Praying as a couple

The couple who pray together are not free from crises, but they have something to lean on when crises come.

On their wedding night, Tobiah and Sarah got up to pray together before anything else (Tob 8:4-8). They asked for mercy and for the grace to grow old together. That is how they began their life as a couple.

Jesus assures us that when two agree on earth about anything they ask, the Father in heaven will grant it (Mt 18:19). The first “two” in a family is the couple.

Many couples feel shy about praying together, or do not know where to begin. It does not need to be long or beautiful. A few steps:

• Choose a fixed time, even if it is only five minutes.

• Read the Gospel of the day together and each share one sentence that touched you.

• Pray for each other out loud, by name, handing over your spouse’s worries.

• Once a month, go together to a Holy Hour or a weekday Mass.

When prayer enters a marriage, the conversation changes: it becomes easier to listen and harder to hurt.

To pray as a couple

Lord Jesus, here we are, the two of us, before You. Teach us to pray together, to dream together and to carry our cross together. Holy Face of Jesus, look upon our love and bless it. Amen.