Marriage, Even When…(Day 5)

We’ve looked at ways to enjoy your marriage and make it more enjoyable for your spouse. We talked about how to love better and mature in your marriage and perspective. We looked at how we can be a helper to each other. We looked at how God first loved us and gave us an example of how to love even when someone isn’t doing what we want them to do or acting how we want them to act.

I also mentioned at one point that we’d discuss listening. I mentioned that on Day 3 and followed up with Day 4 on having fun together. Listening is a huge part of that. In order to know what your spouse wants or what your spouse enjoys, you need to listen to them. 

I struggle with listening and need to work on this. Here’s some encouragement from God on listening.

“The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him.”

“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” 

“A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.”

“Listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understand;”

“Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips.”

To sum up these scriptures as they relate to your marriage: Listen to your spouse and seek to understand them. Be more interested in what they have to say than what you have to say. Don’t be thinking about your response while they are talking. 

Easier said than done but so are most things that are right. Also, with God, all things are possible.

Mainly today, I want to encourage you to do one of the most powerful things you can do together. Please PRAY TOGETHER. Start small. Pray together about one thing. Maybe just pray that you each have a good day. Maybe pray for something you need like a newer car or a certain financial goal. Then grow in that. Right now, my wife and I are praying together for direction regarding where we should live and where our children should go to school among other things. Our faith is able to grow together as we seek God and ask him to move in our lives. We pray together often and hope we will grow in that and pray together more and more often. I hope that will happen to you as well. 

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

Tell each other about how you are feeling and what you are afraid of. Tell each other how you got angry and lost your patience in traffic, how you got mad at the service in the fast-food restaurant, or how you struggle with patience and kindness and pray for each other. If you’ve lost your cool with your children confess that to each other and pray for one another. Pray for headaches, hardships, and health for each other and your family.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Just before bed at night express some of the top worries to your spouse and then pray for those worries and give them to God. Ask God to help your spouse. 

“Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus prayed all the time. Often he withdrew and prayed. I encourage you to pray on your own. When you do, pray for your spouse. I also encourage you to pray together and agree in prayer.

Prayer is so powerful. Prayer together is so powerful! 

Please start praying together and never stop. 

Intend to Live

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven. I want our marriage to be a blessing to you and to bring your name Glory and Honor! I want us to love you and serve you with our marriage. Please help us to pray together more often. Please remind us and draw us to pray together and to pray for each other. Help us be vulnerable and confess our sins and our fears to each other and pray for each other. May you hear our prayer and may we grow closer to you daily as we pray together for you to move in our lives, in our family, and in this world. May our prayers invite you to have your way in this world. May we start with praying for each other and may we end up praying for people to be saved all over the world. May more people know you. Please use our marriage to plant seeds in people that lead them to follow you and believe in you. In your name Jesus. Amen.