Me, My Spouse, and God: 7 Practices to Keep God at the Center of Your Marriage
When I speak with couples looking to get married, I always assure them that if they both commit to keeping God at the center of their marriage, their marriage cannot fail! Whether you’re newlyweds or empty nesters, here are seven practices you and your spouse can implement in your life together to keep God at the center of your marriage.
01. Read Devotions at Dinnertime
Dinner is an important time to connect for all of us, and especially for couples seeking to refocus and ground themselves in God’s leading. Reading devotions during dinner is an important discipline.
02. Do a Bible Reading Plan
One-year and three-year reading plans that take you through the entire Bible provide excellent subject matter for couples to share insights and discuss questions that might come up. It’s important to set aside time each day to talk about what you’ve read.
03. Pray Together Before Going to Sleep
Going to bed at the same time is a good habit to have, and praying with and for each other strengthen those bonds, helps relieve tension, and allows couples to practice forgiveness and love.
04. Worship Together Regularly
Make this a priority! This is where “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17), where we receive His gifts through Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and where others are seeking to follow God in various places in their faith walk.
05. Tithe
Agree as a couple where God is calling you to sacrifice your time, gifts, and finances. Pray about and share where God is leading you as a couple and always seek to give through the goodness that God has shown you.
06. Find Marriage Mentors
Engage with older couples who have gained wisdom through experiences you have yet to have. Have dinner with them and ask them about their successes and failures. Glean from them what God has shown them in their relationship and benefit form their wisdom.
07. Seek Enrichment Activities
We always grow through learning more—whether it’s listening to a speaker, attending a conference or retreat, or joining a small group Bible study. Doing activities like these together gives husbands and wives more to talk about and opportunities to gain insight from each other.
About Pastor Eric Gledhill
Born and raised in Midland, Michigan, Pastor Eric Gledhill attended Concordia College in Ann Arbor, where he trained to be a highschool teacher. After teaching and coaching for many years, he began serving youth full-time at Messiah (Midland, MI) and Our Savior (Lansing, MI). He entered the Seminary in St. Louis in 2005. He has served as an Associate Pastor at Webster Gardens in Webster Groves, Missouri, and Trinity in Paw, Paw, Michigan. He currently serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Jefferson City, Missouri.
