Sweetening Your Sex Lifeنموونە

One way to express intimacy in the Biblical Hebrew culture came through the repetition of a name. We see this happen multiple times in Scripture. Examples include:

· God calling out to Abraham as he is about to sacrifice Isaac (Abraham, Abraham)

· God sending Jacob on a journey of significance (Jacob, Jacob)

· The message from the burning bush (Moses, Moses)

· The whisper in the night to the prophet-in-training at the temple (Samuel, Samuel)

· Jesus’ comforting Martha in the midst of her brother’s death (Martha, Martha)

· Jesus weeping over Jerusalem who is like a lost sheep (O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem)

The repetition of a name signifies a closeness and depth of care beyond the norm. Names reflect who we are. They are tied to us uniquely and personally. In fact, there are some cultures in Africa where a person’s name is considered so intimate that it is only allowed to be spoken of by an immediate relative. Everyone else in this region must use a form of father, mother, sister or brother combined with another identifying factor when calling on that person. 

Intimacy identifies a different level of relationship, whether it comes through language, proximity or affection. Sexual intimacy offers us the deepest expression of closeness and care with another and, because of that, should be one of the most guarded and cherished aspects of the marriage relationship (Proverbs 5:18-19). 

Guarding the marital sexual relationship does not only refer to protecting your heart and mind from external infringements or distractions. It also refers to finding new ways to protect your sexual relationship with your spouse from the futility of familiarity. This might include looking for new ways, locations or times of day to fully enjoy each other. 

Sending loving text messages throughout the day or leaving notes around the house can also ignite emotions and feelings toward each other, setting the stage for sexual engagement later on. And while marital sex involves a depth beyond just the physical, being mindful that God has created the physical for each other’s enjoyment can serve as an impetus for paying attention to personal appearance and clothing throughout the day that your spouse particularly likes. Cherishing your sexual relationship involves consistency, care, and discovery concerning what truly pleases each other. 

Want to discover more ways to pray for your marriage? You will in  Prayers of Blessing Over My Marriage. It comes with helpful insights and guided prayers on over twenty topics. You can also find daily prayer posts on InstaGram: @capandbuttercup