Good morning everyone! I am back from my short trip to the mountains. I missed you all.

This past week I shared about the 30 day prayer challenge that Amy at Dandelion Seeds started (SHMILY = See How Much I Love You). We are supposed to pray a chapter a day from The Power of a Praying Wife (Stormie Omartian) over our husbands.

I wanted to share some tidbits that all married women need to hear about our husbands sexuality. Ok, so maybe I JUST NEEDED TO READ IT — ha. Seriously, it was a good reminder.

One thing Stormie learned after praying with women the past 20 years is that a frequent sexual relationship is often a low priority in a woman’s mind because SO MANY other things scream for her attention: Raising children, work, finances, managing a home, emotional stress, exhaustion, sickness, marital strife, etc … For a wife, sex comes out of affection. She doesn’t want to be affectionate with a man who makes her feel angry, hurt, lonely, disappointed, overworked, unsupported, uncared for, or abandoned (page 62). But for a husband, sex is pure need. Stormie states that a man’s eyes, ears, brain, and emotions get clouded if he doesn’t have that release. He has trouble hearing anything is wife says or seeing what she needs when that area of his being is neglected.

WE SHOULD MAKE SEX A PRIORITY IN OUR MARRIAGE. Whether we feel like it or not, the point is to meet the needs of our husbands and keep the lines of communication open. This will also build up our husbands because it is a very vulnerable area for them.

Ok, this post could really get long if I went into all of the scriptural basis behind this chapter (trust me, there is plenty), but THIS PART was the “reminder” that I thought some of us women could use: PAGE 64

When your husband communicates what he has in mind, don’t roll your eyes and sigh (ha). Stormie suggested we say, “Okay, give me 15 minutes” (or however long we need). We should use that time to make ourselves feel more attractive. Put on scented body lotion or our husband’s favorite perfume. Comb our hair, make our face look fresh … lip gloss, blush. Slip into lingerie (which will help cover some of the imperfections that make us feel self-conscious). I needed this reminder because I usually take off all of my makeup in my prep time and this convicted me a little. Ok, for MIMI and others who don’t wear makeup … no big deal. :o) But for me, my eyes suddenly disappear without eye-liner. lol

Stormie suggested that while we are preparing, we should ask God to give us renewed energy, strength, vitality, and a good attitude. She reminded us that this was a small investment of our time and we would see great rewards in our marriage.

Oh, and one little OUCHIE near the end of the chapter — KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY AND ATTRACTIVE. She stated that even if we don’t think highly enough of ourselves to take care of our bodies, that we should do it as an act of kindness for our husbands (ouch). Ok, that is all I’ll say about that (ducking head and moving slowly away from the computer).

If any of my married men friends have read this and are brave enough to comment — I’d love to know if you feel Stormie is “right on” or not.

God bless our marriages. BTW … IF you are interested in some great godly discussions about sex and marriage — hop over to this great blog: Adding Zest to your Nest.