Prayer is an incredible concept. To think that I can not only communicate with the Creator of the universe, but that He will act in response to my requests is difficult to understand at times. I do not deserve to be able to come into His presence, much less have an intimate relationship with Him.

And yet, I find myself taking advantage of this every single day. When I do pray (which isn't nearly often enough), it is often a lighthearted "God, thank you so much for such-and-such" or "Please help so-and-so through this hard time." I forget to whom I am speaking. I don't come humbly or in awe. It's almost as though I'm giving Him a command: "God, I need you to be with my friend. Well? Get going!" But even more alarming than this attitude is the one that doubts His ability or willingness to answer my prayers. "God, help me with my finances. I am trusting that You will provide." Now, what am I going to have to craigslist first? I tell Him I trust, yet my actions betray my words. I pray for help, then seek to survive on my own. I am often reminded of a story told in the movie Facing the Giants (not the best movie ever, but this story was really cool).

Two farmers pray for rain during a long drought, but only one goes and prepares his fields for the coming rain. Which one actually believed God was going to answer his prayer?

Take this to one extreme and you get the person that quits his job and stays at home, praying that God will provide the finances to pay his bills. Take it to the other and you get me - the guy that prays that God will help, but prepares for the worst, you know, just in case. I'm not very fond of the saying "God helps those who help themselves," but I do think there is truth in that statement. God wants us to be completely dependent upon Him, yet aware that He will use us to answer our own prayers.

For example, if I pray that a friend of mine would be encouraged because they are having a difficult time, God very well may use me to encourage that person. But I must be aware that this is what He wants, not ready to say "Amen" and get back to my life. Or for a more applicable example today: if I pray that God will put the right person into the Oval Office, it would probably be best to go ahead and exercise my right to vote - allow Him to use me to answer my own prayer.

If you find that a prayer doesn't seem to be getting answered, it may help to ask yourself: Am I preparing for rain?

I am very grateful that ginni and I have the same view on her place in our relationship. No, it's not the kitchen. We both firmly believe in the biblical explanation of gender roles in marriage. The wife submits to her husband, and the husband loves his wife as Christ loves the Church.

I used to struggle with the woman "submitting" to her husband part. I couldn't see how this part of scripture still applies in the 21st century. Does it negate women's rights? Was Paul only writing to those living within the culture he knew?

What helped me to understand the biblical view of gender roles was reading Boy Meets Girl. Joshua Harris does an excellent job explaining the difference between how Ephesians is often perceived (calling for inequality in marriage) and what is actually intended (equal but different roles). I will do my best to explain what I got out of it, although it has been a few years since I've read it so feel free to correct me if I say something out of line.

So much focus is put on the first section, where wives should submit to their husbands. It's easy to get all up in arms over this without paying any attention to the very important verses that follow. Yes, wives should submit to their husbands. But this should not be upsetting to anyone, so long as the husband is loving his wife as Christ loves the Church. Honestly, sometimes I think that ginni will have the good side of this deal. It is quite a heavy responsibility to be charged with making decisions for our relationship as Christ would. ginni will submit to me, trusting that I will not be selfish or close-minded in my decision making.

In all reality, there will probably be very few decisions that I will make alone. Part of loving her and making wise decisions will be getting to know what her needs and desires are. I can't figure that out on my own (if I could, I'd be a millionaire for figuring out the complex infrastructure of the female mind!). We will have (hopefully) very open communication and if we disagree on something, we'll express our opinions, desires and needs to each other. If it comes to where I need to make a decision that for whatever reason we could not make together, she will be trusting that I am Loving her fully as I make it.

Along with not acknowledging the responsibility that is placed on the husband, many view these gender roles as placing the man above the woman. I disagree. At work, our graphics designer, Troy, designs the websites we make. I, as the developer, take the mockup and put it into code and onto the interweb. We have different roles, but he is not above me, nor am I above him. Many see the gender roles that are explained in Ephesians as unequal. I think it simply discerns which roles each participant in marriage will take, neither above the other.

What do you think? Do these gender roles still apply in the 21st century? If not, can you reconcile that with the infallibility of Scripture? Are these roles that are in play in your own life?