Pray, Play, and Stay TogetherSample

Pray then Play

Have you heard the saying, “The family that prays together, stays together?” Well, if you have, then you are hopefully applying this important practice to your daily spiritual walk. If not, understand that prayer is one of the most important tools that you have at your disposal to keep the enemy out of your marriage. In James 5:16, we are encouraged to first confess our mistakes and shortcomings to each other and then pray for each other. When we do, our righteousness, our right standing with God as Christians, will heal us. Wow! What power that you both possess because you have Holy Spirit on the inside of you! He wants to be a part of your relationship and help your marriage succeed. Then he wants to see the manifestation of every promise He has for your marriage. Here is the recipe:

Be vulnerable and transparent. This is your “life partner.” There should be nothing that you two cannot share. Being vulnerable and transparent gives your partner permission to do the same and helps them know what to pray for. Just knowing that there are things that you are in need or support of will endear you both to each other and create a deeper bond.

Pray together. Now that you understand what your partner needs, touch and agree in prayer together. Your prayer, going to God on each other’s behalf together, fortifies your commitment to God for each other because that is what prayer is. Prayer is your discussion with God. Have a discussion with God about each other’s needs together!

From praying to playing. Your prayer is the connector. I’ve never seen a couple curse each other out after praying for each other. I have seen couples become more connected and more in love by doing something lighthearted and fun after prayer. Now more than ever, you can find something playful to do that will cement the connection. Play a board game, go for a walk, or take a bike ride together.

Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3. Your marriage is your lifelong commitment to each other and to God. This is going to require you to continue to be vulnerable and transparent with God and each other. Don’t stop. Make this a habit. Your reward will be a deeper relationship with God and a more fortified marriage that can withstand anything. In Day 2 of our plan, we discuss ways to play.