How To Pray With Your Spouse
Let’s be honest: It can be overwhelming and intimidating when you want to start praying as a couple. After all, talking to God is a very intimate and personal thing!
In marriage, there is nothing more powerful than opening the line of communication with God together. This month we want to share a few practical ways you and your spouse can connect and start praying comfortably and confidently as a couple:
In marriage, there is nothing more powerful than opening the line of communication with God together. This month we want to share a few practical ways you and your spouse can connect and start praying comfortably and confidently as a couple:
1. Study what prayer is—and what it is not.
We often have misconceptions about what prayer is. And depending on how you and your spouse grew up, your views of prayer may be very different.
If you want to pray as a couple, considering starting with a bible study on prayer (check out some of the studies on Right Now Media). This might help dispel any myths and make you more comfortable praying as a couple!
If you want to pray as a couple, considering starting with a bible study on prayer (check out some of the studies on Right Now Media). This might help dispel any myths and make you more comfortable praying as a couple!
2. Pick one thing to pray for.
Heads up: It might feel overwhelming and even awkward the first couple times you pray together. This is normal to feel unsure about what to say or even do during prayer.
To help, try to pick one thing ahead of time that you both want to pray about. Whether it’s a big decision coming up, a job situation you are struggling with, or even that you would spend more time together… choose one specific thing and focus on that. When you’re done talking to God about it together, you’re done!
To help, try to pick one thing ahead of time that you both want to pray about. Whether it’s a big decision coming up, a job situation you are struggling with, or even that you would spend more time together… choose one specific thing and focus on that. When you’re done talking to God about it together, you’re done!
PRO TIP: New to praying out loud or with someone else? Try this: Write out your prayer or thoughts on an index card or notepad ahead of time. This might help you feel more comfortable and confident as you begin. After a few times, try it without!
3. Put it on the calendar.
I have to make a confession: I’m terrible at remembering to pray. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve intended to pray only to completely forget.
Prayer can easily get lost and forgotten in the busyness of life. One way to help "fight the forget" is to put it in your calendar. Together, decide what time of the day you’ll pray together. Maybe it's first thing in the morning, right after you put the kids to bed, or when you crawl into bed together at night.
Whatever you decide, set an alarm and guard it like your most important appointment!
Prayer can easily get lost and forgotten in the busyness of life. One way to help "fight the forget" is to put it in your calendar. Together, decide what time of the day you’ll pray together. Maybe it's first thing in the morning, right after you put the kids to bed, or when you crawl into bed together at night.
Whatever you decide, set an alarm and guard it like your most important appointment!
**Things to Avoid When Praying as a Couple**
Early on you might encounter some “speed bumps” in your prayer time. Try to avoid these things when praying together:
- Extra discussion or “preaching.” Devote this time specifically to praying, not criticizing her cooking or that he forgot to take off the trash (again).
- Setting unrealistic expectations. Be hopeful but also be realistic. Setting unrealistic expectations in your prayer time can hinder trust and vulnerability.
- Skipping too many days. The more times you skip the greater chance you have of stopping altogether!
Whether you start by praying silently together or reading out loud a list of things from your heart, praying as a couple is taking a HUGE step in your Christian walk. If you decide to take the challenge, let us know so we can pray and celebrate with you!
Recent
Archive
2023
January
2022