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Books I Wish Every Wife Would Read (A Pastor's Picks)
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items After 20+ years of pastoring - and a lot more years of being married - these are the books I've watched do real good in the lives of wives in our church. They're not about trying harder or being “the perfect wife.” They're about understanding the man...asknatefreeman.com. P.S. Husbands, your list is here: benable.com/natefreeman/books-i-wish-every-husband-would-read-a-pastor-s-picks
The mirror of the book I hand every husband. Feldhahn surveyed thousands of men and put words to what most husbands feel but never say - especially about respect and how much your belief in him matters. Wives tell me this book explained twenty years ...
For Women Only, Revised and Updated Edition: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men
I've watched this book outlast counseling, ultimatums, and every self-help plan - because prayer changes the one praying first. If your husband feels far away, start here. It's the most-gifted book among the women of our church for a reason.
The Power of a Praying Wife
Same book I put at the top of the men's list, on purpose - it's better when you've both read it. Keller gives you a vision of marriage big enough to be worth the work. If you read it together, it'll fuel a month of good conversations.
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God
Thomas wrote this after listening to thousands of wives, and it shows. It's honest about how much influence a wife actually has - and how to use it in a way that draws your husband toward God instead of pushing him away. Practical, warm, and zero gui...
Loving Him Well: Practical Advice on Influencing Your Husband
Written by a younger couple who nearly lost everything early - health, money, the marriage - and built something strong out of it. It reads like coffee with friends who are a few steps ahead of you. Great for wives in the first ten years.
Fierce Marriage: Radically Pursuing Each Other in Light of Christ's Relentless Love
What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than happy? That question has carried more couples in our church through the hard middle years than any other single idea. Read it when the marriage is fine-but-tired.
Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?
The classic for a reason. Most of us love our spouse the way WE want to be loved and wonder why it isn't landing. One honest conversation about your two languages pays for this book a hundred times over.
The 5 Love Languages(r): The Secret to Love That Lasts
Lisa Chan's voice is half this book, which makes it the rare marriage book that genuinely speaks to both of you. The Chans point your marriage at eternity - and somehow the daily stuff gets lighter when the aim gets bigger.
You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity
For the wife who's tired of pretending everything's fine: this book starts with the truth that you married a sinner, and so did he. It's the most freeing marriage book I know, because grace, not performance, is doing the lifting.
When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage
Gary Smalley's guide for wives - knowing, understanding, and loving your husband. It pairs with “If Only He Knew” on the husbands' list; read them the same month and compare notes.
For Better or for Best: A Valuable Guide to Knowing, Understanding, and Loving Your Husband
The other half of the book on the husbands' list. She needs love, he needs respect - and the crazy cycle spins when neither goes first. Read it to learn what respect actually looks like to him; it's rarely what we assume.
Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
James and Shirley Dobson's nightly devotional for couples - five minutes before lights out. The easiest habit I know for getting on the same page spiritually, and it makes a lovely anniversary or wedding gift.
Night Light: A Devotional for Couples
From Greg and Erin Smalley, who lead Focus on the Family's marriage ministry - twelve research-backed secrets for a lifelong romance, and genuinely fun to read together. Great for date-night couples.
Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: 12 Secrets for a Lifelong Romance
Stormie's prayers, written for the two of you to pray together this time. When a couple starts praying the same words over the same marriage, something shifts. A beautiful follow-up once The Power of a Praying Wife has done its work.
The Power of a Praying Couple