That Praying Couple

A car travelling on "Third Mainland" Bridge in Lagos is fully supported by the integrity of the bridge. It doesn't matter what the driver may be feeling, or thinking about, or discussing with someone in the passenger seat. What gets the car safely to the other side is the integrity of the bridge, which the driver was willing to trust.

In the same way, God asks us to trust his integrity, his character...his compassion, love, wisdom, righteousness on our behalf. He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." "Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us."

In marriage sometimes its hard to maintain a strong prayer life with your spouse. When hubby annoys you or you have upset each other, its hard to open up in prayer fully. Prayer, like I've mentioned before is very intimate.

I come from the proverbial broken home. It did something to me, it made me feel like marriage wasn't meant to be for life. Before I ever got married, I always had a voice in my head telling me my marriage would just be a time bomb and wouldn't last. I don't know if anyone out there can relate with that but what it does is that when things aren't going right in the marriage you feel the exit is right there, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. A very bad formula for tolerance and patience, love, long-suffering, dedication and endurance.

..But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. Yes, the understanding came to me. Prayer, I poured out my heart to God instead of submitting to those thoughts, I brought every thought under submission. 

I hate to sound "Spiri-koko" (for people who don't know what that means,  it's when you are a spiritual Power Ranger who has lost touch with reality) But that's how we have to be. There is no room for us to play games with God. We have to come to him NAKED and unashamed with ALL our fears and concerns especially those sins that do easily beset. Confess them knowing that even as the situation remains dismal, "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." The circumstances may look out of control, but they aren't. When the whole world seems to be falling apart, God can keep us together. This is when a person can be very grateful that they know God. "The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God may provide solutions, resolutions to the problem WAY beyond what you imagined possible. Probably any Christian could list examples like this in their own lives. But if the circumstances do not improve, God can still give us his peace in the midst of it. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

Those fears that are haunting you in your marriage, don't ignore them because that is just you giving into fear. Hold hands with your spouse, pour out your heart before The Lord. Your marriage won't end up in tatters, declare you will raise your children in a loving and harmonious environment. Smile because God is transforming your wife or husband into the spouse of your dreams and that marriage will be a perfect model for your children to emulate.

Become "That Praying Couple"

Ijeoma Olujekun