by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

James 1:27
This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress.

Throughout the Scriptures, God demonstrates a special compassion for the poor, the needy, the helpless. He often mentions our need to care for the widow and the orphan because He knew the types of hardship families face without husbands and fathers.

I suppose that, if you narrowly define "widow," you would not include divorced mothers. But if you look at our society today and the terrible hardships faced by most single moms, scratching out a living while trying to raise their children, you can't help but feel a special compassion. So when I pray about widows and orphans, I think about divorce and how it creates widows and orphans-people who have to be close to God's heart.

But we can do more. We can pray for families who have not yet been torn apart by divorce. Sometimes I walk downstairs in the FamilyLife office and look at a board where we keep track of registrations for each of our FamilyLife Marriage Conferences. I praise God for those who have come, and I pray for those who are deciding whether to attend. I know these numbers represent families who will be strengthened and healed-husbands who will stay committed, wives and children who will not become widows and orphans.

One couple wrote on their conference evaluation just three words: "Saved our marriage." Only God knows the impact of these three words.

When I was recently speaking at one of our conferences in Orlando, a couple came up to me to say this was the eleventh time they had attended! I kidded them and asked, "You mean you still haven't got it right yet?" But they were excited because of how the conference has kept them together, and now they were bringing other couples with them each year.

Each day, all around you, a fierce battle goes on in the marriages of your friends, your neighbors and your fellow church members. These people are on God's heart. Are they on your heart as well?

Prayer:

Ask God to give these couples the strength and commitment to build solid families according to His blueprints.

Discuss: Who are some couples you know who need help in their marriages? Make a list.

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