Praying Together: Strengthening Your Spiritual Bond as a Couple

It’s been a long day. The house is quiet, dishes are stacked in the sink, and you finally collapse onto the couch next to your spouse. There’s a lot on your mind — a work deadline, an upcoming bill, that small disagreement you had earlier. Instead of turning on the TV, one of you says, “Want to pray?” You take each other’s hands, close your eyes, and in just a few quiet moments, the tension begins to melt away.

Prayer has a way of softening hearts, realigning priorities, and reminding you that you’re not alone — not in life, not in marriage, and not in the hard stuff.

Why Praying Together Matters

Praying together is one of the most powerful ways to grow closer as a couple. It’s not just about asking God for help, it’s about inviting Him into the center of your relationship. When you share your hearts with God side by side, you’re building trust, modeling vulnerability, and strengthening your sense of “we.”

Instead of approaching challenges with “me vs. you,” prayer helps you approach them as a team. It shifts the focus away from winning arguments or carrying burdens alone and points you toward what truly matters, loving one another and seeking God’s guidance.

The Emotional and Relational Benefits

Couples who pray together often experience more than just spiritual growth. There are real emotional and relational benefits, such as:

• Deeper Communication: Prayer gives you language for what’s really going on inside — fears, hopes, gratitude — and opens the door for honest conversations.

• Greater Emotional Safety: When you pray, you share parts of yourself that might otherwise go unspoken. This builds trust and intimacy.

• More Unity: Prayer aligns your hearts, reminding you that you’re on the same team.

• A Softer Heart: Bringing hurts before God can help you let go of resentment and move toward forgiveness.

Practical Tips for Praying Together

Praying together can feel awkward at first, and that’s okay. Here are some simple ways to get started:

1. Start Small: Pray for 1–2 minutes before bed or in the morning. Small, consistent prayers add up.

2. Pray Out Loud: It may feel vulnerable, but hearing your spouse pray for you is powerful and comforting.

3. Use Scripture or Devotionals: Read a short passage and turn it into a prayer together.

4. Share Gratitude: Thank God for each other and for specific things that happened that day.

5. Be Honest: Bring the real stuff — fears, worries, arguments — into prayer. God can handle it, and it invites healing.

6. Stay Consistent: A regular rhythm matters more than saying the “right” words.

Just like any new habit, the daily practice of pausing to pray takes—well—practice! Try making space to pause and engage with God on your own, as well as during your scheduled time with your significant other. And whether you’re praying solo or with your spouse, extend plenty of grace to yourself as you grow in this new rhythm. - Quinn Moy

Prayer Prompts to Get You Started

If you’re not sure what to say, here are some simple prompts you can use to guide your prayer time:

• “Lord, thank You for my spouse and for the ways they bless my life. Today I’m especially thankful for…”

• “God, we need Your wisdom as we make decisions about…”

• “Lord, help us forgive each other for…”

• “God, we pray for protection and guidance over our family, especially…”

• “Lord, give us strength and unity as we face…”

• “God, help us grow in love, patience, and kindness toward each other.”

You don’t need fancy words, just honest ones.

Encouragement for the Journey

If praying together feels clumsy, don’t quit. Like any new habit, it takes time to feel natural. You might stumble over words or even laugh a little, that’s okay! The point isn’t perfection; it’s connection.

Each time you pray together, you’re choosing to slow down, draw near to God, and draw near to each other. Those small, simple prayers build a stronger foundation for your relationship over time.

So tonight, take your spouse’s hand — even if it’s just for a quick “thank You” — and start there. God will meet you in those moments and continue to knit your hearts closer together, one prayer at a time.