Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim Burt
Renee and I will celebrate 47 years of marriage this year, and I can confidently say that the strength and joy we experience today are because of one thing: the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him, we would have never made it this far, much less thrived.Our marriage began on shaky ground. We were young, immature, and selfish—focused on what we could get from each other rather than how we could build something lasting. But early on, we learned that the foundation of a healthy marriage isn’t found in good intentions or fleeting emotions; it’s found in seeking God together.Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 NKJV echo through our marriage: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Early on, we realized that if we didn’t make God the center of our relationship, we would miss the life and love He intended for us. Prioritizing Him in prayer, both individually and together, has been the glue that has held us together through every season.We've often wondered why so many Christian couples neglect prayer. Over the years, we’ve met countless couples struggling in their marriages. One pattern stands out: many fail to invite God into and make Him the center of their relationship starting with prayer. They love each other but try to navigate life on their own terms, leaning on their own strength instead of God’s wisdom and power. Why does this happen? Let me share a few common reasons:First, there is the busyness and distractions. Life gets busy—jobs, kids, errands, and endless responsibilities. It’s easy for prayer to take a back seat to what feels urgent. But the truth is, prayer should be the anchor that steadies us in life’s busyness, not the thing we neglect when schedules get tight.Secondly, there is spiritual apathy. One or both spouses may struggle with motivation to pray. They might feel disconnected from God or unsure when to find the time, and where to start. But the beautiful thing about prayer is that God doesn’t expect perfection. As 2 Corinthians 8:10-12 says in The Message translation: “Do what you can, not what you can’t.” God's not offended at you starting small. Intimacy works in many sizes. Could it really be impossible to start your day by each taking a couple of minutes to share a scripture, and talk about it, and then pray together for a minute or two as your start to the day? It might feel awkward to start. Most things initially start out feeling awkward. But starting small is starting and that is honoring to God. And God will honor your willingness. I promise! Oh and will Satan try to throw out any and every obstacle? Of course. But just shoo him away in Jesus name. It will make you stronger!The third reason Christian couples neglect prayer is because of communication breakdown. Without the commitment to pray daily together, couples often lose that window to share their hopes, fears, and struggles--the very things you want to pray about to get your peace and trust, grounded in Him. Without the consistency of prayer, the emotional distance creates cracks in the foundation of your relationship.And the forth reason Christian couples neglect prayer is because of the awkwardness of learning to pray out loud together. Most people feel inadequate and awkward praying and talking to God in front of each other. But if you knew how much it would transform you as a person and as a couple through the growth of doing it, you'd rush to start and get to it! In no time at all, the words come easier and feel less awkward, and the heart becomes more tender, and the unity of prayer between a husband and wife and God grow beautifully intimate! And suddenly your faith together grows. If spouses aren’t on the same page spiritually, it can be difficult to pray together. But this is an opportunity to grow, to ask God to bring you closer, and to start where you are.When couples pray together, something supernatural happens. They invite God into the center of their marriage, aligning their hearts with His will and purpose. Praying together builds intimacy, strengthens unity, and fosters a deep sense of peace, even in difficult seasons.Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” A marriage grounded in prayer becomes that three-strand cord—a husband, a wife, and Jesus—woven tightly together.Finally, when Renee and I began praying together daily, it didn’t just transform our marriage—it transformed us. We learned to carry each other’s burdens, celebrate each other’s victories, and invite God into the details of our lives. And over time, we saw how He answered prayers, healed wounds, and brought us closer than we ever imagined.Marriage is a beautiful gift, but it’s also a calling. It takes work, humility, and a commitment to seek God together. But when you do, you’ll discover a love that’s deeper, stronger, and richer than anything the world could offer. So today, take that step. Seek Him first, and watch how He adds all the things you need.So... What are you waiting for? God wants it. You'll both become better individuals and a couple for it. There's not a day to waste. Go!Psalm 127:1 (NIV) “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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