Marriage is great when two people enter into it with a mutual commitment to keep it strong no matter what. But often a couple will have preconceived ideas about who the other is and how married life is supposed to be, and then reality hits. That's when their kingdom become divided. You have to continually pray that any unreal expectations out so that you grow together in a spirit of unity, commitment, and a bond of intimacy. Pray that your marriage is a place where two agree so God will be in the midst of it (Matthew 18:19,20).
Praying about all aspects of a marriage keeps the concept of divorce from gaining any hold. So we mustn't reject the major issues, even if we think they don't apply to us. We need to pray that there will be neither no divorce nor adultery in your future. Although there may not be any family history of either, divorce and adultery has saturated our culture that they are almost expected in some circles. Pray that God would preserve your marriage from any such destruction. He is faithful and will answer.
Don't take your marriage for granted, no matter how great it is. "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12). Pray for your marriage to be protected from any person or situation that could destroy it. Ask the Lord to do whatever it takes to keep the marriage intact, even if it means striking one of you lightening when you think about giving it all up! Pray that God will make your marriage a source of joy and life to both of you, and not a drudgery, a thorn, a dread, an irritation, or a temporary condition.
PRAYER
LORD, I pray you would protect our marriage from anything that would harm or destroy
it. Shield it from our own selfishness and neglect, from the evil plans and desires of others, and from unhealthy or dangerous situations. May there be no thoughts of divorce or infidelity in our hearts, and none in our future. Set us free from past hurts, memories, and ties from previous relationships, and unrealistic expectations of one another. I pray that there be no jealousy in either of us, or the low self-esteem that precedes that. Let nothing come into our hearts and habits that would threaten the marriage in any way, especially influences like alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, lust or obsessions.
Unite us in a bond of commitment, generosity and understanding. Eliminate our immaturity, hostility, or feelings of inadequacy. Help us to make time for one another alone, to nurture and renew the marriage and remind ourselves of the reasons we were married in the first place. I pray that (husband's name) will be so committed to You, Lord, that his commitment to we will not waiver, no matter what storms come. I pray that our love for each other will grow stronger everyday so that we will never leave a legacy of divorce to our children.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE FOR MEDITATION
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
Malachi 2:15,16
Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the Lord God of Israel says. That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Ecclesiastes 4:11
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
I Corinthians 7:10,11
Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes
*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Wife(2006)
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