By: Carissa Lovvorn
Valentine’s Day, a time when most people go out of their way to show their appreciation and affection to their significant other. The holiday is rich with cards, chocolates, flowers, and fancy meals. Like most couples, throughout our relationship, my husband has embraced this tradition, and I have treasured and appreciated each thoughtful gift. But as I look back over the years, there was a different kind of gift that I most vividly remember receiving.
Unfortunately, depression and anxiety have plagued me throughout adolescence and adulthood. There was a time during the early years of our marriage when I was particularly vulnerable, and I received a phone call from my husband after he left for work. He said, “I just wanted you to know that I love you, and I prayed for you this morning.”
What a gift! I realized then that he not only cared about my worldly needs like being clothed, fed, and having a place to live, he cared deeply about my spiritual needs as well. He was (and still is) concerned about the moment when I will meet God face-to-face and make an account for my life. There is no deeper love for someone than caring about where they will spend eternity, and prayer is a powerful way to show your love and support for them.
The Bible addresses the concept of prayer in various ways. In the Old Testament, Moses shared with us this well-known prayer. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV). In the New Testament book of Luke, Jesus provided us with an example of how to pray, and during his time on earth, He prayed continually to the Father making intercessions for us.
Just as Jesus loved us enough to pray to God on our behalf, we are called to do the same for our spouse, children, neighbors, strangers, and even our enemies. Take this verse in James for example, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). Likewise in Galatians 6, the apostle Paul encouraged us to carry one another’s burdens. By doing so, we fulfill the law of Christ.
Paul’s prayer for the people of Ephesus provided us with a standard of how to pray for one another. “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father…that according to the riches of his glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Ephesians 3:14-17).
The gift of knowing that my husband prayed for me touched my heart more than any material gift that I could ever receive. Please know that I pray for my readers, and I hope everyone has a happy Valentine’s Day.
Many blessings,
Carissa Lovvorn
January 3, 2025
