Divorce and Prayer
As the number of Christian divorces increases, the old saying, “The family that prays together stays together,” is being questioned. In reality though, how deep was that family prayer time…..one parent with the children, only occasionally if work wasn’t calling, or busyness interfering? Prayer time must be a determination within your heart, a desire for it because you know it does and will make a difference. Ask anyone who as a couple connects with heaven on a regular basis through the prayer Resource and you will find a bonding within that marriage. Indeed it would be well for all to take Luke 11:1 to heart, “Lord teach us to pray.” A study was done to analyze church attendance, prayer, and marriage stability; which produced interesting results. It was found that although the divorce rate in the United States is high, researchers found that among couples married in the church and who continue to attend church regularly, the incidence of divorce drops to one in fifty. And, for such couples who also have a prayer life at home, the divorce rate drops to one in 1,105 (this devotional was reprinted in 1995 so these figures have changed). It appears that for Christian marriages to work, there is much more involved than just a perfunctory commitment to prayer, such as asking a blessing at the evening meal (and that’s if families take the time for an evening meal together now days). If we are truly serious about our faith, a regular participator in our community of faith, and have a real prayer life at home, we can “beat the odds.” The best kind of prayer life is for husband and wife to pray together daily, and to take time for individual and personal prayer as well. Prayer needs to be informed by Bible study, so we may increasingly come to know our Lord. It’s a package deal: As we learn to avail ourselves of the resources God provides, we will with delight in our heart grow in our relationship with Jesus and with each other; avoiding a divorce (My added thoughts with This Love We Share, by Harry and Emily Griffith, December 3). Sherry