How to Keep Your Christian Marriage
Strong and Healthy
Step 1 - Pray
Together:
Set aside time each day to pray with your spouse.
My husband and I have found that first thing in the
morning is the best time for us. We ask God to fill us with His Holy
Spirit and give us strength for the day ahead. It brings us closer together
as we care for each other every day. We think about what the day ahead holds
for our partner. Our loving affection goes beyond the physical realm to the
emotional and spiritual realm. This develops true intimacy with each other and
with God.
Perhaps a better time for you as a
couple might be just before you go to bed each night. It's impossible to
fall asleep angry when you've just held hands together in God's presence.
Tips:
Pray these Christian
prayers for couples.
Learn these basics
to prayer.
Step 2 - Read
Together:
Set aside time each day, or at least once a week, to
read the Bible together.
This might also be described as a time of devotions.
About five years ago my husband and I began setting aside time each weekday
morning to read the Bible and pray together -- a couple's devotional time. We
read to each other, either from the Bible or from a devotional book, and then
we spend a few minutes in prayer together.
Step 3 - Make
Decisions Together:
Commit to making important decision together.
I'm not talking about deciding on what to eat for
dinner. Major decisions, like financial ones, are best decided as a couple. One
of the greatest areas of strain in a marriage is the sphere of finances. As a
couple you should discuss your finances on a regular basis, even if one of you
is better at handling the practical aspects, like paying the bills and
balancing the check book. Keeping secrets about spending will drive a wedge
between a couple faster than anything.
If you agree to come to mutual decisions on how the
finances are handled, this will strengthen trust between you and your partner.
Also, you won't be able to keep secrets from each other if you commit to making
all important family decisions together. This is one of the best ways to
develop trust as a couple.
Tip:
Check out these top
8 books about marriage.
Step 4 - Attend
Church Together:
Get involved in church together.
As you have become one in Christ, and united at the
Altar of the Armenian Church, plan to attend, worship and commune together at
the same Altar of your Holy Crowning before God on a regular basis. As you may enjoy areas of mutual interest,
such as serving in a ministry and making friends together, get involved in the
various social, educational services at church, choir, CSA, Sunday School etc. The Bible says in Hebrews
10:19-25, that one of the best ways we can stir up love and encourage good
deeds is by remaining faithful to the Body of Christ by meeting together
regularly as believers.
Tips:
Learn what
the Bible says about church attendance.
Step 5 - Continue
Dating:
Set aside special, regular times to continue developing
your romance.
Once married, couples often neglect the area of romance,
especially after the kids come along. Continuing a dating life may take some
strategic planning on your part as a couple, but it is vital to maintaining a
secure and intimate marriage. Keeping the romance alive will also be a bold
testimony to the strength of your Christian marriage.
Tips:
Consider these great ways
to say "I love you."
Conclusion:
These 5 steps require real, committed effort on your
part. Falling in love may have seemed effortless, but building your Christian
marriage and keeping it strong does require work. However, the blessings and
rewards of that effort are priceless and immeasurable.
Tip:
Find out what
the Bible says about marriage.
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Mary Armenian Church