When we expect our partner to meet all our needs, We inevitably fail each other and get hurt, causing our marriage to spiral downward.
When we look to God to meet our needs for significance, security, and self-esteem, we are better able to give to each other.
Praying Together
• helps us connect with each other in a meaningful way
• ensure prayers are vertical, not horizontal and manipulative
• five to ten minutes a dad is better than one hour every month
• ask each other, What can I pray for you today?"
• accept the same requests day after day
• draw on God's promises from the Bible and start with thankfulness
• don't give up even if you have young children
• the closer each of us is individually in our relationship with God, the closer we are to each other as husband and wife
• if one has upset the other, say sorry before praying
• be deliberate and plan it into your schedule
• if you're not comfortable praying, find other ways to connect and support each other on a daily basis
Question:Ask your husband or wife if there's one thinq they’re concerned about at the moment. Then if you are comfortable prayinq, pray for each other. Otherwise, express your support in some other way.
Question 2:Complete the Worksheet found under "Study Guide"
If a relationship is to thrive and keep growing, we must have regular time together.
At the very least, plan to spend 1-2 hours alone together each week; to rekindle romance, to have fun, to talk together about your feelings (e.g., your hopes, fears, worries, excitements.)
We call this marriage time.
Marriage time should have all the connotations of a “date” together.
The benefits of marriage time
keeps the fun and romance alive in our relationship
deepens our understanding and appreciation of each other
ensures we communicate regularly on a meaningful level
Plan time together
It doesn’t happen automatically. Find the best time for you and book it in, just like you would any other social or business appointment.
Write it on your calendars e.g.; Monday evening, umarriage time” or Wednesday lunchtime, marriage time.”
If you are very busy, plan marriage time several months in advance.
