The New Collins Compact Dictionary defines the term habit as a settled tendency or practice. In essence, habits relate to our accustomed ways of doing things; in fact, they are a mode of behaviour we have settled into. There are prayer points for renewal.
Thus, attitude is a form of perceived behaviour exhibited by someone. The most precious gifts in life are those of other people. Heartfelt, meaningful relationships, particularly a marriage, can be one of the greatest gifts next to the ransom and children.
Marriage, like any other precious gift, can be abused, leading to its death. Many things contribute to the death of a marriage.
Solomon, arguably the wisest man who ever lived, in our text, points out that little foxes can spoil the vine. A fox is a generic term, including jackals. They eat only grapes, not the vine flowers, but they need to be driven out in time before the grapes are ripe.
Foxes abounded in Judea, and did most damage when the clusters were young and tender. These are likely the words of the bridegroom to his companions, just as he was entering the apartment of his spouse.
The bride had failed in watchfulness before (So 1:6); when she converted, she became the more jealous of subtle habits which were ruinous to vines.
“Take care of the vineyard: set the traps for the foxes, which are spoiling the vines; and destroy their young as far as possible”. These little foxes are the things I refer to as habits. Let us deal with our topic in detail.
The Habits That Kill A Home: Song of Solomon 2:15
Since we are all products of our experiences, we do define who we are. These habits, which are little foxes, can become flash points in our relationships. Like the fox, they either gradually or totally eat up the tender buds of our relationships.
While we might not pay attention to them or even consider them important, they go a long way to determining the health of our homes and marriages. Let us identify some of these little habits:
Careless habit
Some of us are careless with our words. We speak before thinking about it. Sometimes, in a fit of anger, we say anything that comes to mind. We use abusive, derogatory and devaluing words for our spouses or wards.
If your spouse or wards have been cold towards you, ask yourself what I have said that was not proper. Words can either affirm or destroy our relationships.
Similarly, a careless attitude can also be in the area of a lack of emotional fulfilment. Amongst a woman’s greatest needs are affection and admiration, while those of a man are sex and affirmation.
When you take each other for granted in any or all of these areas, when you do not care to fulfil each or all of these for your spouse, you kill the spark in your spouse. Always try to make daily positive deposits in the emotional bank of your spouse.
Competitive habit
We are supposed to be one in marriage; what belongs to one belongs to the other person. However, there are homes and marriages where spouses compete with each other.
The man feels insecure that the woman has gotten a promotion; she is the one who gets attention wherever you goes because of her charisma and suavity. Some women are competing with their husbands for who has the fattest bank account, speaks the best Queen’s English.
In this spirit of competition, we always brush each other in our sometimes unknowing passion to outdo the other person. As we do this, we become too pushy and selfish, thereby losing our sense of cooperation.
Combat habit
Some of us are born fighters. We talk back with every argument that arises in the ho;e, we must have something to say always. We have this either defensive or attacking attitude that makes you lose your sense of humour.
It might even be that your spouse won your last fight or argument or whatever, and you have been looking for an opening to give it back to him or her.
Immediately, you get it, you begin firing on all cylinders. In marriage, no one wins an argument; you are all either winners or losers. Read the similar post on this page.
Prayer of Renewal from Issues
Prayer Points 1
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us into a New Year. We commit our lives to You today. Renew our spirit and fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we may serve You with a willing and obedient heart this year. Let our commitment to You be unwavering in Jesus’ name (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Prayer Point 2
Lord Jesus, we surrender all areas of our lives to Your Lordship. Help us to yield to Your will, embracing Your plans and purposes for our livesHelp us to trust in Your goodness and sovereignty in Jesus’ name (Romans 12:1-2)
Prayer Point 3
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to be faithful in our service to You. May our actions, words, and thoughts reflect Your character and glory. Help us to persevere in obedience, even in the face of challenges and trials in Jesus’ name (1 Corinthians 41-2).
Prayer Point 4
Lord Jesus, help us to serve You with a humble and contrite spirit, recognising Your greatness and our dependence on You. Help us to esteem others better than ourselves, serving them with love and kindness in Jesus’ name (Philippians 24)
Prayer Point 5
O Lord, grant us victory over the forces of darkness that will line up against us this year in the mighty name of Jesus (Ephesians 6 9-8)
Prayer Point 6
We declare that there shall not be any enchantment, projection or divination against us in the mighty name of Jesus (Numbers 23:23)
Prayer Point 7
Mighty Father, grant that we will continually make You our refuge and habitation so much that no evil and calamity will befall us in the name of Jesus (Psalm 919-10)
Prayer Point 8
O Lord, we enter into a renewed covenant of peace, happiness and joy in the Holy Spirit and declare that it shall be our abiding portion this year in the name of Jesus (John 14: )
Prayer Point 9
Heavenly Father, empower us by Your Holy Spirit to serve You effectively. Grant us wisdom, courage, and strength to fulfil Your purposes for our lives. May our services be fruitful and bring glory to Your purposes for our lives. May our services be fruitful and bring glory to Your name in Jesus’ name (Acts 1:8).
Prayer Point 10
Dear loving Father, we renew our trust in Your faithfulness. Help us rely on Your promises, knowing You are steadfast and true. May Your Word be our anchor in times of uncertainty in Jesus’ name (Psalm 119:90)
Prayer Point 11
Lord Jesus, we place our hope in Your promises. Renew our vision and confidence in Your plans for our lives. May Your Word be our guiding light in darkness in Jesus’ name (Jeremiah 29:1).
Prayer Point 12
Heavenly Father, we rely on Your power to overcome challenges. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may stand firm on Your promises. May Your strength be our rock in times of weakness in Jesus’ name (Philippians 4) 1
Prayer Point 13
Lord Jesus, guide us by Your Word. Help us to understand and apply Your promises to our lives. May Your truth illuminate our paths and direct our decisions in Jesus’ name (Psalm 119:105).
Prayer Point 14
Our Father and God, help us to persevere in Your plan for our lives. May Your promises sustain us through trials and difficulties. Grant us endurance and patience in Jesus’ name (Romans 8:28).
Prayer Point 15
O Lord, our Father, renew our commitment to You. Help us to love and serve You with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 2237).
Prayer Point 16
Lord Jesus, revive our spirits. Help us to walk in Your presence, guided by Your Word and empowered by Your Spirit in Jesus’ name (Psalm 85:6).
Prayer Point 17
Heavenly Father, grant us consistency in our walk with You. May our faithfulness be evident in our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to honour You in every aspect of our lives in Jesus’ name (Luke 9:23).
Prayer Point 18
Lord Jesus, ignite a burning passion for You within us. Let our love for You fuel our dedication and faithfulness. Help us to prioritise our relationship with You above all else in Jesus’ name (Revelation 2:4-5)
Prayer Point 19
God of heaven, grant us the grace to remain faithful to You. Cause us to stand firm against trials and temptation, trusting in Your steps in Jesus’ name (Isaiah 4031).
Prayer Point 20
Dear Father, renew our strength and vitality to live a life that honours Jesus. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in Your steps in Jesus’ name (Isaiah 401).
Prayer Point 21
Lord Jesus, transform us from the inside out. Renew our mind, heart, and spirit, that we may reflect Your character and love in Jesus’ name (2 Corinthians 3119)
Prayer Point 22
Heavenly Father, empower us with Your strength to overcome sin and live righteously. May Your power be our source of vitality in Jesus’ name (Philippians 4:13-14)
Prayer Point 23
Lord Jesus, grant us endurance to persevere through life’s challenges. May Your strength sustain us in times of weakness in Jesus’ name (Hebrews 121-3
Prayer Point 24
Heavenly Father, humble our hearts and renew our Spirit. May we walk in humility, compassion, and love, just as Jesus did in Jesus’ name (Philippians 25-8).
Prayer Point 25
Heavenly Father, renew our strength to stand firm in our faith, even in adversity, in the name of Jesus (1 Peter 58-9)
Prayer Point 26
Lord Jesus, grant us courage to boldly proclaim Your name, even in the face of adversity. Renew our strength to stand for You in Jesus’ name (Acts 49-31).
Prayer Point 27
Heavenly Father, renew our strength to persevere through trials and tribulations. May we endure to the end, standing firm in Your truth in Jesus’ name (James 1:2-4).
Prayer Point 28
Lord Jesus, protect us from the evil ones and surround us with Your shield of faith. Renew our strength to stand against spiritual attacks (Ephesians 616)
Prayer Point 29
Heavenly Father, grant us wisdom to discern Your will and stand firm in Your truth, even in uncertain times, in the mighty name of Jesus (James 1:
Prayer Point 30
Lord Jesus, renew our strength with the hope of eternal life. Cause our faith in You to remain unwavering in the face of adversity in Jesus’ name (Romans 8185).
Prayer Point 31
We declare that death shall not come near our dwelling this year. We shall live to declare the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Glory to the name of Jesus for answered prayers. (Psalm 118 118:17:6).
