Inseparable

In the fall, Chad and I started doing something we’ve never done before, in all of our almost eighteen years of marriage. We started praying together every day.

Thanks to his diligence, we haven’t missed a single day since we decided to try it after attending a marriage conference. I think it’s safe to say that this mission of praying together and for each other has revolutionized our marriage in more ways than one. We have never been more spiritually in tune with one another.

We have always had a solid marriage. Not every day has been absolute bliss, but every day has been meaningful. Even on the bad days, we have managed to go to bed at night knowing that we are committed to each other, that even in moments when the like isn’t quite there, the love always is.

We have always talked about spiritual things. We’ve talked about things we read. We’ve passed articles back and forth. We’ve debated endlessly about the best ways to do church, and we’ve spent time reading books together, listening to sermons together, and serving in the church together. All of those things have been good for us and have helped us grow as individuals and as a couple. The intellectual spark that flows between us has been a source of great interest and fun in our marriage because for the most part we enjoy talking about the same things and have similar interests.

But, none of those things has impacted our soul connection in marriage the way praying together has.

In the past three months, we have become more vulnerable to each other, spiritually. We’ve been more likely to get excited about what God is doing. More likely to notice where He is working. We have teared up together as we see Him working in our lives and in our kids’ lives. We have been more likely to pray over meetings before we leave the house, to pray about situations on the spot, to open up about where we feel God is leading us. We’ve been more likely to ask for prayer from one another. And, we have heard each other’s heart as we agree in prayer in sleepy voices at bedtime.

A few nights ago, Chad prayed for our marriage, as he often has during the past several months. He prayed that God would make us inseparable. I still get chills now even typing those words as I think about the power behind them. Chad prayed to the God of the Universe that He would keep any powers of this world or the wickedness in our own hearts from ever coming between us. He prayed that no one and nothing on this planet could separate the two of us. There is pure might behind words like that, prayed from a sincere heart to the Lord of Everything. When a husband and wife are clinging tightly to one another and even tighter to their God, crying out for oneness, for a impenetrable force field of His power to surround their bond, their marriage and family are sure to blessed by it.

What if we all made that the war cry of hearts, in a time when marriage seems to be valued less and less every day? In a time when people are considered disposable? In a time when every meme on social media is about what I can get for ME in a relationship, instead of what I can give to someone else? What if Christian couples everywhere decided that the way they are going to fight for their marriage is to ask God daily for the blessing of inseparability? I wonder how our families and churches would be revolutionized?

It’s such a simple concept, to pray that we’ll be inseparable. But, what strength can that one little word lend to a marriage in a dark and confusing world? Only God knows. But, I have my suspicions. Pray together. Pray that nothing in this world will come between you. And, watch God bless and bless and bless. I’m thankful for a husband who teaches me so many things, just by being a sincere follower of Christ and a true friend to his imperfect wife. May we never, ever be separated.