Biblical Answer

The Key to a Thriving Marriage

A thriving marriage is one that goes from strength to strength, rather than stalling out in repetitive arguments that end in fruitless silence. This requires both partners to respond to each other in love, rather than with coldness or resentment, or selfishly insisting on their own way. This is not easy, as it requires humility and a willingness to grow and change. However, when both partners are regularly responding to each other in this way, the marriage can thrive.

Praying for Your Marriage

Praying for your marriage is essential to its success. Pray that your marriage will be a source of joy and life to both of you, and not a drudgery, a thorn, a dread, an irritation, or a temporary condition. Pray that God will make your marriage a place where two agree, so God will be in the midst of it (Matthew 18:19). Pray that your spouse will be able to press in closer to God until they know that nothing can separate them from His love (Romans 8:18). Pray that you will be able to root out selfishness and self-centeredness, and replace it with a spirit of unity, commitment, and intimacy.

Embracing the Struggles of Marriage

Rather than running from the struggles of marriage, we should embrace them and grow in them. Through the struggles of marriage, we can draw nearer to God and reflect more of the spirit of Jesus Christ. We should not give way to stress and worry about trying to rescue a marriage in which a spouse refuses to remain. Instead, we should encourage our spouse to press in closer to God and to say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). By praying for our marriage and embracing the struggles that come with it, we can cultivate a mindset that our marriage is as indivisible as the body of Christ, and that our love for each other will be consistent and faithful. The key to a thriving marriage is to respond to each other in love, rather than with coldness or resentment, or selfishly insisting on our own way. Praying for our marriage is essential to its success, and we should not give way to stress and worry about trying to rescue a marriage in which a spouse refuses to remain. Instead, we should encourage our spouse to press in closer to God and to say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). By praying for our marriage and embracing the struggles that come with it, we can cultivate a mindset that our marriage is as indivisible as the body of Christ, and that our love for each other will be consistent and faithful.