With all of the unrest that is going on in the world today, we want to appeal to you to pray that God will use you and/or work through your prayers to bring peace into the homes of the people you/we are praying for.

Most of you know of the violence that is going on all over the world, and the heart-breaking situations that are occurring. One of those places is in Kenya, Africa. This especially hits home to us because we have our son David, his wife Kristina, and our 2 year old granddaughter Nadya living there at this time. They’re located just outside of Nairobi and so far have escaped the violence. They are scheduled to come back to the U.S. in March. David is an archaeologist and went to Kenya to work on a project starting December 26th — when the violence broke out. Of course, as parents and grandparents, we are very concerned.

But we aren’t just concerned for our own family — but also for others who are living there — those who are being hurt (physically and emotionally) by all of the political and social unrest that is going on. We know this is heart-breaking on many fronts. We don’t want to go into the politics of it all, but rather to ask you to please pray that God intervenes and changes the hearts and minds of those who are causing the trouble.

This unrest, not only hurts people immediately, but also in the future as many are displaced from their jobs and their homes. Kenya is such a beautiful place in so many ways — with wonderful people. All of this is so tragic!

What’s happening in Kenya is also a metaphor for what we at Marriage Missions see happening in marriages around the world so we ask you to pray for the homes and marriages that have a type of war going on within them. We receive hundreds of letters each year from those who are silently suffering in their marriages. It’s so painful to realize how many tears are being shed by them and the many children that are being affected because of this.

Please pray that Marriage Missions can make a positive difference in their lives and marriages. And also pray that God will show you how you can make a positive difference within your home and your community and your own marriage.

Marriage is for grown ups. It’s for those who are willing to find ways to partner with each other, no matter what comes up, that can divide them. You and your spouse need to come to the conclusion that you aren’t enemies (if you are acting like you are). You pledged in marriage to be partners. So now you need to act like you are.

If something comes up that tests your commitment, then don’t run away by going to someone else (of the opposite sex), instead act like grown ups who are committed to work things through. If you have children, they need to see their mom and dad doing this — not only because it’s good for the peacefulness it can bring into their home, but also so that you are modeling for them what marriage partners do. You are teaching them how to act in their future relationships.

All of this comes down to making the decision and the choice to work on your marriage together. There are some things you can do on your own, but it will be harder that way. Still, it is better than if no one decided to be the “hero” in the marriage. You may have a marriage partner that won’t act like one. But don’t stop praying that God will show you how to make a positive difference in your relationship — given the circumstances.

We trust that God will show you what you can do. Keep in mind that marriage is a made up of thousands of little decisions to choose each other in the face of opposition. It takes team work to be the best it can be. But even one, can stand with God and change the course for the better, of that which is wrong.

Many of you had a difficult beginning to your life. And that makes things all the more difficult to make sense out of a lot of relationship issues. But in each person’s life, there comes a day of decision, NOT to live like a victim — or you will never grab onto all that Christ has for you. Life victimizes us. But we don’t have to let it overtake us. We can decide to make the best of each day and situation. We can learn how to change that which we can for the better. When we meet people like that, they are inspiring to all they come in contact with. However, when we meet someone who decides to keep letting life drag them down, they drain energy from us.

Those of you who were victimized in some way need to decide how you want to proceed in life and the lessons you wants your children, and others you influence, to see lived out.

I had a very difficult past. But I decided not to let it determine my present and future. I continually work to throw out “stinking thinking” as if it is junk mail that tries to clutter up my mind. And I look for ways to make the best out of whatever is handed to me. I know that it has made a positive difference in my life and in the lives of others around me. I don’t say this to cause you to think better about me — that’s not my point. But hopefully instead to inspire you to do the same.

You see, I had a very close relative who let life overtake him. He died several years ago because of complications of alcoholism. He tried to medicate his pain that way. I miss him so much and so does his wife. And I know that the world has suffered a great loss because he made the choices he did. I pray today will be a beginning to making wiser choices with the negativity that is attacking you and/or your spouse.

And if you are suffering from abuse in your home, we appeal to you to find ways to protect yourself. We have many articles on our web site that may be able to assist you with that. If you are an abuser, we have articles posted for you as well — plus, you need to find ways to address your issues and stop the abuse. You can try to blame your spouse by saying that she or he “pushes your buttons” but ultimately, that is an excuse. You have somehow allowed yourself to sink low enough to use that as your justification. NO one can make you raise a hand to someone in aggression unless you give yourself permission in your mind.

There is a difference between defense and offense. And if you have to defend yourself, then again, you need to find ways to protect yourself from that offense. If you are offensive, you need to turn over every stone you can until you change your behavior and bring peace into your home.

Please pray for the children that are watching the abuse and the wars that are going on outside of their homes as well as within. It will forever change them. Pray that God will bring healing and help to their precious minds and lives. Pray that God will show you how you can help make a positive difference in their lives.

We need heroes. We need people that will say, “For me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And that doesn’t mean SAYING one thing and living another. It doesn’t mean living contrary to the loving principles we read about in the Bible. If you have a spouse who won’t model this, at least let your children have one parent who can be a light in their darkened journey through life.

You cannot change everything, but with God’s help you can change SOME things. You cannot stop every hurt from happening, but you can prevent and comfort some. You cannot bring worldwide peace, but you can pray for others and with God’s help bring peaceful actions and words within your corner of the world. You cannot stop all of the darkness that surrounds, but with God’s leading you can poke holes in that darkness. You cannot change the actions of everyone, but you can change your own — with God as your Guide and your Helper. We pray you will.

Please know that our prayers are with you,
Cindy and Steve Wright