My Love Dare: Day 37

"If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father" ~ Matthew 18:19

Day 37: Love agrees in prayer

Praying together. It may seem so simple to you.  Or maybe it seems silly.  Or impossible.  But praying together is a key to a long marriage.  It unites husband and wife in a powerful way.

Prayer can:

• give you wisdom when faced with difficult decisions
• bring comfort when struggling through fears and insecurities
• provide peace when having arguments or marital struggles
• provide a place to seek shelter when you don't know where else to turn
• remind you that God has made the two of you into one flesh

It's difficult to stay angry with someone while you hold their hand in prayer.  It draws the two of you together, face to face, on common grown.  It strengthens you.

And it is pleasing to God.

TODAY'S DARE:  ASK YOUR SPOUSE IF YOU CAN BEGIN PRAYING TOGETHER.  TALK ABOUT THE BEST TIME TO DO THIS, WHETHER IT'S IN THE MORNING, YOUR LUNCH HOUR, OR BEFORE BEDTIME.  USE THIS TIME TO COMMIT YOUR CONCERNS, DISAGREEMENTS, AND NEEDS BEFORE THE LORD.  DON'T FORGET TO THANK HIM FOR HIS PROVISION AND BLESSING.  EVEN IF YOUR SPOUSE REFUSES TO DO THIS, RESOLVE TO SPEND THIS DAILY TIME IN PRAYER YOURSELF.

 I spoke to the Man of the House about sharing time in prayer each day.  We decided the best time would be as we go to bed each night.  And that it might take a little while to get comfortable with it and into a routine.  We did it exactly once so far.  That first night that we talked about it.  Remind me to bring it up again...

"In the morning my prayer comes before you" ~ Psalm 88:13

My Love Dare: Day 36

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" ~ Psalm 119:105

photo credit: dailylifeverse.com

Day 36: Love is God's Word

God has not put us into the world - into this life - without a plan.  He has even provided us with an instruction book full of His word and His promises - the Bible.

In order for God's word to be helpful to us we have to commit to it.  Immerse ourselves in it.  And know it.

Be In It: Get into a daily habit of reading the Bible

Stay Under it:  By attending a church where the Word is faithfully preached and Bible study classes where it is taught and discussed you can come to a greater understanding of God's word and how it applies to your life.

Live It:  Allow the Bible to become part of who you are, how you live, how you think, and what you do.

When we live only according to our plans, our emotions, the opinions of there, etc - we are building on shaky ground.  As the trials of life shake us - everything will collapse around us.  When we are living by God's word - we have a strong, firm, unshakable foundation against destruction.

When you build your life and your marriage on the Bible, you will see it grow stronger and be solid against the storms.

TODAY'S DARE:  COMMIT TO READING THE BIBLE EVERY DAY.  FIND A DEVOTIONAL BOOK OR OTHER RESOURCE THAT WILL GIVE YOU SOME GUIDANCE.  IF YOUR SPOUSE IS OPEN TO IT, SEE IF THEY WILL COMMIT TO DAILY BIBLE READING WITH YOU.  BEGIN SUBMITTING EACH AREA OF YOUR LIFE TO ITS GUIDANCE AND START BUILDING ON THE ROCK.

I take some quiet time each morning to read a devotional or two and to spend some time in God's word. (I'm doing one of those "read the Bible in a year" plans).  I spoke with the Man of the House about the two of us maybe doing some sort of devotional or bible study together as well.  And I think we've decided on a book to look at for this purpose.

My Love Dare: Day 35

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed" ~ Proverbs 15:22

Day 35: Love is accountable

The marriage vows most of us took say  "good times and bad" and "sickness and health".

God means for use to face challenges together.  United as one.  Making each other stronger. Supporting each other.

It is equally important to build a network of strong, godly, healthy friendships that value marriage.All people need wise counsel at some point.  The wise seek it out and are grateful for it.  The foolish avoid and ignore it.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel" ~ Proverbs 12:15

Wise counsel warns you against the danger of bad choices, encourages you during difficulties, and celebrates your marriage. You must avoid negative influences.  Those who encourage selfish choices.  Look for others who seek Christ.  Someone with the type of marriage you long for.  Someone who values and lives by the Word of God.

TODAY'S DARE:  FIND A MARRIAGE MENTOR - SOMEONE WHO IS A STRONG CHRISTIAN AND WHO WILL BE HONEST AND LOVING WITH YOU.  IF YOU FEEL THAT COUNSELING IS NEEDED, THEN TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.  DURING THIS PROCESS, ASK GOD TO DIRECT YOUR DECISIONS AND DISCERNMENT.

I have several women I consider friends who are godly Christ followers.  But I don't feel I have any really close friends like that.  No one I could sit down over coffee and pour out my heart.  Truth be told, I've become a bit of a loner as the years have gone by.  I spend most of my time with either the Man of the House or the female offspring. I think I need to do some praying for God to help me cultivate those kinds of friendships again in my life.  To give me the courage to reach out and open myself up to those friendships.