The Value of Praying Together: A 3-Day Marriage PlanNäide

The Power of Prayer

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)

I’ll never forget the evening that Jim and I (Shirley Dobson), exhausted after a long day, collapsed into bed without completing our usual practice of praying about many things, especially for our children. We were almost asleep when I remembered.

"Jim,” I said, “we haven’t prayed for our kids yet today. Don’t you think we should talk to the Lord?”

It wasn’t easy, but we crawled out of bed, got on our knees, and offered yet another prayer for our children’s well‐being.

Later we learned that at the exact moment we were praying, a strange‐looking man sought by the police tried to get into the parked car where our daughter, Danae, and a girlfriend were sharing a fast‐food meal. By the grace of God, the door was locked, and Danae was able to start the car quickly and escape.

Never underestimate the power of prayer. When your petition is also for God’s will, it will bring you closer to the heavenly Father, who loves you unconditionally.

Questions for Today . . .

• Can you share a personal example of the power of prayer?
• As a couple, do you usually rely on prayer and God’s power, or do you usually try to solve your problems ourselves?
• Who among your friends and family needs prayer right now?
• How can I pray for my spouse tonight?

Prayer . . .

Lord, thank You for the awesome power You make available to us through prayer. May all my requests honor You and help release Your best in my relationships. Amen.

(Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Couples. Used with permission.)

Bonus Content: Power for Generations

When a child of God prays, Scripture tells us it is “powerful and effective.” This is especially meaningful when we speak to the Lord about our kids. In this video, Brenen and Morgan Beeler encourage us to make prayer the first and most important priority of our day. By doing so, we open the door to an intimate relationship with God.