Text: Genesis 2:18-24
Memory text:
“And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.””
Genesis 2:18 NKJV

A bird cannot fly with one wing dominating the other. If one wing becomes stiff, heavy, or overpowering, the bird crashes.
Marriage is the same. One spouse is the left wing, and the other is the right wing. They must flap together in rhythm, balance, and unity.
When I was a teenager, I loved the fun of shooting flying birds with a slingshot, sometimes called a catapult. Once the stone hits one of its wings and breaks the tender bones, the bird comes down from the height. That’s what domination in marriage does; it breaks one wing, but partnership lifts both. A dominating spouse grounds the marriage. A partnering spouse helps it soar.
From creation, God did not give Adam a servant but a helper suitable for him – an equal partner, so they can be balanced and soar together (Gen 2:18). The word “helper” which is ‘Ezer’ in Hebrew, does not mean a servant. It is the same word used for God helping Israel – “Jehovah-Ezer”, which means, “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Sam 7:12). Rather, it means strength alongside, not submission under oppression.
God designed marriage as a mutual partnership, not domination. Eve was not given to Adam to be dominated over but to be a helper suitable for him, that is, an equal partner. God did not take Eve from Adam’s head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled, but from his side to be an equal partner. That is, side by side, heart to heart and partner to partner!
Marriage is not master and servant, commander and subordinate or owner and property relationship. Rather, it is two becoming one.
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. ….”” (Matt 19:6).
Marriage is a team sport, not a one man show or a boxing match where one dominates. It’s a team of two with different roles, the husband as the striker and the wife as the midfielder, but the same goal. The role is not as important as their goal, which is to win together. If one tries to outshine the other, takes all the credit, or consider his or her role more important, they lose the match. In a marriage partnership, “We” is used rather than “I”. Partnership wins, but domination destroys teamwork.
Friends, a dominating spouse, is a threat to the marriage. He or she wins arguments but gradually loses hearts. He creates a prisoner, but a partnering spouse creates a companion. Partnership invites love; domination suffocates it.

Prayer points
1. Father, please uproot every spirit of control, domination, manipulation, and emotional bondage from every of Your children’s homes, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, make our homes a place of emotional safety, not fear; partnership, not control; intimacy, not intimidation, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. We end domination, control, or emotional oppression in our homes as we usher in abundant love, mutual respect, and honour for each other.
2. The Spirit of Christ leads our homes, not fear, ego, or intimidation; we walk as two equals – a team of two, joined by God, walking in oneness of heart and purpose.