Five Minutes That Could Help Your Marriage

This past Lord's Day, I had the difficult task of bringing before the congregation an unresolved sin issue involving a marriage. When such an issue is raised publicly (in accordance with Matt. 18), it has a way of waking people up to the painful challenges they're facing in their own marriages. Christian husbands and wives realize that if they do not get serious about resolving trouble and tension in their relationship, they may wind up estranged from one another, the Lord, and the church fellowship.

I struggled with the title of this particular post because I don't want to give the impression that I advocate a "quick-fix" approach to serious problems in marriage. Real, lasting change takes time and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, as we trust Him to help us learn and live out God's truth as revealed in Scripture.

Still, the following five-minute video might be just what you need to re-focus and recommit yourself to the covenant of marriage. Three theologians, who have been married to their wives for a combined total of 116 years, offer some valuable biblically-based counsel on the covenant of marriage. I found it helpful and hope that you will, too. For more information and helpful resources, visit The Gospel Coalition website.

Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

A Prayer for "The Family"

The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions by anonymous authors. I use this resource to "beef up" my own prayer life with greater biblical substance. You should never read these while in a rush, for at least two reasons: (1) the language is a bit antiquated, which requires the reader to slow down a bit to grasp what's being said; (2) virtually every line is so rich with scriptural truth and theology, that to read it superficially or casually would seem to be inappropriate or irreverent.

This morning I read slowly, deliberately, and meditatively on the following prayer entitled "The Family." I found it to be wonderfully convicting, comforting, and challenging. It resonated with the desires of my heart to seek out God's best for those whom I love. I share it with you in the hopes that it will stir your heart as well.

O sovereign Lord,

Thou art the Creator-Father of all men, for thou has made and dost support them;

Thou are the special Father of those who know, love, and honour thee,

who find thy yoke easy, and thy burden light,

thy work honourable,

thy commandments glorious.

But how little thy undeserved goodness has affected me!

how imperfectly have I improved my religious privileges!

how negligent have I been in doing good to others!

I am before thee in my trespasses and sins,

have mercy on me,

and may thy goodness bring me to repentance.

Help me to hate and forsake every false way,

to be attentive to my condition and character,

to bridle my tongue,

to keep my heart with all diligence,

to watch and pray against temptation,

to mortify sin,

to be concerned for the salvation of others.

O God, I cannot endure to see the destruction of my kindred.

Let those that are united to me in tender ties

be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory.

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,

instruction, discipline, example,

that my house may be a nursery for heaven,

my church the garden of the Lord,

enriched with trees of righteousness

of thy planting, for thy glory;

Let not those of my family who are amiable, moral, attractive,

fall short of heaven at last;

Grant that the promising appearance of a tender conscience,

soft heart, the alarms and delights of thy Word,

be not finally blotted out,

but bring forth judgment unto victory

in all whom I love.