Happy World Marriage Sunday and Valentine’s Day! I thought I’d share some wisdom on the importance of prayer for married couples. I always give this spiel as part of engaged couples’ marriage preparation. I believe shared prayer in a couple’s life is the most intimate thing they can do, and intimacy is so important for marriage! There is nothing more intimate than sharing what is deepest in one’s heart, and that is what we should be praying to God about. So, if each spouse prays from the heart in the presence of the other, they are opening their hearts to each other in the most vulnerable way. If it is awkward at first, then you are doing it right! Vulnerability is often awkward. But the end result will be amazing as you intimately know each other's hearts in the sacred safe space of prayer to God. Such prayer together requires more than saying a Hail Mary together. I suggest doing something like the model I share below. Our world needs strong marriages as the foundation of strong families, and prayer is the key!
Peace,
Fr. Greg
Ignatian Prayer Time for Couples
(takes 10-20 Minutes)
1. Silently pray for an openness to God’s presence and guidance
2. Thanksgiving – For what are you most grateful today?
- Let the person with it on the tip of their tongue go first
- Remember that we are sharing with Christ to each other
- Women love the details
- You can ask questions and discuss, but not for too long
3. Prayerfully reflect on the Day – Each choose one approach and share:
- What was most life-giving AND most life-draining, or
- What made you feel the most loved AND least loved, or
- When did you sin/reject God AND when did you listen to or follow God’s will, or
- High and low of the day
4. Contrition – to God and each other:
- Apologize to one another for any hurt that was caused that day
- Apologize to God for missing Him or rejecting His will for you during the day and ask for a greater gift of discernment and the strength to follow His will
5. Look forward in Hope:
- Come up with a resolution to any conflict or disappointments
- Commit to apologizing to anyone else you might have treated harshly
- Commit to some action or spiritual activity together within the next day
- Pray a prayer of petition
- Share what you are excited or worried about the next day
- Ask God to be present in all that you think, feel and do moving forward
6. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)