Marriage is a sacred covenant reflecting Christ’s love for the Church. But even the strongest marriages require intentional effort, grace, and prayer to grow. If you desire a healthier, Christ-centered marriage, it starts with small but powerful changes.
Today, I want to share three essential steps to strengthening your marriage. These biblical principles will help you draw closer to God and each other, building a relationship rooted in faith and love.
1. Ask Christ to Be at the Center of Your Marriage
A strong Christian marriage doesn’t rely solely on emotions or effort—it’s built on Christ as the foundation. When Jesus is at the center, your relationship is strengthened by His love, wisdom, and peace.
Start by praying together and inviting God into your daily interactions. Whether through morning devotions, a short prayer before meals, or worshiping together, prioritizing Christ brings unity and purpose to your marriage.
Create a “Marriage Prayer Challenge” where you and your spouse pray together daily for 30 days.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
2. Be the Change You Want to See in Your Marriage
Focusing on what your spouse should change is easy, but transformation starts with you. Ask God to refine your heart first instead of waiting for your spouse to act differently.
Do you want more love in your marriage? Show more love. Do you desire more respect? Give respect. When you embody the change you long for, you create an environment encouraging growth and healing.
Tip: List three positive qualities about your spouse and share them as words of encouragement this week.
Galatians 6:9 ESV: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.”
3. Use Your Two Ears More Than Your One Mouth – Learn to Listen
Listening is one of the most powerful ways to show love and respect. Many conflicts arise not because of what is said but because one or both spouses feel unheard. Instead of preparing your next response, practice active listening—truly hearing and understanding your spouse’s heart.
Ask thoughtful questions, validate their feelings, and respond with grace, not defensiveness. When both spouses feel heard and valued, intimacy and trust naturally deepen.
Tip: Next time your spouse shares something, pause before responding. Reflect on what they said and ask, “What I hear you saying is…” to ensure clarity.
James 1:19 ESV: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
Final Encouragement: Keep Christ First
A thriving marriage isn’t about perfection but persistence in faith and love. Ask God to strengthen your relationship, be the change in your marriage, and commit to listening more than speaking. Small steps lead to lasting transformation.
Let’s Pray:
“Lord, we invite You into our marriage. Help us to love selflessly, listen attentively, and be a reflection of Your grace. May our marriage bring You glory. Amen.”
Want to go deeper?
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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not download “31 Marriage Promises for Your Valentine” to keep your steps steady and your heart focused?
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Let’s build better marriages together!
Blessings,
Dr. Deborah 💙