7 Prayers to Grow Your MarriagePrøve

God’s love brings about growth and thriving. Where God is at work, fruit follows. His Kingdom is compared to a growing seed, an abundant harvest and the yeast that transforms bread dough from floppy to fluffy (Luke 8). As Jesus walked the earth, He multiplied loaves and fishes, overflowed wine barrels, and restored the sick and hurting. These are all images of abundance, thriving, fruit and harvest. Christ’s love bears fruit in our lives and, in our marriage, love is also meant to be fruitful. The fruit of your marriage may be that you grow more Christlike over time. It may be a church or ministry you pour into with your time, talents or finances. It may be the family you raise or the community you cultivate. Or any combination of those! What fruit do you see in your marriage? Affirm the fruit - the good things and godly growth - you see in your spouse. Ask how they have seen you grow over time. Ask God to help you see ways He wants to bring fruit and abundance in each of you and in your marriage. It’s in Him that we are fruitful. We don’t have to attain this on our own, rather through lovingly and faithfully walking in the roles and responsibilities where God has placed us, in the strength He supplies. Think together of ways you can use your time and talents to serve and build up your church, family, and community. Dream of ways God might use each of you to do good in the world. Prayer: Lord, we pray that you will help us to love each other well, encouraging one another toward growth, good works and fruitful living. Teach us to abide in you. Let us seek your Kingdom in our life together, that your will be done in us, and around us. Amen.