Woman! Prayer does work as it worked for me! Maybe he is a believer and doesn't want to go to church because he claims everyone is a hypocrite. Stop arguing with him because he himself is one. Fighting does nothing but turn him off even more. SHOW him. Show him in your walk. And pray for him.

Not every spouse is unequally yoked. There are times when "how" you confess your belief is different. That is what was haunting my marriage. We both are believers however originally chose different denominations aka doctrines. You do know even within denominations (I.e. Baptist) one can have completely different doctrines. In Nakia's opinion doctrines may be biblically based but mostly deal with how that man of God whom built that church decided he wanted his church to operate. And we know how each man can be different. Key word...man.

One mistake we all make is judging God off of what man does. But I won't go down this road but understand this judgement is often times hindering men from dwelling in the house of the Lord. He has put too much faith in man and therefore, has no faith in God. That's nothing but the tactic of the enemy. Keep man in confusion and get him AWAY from his deliverance. Cause confusion over tithe and offerings. Let me break for just a second. Who has made you give your money??? While you recall up the name of the person who said you must give with their hands out, I'll keep going. The issue is, man still fails at his best efforts to do right. You know that from your own walk. So how is it again that the pastor is suppose to be so perfect but you are allowed such grace. You put the pastor in God's spot while you continue in your mess. No sir, no ma'am/missy pooh! The same rules you place on the churches people applies to you. They are humans just like you. They are filthy rags just like you.

So for me and my husband, the thing that was hindering us was the type churches we worshiped at. Our churches were like night and day with some beliefs. So each Sunday morning, we went to worship at our own separate churches. At the beginning, it was ok but the waters got muddied once we had our first child. Here is where issues would arise because I took our son to church with me. I knew while he was a baby, we didn't have to face this thing but once he got a little older, this would become real difficult situation for us because eventually the child would know something wasn't right and would start asking questions. Kids are very inquisitive.

At first, at every chance, seems like I couldn't shut my trap and we'd argue about it. Time to have baby Trey dedicated...yep argument. It never failed, an issue would ensue without us even inviting it in. But at the end of the day, my desire was for my family to worship together, but how? Society would say that I should've followed my husband to his church. But the way my head is set up, I couldn't accept such teachings. What should I do??? PRAY. All I knew to do was pray.

I recall it was Pastor's anniversary and Rance Allen was there and of course I couldn't miss this mighty man of God sing "Something about the name Jesus. It is the sweetest name, I know" as his voice vibrated and shook our souls. So I attended both 8:00am service and the 11:00am service. Amazingly, at the end of each of these services a different minister prophesied over me confirming that God was going to take care of that thing that was troubling me. I can't recall their exact words but I knew the meaning. God had sent His promise through messengers and I praised and thanked Him. Thank You God!

Not long after that, I took it to the alter and left it there. Left it there to cease worrying about my family's spiritual walk. Left it there not argue about it any more. Left it there to learn to shut up Nakia. Shut your mouth. Shhhhh. And that's what I did. I'm woman. Being quiet is a challenge all in itself. Lol. I'm just saying. Plus I'm one who had to always vocalize every perceived injustice...immediately. So ummm ruuu this was a huge mountain in my path. Be still. Trust. Have faith. He said He would take care of it. Take your hands off. Go on now. Sit down and shut up woman of God. And that's what I did...

I can't even recall how we started on our journey of worshiping as a family because it just happened. And it was his idea. And I followed. He wanted to find a church of our own (not his and not mine). HUSH GIRL. And I followed. We went to a couple of churches before we landed at our now church home. Took us over a year and a half before we found our church but he lead that journey for us whilst I prayed in the background.

I can honestly say, no other feeling beats being able to worship God together as a family. To watch our kids growing in the love of our Lord. To watch them eagerly run to Sunday school and Children's church. I can recall when London was a baby how much Trey loved to go to church that one day we had to miss and he went off on me. He stood in the kitchen with finger pointed at me and fussed "NO! You said we were going to church." Lol. Imagine that coming out of a 3 year old. He didn't understand why we weren't going and even now he will ask that on Sunday mornings if it seems like we should've been getting ready to go. So I'm here to say, your story can turn around too!

My encouragement to you my love is to hang in there. It won't happen over night because he is dealing with an enemy that masters in confusion and bitterness. He causes confusion around the most mundane things like non-mandatory tithes and offerings. Hypocrisy at its best. How are church folks any different from you again? People upset with ONE church with other churches on almost every corner. Have an issue with 1st Baptist...ok forget them and go to 2nd Baptist. They doing too much hollering at that church for your taste you say. Well find one where you can hear a mouse fart at. Sorry but not sorry.

We find every reason in the world NOT to go to church because we too afraid to give up sleep, give up our money, or worship someone we can't see. Ever seen Mars, Jupiter, been to Antartica? You taking someone else's word for those places being there. Man wrote the Bible, you say? Ummm man wrote Sports Illustrated too and you still reading that! Man wrote all the books on the shelves! Have you taken the time to denounce all literature? No, just that one huh. Anything to discredit that thing that scares you. That's what the devil is doing. Causing confusion that can ultimately cause divisions within our households.

Bishop TD Jakes said it best, "the enemy is after your seed" so he goes after your man. If he can get your man, he has you. And if he has both of you, chances are great, he can take down your family now sistah. You see he convinces us now that divorce is normal and the kids will be ok because the most important thing is getting your life back girl! Kids are resilient, they can handle this, you need to get back to doing you girl! Ever asked one of those kids? Ever been one?

Don't give up on him. Pray for him. Because when you pray for his help, you are praying for your help and the help of your kids. Don't fight his decision to stay at home while you go to church. He can stay back, but you go! Take the kids and go. Come back and hush! No need in putting it in his face how everyone is asking about him or trying to tell him how much the kids enjoyed it or telling him how the sermon was so good wish you could've heard it! No ma'am, shut up! Come home and cook your Sunday dinner, feed your family and get ready for your week with a smile on your face. Study your word. Pray.

Eventually he will want to find out why you seem to have so much joy when storms hit your doorstep. He will notice how well you bounce back from adversities. He will wonder how you can encourage him when you should be on the floor crying too. Eventually he will ask and then that's your moment to share your relationship with God. Take it easy. Don't take him too fast. Simply answer his questions. And when he isn't looking, step over to the side of the ring, and tag your partner in. Jesus can take it from there.

If you want to check out TD Jakes sermon, here it is. Great message.

https://youtu.be/wIcppHMJbic

Thank you for your attention. Remember you are your own competition.

Competitionof1