This week’s devotions have a theme on marriage based on the message from Pastor Craig Groeschel. To be a suitable mate or to prepare yourself for one, your priorities need to be in the right order. Seek first God’s ways, His truth, His values, His eternal principles. Jesus did not say seek a great marriage first, seek high-performing kids first, or seek the perfect house first.

Scripture says, to delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Make God your top priority and all else will fall into line. Scripture also says that we are to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). This means we are to trust and obey Him always. The second part of that Scripture says that we are to submit to Him in all our ways and He will make our paths straight. How does this happen? It happens through prayer and constant contact with God but also by reading His word and applying it to our lives. We need to be willing to submit to Him before we can realize God’s plan for unity with our husband or wife in a godly marriage.

Married (to be prayed together):

Querido Padre Celestial,

We thank You for the gift of marriage and the gift of each other. Most of all we thank You that Jesus bled and died not just to forgive our sins, but to heal our hearts and our relationships. We confess it is a mystery how by loving God first and each other second, we can grow closer together. We confess we don't always trust You enough to put You first. Show us how we put ourselves, each other, and our children ahead of You. Bring Your gentle correction and discipline into our lives so that we can better serve You. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Single:

Querido Padre Celestial,

Thank You for the gift of Jesus who bled and died so I could love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I confess that I don't always do that, and even when I think I'm doing pretty well, You probably see all of the selfishness that I'm blind to. Open my eyes to the selfishness that I am blind to. Give me conviction by Your Holy Spirit, and give me the gift of repentance so that I can hate my sin and selfishness as much as you do. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Pastor Craig Groeschel encouraged married couples to develop this one life-changing, marriage-growing habit: Pray with your spouse. As you are faithful to pray together each day, your prayer life and your relationship with each other will grow. Heaven will become closer, and the Word of God will seem more alive.