Key Bible Verse: If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard (1 Peter 3:7). Bonus Reading: Ephesians 4:25-27

Praying in the middle of a conflict is just as important as praying when the seas are calm. But most of us don't feel like praying with someone we're arguing with.

One night, early in our marriage, we went to bed in the middle of a disagreement. I noticed that Barbara was facing one wall and I the other. We obviously weren't ready to pray together.

Was that a tap on my shoulder? It wasn't Barbara. It was the Lord and my conscience. "Rainey, you're going to pray with her tonight, aren't you?"

"No, Lord. I don't like her tonight," I replied silently.

"I know," He answered. "That's precisely why you need to pray together."

"But, Lord, you know she is 90 percent in the wrong!"

"It's your 10 percent that caused her 90 percent."

"Lord, don't confuse me with facts!"

I struggled a bit longer until the Lord reminded me, "You are the one who speaks to people about how you pray with Barbara every night."

"Lord, that's a cheap shot!"

After a bit more struggling, I finally rolled over and got the words of repentance out. Then we resolved our differences and ended the day praying together.

—Dennis Rainey in Two Hearts Praying as One

My Response: Have I ever tried to melt conflict by praying with her? Am I ready to give it a try?

Thought to Apply: The course of true love never did run smooth. —William Shakespeare (English playwright)

Adapted from Two Hearts Praying as One (Multnomah, 2003) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me take the initiative in repairing any damaged relationships in my marriage.

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