Now that I have your attention, you may be thinking a variety of things. Some may say, “Nothing is better,” while others may think, “Lots of things are.” Regardless of which camp you may fall into, sexual intimacy, when approached with love in a lifelong relationship, is potentially one of the most bonding activities a couple may experience. As a matter of fact, Dr. Gary Chapman states that you can have a good marriage without great sex, but you will never have a great marriage without good sex.
However, what I am writing about today is not about sex. It is about something even more bonding than sexual intimacy. And that is prayer. Your response now be an inquisitive tilt of the head. “I mean, certainly we pray when a family member is sick or in crisis.” But as Pastor Dean RIddings expresses, “. . . praying together can be so much more than that. Christian couples find greater joy in their relationship with God and each other when they intentionally take time to pray together.” In my experience as a therapist and as a husband, I have found this to be true as well. Prayer can be so intimate that I often caution dating couples to monitor how much praying they do together so that it doesn’t lead to intimacy in other areas that they are not ready for.
Pastor Riddings goes on to suggest three areas, when praying together, that can be most effective. 1) Praying together that God would help you to seek Him first. 2) Praying together for your family. And 3) Praying that God would show you how to better love your friends and neighbors.
If you are married, wouldn’t you want to strengthen your bond with your spouse? If so, consider praying together.