Handling Household Finances

Handling Household Finances

Introduction
The following prayers may be prayed individually or as a couple. In preparation for marriage it is great wisdom for the couple to discuss finances. Each party comes with an individual view of how to handle money — spending and/or saving. It is wise to set up a budget that is agreeable to both.
There is a danger in the tendency to assume that the other party has the same opinions and ideas about money or, in case of disagreement, that one’s own way is right and the other person’s is wrong. Financial differences is one of Satan’s greatest weapons for introducing strife and bringing pressure to bear on a marriage. Spending money can quickly evolve into an emotional experience, causing many other problems.
God is El-Shaddai, God Almighty (Ex. 6:3 amp) — the God Who is more than enough — and His intention is that His children enjoy good health and that all may go well with them, even as their souls are getting along well. (3 John 2 niv.) Two people coming into agreement with God’s financial plan will offset the enemy’s schemes to divide and conquer.
If you and your beloved are planning to marry or to establish a financial plan in your existing marriage, listen to one another. Understand what each other is saying. Realize that there are differences in viewpoints about money and allow for those differences. Determine who is more astute in financial matters: balancing the checkbook, paying the bills on time and making wise investments. Set aside time in your schedules to keep each other informed, review goals and make plans. Wisdom from above is willing to yield to reason; cooperate one with the other. (James 3:17 amp.)
Prayer
Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who is present with us as we discuss our financial future together. We thank You for bringing us to this place in our lives. You have started a good work in us and will perform it until the day of Christ. We welcome You as we prepare to set up a budget that is pleasing to You and to each of us.
Jesus is our Lord and our High Priest, and we purpose to bring Him the firstfruits of our income and worship You, the Lord our God, with them.
Father, You are Lord over our marriage — over this union that we believe has been ordained by You. We confess Your Word over our life together and our finances. As we do so, we say that Your Word will not return to You void, but will accomplish what it says it will do.
Therefore, we believe in the name of Jesus that all our needs are met, according to Your riches in glory. We acknowledge You as Lord over our finances by giving tithes and offerings to further Your cause.
Father, on the authority of Your Word we declare that gifts will be given to us; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall they be poured into our bosom. For with the same measure we deal out, it shall be measured back to us.
We remember that it is written in Your Word that he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
Lord, remind us always, and we purpose to remember, that it is You Who give us power to become rich, and You do it to fulfill Your promise to our ancestors. We will never feel that it was our own power and might that made us wealthy.
Father, not only do we give tithes and offerings to You, but we also give to those around us who are in need. Your Word also says that he who gives to the poor lends to You and You pay wonderful interest on the loan! We acknowledge You as we give for the benefit of the poor.
Thank You, Father, that as You bless us and we bless others, they will praise You and give You thanks and bless others and the circle of Your love and blessing will go on and on into eternity.
In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.