Dos and Don'ts: A One-Week Plan to Help Your MarriageSample

Maybe you feel like your marriage is on the rocks. Perhaps you have tried and tried to piece things back together, but you feel as though your spouse is unengaged or checked out. The Lord knows you and your situation. You are not alone. He hears the cry of your heart. Before we begin, let's pray the following suggested prayer.

Abba Father, thank You for Your mercy on sinners like myself. Please have mercy on me. Thank you for your grace. I praise you, Lord of heaven and earth, Creator and Redeemer, God of love, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-seeing. I put all of my hope and trust in YOU and your grace. I affirm that you are working even now on my behalf. I ask you now for your help and Your grace. Thank you for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you are going to do. I trust you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Many of us do not like to be told what to do or what not to do, particularly if we don't understand why, even more so if we don't think it will make any difference, and definitely if it goes against what we want to do! This may describe your response when you read through the dos and don'ts. But don't let negative thoughts or feelings deter you. There is a great blessing available in these daily habits.

Today we will look at the list of dos and pray through them. Later in the week, we will unpack each one to see what it looks like practically.

The 5 DAILY DOS

1. Turn your eyes to Jesus and off of yourself, and off of your spouse. Fix the eyes of your heart and your mind upon the Lord and keep them there.

2. Thank the Lord and praise Him throughout each day. Make it a point to thank the Lord and praise Him in the morning when you get out of bed, at noon, and again at night before you go to bed.

3. Take ten to twenty minutes with the Lord. Plan strategically to spend at least ten to twenty minutes with the Lord each day reading and praying through the Scriptures listed in this plan.

4. Take every thought captive. Watch over your heart and mind. Don't let it run wild. Be careful to think about what is true and things that are holy and right.

5. Treat your spouse as more important than yourself. Serve your mate each day. Honor your spouse. Consider them first.