The Marriage Secret Weapon - Prayer!

Discover the Power of Praying Together in Marriage

The Re|-Engage Marriage Ministry curriculum and teaching is based on God’s design for marriage. Each lesson contains scripture references supporting the teaching points and encouragement to pray.

Praying together is one of the best ways to deepen spiritual intimacy in your marriage, but many couples struggle to find time to pray together. Busyness, distractions, insecurities, personal failures and awkwardness are tools of Satan to prevent us from praying with our spouses.

There are many practical as well as spiritual reasons to make prayer a priority. We will share a few of those reasons, a personal example and an application question for your consideration.

How Can We Make Good Decisions in Our Lives and Marriage?

How can we navigate life and make wise and godly decisions, not only bringing about the best possible outcomes for us and loved ones, but also glorifying God? Is it possible to do so in our world today? Yes, we believe it is possible. God has given us all we need for guidance - the Holy Spirit, His Word, and relationship with Him. We must recognize that we don’t have the wisdom or power to guide ourselves and we must rely on God always. Battling the temptation of self-reliance through prayer is the key to making wise decisions that free us from anxiety, while empowering us to respond lovingly in tough situations. God loves us and invites us to cast our cares upon Him and He will sustain us (Psa 55:22)!

"Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." –  Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

How Can We Remain Calm in Trying Situations?

Paul gives us practical advice in his letter to the Philippians...

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and application with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  – Hebrews 3:13 (ESV) 

God is peace because He alone controls all things and outcomes. He offers us peace that surpasses understanding when we in everything offer our requests to Him with thanksgiving.

How Can We Build Routines of Regular Prayer Including Times of Prayer With Our Spouses?

We must make an intentional efforts to prioritize and schedule time for prayer, just as we do for other important activities. Not just to check a box but to put ourselves in front of the Lord with our requests for guidance, our concerns and anxieties. We do this because we believe what scripture says about God hearing and answering prayers (Jeremiah 33:3, Isaiah 65:24, Matthew 7:7).

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." - Jeremiah 33:3

"Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear." - Isaiah 65:24

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7

A Personal Example

We (Bill and Leslie) have found that going to God with all our stresses, problems, and plans is the only way to walk in peace and joy. Recently we have walked through the stress of moving elderly parents from one place to another.  Leaving their home, getting rid of items with precious memories, and losing their independence has been incredibly painful for them. Doing this with patience, wisdom and empathy has been our challenge. Yet asking for the Lord’s guidance through every step has been the only way to lovingly handle this situation with grace. In this and many other situations in our lives, we have seen the Lord bless difficult decisions, smooth the day’s path, or given us extraordinary patience and peace as we seek His will in prayer.

A Question and Challenge: Are You Currently Talking and Praying Regularly (daily) With Your Spouse About Life and Spiritual Issues You Are Facing?

The Holy Spirit enables close personal relationships with God and with our spouse. Prayer is the main avenue for communication in these relationships. If you are not currently praying regularly with your spouse, talk about it and decide on a recurring time and setting that works well for praying together. You may face scheduling challenges but be determined. Married couples praying together is a foundation for strong marriages and families – make these times a priority and seek God together with the spouse He has provided you.

If you do not currently have a healthy pattern of prayer with your spouse, talk about it and try to find a time and process that works for both spouses. Re|-Engage recommends some tips to get started:

(1) Keep it short – 10 minutes or less to start.
(2) Keep it simple – short prayers, some silence is okay.
(3) Keep it safe and supportive – actively listen and don’t judge your spouse’s prayers (stay in your circle), pray blessings over your spouse.
(4) Keep taking the next step – Deeper sharing and vulnerability often take time. Be patient, and open up more as you feel comfortable, led by the Spirit, and supported by your spouse. 

Spouses praying together regularly helps us make better decisions, remain calm in the inevitable storms of life, and grow closer together as we grow closer to God. Use this marriage “secret weapon” of prayer to grow in your love for each other and peace and joy in your marriage. Your leaders of Emmaus Re|-Engage are praying for spiritual blessings in your marriages to the glory of Christ and His church.