The Couple Who Prays Together Stays Together

Various studies over the years have proven that couples who pray together experience numerous marital benefits, including increased forgiveness, trust, happiness, and unity. This practice can also improve conflict resolution and promote fidelity. As a parish, over the next three months, we will offer a series of articles to help couples to grow in their prayer lives together to deepen their relationship with God, while also building up their marriage and their family. As an introduction, it is important to note that couples may have different experiences and styles of prayer. Couples may find it awkward to pray together or simply don't know how to start. This is perfectly normal and natural. Hopefully, some of the tips and suggestions we will offer can resonate with couples who are experiencing these challenges. Our first suggestion is to remember that your spouse is your instant prayer partner, a gift from God to you to journey through life with, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, to love and cherish all the days of your life. This week, in thanksgiving for that gift, hold hands and pray this prayer together:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of each other and our marriage. We are grateful for the many blessings that you bestow upon us each and every day, especially the ones that go unnoticed. Help us to continue to grow in true love which is patient and kind, so that we may always rejoice in the truth which is you. We pledge our lives to each other while honoring our vows to keep you in the center of our relationship. We trust that you know our every need and will provide for us according to your holy will. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus your Son and our Lord. AMEN.