Day 37
Love agrees in prayer
If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father. —Matthew 18:19
If someone told you that by changing one specific thing about your marriage, you could guarantee with nearly 100 percent assurance that your life together would significantly improve—you’d at least want to know what it was.
Countless couples have discovered this “one thing” to be the regular practice of praying together.
To someone who tends to devalue spiritual matters, this may seem ridiculous. But the unity that grows between a man and woman who regularly pray together forms an intense and powerful connection. Within the sanctuary of your marriage, shared prayer becomes a highly effective weapon in your battle for marital longevity while also heightening your sense of sexual intimacy. It can truly work wonders on every level of your relationship.
When a husband and wife talk to God together, something amazing happens. Jesus said, for example, “If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them. . . . For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 18:19–20). Though Jesus’ words apply to all believers, they certainly apply to Christian marriages. United prayer actually ushers the presence of God into your marriage in a special way, accompanied by the love, joy, and peace you long to experience in your home. It happens each time you join hands together to approach the throne of grace.
When you were joined as husband and wife, God gave you a wedding gift—a permanent prayer partner for life, someone who can help take all your praying to the next level. When you need wisdom on a certain decision, you and your mate can seek God together for the answer. When you’re struggling with personal fears and insecurities, your prayer partner can hold your hand and intercede on your behalf. When you and your spouse are not getting along and can’t seem to get past a particular argument or sticking point, you can call a time-out, drop your weaponry, and go with your partner into emergency intercession. Prayer should become your first response and your automatic reflex when you don’t know what else to do.
It’s hard to stay angry for long with someone you’re praying for. It’s hard not to back down when you’re hearing your mate humbly cry out to God for mercy in the midst of your heated crisis. In prayer, a husband and wife remember that God has made them one. And in the grip of His uniting presence, disharmony blends into beauty.
The word Jesus used, in fact, about “agreeing” in prayer carries this idea of a harmonious symphony. When two different notes are played together, they create a fuller, more complete sound than either of them can accomplish on their own. Likewise, when we bring our divergent views and personalities together in prayer, God joins these together in harmony. Agreeing in prayer—even in the midst of disagreeing—pulls us both back toward our real center. It places us on common ground, face-to-face before the Father.
The church (which in Scripture has a marriage connotation with Christ) is a place where disharmony can sometimes flare up and derail members from their mission while disrupting their worship and unity. At times, when godly church leaders sense this taking place, they will break off further discussions and call the people of God to prayer. Instead of continuing the discord and allowing more feelings to be hurt, they will seek to restore unity by turning their hearts back to God and appealing together for help.
The same thing happens in our homes when we let prayer intervene at high points of disagreement. It stops the bleeding. It quiets the loud voices. It pauses our painful passion as we realize Whose presence we’re in.
But prayer can do a lot more than just break up fights. Prayer is a privilege to be enjoyed on a consistent, daily basis. Praying for your spouse leads your heart to care more deeply about them. Hearing him or her pray for your needs, your protection, and God’s blessings over your life is an intimate experience that can deepen your love and feelings for one another.
When you know that prayer time awaits you before going to bed at night, it will change the way you spend your evening. Even if your prayers are short and to the point, they’ll become a standing appointment you each orbit your day around, keeping God in the middle of everything. Where He should be.
It’s true that beginning a habit like this can initially feel foreign or awkward. But anything this powerful will surprise you with its long-term results as you actually try doing it. The more you practice it, in fact, the more it will become a natural part of your time together. And more importantly, God will be pleased when He sees you both humbling yourselves and seeking His face . . . together.
You’ll look back at this common thread that ran through everything from average Mondays to major decisions, and be so thankful you invested yourselves in this “one thing” that so deeply changes everything. This is one area where it’s imperative that you agree to agree.
TODAY'S DARE
Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it’s in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don’t forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.
____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.
How did your mate respond to your request to pray together? If you agreed to do it, what was it like? What did you learn from it?
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