Ignite Your Marriage: 7 Days to Deeper Love & Lasting Connectionنموونە

Growing Together Spiritually

Scripture:"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."-Matthew 6:33

You've heard it before: "A marriage that prays together, stays together." But let's be real—sometimes praying with your spouse feels awkward. Early on, Lisa and I thought spiritual intimacy would just happen naturally. Spoiler alert: it doesn't. We figured faith would blend seamlessly into our relationships like peanut butter and jelly, but instead, it felt more like trying to mix oil and water. Awkward prayers, clunky moments, and a lot of hesitation—it wasn't pretty at first!
Why is it easier to talk about laundry or Netflix than faith? Because spiritual intimacy requires vulnerability. It's one thing to admit you forgot to take out the trash—it's another to confess you're struggling with doubt or fear. But here's the thing: the couples who grow spiritually together aren't the ones who get it "right" every time—they're the ones who try.

1. Make Prayer Part of the Routine
Lisa and I didn't grow comfortable praying together overnight. At first, it felt unnatural. How do you go from "Did you pay the water bill?" to "God, I don't know what to do with our child"? But the more we practiced, the more natural it became. Now, prayer is a constant—whether it's in the car, before bed, or even in the chaos of a busy day.
Challenge: Pray together every day for one week. Even if it's just 30 seconds, studies show couples who pray together regularly have deeper trust and connection. Start small and stay consistent.

2. Crack Open the Bible Together
Let's be honest—reading the Bible together as a couple doesn't sound as exciting as binge-watching your favorite show. However, when Lisa and I started reading Scripture together, something changed. Suddenly, our conversations weren't just about the calendar—they were about God's plan for our lives.
Pro Tip: Start simple. Choose a short devotional or passage and take five minutes a day to read together. You'll be amazed at how quickly those moments deepen your connection.

3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Serve
Here's a game-changer: serve together. Whether it's volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or mentoring another couple, serving shifts your focus from you to God's bigger plan. And something incredible happens when you're working together for a purpose greater than yourselves—you grow closer.
Reality Check: A self-focused marriage struggles. A God-focused marriage thrives.

4. Be Brave Enough to Be Vulnerable
Lisa and I have had some messy faith moments—times when we've doubted, wrestled, or struggled to trust. But those are the conversations that have strengthened us the most. Vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the doorway to true spiritual intimacy.

Here's the truth: spiritual connection won't just "happen." It takes effort. But when you make God the center of your marriage, everything else begins to fall into place. So, here's your challenge: take one small step today—pray, read, or serve. It may feel awkward at first, but trust us, the reward is worth it. Your marriage will thrive, not just survive.

Prayer: Father, help us grow closer to You and to each other. Show us how to lead each other spiritually. Make our marriage a reflection of Your love. Amen.

Reflection:

· How can you prioritize spiritual growth in your marriage?

· What steps can you take to establish a consistent prayer and devotional life together?

· How can you serve together to strengthen your relationship and faith?