~Appreciate Your Spouse~Buoyancy in Marriage~Consult Your Partner~
~Dream Together Part One ~Dream Together Part Two~Empower Your Spouse~
~Have Fun With Your Spouse~Give to One Another~Honor Each Other~
~Be Intentional~Jubilee~Kingdom Focused~Listen~Mentor Relationships~Nourish~Own It~
Pray With Each Other
Innermost– Matt’s Thoughts
Praying together is ultimate intimacy. The origin of the word intimate comes from the Latin intimus meaning “innermost.” So this isn’t, “Thank you God for this wonderful day, and our many wonderful blessings. Help [insert name here] get better. In Jesus name, Amen.” I’m talking really pouring it all out to God allowing your dearest to hear your heart and hearing your dearest pour it all out to God. You are being intimate with both your creator and your lover. That’s what I mean by ultimate intimacy. Healthy marriages contain spouses laying bare together physically and spiritually. Yes, you make yourself extremely vulnerable in these intimate moments. Isn’t it great? Thank you God, that we don’t have to keep all of life’s struggles and joys packed inside. How great it is to share and bare your heart to the Lord with the one you’ve united yourself in marriage to.
While your innermost feelings flow out to the Lord, you are also hearing from the heart of your spouse and being heard. These connections to our Creator and our life-long marriage partner are vital. Sometimes, due to our busyness of life, different perspectives, or just plain oversight, we are unaware of a load that is weighing down our spouse. I have found that I am able to “check Laura’s pulse” by praying with her. How is she doing? How can I encourage her? What specifically is burdening her?
Why don’t I pray with her more? It is so beneficial for us. The excuses of time, exhaustion, fear of being heard, selfishly not really wanting to hear her, or whatever else I use in my head just disallow me from stronger unity with my Creator and my Companion. We all desire this ultimate intimacy.
Start Today – Laura’s Thoughts
If you’re not used to praying out loud with your spouse, this may possibly sound a little bit stressful to you. Oh, but can I urge you to work toward it anyway? It is beautiful to experience, these moments with you, your spouse and God.
If you, as a couple, are not already in the practice of praying together, one of you must take the lead to make this happen. Men – I strongly encourage you to be the one. Offer this gift to your wife.
And Gals – encourage this leadership in your husband. Open your heart up to God in front of your man. You can do this.
When you pray as a couple, your marriage bond can strengthen in ways it simply can not strengthen otherwise. Prayer is powerful and effective.
Do you and your spouse pray together? If not, what do you feel is holding you back?
Ladies, we know you’re reading here more often than the guys. ;) We’d love husbands to read this article as well. If you feel so inclined please send the link to your husbands, or if it’s easier, we’ve created a downloadable article for you to quickly print off and share. Healthy Marriage Tips A to Z – Pray
Angelina says
Thank you for this! I needed to hear this.
Randi Millward @ Expressions of Perceptions says
Pray together? I’d love to.
What’s holding me back? My husband is an unbeliever.
Laura says
Hang in there Randi – you faithfulness will be a huge witness for him. I wish I had something more to say to encourage you. I have a local friend going through something similar and I can’t imagine the struggle.
Theresa says
I’m right there with you Randi… It is so hard, but God is faithful. I still hang on to the Word that me and my household shall be saved! I also love 1Peter 3:1. I will say a prayer for you <3 Let's Rejoice together in the Lord for His perfect timing!
Tituslady says
I was wondering I know this may sound silly, but is it ok to pray together? In the Bible Jesus told us to go pray in a closet? I’ve been looking for scripture that talks about praying together. Do you know where I can find it?
Thanks!
Randi Millward @ Expressions of Perceptions says
Like the “where two or more agree in My Name” type of scripture or something more specific for husbands and wives?
Daria Gadbois says
Great Question! in Mark 10:7-9 says: 7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
So Praying with your spouse is exactly what God wants for once you are married, you are no longer two “people”, but rather one “person” in the Lord. God wants spouses to be on the same page with each other…and as Mr. Matt mentioned, what better way than praying with one another to know whatys on their mind! hope this helps!
Tituslady says
Oh my thanks!
Tituslady says
Oh no I just meant praying with other people in general.
Kelly says
Acts 12 is one.
Laura says
Acts 1 has two instances where several people are praying together and check out Acts 4:23-31 when they pray together and the place where they were meeting was shaken. (Matt)
Tituslady says
I’ve read that before I’m sorry I couldn’t remember that one thanks!
Beth says
My husband and I often pray together, I wish we did it daily. But at least there is progress in this area! It was really difficult at first, we were embarrassed and didn’t know what to say. So, we started with simple prayers and as our confidence grew so did our prayers. I always ask my husband to start and lead but I think he also feels comforted when I share my heart. It is amazing how close praying together has brought us.
Charliene says
THANK YOU for this post. I have been struggling for many years to figure out how to pray with my spouse and then achieve the courage to do so. My first attempt with my now ex-husband ended when he laughed at me; I never tried again. My current husband and I have prayed together, but I’ve stuck to basic prayers, often written by others, because I’m afraid to step too far out of my comfort zone again. I know my dear husband won’t criticize me, but I now feel that my own words sound stupid aloud. Your post has reignited my courage a bit, inspired me to get to trying again, and gives me something to pass along to my husband. I know he’s interested too and we both needed this motivation. God bless you.
SamanthaR says
My husband and I were given the counsel to pray together every night before laying down to sleep when we were married. So for the last 7+ years, every night (with very few exceptions) we kneel together on our bed to pray together. Sometimes I go with the kids to visit my parents for a night and because of work my husband cannot come, so we call each other so that we can pray together over the phone before bed time. We trade off each night so that we both get a chance to be the one to say the prayer. It is a sweet experience to be communicating with my Father in Heaven along side my husband. After our prayer together, we then say our personal prayers before climbing under the covers.
Kristi W. says
I love this! You will be and probably ARE so blessed for this!
Tituslady says
For the ones with unbelieving husbands keep praying! Two years ago my husband was VERY much not a believer, and the Lord blessed us with our daughter and opened up his heart! He is not Loves the Lord and Jesus very much! It can happen! I’ll pray for you!
Tituslady says
I meant to say now he loves the Lord!