Marriage Monday: Prayer...

It is poignant that prayer in marriage would be the topic for March. Loverbrains and I have recently recommitted to making prayer a priority in our marriage. Work, children, Winter and a host of other stresses have been working overtime to take our focus away. So, we knew that PRAYER was one way to not just say God was going to be first...but to literally put Him first.

In order to get in the amount of hours his job requires and still come home each evening to spend some quality time with his family, Loverbrains leaves for work VERY early. Although I am up...I'm barely moving. I find at such times that little things irritate me... I am quite short in stature and when my husband would hug me to pray before leaving (something I was so happy we were doing) I'd get downright grumpy about the kink in my neck. So, I got the kitchen stool...and now we pray in peace. Sounds dumb...but Satan uses all sorts of ridiculous things to thwart our attempts to obey God. By praying before he leaves for work...Loverbrains is literally putting me and our family before his job.

I have committed to praying for him at his work...and he has committed to praying for me in mine. This helps us to maintain a better perspective...and to truly value what the other does all day long. Something I feel has drastically changed his attitude and priorities is going to work early enough to take time to pray and read his Bible before he begins working. The workplace is crazy these days...most men are working longer hours, for less pay, and with constant fear of losing their jobs regardless of their abilities or performance. It is hard to remember in a stress-filled place...that God comes FIRST. I'm so proud of him for taking this step...to literally put God first at work.

I mentioned a while ago about the importance of prayer hooks in our marriage. These are places and things we attach to prayer time. My favorite is on Sunday mornings when we pray down the church road for our church, teachers, pastor and our children. I love how prayer hooks allow us to model prayer and its importance for our children.

We pray before meals. Recently, we were convicted to not pray in "vain repetitions" but really think about every word we say to God. During mealtimes we were soooo guilty of just rambling out the words...and now we try to really say what's in our hearts...for that meal time and that day.

The benefits of prayer in marriage... It helps us be a team...with God as the Captain!!

Ecc. 4:9-12, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

I guess, my greatest prayer at this point is that we continue to be faithful to God. That we continue to recognize the importance of communicating with God together...and that we remember how it strengthens us to admit or weakness and need for God's grace each day.

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