What do you suggest a wife do if her husband will not go to church with her? What do you suggest a wife do if her husband will not grow in God?

oneway, I have lived this one, and my heart goes out to you. Do not stop praying for him! Keep modeling Christian life for him. Read everything you can get your hands on which will keep your spirits up and your courage strong. Get involved in a women's prayer group or Bible study where there are women who will listen, pray for you, and pray for your husband. This is unequal in strength and effectiveness!

You have a Biblical promise that your Christian beliefs cover your household; cling to that promise.

I know from personal experience that your Walk is a difficult one if your husband is not the spiritual leader of your home, but if you give up, there is NO spiritual life in your M. For now, you will have to cover it in prayer and action.

Keep on going to church, keep on letting your H see the difference Christ makes in your own personal life. Don't yell at him or threaten him (wish I could say I always followed my own advice!)

He will want what you have, for himself, even if he won't admit it for a long time. It took my H twenty years to hear his name on the lips of our Savior. It was an ugly 20 years in many ways, but the wait was worth it for His soul. I gave up lots of times because it was so difficult, but never for very long, because I just couldn't be without my God and the fellowship of other Christians.

My M is testimony to the fact that God has a plan for our H's, and He will not give up. He will not stop until His plan is fulfilled.

May you see that fulfillment soon,
PM

oneway, did I make this point?

YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR HUSBAND, only God can.

PM

Not much more to add to what paper said. I am in the same preedicament. One of my pet peeves is when women stop going to church and fellowshipping w/ other believers b/c dh isn't saved! Would they not still have a relationship w/ God if they were single?

We've been married 10yrs and I've been spiritually mismatched w/ dh for the same amt of time. Sadly I'm just used to it and it's a part of our lives. He supports me and doesn't keep me or our kids from church. ALL I can do is pray and trust God! Your not alone, find others who are in the same posistion and draw from their strength and wisdom!

~God bless

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by oneway:
<strong> What do you suggest a wife do if her husband will not go to church with her? What do you suggest a wife do if her husband will not grow in God? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Funny, I was just reading 1st Corinthians 7 tonight to rebut some braindamage by another poster over in the EN section, and verse 13 pops up:

13And suppose a woman has a husband who is not a believer. If he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14The unbelieving husband has been made holy through his wife. The unbelieving wife has been made holy through her believing husband. If that were not the case, your children would not be pure and clean. But as it is, they are holy.
(New International Readers Version).


In short, there is nothing you can do. You have no way to force him to do anything. But you can set an example, both for your kids (if you have any), and for yourself, that you aren't going to let his poor decision keep you from fulfilling your responsibilities as a believer. In time, your faithfulness will be rewarded.

(I also realize that you didn't say your H was an unbeliever, but I believe the principle is still valid).