Barbie and Ken

Who wants to be like Barbie and Ken?!  

Just a few years ago when I was in college, for one sorority party I invited a very handsome young man named Ken.  I was so excited at the thought that we would be, could be, Barbie and Ken!   Of course before we had our one date, I envisioned us walking down the aisle, Barbie and Ken!   sigh... swoon 

Have you ever known an attractive, powerful man of God, and said, “He’s the kind of man I want to marry!”   I have.  Many times.  It is good to have high standards when it comes to marriage, and know that all things are possible with God.  

The tricky thing is being open for God’s very best, and while waiting, not idealizing or idolizing specific people as the “ideal” (much like creating a Golden Calf.)  While praying with a friend this morning, she prayed for me that if I had idealized any men by saying, “He is my ideal man for marriage”, that the power of my words would be broken.   We are not to set our sights on “Ken or Barbie”, we are to look to Jesus as our ideal, and wait for His best.  

Arthur Burke of Plumbline ministries (now Sapphire Leadership Group) did a series called “Releasing Singles”.    He teaches that one of the things we need to pray about in preparation for marriage (and even if you are married, this is important), are the labels that others have put on us, or the labels we have placed on other people.  Labels are really spoken words or declarations that we have made over ourselves, or that other people have spoken over us.  

There may be a lot to pray through regarding labels in your life, but some of the common labels that need to be removed for those preparing to be married are “Unavailable”, “Already Taken” or “Invisible”.  

Unavailable or Already Taken:  

If someone you have known in your past has thought you would be the person they would marry, that person may have casually made a “claim” over you.  Arthur Burke believes that when those words have been spoken, your spirit receives the words and sends a message that you are already taken & unavailable.  He says that even if you have repented or received ministry over something that contributed to a label, the label still needs to be removed, and the truth must be spoken over the lies.  

Who have you “made claim” over in your life?  Is there any person who may have spoken a “claim” over you, leaving you unavailable.  I pray that this is revealed to you now.  The men revealed to me this morning as men I may have idealized as the perfect husband are married friends, and I admired their marriages, so do not discount a married friend in this process.  

Invisible

According to Arthur Burke, there are times when a child may desire to be invisible and makes an inner vow.  If there is abuse or strife in the home, or if you have been sexually abused then you may have made a vow, or had the desire to be invisible.  This can cause your spirit to be invisible to the spirit of the man or woman God has for you.  

Declarations: 

Father God, thank you for bringing to light Your Truth that will set us free.  I pray that each person reading and making these declarations, will be surrounded by the Comforter, Your Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth.  Give us eyes to see, and ears to hear Your voice regarding any remaining labels that need to be removed.  Thank You Lord for your grace and power, and the authority You have given each one of us who calls you Lord.  

A Guide for your personal prayer:  

• Father God, please forgive me for making claim over any person in my past, as my husband or wife, or as THE Ideal husband or wife.     

• I declare that the label of my claim over the following people _________ is removed now in the name of Jesus Christ.  

• I declare that those people are available only for Your best spouse for them, and I bless their current or future marriages.  

• I declare that any and all labels that I am “Unavailable or Taken”  that have been placed on my spirit, either by me or someone else, are removed now in the name and power of Jesus Christ.  

• I declare that I am AVAILABLE to meet and receive God’s best spouse for me, in the perfect, suddenly timing of God.   

• I sever and break any, and all inner vows that I may have made at any time in my life that I am invisible.

• I declare that I am VISIBLE!  and I declare that I have the Favor of God as a shield around my life.  

• I know and declare that I am free to walk in the fullness of my destiny, and I am visible and seen by God’s best for me.  

• I am worthy of God’s best!  I am worthy of the fine people who are successful spiritually and in all areas of their lives.  I AM WORTHY!  

• We pray and declare that the labels of “unavailable”, “Taken”, or “Invisible” placed on our future spouses are removed now in the name of Jesus!  

• Thank you Lord!    We celebrate the freedom!  We thank You Lord that the mantle of invisibility, or unavailability has been lifted!  AMEN!  WOO HOO!!  

Now for a little Barbie and Ken fun.   I pray and declare that the ONE person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with, will recognize you just as Ken recognizes Barbie in this clip:  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2011