Couples That Pray Together

Couples That Pray Together

 

Dear Champions,

 

The short excerpt is by Andy Stanley, and the scripture is James 3: 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, it's peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.   

 

Considerate means, "I defer to you.  You first."   It's almost impossible to have a bad relationship with people who defer to you and are willing to be considerate. 

 

If you begin to pray together out loud as a couple on a regular basis it will almost instantly begin to surface all of the crud, arrogance, ego, and resistance to God's authority in your life and your submission to one another.  For many of us that are resistant to this, it's a pride problem. 

 

There have been several studies on couples that pray together, and only about 8 % of Christian couples pray together out loud.  Another study was done and came to the conclusion that less than 1 percent of couples that pray together ever got divorced.  Another study was done where the reported divorce rate of couples that pray together regularly is about 1 in 10,000.  Dr. Phil reported this in his book, Relationship Rescue.   The couples that pray together stay together. 

 

Your prayers do not have to be long and eloquent, and make sure that you pray with each other and not at each other.  Also, if you have children, pray together with your children and for your children.  Praying together is intimate, so don't be surprised that as you develop greater spiritual intimacy that it does not enhance your physical intimacy. 

 

Never be critical of your spouse's prayer, and don't go too long without praying together.  Pray out loud, and pray on a regular basis.  If there is something in you that resists this, ask yourself what it is that would make you think that you need to share every other area of your life with this person but this.  Would you be willing to push through the discomfort and ackwardness to pray together out loud on a regular basis?   Men in particular, praying out loud with your family sets a tone that says to your kids that Daddy and Mommy are men and women under the authority of God. 

 

Champions, have a great week!-David Vining