Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Intimacy of Prayer

I recently wrote an October article for TheBlackChurchSource.com entitled Let Us Pray: Christian Intimacy. Of course moments after I finished I checked my email and had received an article from YourTango.com “Want To Prevent Cheating? Try Prayer”. Immediately my interest was piqued. In the article it talks about two major studies that support the link between prayer and the health of a relationship. 
The first study mentioned was conducted by researchers at Florida State University. The researchers determined that couples that pray for their spouse were less likely to fantasize about other being with other people. The second study was conducted by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. This group found that couples that read the Bible and pray together enjoy stronger “marital bonds” and consider prayer to be “the great reconciler”. 
These two studies run hand in hand with another study that I have referred to in past posts, that states that couples that pray for each other divorce at a rate of less than 1%. I like looking at it from the other perspective, a couple that prays together has a greater than 99% chance of staying together. 
I am thrilled that these studies have come out. But they are not new news...In the biblical marriage of Isaac and Rebekah we see the truths of the power of prayer to intimately connect couples. 
Present Yourself...
Isaac took time to push aside his personal agenda and pray to God for Rebekah, who was unable to have children at the time (Genesis 25:21). His prayer is best understood as Isaac presenting himself before the Lord, for Rebekah’s sake. It is a picture of Isaac physically showing up in front of God - out of concern for Rebekah. His concern was a depth of commitment that exceeded hasty words and set aside time to go to God.
In our modern marriages, we are bombarded with so many responsibilities inside and outside of the home that grab our attention - daily. However, the best gift we can give to our mate is our committed time presenting ourselves to God “on behalf of” our spouse. It is a gift of assurance to him or to her that “We are in this together!”. It is a gift of selflessness and surrender that is given throughout the day, with possible re-gifting implications at night - wink, smile, LOL.  
Committing to Pray for Your Spouse 
In Genesis 25:20, Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. When Rebekah conceived in v. 26, Isaac was 60 years old. So presumably Isaac’s prayed on behalf of his wife for a span of 20 years.  He just kept showing up before God day after day, for his wife - without seeing any results but presenting himself to God faithfully. It is a win-win for Isaac. He has spent time in the awesome presence of God, drawn closer to God and won the heart of his wife at the same time. 
Praying to God for Your Husband or Wife  
  • Tonight, ask your spouse to give you their top three personal goals for the next three months. 
  • Commit to going to God on behalf of your spouse for these goals. 
  • Pray that God will intimately connect you and your spouse with Him.

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