sanctification and Cooperation: How Prayer Helps Strengthen Relationships

 Successful marriages . . . are established and maintained on principles of. . . prayer.

Developing a routine of prayer both individually and as a couple bring can bring the spirit of peace and harmony into the home. It also drives away contention and misunderstandings allowing clear concise communication while strengthening love and empathy between couples.

"Drawing on the powers of heaven through prayer is a powerful resource available to couples that can make a good relationship better and can heal a faltering marriage. Prayer is included as a key principle for building a successful marriage and family"

So how can couples bring the power of prayer into their daily life?

1. Pray together as a couple in the morning and at night.

2. Take turns saying the prayer

3. Pray for each other in your individual prayers

4. Pray together before making big decisions

5. Develop couple scripture study and family home evening.

6. Receive priesthood blessings

7. Study principles of prayer in the scriptures and general conference talks together as a couple.

8. Attend the temple together as couple

So how do these practices affect our marriage? It creates a holy, sanctified marriage relationship.

"Mahoney and colleagues (1999) introduced the idea of “sanctification of marriage” as perceiving one’s marriage as being holy and sacred. They defined sanctification of marriage as a process by which secular aspects of one’s relationship are perceived as having spiritual significance "

". A “sanctified” relationship ought to be a happy relationship as people go to great lengths to protect and preserve that which they perceive to be sacred"

"Prayer is the means by which individuals may invite God to play an active role in their relationship. Including God in a relationship as one of the “threefold cords” through praying for one’s partner should imbue the relationship with perceived sacredness. As individuals pray specifically for the well-being of their partner, they come to perceive their relationship with this person as being holy and sacred"

So, by allowing God into our lives and marriages he can bring his love and power into our lives. He is our loving Heavenly Father, and he wants us to successful in life and especially in our family life. He has given us the family proclamation that states roles and principles for successful marriages. He also has given us repentance, prayer, modern revelation, temple principles to which if we apply in our lives we will be strengthened and edified. We will also have his presence in our lives watching and guiding us to the best things if we live our lives faithfully.

resources

Eds., Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dolahite, Thomas W. D. Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives. Available from: Brigham Young University - Idaho, BYU Bookstore Publishing Services, [Insert Year of Publication].