How often do our prayers start with a “thank You,” and then shift pretty quickly into all the things we need from God? That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Philippians 4:6 tells us we should bring our requests to God—He invites us to. But, if we’re honest, we can easily slip into a pattern of only going to Him for what He can do, not just to be with Him. It’s subtle, but it happens.

We treat God like a provider more than a person. And while He is our Provider, He’s also so much more. He’s our Father. Our Shepherd. Our Friend.

In Luke 10, there’s a moment between two sisters, Mary and Martha, which makes this crystal clear. Martha is running around, doing all the “good” things to serve Jesus. Meanwhile, Mary just sits at His feet and listens. Martha gets frustrated and asks Jesus to make Mary help her. 

But Jesus responds gently:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).

Martha was doing for Jesus. Mary was being with Jesus. And Jesus said Mary chose the better thing.

It’s not that serving is wrong. But presence matters more than performance. Sitting with Jesus will always be more important than producing for Him.

When we pray, we sometimes rush to the asking and miss the opportunity to just abide. There is a direct connection in Scripture between peace and God’s presence—not answered prayers.

In Philippians 4:6–7, after Paul tells us to present our requests, he says:

“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

The result of prayer isn’t just provision. It’s peace. And that peace comes from God Himself—not from everything working out the way we wanted.

We see this beautifully in Exodus 33. God tells Moses He’ll send Israel into the Promised Land, but He’s not going to go with them. 

Moses says:

“If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” (Exodus 33:15).

In other words: We don’t want the promised land if You’re not in it.

That’s the heart posture we want too. We don’t want to settle for answered prayers without closeness to the One who answers them. 

Jesus models this for us in John 6. After feeding the five thousand, the crowd follows Him around asking for more bread. Jesus tells them:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

The Jesus says,
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). They wanted what He could give. He offered them Himself. 

Are we seeking what Jesus can do, or are we seeking Jesus? Would you still want God’s blessings if His presence wasn’t part of it? Try praying without a list. Just worship. Just sit with Him. Just be. Because, at the end of the day, His presence is the provision.

Join us as we dive into God’s Word together and discover His heart for prayer. This five-week Bible reading plan will help you learn to pray the way Jesus taught—with confidence, clarity, and Kingdom focus. Click Here to access the When You Pray: Bible Reading Plan.

There’s a reason little children instinctively reach up when they want to be picked up. They know they are small, and they believe—with full confidence—that the one above them will respond. That’s the heart of prayer: not a performance, not a religious task, but a child reaching for his Father. Yet how often do we forget this posture? When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He didn’t start with a list or a ritual; He started with a relationship: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9).

The Posture of a Child

Jesus didn’t teach us to begin our prayers with “Almighty Judge” or “Distant Creator” (though God is both just and mighty). He taught us to begin with “Father.” That word alone reshapes our entire posture.

Children don’t worry about saying the perfect thing to a good father; they simply speak, trusting they will be heard. Scripture affirms this identity: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). In prayer, we come not as strangers but as sons and daughters—welcomed, known, and loved.

The Posture of the Father

But just as we come with childlike posture, God responds with perfect fatherly posture. He is not reluctant. He is not too busy. He isn’t annoyed by your requests. Instead, “you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:15).

“Abba” is intimate. It's the language of toddlers—like “Daddy.” And yet, it’s paired with a Father who is also holy, sovereign, and enthroned in heaven. It’s a staggering combination: deep closeness with complete majesty.

The Freedom to Come Near

Too many of us hesitate to pray because we think God only wants to hear from us when we’ve had a “good week.” But your access to God was never based on your performance. It’s based on His gracious adoption. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

If we truly grasped this, prayer wouldn’t be a burden. It would be our breath.

An Invitation to Intimacy

Maybe you’ve been approaching God like a boss to impress rather than a Father to trust. Maybe prayer has become a formula, a check-box, or a last resort. But today, the invitation still stands: Come as a child. Speak with your Father. Because if “we are children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” then prayer is not just about getting something from God, but being with God (Romans 8:17).

Let’s return to the posture of a child—and rediscover the joy of talking to a Father who always leans in.

You have probably heard Percy Sledge’s chart-topping R&B hit released in 1966 called “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Today, instead of learning about when a man loves a woman, I want us to learn about how a man should love a woman. How does God want a man to love his wife?

Whereas the wife is called to submit (something we unpacked in THIS blog post), the husband is most certainly NOT called to rule or dictate. Rather, in a beautiful twist, he is called to love. We will look at three specific ways this should play out in marriage according to Ephesians 5:25-33.

First, a Christian husband is to love his wife sacrificially (v. 25).

Of all the metaphors God could have chosen to lead Paul to write, He chose the most beautiful act of love to ever exist. Christ’s love for the church is seen in His willingness to lay down His own life to give her life. The command is to love one’s wife. It is not a feeling or emotion. It is an exercise of the will. While a man cannot do this without the power of God working in him, the Christian husband serious about obeying his Savior MUST love his wife.

Next, Paul tells us that a Christian husband is to love his wife intentionally (vv. 26-27).

The ideal of the All-American husband is a guy who loves his wife, stays faithful to her, provides for her, and makes her feel special. These are all worthy and moral intentions. The missing piece, however, is the spiritual desire and intentionality to see her grow to be more like Christ. This is what makes a Christian husband distinctive from a moral husband. Only a Christian husband has access to the Holy Spirit through a personal relationship with Christ. Therefore, only a Christian husband can be used by God to nurture and grow his wife.

Certainly, a husband is not his wife’s Savior. He cannot do what only the Holy Spirit can do in her life. But he can lead and love her just as Christ leads and loves the church. As he does this, his wife can be drawn closer to Christ because of his life, love, and leadership.

I love what John Piper has to say about this passage of Scripture and being the head of the home: “Headship is leadership. Headship is the divine calling of a husband to take primary responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership, protection and provision in the home.” This call to headship implies an incredible opportunity to lead. Leading one’s wife as a husband demands intentionality.

Lastly, the Christian husband is to love his wife intimately (vv. 28-33).

Oneness is stressed as Paul closes this passage. The church is one with Christ, and a husband is one with his wife. His love for her, therefore, ought to be as strong as any love he has for himself. The default desire of the human heart is to think about our own wants, needs, and desires first. But a man’s love for his wife should be so intimate that he learns to think about her just as naturally as he does himself.

I realize many men feel overwhelmed by the idea of spiritually leading their wives and families. If that is you, please allow my words to encourage you.

Leading spiritually has nothing to do with your personality or your past. Often, men think they have to sound and act like their pastor to be a spiritual leader. While pastors should be examples, there is a big difference between pastoring a church and leading your wife. Whether you feel like you are not well versed in the Bible, have strayed from God in the past, or have never had a good example to follow, God’s commands are not conditional. No matter where a man has been in the past, he can obey God, and God promises to empower his efforts.

The single greatest act of spiritual leadership in a husband’s life is simply being the lead follower of Christ in his home. He cannot lead his wife where he is not going himself.

Spiritually leading one’s wife happens in the ordinary motions of everyday life. It does not require mystical language or hidden practices. It is, however, best accomplished with other men who follow Christ. Men need and thrive with other men. A man serious about loving his wife intentionally should surround himself with other men devoted to the same high calling.

Statistically, wives will outlive their husbands. If this does happen, you want your wife to be able to look at your casket and say, “There is the body of a man who wasn’t perfect. But because he loved me and led me well, I’m more in love with the Lord Jesus, and I believe and trust God more because I watched this man walk with God.” This is the goal.

For more resources from Pastor D.J. Horton, or Living Worthy Ministries, click here.

Here are some short prayers written for the many different kinds of fathers—new fathers, faithful fathers, single fathers, spiritual fathers, grieving fathers, waiting fathers, and father figures.

New Fathers — Deuteronomy 31:6

Lord, thank you for the precious gift of new life and the sacred responsibility that comes with fatherhood. Strengthen this new dad as he learns to care for and lead his child. Give him wisdom beyond his years, patience for the long nights, and courage in the unknowns. Let him lean into your presence, knowing that you are with him every step of the way. May his home be a place of peace, laughter, and grace.
Amen.

Faithful Fathers — Galatians 6:9

Lord, thank you for the dad who shows up—day after day, year after year. The man who drives the carpool, prays over meals, works hard, and stays steady even when it’s unnoticed. Encourage his heart today. Renew his strength when he’s tired, and remind him that his consistency reflects your faithfulness. May he see the eternal impact of his quiet sacrifices.

Amen.

Single Fathers — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, be the strength of the single father—when he’s overwhelmed, when he feels the weight of doing it all, and when the loneliness sets in. Remind him that you go before him and surround him. Give him courage to ask for help and the humility to receive it. Fill the gaps with your grace, and may his children see in him a reflection of your love and perseverance.
Amen.

Spiritual Fathers — Proverbs 27:17

Lord, thank you for the spiritual fathers—the mentors, disciplers, and faithful leaders who speak truth, model integrity, and invest in others day by day. When they feel unseen or unsure if it’s making a difference, remind them: they are sharpening lives for your kingdom. Help them not lose heart in doing good. May they find encouragement in your Word, and may they one day see the fruit of their faithfulness in the lives they helped shape.
Amen.

Grieving Fathers — Psalm 34:18

Lord, for the dad carrying grief today—whether from the loss of a child, his own father, or a broken relationship—be near. Wrap him in your comfort. Let him know he is not alone in his sorrow, and that you are a God who weeps with those who weep. Bring healing in time, hope in the darkness, and peace that surpasses understanding.
Amen.

Waiting Fathers — Proverbs 13:12

Lord, for the man whose heart longs to be a father—meet him in the waiting. Whether he is facing infertility, adoption delays, or the ache of unanswered prayer, remind him that you are near to the brokenhearted and faithful to fulfill your promises. Give him strength to keep trusting, and surround him with community that speaks life and faith over his story.
Amen.

Father Figures — Psalm 112:1-2

Lord, thank you for the men who step into fatherly roles—mentors, coaches, uncles, grandfathers, and friends—who invest time, love, and wisdom into others. When this season feels challenging or their efforts seem unseen, remind them that their faithfulness is a blessing that impacts generations. May they find joy and strength in knowing that honoring you and walking in your ways leaves a lasting legacy far beyond what they can see.
Amen.

Here are some short prayers written for the many different kinds of fathers—new fathers, faithful fathers, single fathers, spiritual fathers, grieving fathers, waiting fathers, and father figures.

New Fathers — Deuteronomy 31:6

Lord, thank you for the precious gift of new life and the sacred responsibility that comes with fatherhood. Strengthen this new dad as he learns to care for and lead his child. Give him wisdom beyond his years, patience for the long nights, and courage in the unknowns. Let him lean into your presence, knowing that you are with him every step of the way. May his home be a place of peace, laughter, and grace.
Amen.

Faithful Fathers — Galatians 6:9

Lord, thank you for the dad who shows up—day after day, year after year. The man who drives the carpool, prays over meals, works hard, and stays steady even when it’s unnoticed. Encourage his heart today. Renew his strength when he’s tired, and remind him that his consistency reflects your faithfulness. May he see the eternal impact of his quiet sacrifices.

Amen.

Single Fathers — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, be the strength of the single father—when he’s overwhelmed, when he feels the weight of doing it all, and when the loneliness sets in. Remind him that you go before him and surround him. Give him courage to ask for help and the humility to receive it. Fill the gaps with your grace, and may his children see in him a reflection of your love and perseverance.
Amen.

Spiritual Fathers — Proverbs 27:17

Lord, thank you for the spiritual fathers—the mentors, disciplers, and faithful leaders who speak truth, model integrity, and invest in others day by day. When they feel unseen or unsure if it’s making a difference, remind them: they are sharpening lives for your kingdom. Help them not lose heart in doing good. May they find encouragement in your Word, and may they one day see the fruit of their faithfulness in the lives they helped shape.
Amen.

Grieving Fathers — Psalm 34:18

Lord, for the dad carrying grief today—whether from the loss of a child, his own father, or a broken relationship—be near. Wrap him in your comfort. Let him know he is not alone in his sorrow, and that you are a God who weeps with those who weep. Bring healing in time, hope in the darkness, and peace that surpasses understanding.
Amen.

Waiting Fathers — Proverbs 13:12

Lord, for the man whose heart longs to be a father—meet him in the waiting. Whether he is facing infertility, adoption delays, or the ache of unanswered prayer, remind him that you are near to the brokenhearted and faithful to fulfill your promises. Give him strength to keep trusting, and surround him with community that speaks life and faith over his story.
Amen.

Father Figures — Psalm 112:1-2

Lord, thank you for the men who step into fatherly roles—mentors, coaches, uncles, grandfathers, and friends—who invest time, love, and wisdom into others. When this season feels challenging or their efforts seem unseen, remind them that their faithfulness is a blessing that impacts generations. May they find joy and strength in knowing that honoring you and walking in your ways leaves a lasting legacy far beyond what they can see.
Amen.

Often, submission is seen as archaic and chauvinistic, and it is not a subject I take lightly or want to write about flippantly. As a husband to an incredible woman, the father to three beautiful daughters, and the pastor to a church filled with wonderful ladies, when I come to the teachings of the Bible directed at women, I work hard to be sensitive to the challenges they face.

Recently, while preaching on marriage, I unpacked a very familiar passage written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. He writes, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands” (Ephesians 5:22–24).

The book of Ephesians is not primarily about marriage; it is about the life we are supposed to live in Christ. The life you live for Christ touches every relationship you have: your relationships with God, your church, your children, and your spouse. Paul, mincing no words, says the primary way a woman relates to her husband should be characterized by humble submission. I realize passages like this can be misunderstood, misapplied, and, sadly, result in women being mistreated. For this reason, let me briefly explain what biblical submission does not mean in a woman’s life.

First, submission is NOT subservience. Subservience is defined as someone being useful in an inferior capacity. Submission, on the other hand, is defined as someone choosing to yield to authority and has nothing to do with worth or value.

Next, submission does NOT suppress women. Often submission is seen as archaic and chauvinistic. But a godly woman is most certainly NOT obligated to go out and blindly submit to all men in general. She is called to submit, first to her father and second to her husband.

Finally, submission does NOT spread sin.

Some argue that telling wives to submit to their husbands causes women to endure abuse and removes accountability for men. Unfortunately, all Scripture can be sinfully twisted, and my heart breaks that there are women who have been in volatile, and even violent, situations, only to have their husbands or irresponsible spiritual leaders throw submission in their faces. Clearly, acting sinfully or continually being treated sinfully in the name of submission is not biblical submission.

What does it mean to submit? We will use the acronym W.I.F.E. to help us look at four pillars of submission found in Ephesians 5:22-24.

Worship of true submission:

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (v. 22).

Paul is not saying women should worship their husbands the way they worship God. He is saying that submission is an act of worship to God because God has commanded it. Any act of obedience by any Christian is an act of worship.

Illustration of true submission:

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior” (v. 23).

Paul gives the illustration that wives are to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ. Again, submission of the church here is not referencing worship, but the way the church loves, honors, and respects Christ. There is a difference between submitting in your behavior and submitting in your attitude. Submitting to your husband will not always be easy. But if you submit with a heart full of resentment, you are saying with your attitude that you do not trust God, nor do you believe that He sees your heart and your struggles.

Faith of true submission:

“Now as the church submits to Christ...” (v. 24a).

Submission is not connected to having a perfect or worthy husband. A wife submits because her Heavenly Father has said this is her primary role inside of marriage. Her willingness to submit reveals that her trust is ultimately in the Lord.

Extent of true submission:

“...so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands” (v. 24b).

This is the most difficult part of the passage. In the original language of the text “in everything” means “in everything.” Without the discernment of the Holy Spirit, this can sound extraordinarily difficult, especially in situations where a husband does not have his wife’s best interests in mind. Nowhere in Scripture are we ever told that a husband should force submission. In other words, the command is always to the wife, not to the husband. Often in abusive situations, the husband is wrongfully and sinfully trying to force subservience.

We must go back to Paul’s letter as a whole and remember he goes on to write that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. (Ephesians 5:25)  And what did Christ do for the church? He died for the church. Husbands, if she is to submit to us in everything, we must lay down our lives and our agendas, making it our primary goal to love, protect, and nurture her. We must love and lead sacrificially. (I’ll share more on this in my next blog post, coming soon.) 

Finally, submission is not just for wives. A brief survey of the Bible shows that all Christians should submit often in their lives. To list a few examples, we are all commanded to submit to God’s Will, His Word, our spiritual leaders, our parents, and the laws of our governing authorities. No matter what the world tries to tell us, submission is not taboo or outdated. It is a beautiful thing to see a strong woman, secure in her identity in Christ, willingly offering her life and service to her husband and her family. Not only does this make for a strong family, but it is also a great advertisement for the power of the gospel, which is built on a Savior who submitted His life unto death for our salvation. 

For more resources from Pastor D.J. Horton, or Living Worthy Ministries, click here.