Prayer.
The thing we most need to do, but what so many of us struggle with. I have a few people in my life who are prayer warriors, plain and simple. I call them when I need prayer because I know they will truly pray. Lately, I find myself wanting this in my own life, but my mind wanders, my lack of attention sets in, or I am at loss for words.
I know I can be honest with God, but most of the time I end up telling Him what I think He wants to hear, as if that is the way I’d want my children to talk with me. Add prayers over my marriage into it, and I really feel lost because mostly I just complain to Him. Real nice.
Paul Tripp speaks about the importance of marriage prayer in his book, What did you Expect?, and his advice rings true.
He said,
“In our marriage prayer pushes us in all the right directions. It reminds us of the kinds of things we have said are so important to a marriage of unity, understanding, and love. Daily prayer reinforces all of the commitments we are tempted to forsake but that are vital to maintain. Prayer opens the eyes of our heart. Prayer is a necessary ingredient of a healthy marriage.”
I need the eyes of my heart opened each day! I can’t stay focused without negative thoughts bombarding me, and redirecting my prayers to the point where I start making grocery lists or even worse, pointing out others flaws instead asking forgiveness for my own. I know, I am so pathetic.
I’m sure God isn’t shocked to see me freaking out and wringing my hands. King David did it, maybe you do it, so at least I am in good company.
But I want some of my prayers to reflect what I do know to be true about my Father in heaven. Even David usually ended his prayers proclaiming God’s goodness and mercy. At times, my ears and my soul need to hear something other than my own fearful thoughts.
As I murmured the Lord’s Prayer, I felt more anchored. Steady. Jesus told us to pray these words, so this must be a good springboard. This marriage prayer reminds us of who we are, who God is, and how we fit into His kingdom.
Marriage Prayer
Our Father in heaven…
We are not alone. We tend to forget we are not left to our own devices and resources. We are not to depend on our own strength, wisdom, and righteousness.
