The demands of a new relationship, combined with the challenges to adjusting to a married life, can easily crowd out time for your faith and spiritual path. But it’s during those early months and years when it’s especially important to make time for your faith in marriage.
Here are seven habits that will help you improve and sustain your faith as a newlywed couple:
1. Make Time for Prayer Together
One of the best ways to maintain strong faith habits in a new marriage is to make time to pray together. Praying together is a great way to stay connected spiritually. It can also help you to support and encourage each other when pursuing other goals and habits. Here are some great times to pray together:
- Right when you wake up, say a prayer together
- Before meals, say a prayer of gratitude
- When you get home from work, say a prayer together right after you put your things down
- At bedtime, say a prayer before turning off the light
2. Read the Bible Together
One of the best ways to improve your faith as a couple is to make time for prayer and Bible study. This doesn’t mean you have to set aside hours each day—just 10 or 15 minutes a day can make a big difference. Dedicate a specific time each day to pray and read the Bible, and try to stick with it as much as possible.
Start with some Bible verses about marriage, like:
- Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. —Romans 12:10
- Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
- Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:2-3
3. Discuss the Day’s Events as They Relate to the Bible
You can also find ways to keep your faith strong by discussing the events of each day and how they relate to the Bible. This is a great way to stay connected spiritually, and it can also help you to support and encourage each other in your faith.
4. Share Your Testimony with Each Other
Sharing your testimony with each other is a great way to keep your faith strong. This can be done by sharing how you came to know Christ, or by sharing a particular event or experience that helped strengthen your faith. Remember to follow good communication etiquette when you talk, like:
- Take turns speaking
- Don’t interrupt each other
- Maintain good eye contact
- Don’t dominate the conversation
5. Serve Your Community, Together.
Serving together is another great way to strengthen your faith in a new marriage. When you put God first and focus on helping others, it reminds you that He is always there for you no matter what happens. Serving together can also bring you closer as a couple, providing opportunities for teamwork and cooperation. Many communities have opportunities for couples to serve together, so find something that interests you and get involved.
6. Spend Time Outdoors
Spending time outdoors is a great way to connect with God’s creation and appreciate His handiwork. Taking nature walks, sitting by a lake or watching the stars at night, can help you connect with God in a deeper way. Each season presents its own opportunities for outdoor activities, so get creative and find something that you both enjoy.
7. Be Patient with Each Other
One of the biggest challenges in any marriage is learning to be patient with each other. But this is especially important when it comes to your faith journey. Remember, everyone progresses at their own pace, and don’t be quick to judge or criticize your spouse if they don’t share your same level of faith commitment or understanding.
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