The Proverbs 31 woman is a skillful, industrious person who models integrity and highly esteems her home and family.

Proverbs 31

An excellent wife cares for her home, is kind to the needy, and is an example of good character.

INSIGHT

One view of women is that they are merely caretakers of the home and have no role other than changing diapers, cooking, and cleaning house. Another view seeks to free women from the responsibilities at home. Both are wrong. Women are to care for their homes and maintain certain responsibilities—just as men should. But their role carries with it great flexibility and variety. The Proverbs 31 woman is a skillful, industrious person who models integrity and esteems her home and family highly.

PRAYER

Thank God for the women you know (mothers, grandmothers, friends) who exemplify Christ's love:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name (Luke 1:46-49).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your loving-kindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1-2).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path (Psalm 119:103-105).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• A more Christ-like character
• Strengthening of the church in China
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to God:

This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11).