‘In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.’ 1 Peter 3:7(NLT)
‘Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NLT)
‘“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! ‘ Matthew 6:5-8(NLT)
Studies and polls reveal that, nowadays, divorce rates inside the church and outside of it are practically the same. It means, apparently, it makes no difference if you are a Christian or not, the vows taken might be considered as negotiable as the divorce rates look the same.
However, there is a huge gap between couples who pray together and those who do not pray together. Praying together does not mean sitting in church together with your heads bowed in silence while the pastor is praying as you hold hands with your spouse. It does not mean to pray for your spouse when you are in the shower, driving somewhere, or doing the dishes.
It is not praying for your spouse. It is praying with your spouse.
It means to pray out loud, together. It does not have to be some grandiloquent prayer with words taken straight from a theology book.
Just pray. Talk to God about your spouse, thank God for them, ask Him for forgiveness or for guidance. Tell God about your plans for the day and pray for your marriage and for your family together. Pray for everything you are thankful for and for everything you feel like you need. Pray about anything and everything and share that special time with your spouse. It will make a difference in your day and in your relationship with both God and the person you are married to.
When we pray, it changes us. It humbles us and connects us with God. It increases our faith, improves our mood and makes us more positive and perceptive. Imagine what it can do for your marriage. Prayer places both the husband and wife on the same level.
The more we pray together, the more we will need to pray together. C. S. Lewis said this about prayer: “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.”
Many issues in our married lives can be solved by living a lifestyle of prayer. When we want things to be different, we should not pray that God would change our spouse; we should pray for God to change us. In doing so, out loud, next to our spouse, it will bring healing, admiration, humility and the willingness to be better and do better.
Thought of the Day
Let prayer be a priority in your marriage. Every day, hold hands together and pray – even if it is only for a few minutes before falling asleep. It will improve your lives and your marriage in ways you cannot even imagine!
from [#Life] Marriage