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Do you think prayer changes things? If so, then prayer should be a major part of your marriage improvement program.
I’ve seen Lori change, seemingly as a result of my prayers. I will talk about that on Thursday. Today, I want to talk about something far more important: how our prayers changes us!
We all tell ourselves stories to make ourselves feel better about what we do, and don’t do, in our marriages. We may even share these stories with friends to make ourselves look better than we are. But most of us are not up to trying to sell these stories to God. If our prayers for our marriage are based on stories we tell ourselves, we’re giving God permission to call us on it.
I suspect we sometimes don’t pray about our marriage for this very reason. We know we’re wrong about something, and ignoring that while we tell God how horrible our wife is feels wrong. Even if we’re honest, praying opens us up to God convicting us about the places we fall short as husbands. I know I’ve avoided praying about certain marriage issues for these reasons.
Praying about your marriage will help you deal with the less than true stories you tell yourself. It gives God the chance to show you what you could do to make your marriage better. It can also soften your heart and lead to you giving more grace. All of these things will help your relationship with your wife.
When you pray for your marriage, which I suggest you do daily, be sure to include “Not my will, but your will be done.” God knows both you and your wife. He knows what you both need, and how you should both change. His will is better for your marriage than your will. Much better.
Image Credit: © Ben White | unsplash
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Paul,
This is probably the best advice you could give us. So often we focus on our spouse to make us look better, rather than focusing on ourself to make us truly better.
Pointing a finger at my spouse always leaves three fingers pointing back at me.
Praying Thy will be done, covers it all—surrender, humility and dependence on God.
Thank you!