Last night Geri and I shared God’s vision for Christian marriage (over against secular marriage) with our New Life FIRM small group of 18 people. Among other things, we talked about the necessity of bathing our marriages in prayer if our relationship is to become what God intends. Only God’s power and strength, accessed through prayer, can transform us so that our marriage vocations might become “signs and wonders” of the kingdom of God on earth.
I promised our group that I would post the prayer Geri and I pray, separately and together, each day. I often include it in my morning Daily Office. Meditate on it. You may want to memorize it. I don’t necessarily pray these exact words each day, but the rich theology and vision contained here keeps me anchored in God’s high vision for a uniquely Christian marriage. (This is adapted from a pamphlet distributed by the Pastoral and Matrimonial Renewal Center.)
A Couple’s Prayer
Lord, grant us the strength to answer Your call
to be a living sign of Your love.
Make our love for each other like Your love for us:
passionate, intimate, gentle, kind, and patient.
May we be as present to each other as You are to us,
so that all the world can see Your presence
manifested in our tender love for one another.
Help us stay close to You in the Body of Christ and
continue to nourish our love with Your love.
In Jesus Name, Amen
