Can Spiritual Wellness Improve Your Marriage?

Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by Angie Wyatt in Blog

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Can Spiritual Wellness improve your marriage? Spiritual Wellness is the result of your connection to God.  Merely believing in God will not improve your health, relationships and overall well-being.  Yet, engaging God dramatically improves your overall wellness.  We now know that this truth also applies to marriage.

You’ve probably heard the old adage “the couple who prays together, stays together.” This adage is not fairytale, but fact.“A 1998 survey by the Georgia Family Council found that among couples who prayed together weekly, only 7 percent had seriously considered divorce, compared to 65 percent of those who never prayed together.” –Focus on the Family

Prayer significantly increases marital stability and happiness. Interestingly, the same is not true of those who merely believe in God.  However, couples who regularly connect with God in prayer do improve their marriage.

Incorporating prayer into your marriage is a challenge. It’s difficult enough to know how to pray as individuals.  How then should we pray as a couple?

Spiritual Wellness Tips for Praying with Your Spouse:

  1. Prayer Takes Teamwork: During prayer, each person should contribute by praying aloud.  Since prayer is intimate, this may feel awkward at first.  Like any intimacy we share with our spouse, it will feel more comfortable with time.
  2. Commit to Prayer: Find a consistent time when you can pray together, such as before work or before bedtime. Don’t pray merely in response to difficulty.  Also pray when times are good.
  3. Focus Your Prayers: Find a way to target your prayers toward your family goals.  I recommend starting with a spiritual passage that correlates with your prayer focus. To get started, try using 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
  4. Prayer Includes Listening: Prayer is not just talking, but listening.  Take time to listen to God.  He is speaking to you and your spouse about every aspect of your life.

Warning:  Don’t criticize or judge your spouse’s prayers.  There are no rules to prayer.  If there is a rule, it is only to engage your heart with God.

Why Does Prayer Improve Your Marriage?

Notice how the “Spiritual Wellness Tips for Praying with Your Spouse” parallel the qualities of a healthy marriage. Praying together requires teamwork, commitment, focus, listening and acceptance. Prayer improves your marriage in the same way that going to the gym improves your health.  Prayer exercises your marital skills.  It’s a preventative health plan!

As you focus on prayer, you are improving your Spiritual Wellness. Spiritual Wellness makes God the center of your life.  With God at the center, you are becoming the person you are destined to be.

A Note to Wives: Ladies, please don’t ‘nag & drag’ your husband into Spiritual Wellness.  It won’t work any better than nagging him about his diet.  Instead, silently pray for your husband to pursue his Spiritual Wellness.  You own Spiritual Wellness requires that you allow your husband the freedom to grow at his own pace.

A Note to Singles: Prayer is an intimate exchange of heartfelt beliefs.  As such, it requires appropriate boundaries.  With the exception of praying before meals or with larger groups, I highly recommend reserving prayer for when you are engaged.  I advise against praying with someone you are only dating.

How has prayer improved your marriage?  Share your thoughts and insight with our readers.

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16 Responses to “Can Spiritual Wellness Improve Your Marriage?”

  1. Chris Wyatt

    16. Aug, 2010

    Fantastic Blog! Your best yet!

  2. Amanda Green

    09. Sep, 2010

    Excellent Blog! Keep it up Angie.

  3. Jewel

    04. Nov, 2010

    Yikes – not so sure about that picture of the couple doing yoga. ha. Meditating on God’s Word – Yes, meditating and escape the consciousness of another world – No :)

  4. Angie Wyatt

    04. Nov, 2010

    Not all meditation is escaping your consciousness. There’s a rich tradition in the church of quieting your soul to listen to God – in the scriptures, yes. But, also, just listening.

  5. Richard Dale

    28. Nov, 2010

    I like this article. After reading it, it has great input on how and why Spiritual Wellness improves your marriage. This is a wonderful article. I been in marriage for 26 years and we are having a good time. In addition, all the things that you have said I do in my marriage. If people will just take heart in there, marriage and stay focus with prayer. Because one of greatest thing that makes our marriage alive is prayer. I loved when you said that Prayer significantly increases marital stability and happiness. You also said that couples who regularly connect with God in prayer do improve their marriage. That is true to the facts. I do Remember that saying a family that pray together stay together. It is the most powerful care that you can have toward each other. You was truly right when you said as you focus on prayer, you are improving your Spiritual Wellness. Spiritual Wellness makes God the center of your life. I have really enjoyed this article. I will tell all friends about web because it is something that every one need to know about. So again thank you for that wonderful outlook on prayer in marriage.

  6. Marriage Secrets | Spiritual Wellness

    30. Nov, 2010

    [...] For more, read the article Can Spiritual Wellness Improve Your Marriage? [...]

  7. Tina

    19. Apr, 2011

    I am in a very lonely marriage. My two children are raised now and I am considering divorce. My Christian husband has not loved and cherished his wife as Christ loves his church. I have caught him viewing pornography on 4-5 occasions. My 13 yr old son at the time walked in on him as well and it was devastating. My husband failed at disciplining his children and would take their side and work against me, his wife and caused division with my children over the years. I don’t know how any woman could live like this. I don’t know how to ever find peace in this marriage of mental abuse. Do you blame me for divorcing? I would live all alone. Do you have any ideas what I can do with my life at age 50? Thank you for your help. God bless you and your work.

  8. Angie Wyatt

    19. Apr, 2011

    Tina, I don’t blame or shame your decisions. I’m sad to hear about your situation. Before deciding on divorce, I highly recommend that you visit with a pastor to receive guidance and prayer. You need spiritual support during this time. As to your second question: What can I do with my life at age 50? What a great question! The world is at your feet. 50 is a great age to start something new and exciting. I suggest that you make a list of A.Things you know you enjoy B.Things you’ve always wanted to explore. Then, start chipping away one day at a time until you find the right match for you. Also, remember to ask God what He wants to say to you during this time. He will give you a passion for the future, and He will reveal your destiny!

  9. Tina

    19. Apr, 2011

    Angie, thank you so much for your reply. Your words are a blessing of encouragement to me of which I am grateful.
    Do you have any ideas you can throw out at me of what I can do at 50 single and alone?

  10. Swiss Rose

    19. Apr, 2011

    Tina, I read your last entry. I’m 52 and singel (never married) a real pity for you. If you are alone, it’s maybe not the faults of others, it’s your own fault. I do not know of course! Are you a difficult person to handel with??? You can do many things, going to a bible based church, going out for a concert, in the nature for a walk meeting friends. Readenig a book of your choice or cooking a nice meal. — I see in an earlier entry you want to be divorced. If the marriage is not to bear anymore even it’s heavy, leave your husband and start a new life and try out my suggestions. To be with people in general who do not want your best is better to take distance of them and look for others who you can enjoy life with them. – Blessed Easter, Rose

  11. Angie Wyatt

    19. Apr, 2011

    Rose, please be gentle. Tina is contemplating a divorce. Thank you for the ideas of what to do as single and 50. Yes, enjoying life with others is essential.

    Tina, I’m not sure what ideas to throw your way… what do you enjoy?

  12. Tina

    19. Apr, 2011

    Thank you Angie. Things I enjoy are cooking/baking, gardening, interior decorating, going to the gym, being w/ friends, family, traveling, going to church, women’s Bible study. Do you happen to know of a good women’s Bible study/support group in Orange County that you would recommend for my age/single? Any ideas, social etc. for starting a new life?
    Again, I am heeding to your advice as I feel your counsel is wise. I appreciate your help and prayers so much.

  13. Tina

    19. Apr, 2011

    Angie, I hope you will be able to answer my above reply. I hope my questions are not an imposition. Thank you very much.

  14. Swiss Rose

    20. Apr, 2011

    Tina, ask Crystal Cathedral, maybe Bible study/support there or you can find other churches in Orange County on the internet and ask there! – Easter blessings, Rose

  15. Angie Wyatt

    20. Apr, 2011

    Tina, I don’t know of any studies or support groups for single women in OC. I would do an online search of the bigger churches in your area. Most big churches have an abundance of programs. As for your social and professional life, start with what you love. Take a gardening class or get a degree in interior decorating. If you really love the gym, work toward being a personal trainer. If you need money now, then you’ll need a now job. Otherwise, let the things you love help drive your decisions. God creates us so that we will enjoy the very things we’re destined to do. God loves it when we’re happy.

  16. Tina

    20. Apr, 2011

    Angie, thank you so very much for your sweet, encouraging words. You are certainly an inspiration and you have helped me! God led me to your website- all for good reason. Boy…I really feel led to visit your brother’s church. Take care and God bless.

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