New beginnings . . . that’s what many of us are thinking the the start of a new year, after a milestone birthday, or when you realize that you aren’t on track as you should be – How will we make this year different/better than the past? How can we make this a new habit in our marriage?
For Lisa and me, there are only about a zillion categories where we feel we could improve. Can you relate? But we’re not the “New Year Resolution” type. Why make a pledge you are pretty confident you won’t keep through the whole year?
This year, for us, a change is necessary. We need to make a resolution that will stick. As I look back on last year, even though I hate to admit it, there is one area in our marriage/spiritual lives that I haven’t given the priority it deserves: Prayer.
It’s not that we haven’t prayed. We have, individually. But praying together, regularly? Okay, mealtimes don’t count! What about all those deeply important issues facing every family: The children . . . the finances . . . relationships outside the family . . . business decisions . . . direction on other vital matters . . . and, of course, how each other is doing and the state of our marriage in the busyness of life? Prayer, together, for those? Here and there . . . a bit. We mean well but the days streak by like a fighter jet.
When was the last time you met someone who wasn’t busy? Never, right? We’re all so lightening-speed busy with the pace of life, the urgent consistently elbows out the important. And, so it has been in the Jacobson household – truth be told. We have good intentions but, the reality of the past year is, we haven’t prayed consistently together . . . so, new year (or new start), here we come:
Resolution: This year, Matthew and Lisa Jacobson are going to set aside time, every weekday to pray together for their marriage and family and other important matters.
Do you and your spouse need to set aside time to pray together, too?
If you purpose to make this year a year of praying with your spouse, one thing is certain, there will never be a ‘good time’ to do it. At the very least our busy schedules conspire against such a commitment. And as a committed believer, you also know the Enemy of every good thing also conspires against every advance in your marriage. The Bible makes it clear (in Ephesians 6) that we’re not merely wrestling with our schedules.
This will take resolve. But it is necessary and it’s a great way to deepen the unity of your marriage as you purpose together to seek Him in all the matters important in your lives and praise Him together for the many blessings you receive so regularly.
Lisa and I are going to make it a year of getting back to consistently praying together. Maybe you used to prayer together but fell out of practice. Maybe you’ve never prayed together. Whatever the cause, we encourage you to make this year different. Make it the year that you prayed consistently, one-on-one, with your spouse.
FAITHFUL MAN® 