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Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to your daily prayer, where we help you find the words you need to connect to your Father in Heaven. No matter what is happening in your life today, you can trust that God wants to hear from you. Right after this short word from our sponsors, we'll pray through today's prayer. to recommit your marriage. A Prayer to Recommit Your Marriage Written by Laura Bailey Read by Carrie Eichberger For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12 verse 3 One of my favorite things to do was sit on the porch and chat with my grandmother. In the last few years of her life, God graciously provided many opportunities for me to spend time with her. soaking up decades of life experience that was drenched in faithfulness to the Lord. I remember one day I was sharing with her how sometimes it was difficult to like my husband. Sure, I always loved him, but there were some things he did that drove me up the wall. In her signature cackle, she said, I know just what you mean, Laura, but let me tell you a not-so-secret about loving and liking your husband well. Every day, choose to recommit to your marriage. Confused by her admonishment, I asked her to explain in more detail. My grandmother, who stayed in a marriage years after learning of my grandfather's unfaithfulness, shared with me that oftentimes we like to think the decision to love our spouse is dependent on them. In reality, it has less to do with the other person and more with ourselves. Do we have the mindset of Christ, who served and humbled himself for us? Or are our love and commitment conditional? If they do this, then I will do that. See, Laura, every day you have a choice in your marriage to choose humility or self, and that takes a daily commitment, she smiled. I often think about her words of encouragement. She references Philippians 2 verses 5-11 and And I think about Paul's words to the church in Rome, which was also struggling with its relationships. Romans 12.3 speaks specifically to Christians in Rome. However, the overall message applies to believers today and to how we should view our spouses. Paul encourages the early church, which was struggling to get along and just barely tolerating one another, to recognize that the mark of a Christ follower is humility. He tells them and us today that we should not think so highly of ourselves. This prideful elevation of self comes at the expense of our relationships and ability to serve others. Admittedly, when I become irritated with my husband, I am tempted to say, I love you, but I don't really like you right now. This is a result of putting my desires and expectations above my husband. I am not saying we can't have opinions. that it's wrong to share our frustrations in the hope of reaching a compromise or conclusion. But what would our marriage look like if we assumed the best in our spouses before we pounced? What if we elevated their needs over our preferences? How might our marriage change if we approach our spouses from a position of service and sacrifice instead of expectations and demands? My grandmother passed away last year. And I deeply greet our time together on the porch, solving the world's problems, or at least for helping me to solve mine. But I keep her words with me. And when I am tempted to cast blame, wink the finger, or throw myself a pity party, I remember I have a choice in my marriage. I take a minute and recommit to serving, sacrificing, and loving my husband to put on the mindset of Christ. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for being always faithful. Lord, I am asking for your guidance and your hand over my marriage. Please help me to think more highly of my spouse. Let me actively seek to serve them well. I ask that every day I adopt the mindset of Christ and think more highly of others than of myself. I ask that you forgive me when I fall short. Help me to be quick to seek forgiveness from those whom I hurt. Thank you for the gift of people who speak biblical truth into my life and who push me to live in a way that brings you glory. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen. Your Daily Prayer is a production of Life Audio and Salem Media. If you haven't already, be sure to follow the show on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. For more faith-filled, inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com.
Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to your daily prayer, where we help you find the words you need to connect to your Father in Heaven. No matter what is happening in your life today, you can trust that God wants to hear from you. Right after this short word from our sponsors, we'll pray through today's prayer. to recommit your marriage. A Prayer to Recommit Your Marriage Written by Laura Bailey Read by Carrie Eichberger For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12 verse 3 One of my favorite things to do was sit on the porch and chat with my grandmother. In the last few years of her life, God graciously provided many opportunities for me to spend time with her. soaking up decades of life experience that was drenched in faithfulness to the Lord. I remember one day I was sharing with her how sometimes it was difficult to like my husband. Sure, I always loved him, but there were some things he did that drove me up the wall. In her signature cackle, she said, I know just what you mean, Laura, but let me tell you a not-so-secret about loving and liking your husband well. Every day, choose to recommit to your marriage. Confused by her admonishment, I asked her to explain in more detail. My grandmother, who stayed in a marriage years after learning of my grandfather's unfaithfulness, shared with me that oftentimes we like to think the decision to love our spouse is dependent on them. In reality, it has less to do with the other person and more with ourselves. Do we have the mindset of Christ, who served and humbled himself for us? Or are our love and commitment conditional? If they do this, then I will do that. See, Laura, every day you have a choice in your marriage to choose humility or self, and that takes a daily commitment, she smiled. I often think about her words of encouragement. She references Philippians 2 verses 5-11 and And I think about Paul's words to the church in Rome, which was also struggling with its relationships. Romans 12.3 speaks specifically to Christians in Rome. However, the overall message applies to believers today and to how we should view our spouses. Paul encourages the early church, which was struggling to get along and just barely tolerating one another, to recognize that the mark of a Christ follower is humility. He tells them and us today that we should not think so highly of ourselves. This prideful elevation of self comes at the expense of our relationships and ability to serve others. Admittedly, when I become irritated with my husband, I am tempted to say, I love you, but I don't really like you right now. This is a result of putting my desires and expectations above my husband. I am not saying we can't have opinions. that it's wrong to share our frustrations in the hope of reaching a compromise or conclusion. But what would our marriage look like if we assumed the best in our spouses before we pounced? What if we elevated their needs over our preferences? How might our marriage change if we approach our spouses from a position of service and sacrifice instead of expectations and demands? My grandmother passed away last year. And I deeply greet our time together on the porch, solving the world's problems, or at least for helping me to solve mine. But I keep her words with me. And when I am tempted to cast blame, wink the finger, or throw myself a pity party, I remember I have a choice in my marriage. I take a minute and recommit to serving, sacrificing, and loving my husband to put on the mindset of Christ. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for being always faithful. Lord, I am asking for your guidance and your hand over my marriage. Please help me to think more highly of my spouse. Let me actively seek to serve them well. I ask that every day I adopt the mindset of Christ and think more highly of others than of myself. I ask that you forgive me when I fall short. Help me to be quick to seek forgiveness from those whom I hurt. Thank you for the gift of people who speak biblical truth into my life and who push me to live in a way that brings you glory. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen. Your Daily Prayer is a production of Life Audio and Salem Media. If you haven't already, be sure to follow the show on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. For more faith-filled, inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com.
