10 Steps to Unity in Your Blended FamilySample

Step 3: Focus on building a strong marriage.

A strong marriage is foundational for building unity within your blended family. And the first step is understanding and living by the biblical priorities set before us: God first, marriage second, and blended family third.

Salvation in Jesus Christ and our intimate relationship with Him is the bedrock of our life and the foundation of our marriage and family. We were created by Him and for Him, and He holds everything together (Colossians 1:16). If God does not take first place in our lives, we cannot experience life as He designed.

Second in priority is our marriage. Anything (other than God) that comes before your spouse will create opportunities for tension and resentment. Children take the backseat–even in a blended family. This means carving out time to grow in your marriage. Plan regular date nights. Read the Bible together and separately. Pray together. Develop healthy communication (without your phones). Surround yourself with godly friends who strengthen your marriage. These actions will build your marriage and bless your blended family.

In addition, Scripture tells us that when we marry our spouse, we become one flesh. Sexual intimacy is a gift within marriage to be nurtured. This intimacy feeds into and flows out of other aspects of intimacy–emotional, spiritual, and financial. As husband and wife, you pledge loyalty to one another in all areas of your marriage.

Prayer: Father, You created us in Your image for a relationship with You. We want You to be the center of our lives and marriage, so give us a deeper hunger for You. Help us learn to put each other first, second only to You. We ask your Holy Spirit to guide us as we become the partners You want us to be. We want to seek You for every need we have. Be our sole reliance in times of disagreement or misunderstanding. Help us to lean on Your promises, and let our lives reflect Jesus by exhibiting sacrificial love in all we do. In Your holy name we offer this prayer, Amen.