; Isa. 54:17; Ps. 91:9-11)

9. Pray that God will build a hedge of protection around her marriage, and that sheand her husband will be aware of the potential for any improper relationships. Pray that their family time will be protected. (Matt. 19:6; Prov. 31:11a; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

10. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be morally pure and that she will wear the armor of God so that she will not fall into sexual temptation. Ask God to guard her heart concerning the use of free time, and that she will be especially discerning in her use of emails, the internet, television, and other media. (Rom. 13:14; Eph. 6:10-18)

11. Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your pastor’s wife and her family, to strengthen them for the ministry and to provide meaningful fellowship,accountability, and times of rest. (Ps. 55:14; 119:63)

12. Pray that she will be a woman of prayer and worship, and that she will lead byexample—teaching women how to walk in a close relationship with the Father.(1 Thes. 5:17; Acts 1:14a; Mark 1:35; Matt. 4:10; Titus 2:4-5)

13. Your pastor’s wife is a busy woman. Pray that she will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect her health, especially in the areas of exercise, eating moderately, and getting sufficient rest. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:27; 6:19-20; 10:13; Prov.31:17)

14. Pray that your pastor’s wife will focus on the Word of God and walk by faith in the fear of the Lord—rather than the fear of man. Pray that she will not seek acceptance from others or compare herself with them, but that she will discover true freedom in her position in Christ. (Prov. 19:23; 31:30; Heb. 11:6; 2 Tim. 2:15; Ps. 119:45; Eph. 1:3-12)

15. Pray that she will cooperate with her husband in providing godly leadership in their home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to scriptural truth. (Eph.6:4; Col. 3:20-21) (If your pastor’s wife does not have children, pray that God will give her many “spiritual children” as she shares the truth of God’s Word.)

16. Pray that her children will be taught of the Lord and experience His peace. Pray that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. (Isa. 54:13)

17. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be an example of contentment, thankful for God’s supply. Pray that her sufficiency will be in God’s abounding grace. (1 Tim. 6:6, 8)

18. Ask God to provide for the financial needs of your pastor and his family. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be a wise steward in caring for her family and using funds entrusted to her care. Pray that her heart will be turned away from selfish gain and worthless things. (Phil. 4:19; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6:11; Ps. 37:25; 119:36-37)

19. Pray that your pastor’s wife will use time wisely, seek God’s perspective for herschedule and priorities, and guard against unnecessary interruptions. Pray that she will seek and obey God’s will, rather than trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5; Ps. 90:12; Prov. 31:27)

20. Ask God to remind her of the hope and refuge God offers her each day. Pray that she will be encouraged in God, knowing that He is a firm, secure anchor for her soul.(Ps. 9:9-10; Ps. 42:5; 71:14; Heb. 6:19a)

21. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be wise in her conversations, choosing her words carefully to encourage respect for her husband and the church, and to edify her sisters in the Lord. Pray that she will know how to respond to gossip, and that she will always speak with kindness and compassion. (Prov. 21:23; 31:26; 1 Pet. 3:10; Prov. 11:13)

22. Pray that she will serve others with God’s agape love and encourage them with Hiswisdom and compassion. (Gal. 5:13b; Phil. 2:3-4; Prov. 31:20)

23. Pray for spiritual unity between the pastor’s wife and others in the church—especially other staff members’ wives. Pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstanding in any way. (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 12:25)

24. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be clothed with strength and dignity. Pray that she will have a gentle and gracious spirit, and represent the Lord well as His ambassador.(Prov. 31:25a; 2 Cor. 5:20a; 1 Pet. 3:4)

25. Pray that your pastor’s wife will seek God for personal revival and revival in your church and community. Pray that she will quickly repent when she sins or strays from her Good Shepherd’s side, and that she learn the will and ways of God. (2 hron. 7:14)

26. Pray that your pastor’s wife will think biblically—with the mind of Christ—and practice the expression of her faith with boldness in places of influence. (Ps.119:46)

27. Pray that she will earnestly seek God’s will and be committed to instant and complete obedience—ready for God to work powerfully in and through her life and ministry. (1 Sam. 15:22; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Luke 9:23-24)

28. Pray that she will strive for personal excellence as a “Proverbs 31” woman, and will believe God to accomplish His will in her as a virtuous woman. (Prov. 31:10-31)

29. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be a woman of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit. (1 John 4:18; Prov. 3:5-6)

30. Pray that the Word will be her counselor, and that she will serve the Lord with gladness, and encourage others to worship with a joyful, surrendered spirit. (Isa. 61:3; Ps. 119:24)

31. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be humble and authentic in her faith, not given to pride or hypocrisy. Pray that she will have pure motives and give God glory for every gain or victory. (Mic. 6:8; Gal. 6:14; John 7:17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13)