Joint prayer

It is very important for each separately taken person to have the communication with God the Scripture tells us about. Spouses' joint prayer is equally important and particularly before going to bed, when all daily concerns are already behind, and sleep is ahead. When Katya and I decided that we wouldn't fall asleep without a joint prayer, very shortly we felt that it influenced greatly our relationships, especially if we needed to restore peace between us. The peace ought to be restored. If you doubt, just try to pray together, sitting side by side and holding hands after the conflict. You won't be able to appeal to our Heavingly Father if you haven't repented your anger, resentment and forgiven your spouse. Sometimes we were awake even after midnight, busy with heart-to-heart talk and clearing the matters up, but as a result we asked each others forgiveness, shared a prayer and then fell asleep. It is very important not to postpone the settling of the conflict, but resolve it immediately, until it strike roots into your hearts and relationships.

A conflict is like a fester - if you don't take care of it immediately but cover it for some time you can get a gangrene. Some times it seems really innocent and harmless the beginning, but when it spreads it can put your life in danger, and it won't be easy to get rid of it. So don't say, that it's too late, or you aren't in the right mood to resolve conflicts - or you can never find this right mood and the poisonous seeds of offence, misunderstanding and withdrawal will meanwhile sprout in your hearts. If you want to avoid it, make a decision to discuss and resolve all your conflicts immediately after they arise.

Besides reconciliation joint prayer helps to know better your spouse, to discover his or her feelings and desires, what had happened to him (or her) and how he (or she) reacted these occurences, what touched him and what hurted, what was special and firmly remained in his memory and what was indifferent and unimportant. Joint prayers within a month will let you know more about your spouse than usual communication within a year. Prayer is an intimate relationship, which gives pleasure to three persons, not only to one.