I’ve honestly stared at this blinking cursor for hours today- unsure of what to share about today for what is my favorite series on the blog and also a big push for our “why” for our business. If this series is so important to me and marriage is such a big deal to us, I was frustrated with my lack of thoughts and feelings on what to write. I had given in and started writing some feeble thoughts and ideas, but nothing felt right. I’ve had an idea bouncing around in my head all day, but I felt like it was too personal, too far “out there,” or maybe an odd topic, to really share. But I’m hitting publish anyway because, this is something that has had a large impact on our marriage and I think it can be beneficial for other marriages too!
Logan and I are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We believe in praying to our Heavenly Father and that He is always listening and will answer our prayers. At each wedding reception we shoot, I love to pick out the grandparents or the older couples in the room and ask them what the secret is and how long they’ve been married. One of the first couples I ever asked this too, changed everything for us in the way we keep track of who says the prayers. The answer they gave me was, “Pray for each other when you pray together out loud and in your individual prayers. Do not let a day go by without praying for them.” There is something incredibly humbling, empowering, and meaningful hearing your spouse pray for you, your well-being, your needs, health, happiness, and more. There have been times when Logan has prayed for me and asked for me to be blessed with certain things that I didn’t know I needed. Logan and I do have a pretty great marriage and we do not often fight with one another, but there have times when we have felt frustration and hurt. During those times, we still pray together and for each other. Hearing your spouse pray for you in a prayer, especially after being frustrated or hurt, changes everything. Those prayers and words, seem to have a way to lift and suspend tension, anger, and hurt feelings. It doesn’t always make the hurt go away or solve the problem, but it does have the power to bring peace.
When Logan and I were first married, we had the hardest time keeping track of who prayed last and who should pray in the morning, for meals, and at night. We struggled finding a routine and way to make it all flow for us. Going back to that sweet, older couple from the reception, they also told me how they keep track of praying. “I pray on the odd days and she prays on the even days.” “And when there’s two odd days in a row like the 31st and 1st, he prays two days in a row because he needs extra prayers.” They both laughed and smiled at each other after that. Ever since then, we have adopted that same strategy! If it’s an odd day, Logan prays in the morning and evening, and I pray for our meals! On even days, I pray in the morning and night, and Logan prays for the meals! We love this routine because we are not perfect and we definitely miss days sometimes, but we can always get right back on track by knowing what day of the it is.
We know that praying for each other has been a huge blessing and has helped us grow closer together in our marriage. We are so far from perfect at praying, but we know how important it is for us in our marriage! If you need to feel more love or compassion for your spouse, pray for it!! It will come. If you want your spouse to feel and know he/she is loved, pray out loud together and specifically pray for them. That love will be felt.
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I LOVE THIS!!! I look forward to your matters of marriage post every month! <3 Keep it up! You seriously motivate me in SO many ways. In my photography, in my relationships, and in my pursuit of learning. Thank you!