Marriages and Families being reconciled and renewed

Monday:
This week as we pray for marriages and families, let us use the elements of the marriage service to guide our prayer.

Marriage is instituted by and founded on the Word of God
“It is not good that the man should be alone…” Genesis 2.7, 18-24
“Be frutful and multiply…” Genesis 1.26-28
“Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband…” Ephesians 5.1-2, 22-33
“They shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19.4-6
“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10.1-9

Prayer: Lord, we look to you this week as the One who instituted and founded marriage. We also recognize You as the One who instituted and founded the individual marriages that we are familiar with. Forgive me—Forgive us for any ways we have undermined what you have instituted. Draw us back to Your living Word, give marriages life according to Your Word! In Jesus’ name.

Tuesday:
Marriage is entered in by the consent of one man and one woman
To the bridegroom: “Will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony as God ordained it? Will you nourish and cherish her as Christ loved His body, the Church, giving Himself up for her? Will you love, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, remain united to her alone, so long as you both shall live? Then say: I will.”

To the bride: “Will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony as God ordained it? Will you submit to him as the Church submits to Christ? Will you love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, remain united to him alone, so long as you both shall live? Then say: I will.”

Prayer: Lord, our intentions don’t always meet our actions. Help us to fight the temptation to reject Your intentions for husband and wife because of our failure to do what You expect. Fill us with Your Gospel’s power which frees us from condemnation and accusation, and allows us to love and serve one another out of the love and service we have received from Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray.