Imagine an average day. The alarm goes off. You stretch, turn over, and hit the snooze button. In a few short minutes, the alarm calls again. This time the radio clock successfully heads you towards the day. The morning may (or may not) begin with a quick personal devotion. Then your off! Today, there are kids to chauffeur, errands to run, meals to cook, shopping to do, more housework than hands, and office duties are calling.
Whew! It has been one of those days. As it comes to an end, you and your husband collapse, look at each other and say, "where does the time go?" Finally, you crawl into bed, and take a little time to share some of the highlights of the day only to notice that he is already asleep. Somehow in the rush of it all, you feel disconnected. What happened to your time? Wouldn't it be nice just to share even a little about what God is doing in your lives... and even to prayer together? You faithfully pray with the kids. But rarely do you pray with your husband.
Now, imagine this day from a different point of view. This time, you and your husband begin with a devotion. Now, your off again and the day is just as busy. Only now you carry a calm assurance that you and your husband are connected with strong chords of prayer and devotion. In this picture you sense, as you collapse in bed, that you have journeyed through your day with the two most important men in your life- your husband and your Heavenly Father. Which day do you prefer? Which day is normally yours? If the second day of prayer with your husband is your normal way, congratulations! You are among a very blessed few! If the second day of prayer on your own is normally yours, there is a very special gift in your life waiting to be unwrapped. Come, just as you are, accepting your husband just as he is. Offer each other the gift of your time - time to pray together.
Praying with you husband is possible. It takes a lot of determination, but the rewards are great. If we can do it, you can do it too. The Bible is open on the table between you. You read a short passage, share what God says to you. Then, together, you pray for the day: the kids, work, that tense family relationship, praise for the answer to yesterday's prayer. Lord, we pray for the couples who read this article. May they know your desire to spend time with them as a couple. Bless them with the strength of your love as they are connected through prayer.
Reprinted from "The Encourager", January 1995 Copyright Mary Kay McCauley Words & Music Ministries PO Box 93793 Lubbock, TX 79493