We’ve Never Been Closer – One Change That Made All the Difference in Our Marriage

He stands at the sink filling a water pitcher. I see his reflection in the sky darkened window. I press my chin on his shoulder. Our eyes meet through the reflection of the glass. My arms wrap around him. He’s peaceful. It’s been a while. I haven’t seen peace on his face for many months now. He works so hard. He thinks so much. And lately. Lately, he’s been praying. I can tell. He’s different when he’s praying.

I squeeze hard around his shoulders, turn my head and rest. I rest on his shoulders. The shoulders that carry the burden of a family. A family he leads and provides for daily. A family that he loves passionately and with arms wide open. I sigh heavy, releasing the burdens of the day. I pray.

He turns to me. Pulls me tight, whispers I love you. Then, with resolve, tells me through it all, the mess, the chaos, he feels so close to me. He loves me more now than when we said I do almost four years ago. And I smile with knowing. He’s been praying every day for a month. I tell him so. He nods. God is answering his prayers.

As I surveyed women, there was one habit that resounded the loudest. The habit at the heart of every marriage was prayer.

When asked what is one thing you wish you had done more of through the years, one woman answered:

In the early days of my marriage and parenthood, I asked God to show me how to live in such a way that I would not say later in life, “I wish I had done this or that.” He has been faithful to guide me. If I think of something before the end of the month. I will email you.

She never emailed me back. God is answering her prayers.

photo credit

Prayer. It is the one habit that your marriage cannot do without. It is the one habit that will make all the difference.

The entire month of January, Mark and I committed to praying daily for one another. We used Ashley Pichea’s book, 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse: Power of Prayer, as our guide.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous has great power as it is working. ~James 5:16

Praying made all the difference.

So, have you joined joined our Facebook group – A Surrendered Marriage? If not, take a moment to do so. Each day, I will give you scripture, and a prayer prompt to remind you to pray for your spouse. You can also email me at IntentionalByGrace {at} gmail {dot} com to request to receive emails with your prayer prompts. Just put prayer in the subject line.

We will be using 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse as our guide, but it is not mandatory to have the book. It is certainly beneficial, but you can join us in praying without it. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book, then click here and enter the code “IDIDIT” to receive 50% off at check out. The sale ends today {Februrary 1st}!

Also, the winner of yesterdays giveaway for a FREE copy of 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse is Barry Myers. I will be emailing you shortly with more details.

Regardless of whether you join one of our groups for daily accountability, I hope you will join me in surrendering your marriage to God the Father through daily prayer for your spouse. It is the one habit that truly makes all the difference.

By the way, if you’re enjoying this post, please consider subscribing to my blog.

This post was sponsored by Ashley Pichea’s 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse.

This post is linked to Walk with Him Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesdays, Women Living Well, Wifey Wednesday.