Proverbs 31:16-17

"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms."

My Father God, I am learning so much from these Proverbs 31 passages that I did not realize was there before. How exciting to discover that the woman described here wisely and successfully invested part of her resources in real estate...she purchased a field. She did not allow it to "lay waste," either! Due to her hard work (the fruit of her hands), a vineyard was planted. Estimating from her many promising endeavors, I'm certain the vineyard was productive as well. Lord, you teach me a major reason she was able to undertake such a task in the next verse. She worked out; she exercised! Dear Lord Jesus, grant me the strength and determination to muscle my way through the more rugged tasks you call me to do, be it planting or harvesting. In your holy name, Amen.

Proverbs 31:10-11

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."

Lord God in Heaven, I believe you have placed this desire in my heart to be a virtuous woman. Thank you for providing me with the example in Proverbs 31 of your ideal woman. Thank you for ordering the elements of her life in portions I can follow one task at a time, thereby developing my practical value in lasting ways. What a joy and blessing it is to know that, with your guidance, I can contribute to my husband's well-being. To be trusted by him in his heart and to cause him no spoil are goals that continue to knit our lives together in the unity you have always desired for marriage. And, Lord, while the price or worth of your ideal woman exceeds that of rubies, I am intensely grateful that you have bought me---my soul---with a price. That price was the shedding of your precious blood in my place of condemnation on the rugged cross. Knowing you bought me with your life humbles me and draws me to you with awe and with a desire to serve. For Jesus' sake, Amen.

Proverbs 31:26-27

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

Heavenly Father, I rely on your wisdom in order to bless others whenever I open my mouth to speak. I rely on your kindness, Lord Jesus, in order to bless others when communicating with my tongue. The natural tendency of the tongue is not how I want to be known for expressing myself.

I also must rely on you, God, to carry out my household responsibilities. Help me look well to the ways of my household. Help me not eat the bread of idleness...help me not even taste it...help me not even be tantalized by the deceitful aroma of laziness! In the power of Jesus' name, Amen.

Proverbs 31:24-25

"She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come."

Lord God, You reveal in your Word examples that I am so grateful for---examples for me to analyze and follow. I see here in this passage that your ideal woman made or produced items to sell. Show me, Father, what I should be selling; what is my "fine linen" or my "girdles?" Lord, I ask you to clothe me in strength and honor, for your honor and glory. I rejoice in the time to come because through diligence, and following your lead, my future is secure. You, Lord, have provided me with a hope and a future. I rejoice in you! Amen and amen.

Proverbs 31:22-23

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land."

Thank you, Lord God, for covering me with your righteousness. Being in a right standing with you is so rich, better than tapestries, silk and purple. Lord, help me to be in a right standing with my husband so that I will encourage him to be a leader, not only in our home but also "in the gates" and "among the elders." In the holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Proverbs 31:12-13

"She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."

Heavenly Father, You have blessed me with a wonderful husband. Help me to be like your ideal Proverbs 31 woman who does my husband good and not evil all the days of my life. Teach me, Lord, what it is that is good for him and prompt me to do such, eagerly. Teach me, Lord, what is the evil I must avoid, now and always. Show me how to seek "wool and flax" in the days ahead. Let me always work willingly with my hands, even when I'd rather be lazy. Lord, help me not be lazy. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 31:20-21

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet."

Heavenly Father, Thank you for all the blessings you provide for me. Your provision is abundant. Remind me often to give to others of the blessings you have given me. Keep me able, ready and willing to stretch out my hand to the poor and needy. I do not want to be found lacking in the area of the ministry of generosity. The words, "Lord, when were you naked, and we clothed you? When were you hungry, and we fed you?" are powerful challenges of what it means to reach forth my hands to the needy. Lord, I know that you are faithful and that I do not need to "fear the snow" because you provide all my household needs. You clothe us with scarlet. Thank you for shedding your scarlet, crimson blood that we may be clothed in righteousness---Jesus's righteousness. Because of Him, Amen.

Proverbs 31:14-15

"She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens."

Lord God, there are so many varied ways You have designed that I, as a wife and mother, can bless my household. Thank you for the infinite variety I find in serving You by serving them. Thank you for the reminder to serve healthy food, even when it isn't the most convenient. Lord, grant me the wisdom and strength to gather food from afar, to work in the early part of the day and to encourage healthy, appropriate portions. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Amen