BY JESSICA LANDMON
What a special start to my Valentine’s Day! After the kids went off to school and my husband headed to work, I was able to spend a good part of the morning with my parents having a cup of tea and holding great conversation. Now some of you may be thinking, “what does this have to do with Valentine’s Day?”
As we talked, I listened to my parents reminisce back to the days when they first started dating. I laughed as I heard them finish each other’s stories. I watched them still joke with another and truly enjoy each other’s company. What pure joy it is, especially in this day and age, to still have parents who are not only still married, but love each other more than they did when they first started dating over 50 years ago. This is such a rarity. We are lucky if we see a marriage last 15 years these days.
So, what’s the secret to their success? How do you make a love last a lifetime? The answer is quite simple – prayer. I don’t mean just praying for your marriage, but actually praying together as a married couple. One of the best things my parents taught me was that you never let even one day pass by without praying together in unity.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:12
My father is now retired, but there was a point in his career when he would be away on business for weeks at a time. Some of these trips were overseas where my parents were contending with major time differences. Also, keep in mind that this was back in the day before cell phones, FaceTime, and really any convenient way to contact one another. But even with all these challenges, they never let a day go by where they didn’t spend even a few minutes praying together – for our family, health, safety, etc. They understood a very important Biblical principal that so many miss – there is power in agreement in prayer!
Listen, the devil wants to destroy your marriage. Attacking marriages is nothing new for him. He knows that if he can wedge himself in between the two of you, he can start causing division and strife in the home, not only affecting your marriage but the entire family. However, if you are standing together in prayer each day, there is no room for him to enter.
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. – Matthew 19:6
Ladies, the most intimate thing you could do with your husband is pray together. I know it can be a little unnerving if you’ve never done it before. But if you want a love that will last a lifetime, grab you husband’s hand, get down on your knees, and start praying together in unity.
Happy Valentine’s Day!