Wait. Why do you need 5 easy ways to pray with your spouse? Isn’t praying together what husbands and wives naturally do? Unfortunately not. According to Barna, 82% of adults pray silently and alone. Sure couples pray for each other, “Lord, please make (fill in your blank here)”, but they do not often pray with each other.
Praying together out loud can make you feel vulnerable.
Many of us grew up in environments where the person who prayed in our church or home always seemed to have the perfect words to say. We often fear messing up or not sounding connected enough to God. Prayer is about being vulnerable. Praying with your spouse, the one who loves you for better or worse, should be the safest person for you to pray aloud with. However, I know the struggle is real. That is why I wanted to share with you these 5 easy ways to pray with your spouse.
Here are 5 easy ways to pray with your spouse.
1. Respond to a need
If your spouse mentions that they have had a difficult day or if they are struggling with an illness or injury, simply lay your hand on their shoulder as they are going to sleep and say a prayer for that specific need. It doesn’t need to be super long. Short sweet and to the point but say it OUT LOUD. This is a nonthreatening way to begin praying out loud because your spouse, who is laying there with his or her eyes closed, doesn’t have to respond and you can just kiss them on the cheek and go to sleep yourself. Your spouse is then validated because you have acknowledge their need and shown them compassion.
2. Ask for prayer
Flip number 1 around. If you are the one feeling bad or in the middle of a struggle ask your spouse for prayer as you are both getting tucked in for the night. Don’t be offended if you feel a hand but only silent prayers go up. Remember you are just trying to open a door that Satan wants desperately to keep shut. Every move in the right direction is a good one.
3. Sprinkle a little salt on your mealtime prayers
Saying the blessing at meal time is the most natural time for us to pray. There are many rote prayers said at this time that are safe and acceptable. Sprinkle a little salt on your mealtime prayers means, while you have the floor throw in something a little extra. Pray for another family in need, thank or praise God for other needs that He has met in your life besides this meal. Thank Him for your spouse and what he or she means to you. Keep it short, sweet, and simple at first. You don’t want the food to get cold, you are just trying to break the ice on praying out loud together. Next time let someone else say the blessing.
h3>4. Use a prayer tool.
This is especially good if you have kids. Put prayer request in a box. Better yet include praises, thank you cards, and favorite Bible verses too. Gather your family together and take turns reading a card out loud as a prayer. Keep record somewhere that everyone can see of prayers that have been answered.
5. Practice praying out loud alone.
The more time you spend in prayer with the Lord, the easier it will be to talk to Him no matter who is around.
Sometimes the biggest struggle is just the awkwardness of hearing your own voice.
I hope that these 5 easy ways to pray with your spouse will help you to approach praying with your spouse in a non-threatening manner.
What you don’t want to do is start with a guilt trip saying things like, “We never pray together”,”Why don’t you lead our family in prayer”, “You should be doing…”. If God has brought this to your attention, and given you the desire, then you are the one He is asking to step up to the plate. Remember to do it gently, with confidence, and love.
Laying one brick at a time will help you to build the household of prayer that you desire.
If you have a comment or would like to share a way the Lord has given you to break down this barrier wall between husband and wife, please leave a comment below. Also, I would love to hear if any of these tips worked and how you are praying with your spouse.
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