The teachings of today still centered on the subject of prayers. But in today's class Bro Eli Soriano explained more deeply how married couples should relate in order to have their prayers answered.
DEFRAUD NOT ONE ANOTHER
The Bible tells us that the husband has power over the wife's body, likewise the wife over the husband's body. The wife's body belongs to the husband likewise the husband's body belongs to the wife. So, they shouldn't deny each other access to their body at whatever time the partner desires. Whenever one partner desires to satisfy his/her emotional feeling, the other partner should surrender. As they do this, they allow mutual agreement and love to flow in their home, which makes their prayers unhindered before God. Neglecting each other access to the body unduly will give room to the devil and cause division among them. That will cause God not to listen to their prayers.
The husband or the wife should understand and comply in love with whatever state (physically, emotionally and mentally) that the other partner is in when he/she desires to have the other. If one is bodily unfit at the moment, the other should bear with him/her in love.
FASTINGS
During fastings, the Bible admonishes couples to stay away from sexual intercourse. Fasting is a spiritual exercise and there should be utmost concentration. Such a level of spiritual concentration requires that we abstain from sexual pleasure. Fasting, of course means abstaining from pleasures for a while to seek God's face. But couples should be in agreement during such times. The other partner should be in agreement when one embarks on the fasting. Such should lovingly and willingly allow the other other abstinence from sexual pleasure during that time.
Bro Eli Soriano also explained to us how we should conduct ourselves during fastings. During fasting times we should forgive those who offend us. Moreover, we should be merciful unto the oppressed. We should give to the needy and show mercy to others. We should feed the hungry and do good to our fellow men for God to accept our fasting.
Fasting is important because it makes God answer our prayers. When we have pressing needs or problems that we really want God to change for us, fasting is recommended.
Our act of fasting should not be for bodily show-ups. We shouldn't present ourselves for people to know that we are fasting. We shouldn't announce our fasting, it should be known only between the two spouses. Having a physical posture or appearance that attracts pity from people during fasting is biblical unaccepted.
DWELLING WITH EACH OTHER IN LOVE AND SUBMISSION
The couple should dwell with each other in love and understanding. The husband should understand the wife and give honour to the same so that their prayers are not hindered. The wife is a weaker vessel, according to the Bible, and should be given special treatment and honour. This consideration should cover all aspects of the woman's life. Husbands must put into consideration the fragile nature of their wives in all aspects of life - physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, socially and otherwise. Therefore, the women should be treated delicately with care and respect.
Wives also are admonished to be submissive to their husbands in all things. The husband is the head of the family (according to God's standard). Therefore the wife should submit to the authorities of the husband. No matter the circumstances at home; regardless whether the husband is uneducated, let wives learn to be in subjection to their husbands. Trying to take authority over the husband is ungodly. That will not allow God to listen to them when they are praying. Women must submit to their husbands in all things - bodily, materially, financially and otherwise.
WOMEN SHOULD COVER THEIR HEADS; MEN SHOULD UNCOVER THEIR HEADS
The Bible says that women should cover their heads when praying or doing any act of worship. Likewise, men shouldn't cover their heads during prayers. The current practice where we see women in churches not covering their heads during worship is wrong. Also, for men to be wearing all forms of head cover during prayers is wrong. We shouldn't follow trends, we should obey God's word.
In conclusion, as couples let us adopt the biblical principles during our prayers so that our prayers will be answered by God.
