As Christians, we see prayer as a center of our lives. We pray daily as a means of communication with our God. We pray for health and healing. We pray for guidance and forgiveness. We pray in thanks for the abundant life that God has given us. We pray in petition for friends, family and those in need. Prayer is an integral part of our daily lives.
Pray without ceasing. —1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV
Marriage is perhaps the most important earthly relationship we will have. Marriage is the basis for family and family is one of God’s most precious gifts. As you reflect on your marriage today ask yourself, is my marriage centered on prayer?
Prayer is a powerfully bonding force. When we pray in unison with those we love, the desires of our hearts are heard that much louder. When we pray with our spouses, we are allowing them to be a part of one of the most intimate and deeply personal aspects of our lives. What is more important than our relationship with God? Sharing this relationship with a spouse can have big positive effects on the health and strength of a marriage.
Why not take goodnight kisses to a more spiritual level and strive to pray with your spouse every night before bed? Try starting and ending your day together in prayer. At the start of the day, you can pray together in thanks for the day that God has given you and ask Him to guide and protect you. At the end of the day thank God for all that has happened throughout the day and ask Him for rest and comfort throughout the night.
Not sure where to begin? Here is a good place to start.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. —Matthew 6:9-13, KJV
When you center your marriage on prayer, you acknowledge that it is God’s love and God’s plan that has brought the two of you together. God should always remain the central focus of all of our relationships. Prayer can be especially helpful during times of trouble or conflict. If you and your spouse are facing a particular hardship, praying together can take some of the stress and worry away. Praying together in thanksgiving can help remind you just how blessed the life you have together is and can help maintain a positive outlook. Praying together is a beautiful act of faith and love.
Perhaps you are looking for prayers that you can say specifically for your spouse. Praying for your spouse is one of the most personal and lasting gifts you can give. Here are a few Scripture verses to pray for your spouse.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. —Psalm 90:17, KJV
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; —Ephesians 5:22-25, KJV
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. —1 Corinthians 7:14, KJV
A Christ centered marriage is sure to be a happy, contented and abundantly blessed marriage. Anchor your marriage firmly in faith and cultivate it with fervent prayer.