I would like to connect several verses together in considering prayer and the marriage relationship.   First Timothy 2:8 says, I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.  There are two things mentioned in this verse that we are not to bring in our hearts as we approach the Lord in prayer, wrath and doubting.  I don’t want to harbor resentment, anger or contention in my heart as come in worship before the Lord.  Matthew 5:22-24 says, But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  The phrase “aught against” is literally being used in the same way we would say, “I have a thing against that guy!”  In other words I am not to come before God in prayer and worship with unresolved contention and anger toward a brother. 

            Now this brings me to prayer and marriage.  Even before pastor, there are three terms or titles that define me: Christian, husband and father.  For the moment I am not considering father, although I think that it is inextricably connected.  I am a Christian husband.  That description denotes two very important relationships in my life that I do not want anything to hinder.  Colossians 3:19 says, Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.   If I begin to harbor bitterness against my wife it places a barrier between us, but according to the verses that we have looked at above that barrier extends farther than between my wife and me.  It extends to my relationship with God.  Listen to First Peter 3:7,  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  The phrase “heirs together of the grace of life” has to be one of the greatest in the Bible concerning marriage.  When we consider the connection between prayer and marriage and that our relationship with our wives is connected to our relationship with the Lord it takes on an even richer meaning.

            Our relationship with the Lord needs to be one of transparency.  Adam tried to hide from God.  Surrounding the same event, he also pointed a bitter finger at his wife and told God, “It was her and your fault!”  In one sweeping blow Adam revealed that his two most important relationships had been damaged beyond repair!  Well, not quite!  That relationship was restored in Christ!  Husband, let nothing hinder your walk with God and your walk with our wife.

 

 

PS –

One verse that I did not include, but is worthy of consideration on this subject –

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

(Mal 2:15)