29 Aug The Best Way to Divorce Proof Your Marriage
Did you know that the average divorce rate in the US is between 40% and 50%? That means if you are standing in a room with 10 couples, statistically 4 or 5 of the couples will get a divorce.
Good news – this doesn’t mean that we are all doomed! Of course, we have hope because of Jesus, but there is a way to reduce the rate to 1%! Wow – I want that 99% assurance. If you are married or plan to get married, I hope you do too! But, how?
When couples pray together, it reduces the rate to 1%!!!
I’m not talking about blessing a meal before you eat. I’m talking about taking time out of every day to be consistent with praying together. For some, it might be scheduling a specific time like when you wake up or go to bed and for other couples it might be spontaneous. Colby and I have prayed at all sorts of places and at all sorts of times.
Really, there should be no excuse. Everyone has 5 minutes in their day to put their phones down or shut off their tv’s, so if you aren’t doing this already, and want to divorce proof your marriage- then I suggest you take this seriously.
Here are some ideas to get you started
- Discuss prayer requests before praying. Although we pray for our babies every time, most of our prayers are for other people and things.
- Can’t think of specific requests? (I’ll send you my list, ha) Spend time thanking God for how good He is and for the great things He’s done in your lives.
- Have one person start and one person finish
- Hold hand while you pray
- Praying is talking to God – don’t make it too religious – this should be a conversation just as if you were talking to anyone.
Ladies, if you are reading this and think that your husband would never initiate – don’t wait! You can start it off. Don’t feel like it has to be a 20 minute long drawn out prayer. Start simple. Thank the Lord for the blessings for the day, ask for a good night’s rest, and pray over the next day ahead.
Give yourself grace. You have to start somewhere. It’s ok if you don’t pray together every day, but instead of making excuses, start praying!!
Cheryl Smith
Posted at 05:47h, 29 AugustWonderful advice, Caroline! It is absolutely true, and it works…the couple that prays together, stays together. A good marriage that lasts for life takes THREE working and pulling together and seeking Him first in all things. It is a beautiful thing, and another point I think is important, is that while we are praying, we pray FOR each other in the presence of each other. There is nothing quite as sweet as hearing my husband praying for me. Oh, it means the world to me! It is the ultimate way to prove to him that you have his back, and you are in his corner for him to hear you praying for him. It says “I love you” like nothing else! Thank you for this powerful post and reminder!!
Kelli {A Deeper Joy}
Posted at 08:11h, 29 AugustOh you know where I am on this 🙂 I totally agree! Great words, Caroline!!
Tania // Run to Radiance
Posted at 08:40h, 29 AugustWow I have never heard that statistic before!! But it makes sense-prayer is such an intimate beautiful thing.
Gen Delali
Posted at 09:07h, 29 Augustthis is so true! prayer is so powerful and injects a healthy dose of intimacy between couples. it invites God to be in their marriage. thanks for sharing, Caroline.
Gen Delali
Posted at 09:09h, 29 Augustohh, i love this picture of you two! so cute! 🙂
Elena
Posted at 09:17h, 29 AugustThat statistic is honestly disgusting! I can’t believe how easily people give up their marriages anymore. If it’s that easy to throw away then why commit yourself to something so sacred in the first place! My parents divorced when I was 2 and since I’ve been old enough I’ve always said I would never let my marriage end that way!
Suzanne
Posted at 10:22h, 29 AugustI love everything about this post. It really is so meaningful to take just a few moments everyday with each other, and what better excuse to come together than to pray. Love. Love. Love.
You really are one smart cookie. 😉
Krystal
Posted at 10:44h, 29 AugustI think that is great advice! I know my husband and I pray separately and we have only prayed together once (for our sons), but its a habit we should get into!
Mia @ MakeMeUpMia
Posted at 10:51h, 29 AugustCouldn’t agree more, I know this is a habit Dustin and I need to be better about for sure!
Tiffany @ A Touch of Grace
Posted at 11:37h, 29 AugustEvery time I hear those divorce statistics it just amazes me. I 100% agree with you here girl. Great post!
Angela
Posted at 12:57h, 29 AugustGreat tip!! I have this insecurity with praying out loud… I’ve been trying to work on it, and my husband is super understanding–but it’s rough! He is great and is always willing to be the one to pray more together, but it’s something I struggle with a lot.
Mel @ there is a higher hope
Posted at 13:02h, 29 AugustI couldn’t tell you where I’d be if God had not intervened on our behalf and saved our marriage. I issue marriage licenses for my local government and sometimes people ask me if I have advice. My words are ALWAYS PUT GOD FIRST. THE REST WILL FALL INTO PLACE. I love this post. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Rachel G
Posted at 18:09h, 29 AugustI didn’t know the statistic about couples who pray together–actually only in the last few weeks we’ve had some big life changes and have started reading the Bible and praying together every single day–I love that time.
Charity
Posted at 20:11h, 29 AugustSuch an awesome reminder we can’t let life get in the way so much that we forget to pray. It has always been a challenge praying with my hubs so we do it on the phone while he’s working. We always giggle and keep it light. We can use some improvement as I feel we need to be more diligent about praying together when he gets home as well on work days.
Rhonda
Posted at 22:47h, 30 AugustI love praying with my husband!! 🙂
Emily @ EatLoveProcreate
Posted at 16:42h, 31 AugustI love that you guys pray together so much. I wish we did it more, but I don’t know…I always start crying when I pray out loud with other people. I am like a ball of emotions. It’s like a freakshow of waterworks every time. lol
jennifer prod
Posted at 09:16h, 02 Septemberi hadn’t heard this before, but wowowow- even more reason to be praying together. have you read the meaning of marriage? i found a lot of useful advice about marriage and avoiding divorce in that book – i think back to it all the time <3
Beka
Posted at 16:52h, 02 SeptemberAgreed! There is such power in prayer. Dave and I pray together just about every day and Tuesday is our day to specifically pray for our marriage. I always pray the verse “If God doesn’t build the house those who labor do so in vani”. So I ask God to build our marriage.
Chantel
Posted at 07:57h, 03 SeptemberI LOVE this Caroline. Just in the last few months I’ve heard about so many people who have split up and it’s really discouraging. Thanks for the encouragement today!
Alexis
Posted at 14:24h, 03 SeptemberPraying together has been SUCH a blessing in our relationship. We started being consistent about praying together around January of this year. We have a set time every day and it’s been a special time of really sharing what’s on our hearts (we realized how little we did that before we were praying together!) and praying for friends and family. We have a prayer schedule that keeps us from feeling like we’re praying the same thing every day — different days are for family, friends, our work, our ministry in the world, etc.
Amanda
Posted at 16:39h, 03 SeptemberJordan and I pray together almost every night. I agree with the holding hands! It makes that time so much more special. I didn’t know those statistics, though! Crazy. I can see why… praying together really draws you so much closer to the other person.
Coalescedreverie
Posted at 19:09h, 03 SeptemberAlways a great reminder. Thanks!
Karen
Posted at 08:57h, 04 SeptemberWhat great advice! Thank you for sharing this simple, but very powerful message.
normaleverydaylife
Posted at 10:25h, 04 SeptemberWe don’t pray everyday together, but when we do pray I always feel such a sense of peace. Great post and advice! #shinebloghop
Anne Marie
Posted at 17:57h, 04 SeptemberI love reading about ways the people have found to work on their marriages. In our house it is all about being open and honest. We also have many creative projects that we work on together which is so amazing to create collaboratively!
Thanks for sharing on the #SHINEbloghop
Nina
Posted at 22:20h, 29 JulyMy boyfriend and I started praying together more (we always have) when we decided to be more intentional about pursuing, saving, and planning to get married. Prayer has seriously strengthened our relationship immeasurably! Whenever we are at each other’s throats, it’s usually because neither of us have been spending time in the word & in prayer on our own or together as well.
Mandi
Posted at 15:07h, 28 MarchScheduled this to share! Great post
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