I will be the first to admit that when my husband and I first got married, it almost felt awkward trying to put Christ back in the center of our relationship. We had crossed spiritual boundaries in our friendship, but had such strict boundaries once we started dating and got engaged, that we consequently boarded God out of our relationship. We both had relationships with God on our own, but all of a sudden we found ourselves struggling in the one area we never thought we would be.
Let me preface this article by saying there is no cookie cutter recipe for time with God as a couple. As my husband and I would seek council on how to improve our spiritual walk and how to do it together, I found myself frustrated with the answers we were getting: “you’ll figure it out,” “every couple is different,” or even finding couples that after years of marriage, hadn’t seemed to figure it out for themselves.
Here are some practical tips to help guide you and your significant other to get back on track if you are currently in the same place:
1.Try, try, and try again. My husband and I worship in different ways, which only added further frustration to the mix. The only way to find out what works for the two of you is to try different things together to find the best balance- and when you find out what works, go for it!
My husband and I like to go through a quick devotional book in the morning at breakfast, but we dedicate one night a week to our spiritual walk – whether that is praying over each other, cultivating an atmosphere of worship, or studying a book of the bible.
2. Fight through the awkwardness. Chances are, if you haven’t been investing in your spiritual lives together, it is going to be awkward trying to push it back into your relationship. Do not be discouraged! All good things take time.
3. Make prayer a priority. Realize that in merging together your relationships with God, you are becoming a huge threat to the devil. Understand and expect warfare. “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them” (Matthew 18:20). A couple on fire for God is nothing short of powerful! Make prayer a second language in your daily walk.
4. Be intentional. Just like going to the gym, any discipline you want to incorporate into your life is going to require additional time and intentionality. Make sure you communicate and dedicate time each week to coming together as a couple before Christ.
5. Invest in your individual relationship with God. How can you expect your relationship with God as a couple to flourish when you are not putting in time and investing in your own? Make sure you take the time you need to come before God on your own as well.
I hope this provides the guidance you needed to get your spiritual walk in the right direction. Make sure you check out Our Time With God: 42 Day Devotional for Couples if you are looking for any additional resources.
