December 9, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of the Home and Marriage podcast, Lennon and Christal focus on the importance and benefits of couples praying together. They underscore the vulnerability and intimacy that praying together brings, advocating for prayer as a means to exchange anxiety for peace and to seek God's guidance in decision-making. They share practical tips for couples to integrate prayer into their daily lives, emphasizing its role in fostering closeness to each other and to God. They also mention their 'Six Habits of Happy Couples' course and encourage listeners to make prayer a consistent part of their marriages to strengthen their bond and navigate life's challenges together.
00:00 Welcome to the Home and Marriage Podcast
00:34 Thanksgiving Recap and Holiday Traditions
03:27 Christmas Preparations and Memories
06:12 The Importance of Family Traditions
10:03 Managing Holiday Expectations and Budgets
16:42 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays
22:53 Keeping the True Spirit of Christmas
26:10 Closing Remarks and Encouragement
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Lennon (00:03):
This is the Home and Marriage podcast with Lennon and
Christal Noland, where we helpcouples become better at home
and stronger together.
We're husband and wife, parentsand ministers who want God's
best for our home and for yours.
Well, hello friends and welcometo you wherever you are, and
whatever you're doing today, uh,it's time for another episode of
(00:23):
the show.
The coffee is brewed.
It's extra special today becauseI'm wearing Christal's Favorite
item of clothing in the world.
Do you want to, do you wannatell him what you love so much
about this, this, uh, thispiece?
It's not even a jacket.
It's a piece of fashion.
Christal (00:41):
First of all, how long have you had that jacket?
That's what I wanna know.
Lennon (00:44):
It's probably been about five years now.
Christal (00:47):
I feel like it's more like 10 for some reason.
Like, I don't even know.
But tell me why men.
Have this one piece of clothingthat they will not get rid of.
And it doesn't matter if theirwife's like, honey, that looks
frumpy.
Like that's the, that's the wordI would describe That jacket is
frumpy.
Lennon (01:04):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I do think this is a prettycommon husband trait, and it's
certainly not the only timeyou've had to.
Try to bring me to Jesusconcerning some bit of fashion
that I just can't let go ofUhhuh.
But I love this.
It's a, just so you can pictureit, friends and all of its
glory.
It is a what is known now as achore jacket.
(01:27):
Oh, kind of a little beyond ajacket, you know, little heavier
material, kinda larger pocketson the front, really.
Flexible and comfortable.
It's got a little flannel lininginside.
They're all the rage right now.
But you have assured me that no,no.
Yeah, no,
Christal (01:44):
they're, they're the rage in a different way.
I mean, I see what I do seethose type of jackets are
popular, but not quite that one.
That one, the sleeves honey, aretoo short.
First of all, why are thesleeves so short?
And then second of all, it lookslike it's something.
That you're trying.
It's the knockoff version of theNicer jacket.
Lennon (02:07):
I'll have, you know, this came from JC Penney, so
Christal (02:10):
yeah.
19,
Lennon (02:11):
I don't know, knock.
We're 19 hundreds.
Knock off what?
JC Penney is the height offashion.
Christal (02:15):
Well, I, I'm not going to give you a hard time about
that anymore.
You just can have it and you canwear it.
At the house.
Okay.
Okay.
At the house.
Lennon (02:27):
Okay.
That's a good, that's a goodmiddle road.
And in the meantime, transitionpoint.
You can pray that I will see thelight about certain things.
Christal (02:35):
Yeah.
Because prayer's the only thingthat might work for you to
finally let go of that jacket.
Lennon (02:41):
It's true.
So guys, we want to talk to youabout prayer, specifically the
power of praying together.
Tagline, even when it's awkward,because if this isn't already a
habit in your marriage, it canfeel kind of difficult to get it
going, can it?
Christal (02:56):
Right.
I, I think the word awkward canreally describe it sometimes,
especially if it's been a longtime since we prayed together,
or maybe you are newlywed.
Maybe you've just been marriedfor a little bit and you're
learning how to interweave yourspiritual lives together more.
It can feel really awkward atthe beginning.
I even remember thinking back towhen we first started praying
(03:19):
together versus just separatelyat church or separately in our
lives.
I remember that feeling.
Very different, a little awkwardand also really wonderful.
It's like you're getting to knowanother part of that, that
person's, life and who they are.
Lennon (03:36):
Yeah, you're absolutely right.
Praying together, it's one ofthe most vulnerable things that
we can do.
Mm-hmm.
Because you, like you say,you're joining two spiritual
lives into one, and that is areally important aspect of being
married.
We've talked a lot about twobecoming one flesh, and that
that's actually more than justphysical intimacy.
(03:56):
It is an intertwining of yourwhole life and your whole self
together, and so even if you'renot newlywed, this can be
difficult for you because a lotof times with prayer, we have
kind of a lagging sense of guiltthat I, man, I need to pray
more.
I should pray more.
I want to pray more, andspecifically with marriage, and
I can say this speaking.
(04:17):
As A man, if I feel like Ihaven't been doing a good job of
leading in this area spirituallyor just pursuing it along with
you, I can feel a little ashamedabout bringing initiative to it
because I'm kinda like, I shouldalready be doing that.
She probably knows I should bedoing that and is expecting it
of me and I'm not doing a verygood job.
(04:38):
Would you as a woman have thosethoughts like, yeah, you should
have been doing it, or?
Christal (04:45):
I think for, and I can't speak for all women, but I
do feel like for me.
I don't think you should feelembarrassed.
I think as soon as we recognizeit's been a while, let's, let's
get back into that habit ofpraying together.
It's something we talk about inour course as well.
six habits of happy couples.
Sometimes we just get out of ahabit and it's not like we don't
(05:08):
want to do it, it just, it'sjust we get outta the habit.
So I think.
Just letting go of that shameand guilt and say something
like, Hey, let's, let's praytonight.
I, it's been a while, you know,and I do think wives can bring
it up non-con condemningly in away of like, Hey honey, why
don't we pray about this?
We've been going through this,but we really haven't prayed
(05:29):
together.
I've been praying, maybe you'vebeen praying about it, but there
is that power in prayingtogether, which is really in
that verse, Ecclesiastes four12.
Lennon (05:40):
Yeah.
So that, that's one of yourfavorite verses.
Yes.
And so it says though one may beoverpowered, two can defend
themselves in a chord of threestrands is not easily broken.
There's some really good imageryhere.
Christal (05:54):
Yeah.
When I was studying thescripture, I found that the
language in it was reallytalking about the two defending
themselves.
Are in a position more wherethey're standing back to back
fighting off the enemy together,because how many movies have we
even seen like this where maybethere was two people that were
(06:15):
outnumbered or three and theyare standing back to back
fighting off.
I
Lennon (06:19):
like these kind of movies.
Christal (06:20):
I do too.
I actually really like thosekind of movies.
But that is a powerful imagewhen you think about it.
I guess before when I've readthis, verse I'm just thinking of
two people, you know, fightingwherever, but they're really
standing in a position that.
That will make a big difference.
They're standing back to backfighting off the enemy.
(06:40):
And so two, doing that togetheris way more powerful than one
person by themselves.
They can't see behind them.
That's true.
And then you, you weave in themain thing, which is the third
strand, the Lord.
Right.
And I love in this scripture,the third strand is interwoven
(07:00):
between the two.
So what a powerful thought tothink about how God can be
interwoven into us, which thatis what makes all the difference
Lennon (07:11):
yeah, it's particularly powerful because as a married
couple you have the sameworries, but way too often we
worry separately instead ofpraying together, and so we can,
it's interesting because we canboth be in bed.
Stressed out over the same setof circumstances and we just
kinda lay there and do that.
(07:31):
Mm-hmm.
As opposed to, uh, you know, wedon't have to be individually
overpowered here.
We can defend ourselves, we cango to the Lord in prayer.
And you're absolutely right.
With the weaving in of God intothe relationship.
One of the things I like to sayis that if you're a big worrier,
you're almost a prayer warrior.
(07:53):
The difference is in worry, weturn something over in our mind
and stress about it more.
And in being a prayer warrior,that just means that our first
reaction is to give it to God,give it to God.
And of course, in marriage andthe emphasis of what we're
talking about today, it's notjust do that yourself.
Do that together.
Christal (08:12):
Right.
There's been many times that wehave been in bed.
This exact thing you're sayinghas happened to us where we're
laying there stressed aboutsomething.
But when if you say, honey, howabout we pray about that?
You know, it might be kind ofhard to be like, yeah, let's.
Let's not worry and pray.
I don't know why that's hard.
It's a struggle in a way.
(08:33):
Does that, do you know what I'msaying?
Yeah, yeah.
To get out of your mind.
Yes.
Of your own worry, and then toturn to God with it.
But it's the best thing we cando.
And I know when we done that,there's been a shift completely
in our peace.
Yes.
In our hope, you know, we, itjust changes everything.
Lennon (08:54):
It does.
And one of the things I couldencourage, uh, husbands with
specifically is that in speakingof the kind of, I, I should be
taking initiative more orwhatever, just start, just do
it.
But in the dynamics of ourmarriage, in the circumstance
that you're talking about, whichhas happened dozens and dozens,
if not a hundred or more timesin our marriage, where we're, do
(09:17):
you wanna pray about this?
Yes.
You, I've always observed thisin you.
There is a sense of relief thatis tangible with you as a person
after we pray.
Christal (09:30):
Yeah.
And I think it goes back tothat, verse in Ecclesiastes
because when someone initiates,let's pray about it.
And I know for me when you'vedone that and I feel like, okay,
my husband trusts in the Lordand he goes to the Lord for
these things and it makes mehave a sense of like,, I'm
(09:50):
secure.
I'm okay.
I'm protected.
There's just something aboutthat with you turning to the
Lord, not just in your ownstrength.
Right.
Yeah.
That makes me feel as your wife,just peaceful and protected and
it's gonna be okay because weboth trust in the Lord together.
Lennon (10:07):
Yeah.
Let's talk more about kind ofthat what happens when we pray
together.
Mm-hmm.
Not, not just in a sense ofwellbeing after we say amen.
Because sometimes.
Um, wellbeing may be a lagmeasure.
You know, you may be waiting onthat, but it still starts with
prayer.
What are some of the things thathappen when we pray together?
Christal (10:27):
Well, like we've been saying, but the first one is we
do trade our anxieties for hopeand peace.
That's the first thing thathappens.
We give our anxiety over to Godand we trade that for hope and
peace, which I think is a greattrade situation.
Lennon (10:41):
It's a, it's a good trade off.
Christal (10:42):
Yeah, it is.
And um, so in Philippians four,six through seven, it says, and
I know a lot of people.
Listening, know this verse verywell, don't worry about anything
but in everything through prayerand petition with Thanksgiving,
present your request to God andthe peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and minds
(11:04):
in Christ Jesus.
Lennon (11:06):
I love what Paul emphasizes there and what he
doesn't like.
We know and we believe, andwe've seen that prayer changes
things.
Mm-hmm.
But not every prayer leads to amiraculous in the moment, relief
or transformation about whatyou're praying for.
Um, but Paul emphasizes thepeace of God rather than the
(11:26):
worry and anxiety that'spressing down on you, the peace
of God, which surpassesunderstanding.
So the understanding could beso, Lord, is this gonna change?
Or how soon is it gonna happen?
Or will we be able to getthrough the month?
But that peace of God is gonnaguard your heart.
And sometimes the peace comesbefore the answer.
Christal (11:47):
Yeah,
Lennon (11:48):
peace comes in prayer sometimes before an answer does.
And whenever we're both morepeaceful.
That's huge.
Christal (11:54):
It is.
It is.
And I was actually listening toa message the other day by Tim
Keller and it was on peace.
And one of the things he's, henoted about people who had peace
and were giving their burdens tothe Lord.
They thanked the Lord in thatsituation before they ever saw.
(12:15):
What God was gonna do, and therewas a peace that came with that
because of the thankfulness bysaying, God, I thank you that
whatever this situation turnsout to be.
You are gonna be in it, you'regonna do what's best.
And it's not the situation oflike, well, I'm gonna wait and
see what God does.
Or maybe this certain situationwould turn out the way that I'm
(12:37):
thinking it will and then I'llthank him.
It was not that it was I Thankyou, Lord.
Now that you are in this andyou're gonna help us through
this, however it However you doit.
Lennon (12:49):
That's really powerful and it makes me think of
whenever Jesus soon to becrucified, tells his disciples,
my peace.
I leave with you.
My peace I give you.
I don't give peace as the worldgives.
The world can give peace ifeverything is lining up, if
everyone's acting right.
Mm-hmm.
And if we have plenty of moneyin the bank, but the piece that
(13:09):
Jesus gives us transcends that.
So.
That is the first thing thathappens in prayer.
It's huge.
We trade anxiety for hope andpeace.
Christal (13:16):
Yeah.
Lennon (13:18):
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Christal (14:35):
Well, the second one is we seek God's guidance for
decisions.
So when we pray together, we're,we're seeking his guidance for
whatever decisions we have, andwe know that life is full of
decisions.
Lennon (14:50):
It is, and decisions are oftentimes a point of contention
or conflict because these twopeople trying to become one.
Can see the same set ofcircumstances in a different
way.
Right?
Whether that's like addressingsomething with one of your
children or what to prioritizefinancially or whatever, we can
(15:11):
see things differently and so weneed to seek God's guidance
together.
Christal (15:15):
Yeah.
And we have had many bigdecisions in our lives, right?
Like, can I first say the thingnot to do is make a big decision
and then just tell your spouse,this is what I did and this is
how it's gonna be.
Right.
That's a good thing not to do.
Lennon (15:30):
Yeah.
Don't lean on your Trump card ifyou're a husband, and be like,
well, uh, I'm the leader of thishome, and she should submit to
me as to the Lord.
Those things may be true, but doyou want a happy marriage or
not?
That's the question.
Christal (15:43):
That is Right.
And so like, thinking back onsome of the big decisions we've
made, um, we've made a crosscountry move across the US from
Texas to North Carolina.
We've made a huge move.
Yeah.
When our, we had babies and wealso had another decision that
we ended up moving back toTexas.
Those big decisions that wemade.
(16:05):
We couldn't have just done thaton our own.
We needed God's help togetherand we needed to both hear from
the Lord in it.
Lennon (16:11):
We did.
Can I share a story Yeah.
About that?
So whenever we were getting, wewere preparing for a move to
North Carolina, leaving Texas,we.
Knew that it would happen, butwe didn't have a sense of
timing, friends, and so we werereally wrestling with that and
kind of kicking the can down theroad.
So we were at a conference andwe had this big decision hanging
(16:33):
on our heads, and in our heartsthat we were really wrestling
with.
And I remember so specifically,it was a Saturday afternoon, we
were in our hotel room talkingabout this sense of, I feel like
we need to pull the trigger, butwe don't know about timing.
And I'll never forget it.
It's one of the most importantmoments in my spiritual life and
(16:54):
in our marriage.
We knelt down at the bedtogether, we prayed and said,
God, if you would be so kind asto give us a burning bush of, of
timing, a sense of timing, wewill put the for sale sign in
the yard.
We will sell, we will move.
And God didn't owe us that, butGod is, is kind.
(17:16):
And so.
That night, we had a nightsession at the conference, and
we are Christians and we believewholeheartedly that the Holy
Spirit can speak to believersand speak through believers.
Mm-hmm.
And a man who we met that night,who has since become a
tremendous friend, came andbegan to talk to us and felt
(17:37):
like God was giving himsomething to share with us.
What he said specifically wasfirst a question, is God asking
you guys to make any significantmoves in your life right now?
Do you remember that moment?
Christal (17:50):
I, I remember it like yesterday.
Seriously, when he said that tous, it was like, it was, it was
amazing to me that God answeredthat prayer in that way.
So.
Whenever he said that to us, I,I started crying.
Right.
Lennon (18:08):
Yeah.
And I, my lips began to tremble.
Right.
I'm a I'm a man.
You held it together.
Yeah, I held it togetherslightly, but yeah, that it was
a very emotional moment.
And we didn't give him details.
I just said, yes sir.
And he said, well, what the Lordis asking you guys to do is
gonna be the hardest thingyou've ever done.
But you're gonna love it.
And he said, leaving your familyis going to be difficult.
(18:32):
Everybody in our family is fromTexas.
Mm-hmm.
And we're moving across thecountry.
Leaving your family is gonna bedifficult, but you won't be
strangers.
God is going to be good to youwhere you are going.
Christal (18:45):
Yeah.
Lennon (18:46):
What a thing.
Mm-hmm.
We needed wisdom for a decision.
We threw ourselves on the mercyof God, not just me.
But us together.
And God was kind enough to bringus to a common understanding.
Christal (18:59):
Yeah.
And I think what that did forour marriage, it, it made our
marriage more of a team.
Yeah.
Too, because we did this, wesought the Lord together.
It wasn't just you alone or oneperson alone seeking the Lord.
But we did that together.
And what that did for us,really, I think.
Made us more as one, it's soimportant.
(19:20):
I really do.
I, the thing that we've alwaystalked about is.
I think the Lord, when you'remaking a big decision, I think
the Lord can guide both of youtogether.
Yeah.
And so pray for that.
Ask.
If you're making a big decision,say, Hey, let's pray together.
If you, if you're married to abeliever, that could be
something that they are alsopraying about, seeking the Lord
(19:41):
about and wanting to have asense to hear from the Lord
about.
Lennon (19:45):
It's true.
And we've seen it.
You mentioned that that momentin our life made us more of a
team, and that's what reallypraying together does.
We grow closer, not just to God,but we grow closer to each other
in the process of growing closerto God.
Christal (19:59):
Yeah, that definitely happens.
We, we grow closer together.
And so first of all, it, it doescreate a sense of intimacy.
We know, even when we're feelingdistant from one another, by
praying together, it really doesbring us closer, doesn't it?
Lennon (20:15):
Yes it does.
Christal (20:16):
And I think too, you can just do so much more
together.
I do wanna bring this up again,but it does bring a sense of
security in your marriage whenyou're drawing closer to God
together.
And so I know for me, when I seeyou in prayer, maybe I walk in
the room like the other day youwere praying and it really gives
me this sense of like.
(20:36):
Things are gonna be okay.
My husband's praying as well.
It's not just me trying to prayover whatever situation I know
that you're praying too, andthere's something about that
that just gives me this peace,like we said earlier.
So I, I know for me it makes abig difference seeing you pray
and then us praying together.
Lennon (20:57):
We've talked about it and thought about it before,
kinda like a triangle.
If you look at those threepoints and assume the higher
point is, is God, his kingdom,his will, and that is we are
pursuing that together.
Each of us at the one of the twobottom points, we come closer
together in the process.
Christal (21:14):
Right?
Lennon (21:15):
Sometimes prayer can be hard, makes you feel really
vulnerable.
You can suddenly, even thoughyou talk all day, feel terribly
incompetent with your words.
Whenever you go to start talkingto God.
Don't make it complicated.
Just begin.
Christal (21:31):
Mm-hmm.
Just
Lennon (21:32):
get started.
You can't get it wrong.
If you're talking to Godtogether, you're doing something
right, no matter how elementaryyour beginnings may be.
And it never needs to getcomplicated.
It just needs to happen.
Christal (21:45):
It does.
And there are some practicalways to just start praying
together.
I'll say a lot of couples outthere, they're not together
during the day.
They're both working jobsseparately or running errands.
They're doing their own things.
So one of the easiest ways tojust pray together is that time
in bed before you go to sleep toconnect.
Then you know, say, Hey, isthere anything you wanna pray
(22:06):
about before we go to sleep?
That's a really good time.
If you are on differentschedules and you don't see each
other a lot during the day, verysimple way to just start praying
together.
Lennon (22:17):
That's true.
And another one, don'tunderestimate the mealtime
prayer.
The mealtime prayer gets a lotof flack.
Christal (22:24):
Oh, does it?
Yeah.
Lennon (22:25):
Hey, before dinner, before meal.
Hey, let's pray.
People are like, oh, check thebox and blah, blah, blah.
Christal (22:29):
Yeah,
Lennon (22:30):
no, we are, we're gonna pause and pray together.
What we're after is makingprayer, reminding ourselves that
prayer is a natural thing.
Mm-hmm.
This is part of our lives.
Yeah.
It's what sort of like drinkingwater.
Mm-hmm.
You know, you go along withoutdrinking water.
You feel it in your body.
If you go along without praying,you feel it in your relationship
with the Lord.
Yeah.
(22:50):
I mean, I'm making this up as Igo, but just as water hydrates
the body and keeps thingsmoving, so does our prayer to
God, it keeps us spirituallyaware that our life is saturated
with his presence.
Christal (23:04):
Yeah, and the more you do it, the more you're gonna
wanna.
Keep praying together.
I just think it's gonna becomenormal to you when you do pray.
And so start, start small, startat bedtime, start at mealtimes,
and then keep praying.
Pray over those things like ofcourse, big decisions.
Pray over your finances.
of course it's easier sometimesto just, let's pray about the
(23:27):
kids.
Sometimes like, that's a goodstarting point.
Let's, let's pray for the kidstonight.
If
Lennon (23:31):
you have kids, you always have something to pray
about.
Mm-hmm.
Because you always havesomething to worry about.
And it's this, these littlepeople or these grown people
that came from you that youlove.
Christal (23:43):
Exactly.
And then, you know, careerdecisions, we've talked about
that with moves or, Maybe God'sleading me into this new thing,
this new endeavor.
Let's pray about that.
Will you pray with me aboutthat?
So those are things you canbring to the Lord together.
Lennon (23:59):
My boss is all over me at work.
I don't know if I can keepworking here or I if, if it's
carry, if you're carrying it onyour shoulders.
Share it with your spouse andshare it with God.
Christal (24:11):
And you don't have to have all this eloquent speech to
pray well, right?
Yeah.
Start small.
I think that's one of theintimidating things about
praying with your spouse is youmight feel like you've gotta
have all these perfect words tosay,'cause you're praying out
loud in front of someone else,
Lennon (24:26):
right?
Christal (24:27):
You don't have to have that.
You do not.
It could just be, God, will youhelp us You know this situation.
Please help us know what to do.
Lennon (24:34):
That's more than enough.
Yeah.
More than enough.
Yeah.
And, and then the last thing Iwould say in terms of kinda what
do you pray about?
Not everything has to be a need.
In fact, not everything shouldbe a need.
Pray about talk to God aboutthings that you're grateful for.
Yeah.
That's what gratitude is.
What are you thankful for?
What are things that you wantedin the past that you've
(24:55):
forgotten that you have now?
Mm-hmm.
And one of the questions that Ilove to ask is if we woke up
tomorrow and only had the thingsthat we had thanked God for in
the last few months, what wouldwe be left with so that you may
not own the house of your dreamsright now, but thank God for
your rental.
You know, your kids may not beacting right, but you wanted to
(25:17):
be a mom and a dad and, and Godblessed you with children Once
you start finding things tothank God for, you start
noticing a lot more things tothank God for in a, in a prayer
life that's marked by gratitudeis really joyful.
Mm-hmm.
And that does something for amarried couple as well, because
sometimes life can become allabout getting through the next
(25:38):
day or dealing with the nextissue.
But no, God has been good to us.
Yeah.
And we're talking to him aboutit.
And you know what, I kinda loveyou too.
We have a, we have a, we have alife together.
Mm-hmm.
That's good.
Christal (25:50):
Yeah.
That's really good.
I love the thankfulnesstogether.
'cause on your own it'simportant, but when you thank
the Lord for what you do haveand what he's done, it reminds
your spouse as well.
Oh yeah.
We are so blessed.
Look at this and that.
And it helps you just connect inthat way of, of thankfulness.
So I love that.
I will also just say that.
(26:10):
First of all, life is morespiritual than we think.
Lennon (26:13):
Yes, we
Christal (26:13):
don't wanna be kooky and think every little thing, I
didn't get that parking spot.
Must be the devil.
You know?
We don't wanna be those people.
But at the same time, we'vegotta recognize that we have an
enemy especially the enemy doesnot love that a couple's praying
together or praying over theirfamily.
No.
So don't be surprised if youstart your prayer life and you
(26:35):
start, devoting time to we'regonna pray together.
Don't be surprised if you havesome things that come against
you or make it more difficultfor you to do so.
So remember that, That justmeans you're on the right track.
Lennon (26:48):
It does.
Let's close this way.
At the end of Jesus's Sermon onthe Mount, he talks about not
worrying about what we'll eat orwhat we'll wear all the things
and pressures of life.
And he says that we don't haveto do that because we belong to
God.
And Jesus wraps up the Sermon ofthe Mount saying, if we will
just seek first the kingdom ofGod, all the basic needs will be
(27:09):
provided for us, and that wedon't have to worry about
tomorrow.
Tomorrow will worry aboutitself.
He's with us right now.
And so what we wanna remind youof is that God has a will and
plan for.
Your marriage.
We access that will and planthrough prayer.
And that prayer aligns our lifewith his purpose.
Your life, your marriage isbigger than the problems you're
(27:31):
facing right now.
God's purposes for the two ofyou together are bigger than
your pain, and your marriagewill become clearer and stronger
every time you pray together.
So let's get started.
Christal (27:46):
Friends, thank you for joining us today.
Don't forget to follow orsubscribe so you never miss an
episode.
We drop new ones every Tuesday.
If today's conversationencouraged you, would you please
take a minute to leave a review?
It really helps more people findthe show and join our community.
You can visitus@homeandmarriage.com for more
(28:09):
resources.
Like our six Habits of HappyCouples course, and if you'd
like us to come speak at yourchurch or event, you can
schedule us through the website.
You can also follow along onInstagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
All of the links are in the shownotes.
Lennon (28:26):
We really do believe that home can be your favorite
place.
We'll be back again next weekwith more encouragement and
wisdom to help you become betterat home and stronger together.
This is the Home and Marriage podcast with Lennon and
Christal Noland, where we helpcouples become better at home
and stronger together.
We're husband and wife, parentsand ministers who want God's
best for our home and for yours.
Well, hello friends and welcometo you wherever you are, and
whatever you're doing today, uh,it's time for another episode of
(00:23):
the show.
The coffee is brewed.
It's extra special today becauseI'm wearing Christal's Favorite
item of clothing in the world.
Do you want to, do you wannatell him what you love so much
about this, this, uh, thispiece?
It's not even a jacket.
It's a piece of fashion.
Christal (00:41):
First of all, how long have you had that jacket?
That's what I wanna know.
Lennon (00:44):
It's probably been about five years now.
Christal (00:47):
I feel like it's more like 10 for some reason.
Like, I don't even know.
But tell me why men.
Have this one piece of clothingthat they will not get rid of.
And it doesn't matter if theirwife's like, honey, that looks
frumpy.
Like that's the, that's the wordI would describe That jacket is
frumpy.
Lennon (01:04):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I do think this is a prettycommon husband trait, and it's
certainly not the only timeyou've had to.
Try to bring me to Jesusconcerning some bit of fashion
that I just can't let go ofUhhuh.
But I love this.
It's a, just so you can pictureit, friends and all of its
glory.
It is a what is known now as achore jacket.
(01:27):
Oh, kind of a little beyond ajacket, you know, little heavier
material, kinda larger pocketson the front, really.
Flexible and comfortable.
It's got a little flannel lininginside.
They're all the rage right now.
But you have assured me that no,no.
Yeah, no,
Christal (01:44):
they're, they're the rage in a different way.
I mean, I see what I do seethose type of jackets are
popular, but not quite that one.
That one, the sleeves honey, aretoo short.
First of all, why are thesleeves so short?
And then second of all, it lookslike it's something.
That you're trying.
It's the knockoff version of theNicer jacket.
Lennon (02:07):
I'll have, you know, this came from JC Penney, so
Christal (02:10):
yeah.
19,
Lennon (02:11):
I don't know, knock.
We're 19 hundreds.
Knock off what?
JC Penney is the height offashion.
Christal (02:15):
Well, I, I'm not going to give you a hard time about
that anymore.
You just can have it and you canwear it.
At the house.
Okay.
Okay.
At the house.
Lennon (02:27):
Okay.
That's a good, that's a goodmiddle road.
And in the meantime, transitionpoint.
You can pray that I will see thelight about certain things.
Christal (02:35):
Yeah.
Because prayer's the only thingthat might work for you to
finally let go of that jacket.
Lennon (02:41):
It's true.
So guys, we want to talk to youabout prayer, specifically the
power of praying together.
Tagline, even when it's awkward,because if this isn't already a
habit in your marriage, it canfeel kind of difficult to get it
going, can it?
Christal (02:56):
Right.
I, I think the word awkward canreally describe it sometimes,
especially if it's been a longtime since we prayed together,
or maybe you are newlywed.
Maybe you've just been marriedfor a little bit and you're
learning how to interweave yourspiritual lives together more.
It can feel really awkward atthe beginning.
I even remember thinking back towhen we first started praying
(03:19):
together versus just separatelyat church or separately in our
lives.
I remember that feeling.
Very different, a little awkwardand also really wonderful.
It's like you're getting to knowanother part of that, that
person's, life and who they are.
Lennon (03:36):
Yeah, you're absolutely right.
Praying together, it's one ofthe most vulnerable things that
we can do.
Mm-hmm.
Because you, like you say,you're joining two spiritual
lives into one, and that is areally important aspect of being
married.
We've talked a lot about twobecoming one flesh, and that
that's actually more than justphysical intimacy.
(03:56):
It is an intertwining of yourwhole life and your whole self
together, and so even if you'renot newlywed, this can be
difficult for you because a lotof times with prayer, we have
kind of a lagging sense of guiltthat I, man, I need to pray
more.
I should pray more.
I want to pray more, andspecifically with marriage, and
I can say this speaking.
(04:17):
As A man, if I feel like Ihaven't been doing a good job of
leading in this area spirituallyor just pursuing it along with
you, I can feel a little ashamedabout bringing initiative to it
because I'm kinda like, I shouldalready be doing that.
She probably knows I should bedoing that and is expecting it
of me and I'm not doing a verygood job.
(04:38):
Would you as a woman have thosethoughts like, yeah, you should
have been doing it, or?
Christal (04:45):
I think for, and I can't speak for all women, but I
do feel like for me.
I don't think you should feelembarrassed.
I think as soon as we recognizeit's been a while, let's, let's
get back into that habit ofpraying together.
It's something we talk about inour course as well.
six habits of happy couples.
Sometimes we just get out of ahabit and it's not like we don't
(05:08):
want to do it, it just, it'sjust we get outta the habit.
So I think.
Just letting go of that shameand guilt and say something
like, Hey, let's, let's praytonight.
I, it's been a while, you know,and I do think wives can bring
it up non-con condemningly in away of like, Hey honey, why
don't we pray about this?
We've been going through this,but we really haven't prayed
(05:29):
together.
I've been praying, maybe you'vebeen praying about it, but there
is that power in prayingtogether, which is really in
that verse, Ecclesiastes four12.
Lennon (05:40):
Yeah.
So that, that's one of yourfavorite verses.
Yes.
And so it says though one may beoverpowered, two can defend
themselves in a chord of threestrands is not easily broken.
There's some really good imageryhere.
Christal (05:54):
Yeah.
When I was studying thescripture, I found that the
language in it was reallytalking about the two defending
themselves.
Are in a position more wherethey're standing back to back
fighting off the enemy together,because how many movies have we
even seen like this where maybethere was two people that were
(06:15):
outnumbered or three and theyare standing back to back
fighting off.
I
Lennon (06:19):
like these kind of movies.
Christal (06:20):
I do too.
I actually really like thosekind of movies.
But that is a powerful imagewhen you think about it.
I guess before when I've readthis, verse I'm just thinking of
two people, you know, fightingwherever, but they're really
standing in a position that.
That will make a big difference.
They're standing back to backfighting off the enemy.
(06:40):
And so two, doing that togetheris way more powerful than one
person by themselves.
They can't see behind them.
That's true.
And then you, you weave in themain thing, which is the third
strand, the Lord.
Right.
And I love in this scripture,the third strand is interwoven
(07:00):
between the two.
So what a powerful thought tothink about how God can be
interwoven into us, which thatis what makes all the difference
Lennon (07:11):
yeah, it's particularly powerful because as a married
couple you have the sameworries, but way too often we
worry separately instead ofpraying together, and so we can,
it's interesting because we canboth be in bed.
Stressed out over the same setof circumstances and we just
kinda lay there and do that.
(07:31):
Mm-hmm.
As opposed to, uh, you know, wedon't have to be individually
overpowered here.
We can defend ourselves, we cango to the Lord in prayer.
And you're absolutely right.
With the weaving in of God intothe relationship.
One of the things I like to sayis that if you're a big worrier,
you're almost a prayer warrior.
(07:53):
The difference is in worry, weturn something over in our mind
and stress about it more.
And in being a prayer warrior,that just means that our first
reaction is to give it to God,give it to God.
And of course, in marriage andthe emphasis of what we're
talking about today, it's notjust do that yourself.
Do that together.
Christal (08:12):
Right.
There's been many times that wehave been in bed.
This exact thing you're sayinghas happened to us where we're
laying there stressed aboutsomething.
But when if you say, honey, howabout we pray about that?
You know, it might be kind ofhard to be like, yeah, let's.
Let's not worry and pray.
I don't know why that's hard.
It's a struggle in a way.
(08:33):
Does that, do you know what I'msaying?
Yeah, yeah.
To get out of your mind.
Yes.
Of your own worry, and then toturn to God with it.
But it's the best thing we cando.
And I know when we done that,there's been a shift completely
in our peace.
Yes.
In our hope, you know, we, itjust changes everything.
Lennon (08:54):
It does.
And one of the things I couldencourage, uh, husbands with
specifically is that in speakingof the kind of, I, I should be
taking initiative more orwhatever, just start, just do
it.
But in the dynamics of ourmarriage, in the circumstance
that you're talking about, whichhas happened dozens and dozens,
if not a hundred or more timesin our marriage, where we're, do
(09:17):
you wanna pray about this?
Yes.
You, I've always observed thisin you.
There is a sense of relief thatis tangible with you as a person
after we pray.
Christal (09:30):
Yeah.
And I think it goes back tothat, verse in Ecclesiastes
because when someone initiates,let's pray about it.
And I know for me when you'vedone that and I feel like, okay,
my husband trusts in the Lordand he goes to the Lord for
these things and it makes mehave a sense of like,, I'm
(09:50):
secure.
I'm okay.
I'm protected.
There's just something aboutthat with you turning to the
Lord, not just in your ownstrength.
Right.
Yeah.
That makes me feel as your wife,just peaceful and protected and
it's gonna be okay because weboth trust in the Lord together.
Lennon (10:07):
Yeah.
Let's talk more about kind ofthat what happens when we pray
together.
Mm-hmm.
Not, not just in a sense ofwellbeing after we say amen.
Because sometimes.
Um, wellbeing may be a lagmeasure.
You know, you may be waiting onthat, but it still starts with
prayer.
What are some of the things thathappen when we pray together?
Christal (10:27):
Well, like we've been saying, but the first one is we
do trade our anxieties for hopeand peace.
That's the first thing thathappens.
We give our anxiety over to Godand we trade that for hope and
peace, which I think is a greattrade situation.
Lennon (10:41):
It's a, it's a good trade off.
Christal (10:42):
Yeah, it is.
And um, so in Philippians four,six through seven, it says, and
I know a lot of people.
Listening, know this verse verywell, don't worry about anything
but in everything through prayerand petition with Thanksgiving,
present your request to God andthe peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and minds
(11:04):
in Christ Jesus.
Lennon (11:06):
I love what Paul emphasizes there and what he
doesn't like.
We know and we believe, andwe've seen that prayer changes
things.
Mm-hmm.
But not every prayer leads to amiraculous in the moment, relief
or transformation about whatyou're praying for.
Um, but Paul emphasizes thepeace of God rather than the
(11:26):
worry and anxiety that'spressing down on you, the peace
of God, which surpassesunderstanding.
So the understanding could beso, Lord, is this gonna change?
Or how soon is it gonna happen?
Or will we be able to getthrough the month?
But that peace of God is gonnaguard your heart.
And sometimes the peace comesbefore the answer.
Christal (11:47):
Yeah,
Lennon (11:48):
peace comes in prayer sometimes before an answer does.
And whenever we're both morepeaceful.
That's huge.
Christal (11:54):
It is.
It is.
And I was actually listening toa message the other day by Tim
Keller and it was on peace.
And one of the things he's, henoted about people who had peace
and were giving their burdens tothe Lord.
They thanked the Lord in thatsituation before they ever saw.
(12:15):
What God was gonna do, and therewas a peace that came with that
because of the thankfulness bysaying, God, I thank you that
whatever this situation turnsout to be.
You are gonna be in it, you'regonna do what's best.
And it's not the situation oflike, well, I'm gonna wait and
see what God does.
Or maybe this certain situationwould turn out the way that I'm
(12:37):
thinking it will and then I'llthank him.
It was not that it was I Thankyou, Lord.
Now that you are in this andyou're gonna help us through
this, however it However you doit.
Lennon (12:49):
That's really powerful and it makes me think of
whenever Jesus soon to becrucified, tells his disciples,
my peace.
I leave with you.
My peace I give you.
I don't give peace as the worldgives.
The world can give peace ifeverything is lining up, if
everyone's acting right.
Mm-hmm.
And if we have plenty of moneyin the bank, but the piece that
(13:09):
Jesus gives us transcends that.
So.
That is the first thing thathappens in prayer.
It's huge.
We trade anxiety for hope andpeace.
Christal (13:16):
Yeah.
Lennon (13:18):
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Christal (14:35):
Well, the second one is we seek God's guidance for
decisions.
So when we pray together, we're,we're seeking his guidance for
whatever decisions we have, andwe know that life is full of
decisions.
Lennon (14:50):
It is, and decisions are oftentimes a point of contention
or conflict because these twopeople trying to become one.
Can see the same set ofcircumstances in a different
way.
Right?
Whether that's like addressingsomething with one of your
children or what to prioritizefinancially or whatever, we can
(15:11):
see things differently and so weneed to seek God's guidance
together.
Christal (15:15):
Yeah.
And we have had many bigdecisions in our lives, right?
Like, can I first say the thingnot to do is make a big decision
and then just tell your spouse,this is what I did and this is
how it's gonna be.
Right.
That's a good thing not to do.
Lennon (15:30):
Yeah.
Don't lean on your Trump card ifyou're a husband, and be like,
well, uh, I'm the leader of thishome, and she should submit to
me as to the Lord.
Those things may be true, but doyou want a happy marriage or
not?
That's the question.
Christal (15:43):
That is Right.
And so like, thinking back onsome of the big decisions we've
made, um, we've made a crosscountry move across the US from
Texas to North Carolina.
We've made a huge move.
Yeah.
When our, we had babies and wealso had another decision that
we ended up moving back toTexas.
Those big decisions that wemade.
(16:05):
We couldn't have just done thaton our own.
We needed God's help togetherand we needed to both hear from
the Lord in it.
Lennon (16:11):
We did.
Can I share a story Yeah.
About that?
So whenever we were getting, wewere preparing for a move to
North Carolina, leaving Texas,we.
Knew that it would happen, butwe didn't have a sense of
timing, friends, and so we werereally wrestling with that and
kind of kicking the can down theroad.
So we were at a conference andwe had this big decision hanging
(16:33):
on our heads, and in our heartsthat we were really wrestling
with.
And I remember so specifically,it was a Saturday afternoon, we
were in our hotel room talkingabout this sense of, I feel like
we need to pull the trigger, butwe don't know about timing.
And I'll never forget it.
It's one of the most importantmoments in my spiritual life and
(16:54):
in our marriage.
We knelt down at the bedtogether, we prayed and said,
God, if you would be so kind asto give us a burning bush of, of
timing, a sense of timing, wewill put the for sale sign in
the yard.
We will sell, we will move.
And God didn't owe us that, butGod is, is kind.
(17:16):
And so.
That night, we had a nightsession at the conference, and
we are Christians and we believewholeheartedly that the Holy
Spirit can speak to believersand speak through believers.
Mm-hmm.
And a man who we met that night,who has since become a
tremendous friend, came andbegan to talk to us and felt
(17:37):
like God was giving himsomething to share with us.
What he said specifically wasfirst a question, is God asking
you guys to make any significantmoves in your life right now?
Do you remember that moment?
Christal (17:50):
I, I remember it like yesterday.
Seriously, when he said that tous, it was like, it was, it was
amazing to me that God answeredthat prayer in that way.
So.
Whenever he said that to us, I,I started crying.
Right.
Lennon (18:08):
Yeah.
And I, my lips began to tremble.
Right.
I'm a I'm a man.
You held it together.
Yeah, I held it togetherslightly, but yeah, that it was
a very emotional moment.
And we didn't give him details.
I just said, yes sir.
And he said, well, what the Lordis asking you guys to do is
gonna be the hardest thingyou've ever done.
But you're gonna love it.
And he said, leaving your familyis going to be difficult.
(18:32):
Everybody in our family is fromTexas.
Mm-hmm.
And we're moving across thecountry.
Leaving your family is gonna bedifficult, but you won't be
strangers.
God is going to be good to youwhere you are going.
Christal (18:45):
Yeah.
Lennon (18:46):
What a thing.
Mm-hmm.
We needed wisdom for a decision.
We threw ourselves on the mercyof God, not just me.
But us together.
And God was kind enough to bringus to a common understanding.
Christal (18:59):
Yeah.
And I think what that did forour marriage, it, it made our
marriage more of a team.
Yeah.
Too, because we did this, wesought the Lord together.
It wasn't just you alone or oneperson alone seeking the Lord.
But we did that together.
And what that did for us,really, I think.
Made us more as one, it's soimportant.
(19:20):
I really do.
I, the thing that we've alwaystalked about is.
I think the Lord, when you'remaking a big decision, I think
the Lord can guide both of youtogether.
Yeah.
And so pray for that.
Ask.
If you're making a big decision,say, Hey, let's pray together.
If you, if you're married to abeliever, that could be
something that they are alsopraying about, seeking the Lord
(19:41):
about and wanting to have asense to hear from the Lord
about.
Lennon (19:45):
It's true.
And we've seen it.
You mentioned that that momentin our life made us more of a
team, and that's what reallypraying together does.
We grow closer, not just to God,but we grow closer to each other
in the process of growing closerto God.
Christal (19:59):
Yeah, that definitely happens.
We, we grow closer together.
And so first of all, it, it doescreate a sense of intimacy.
We know, even when we're feelingdistant from one another, by
praying together, it really doesbring us closer, doesn't it?
Lennon (20:15):
Yes it does.
Christal (20:16):
And I think too, you can just do so much more
together.
I do wanna bring this up again,but it does bring a sense of
security in your marriage whenyou're drawing closer to God
together.
And so I know for me, when I seeyou in prayer, maybe I walk in
the room like the other day youwere praying and it really gives
me this sense of like.
(20:36):
Things are gonna be okay.
My husband's praying as well.
It's not just me trying to prayover whatever situation I know
that you're praying too, andthere's something about that
that just gives me this peace,like we said earlier.
So I, I know for me it makes abig difference seeing you pray
and then us praying together.
Lennon (20:57):
We've talked about it and thought about it before,
kinda like a triangle.
If you look at those threepoints and assume the higher
point is, is God, his kingdom,his will, and that is we are
pursuing that together.
Each of us at the one of the twobottom points, we come closer
together in the process.
Christal (21:14):
Right?
Lennon (21:15):
Sometimes prayer can be hard, makes you feel really
vulnerable.
You can suddenly, even thoughyou talk all day, feel terribly
incompetent with your words.
Whenever you go to start talkingto God.
Don't make it complicated.
Just begin.
Christal (21:31):
Mm-hmm.
Just
Lennon (21:32):
get started.
You can't get it wrong.
If you're talking to Godtogether, you're doing something
right, no matter how elementaryyour beginnings may be.
And it never needs to getcomplicated.
It just needs to happen.
Christal (21:45):
It does.
And there are some practicalways to just start praying
together.
I'll say a lot of couples outthere, they're not together
during the day.
They're both working jobsseparately or running errands.
They're doing their own things.
So one of the easiest ways tojust pray together is that time
in bed before you go to sleep toconnect.
Then you know, say, Hey, isthere anything you wanna pray
(22:06):
about before we go to sleep?
That's a really good time.
If you are on differentschedules and you don't see each
other a lot during the day, verysimple way to just start praying
together.
Lennon (22:17):
That's true.
And another one, don'tunderestimate the mealtime
prayer.
The mealtime prayer gets a lotof flack.
Christal (22:24):
Oh, does it?
Yeah.
Lennon (22:25):
Hey, before dinner, before meal.
Hey, let's pray.
People are like, oh, check thebox and blah, blah, blah.
Christal (22:29):
Yeah,
Lennon (22:30):
no, we are, we're gonna pause and pray together.
What we're after is makingprayer, reminding ourselves that
prayer is a natural thing.
Mm-hmm.
This is part of our lives.
Yeah.
It's what sort of like drinkingwater.
Mm-hmm.
You know, you go along withoutdrinking water.
You feel it in your body.
If you go along without praying,you feel it in your relationship
with the Lord.
Yeah.
(22:50):
I mean, I'm making this up as Igo, but just as water hydrates
the body and keeps thingsmoving, so does our prayer to
God, it keeps us spirituallyaware that our life is saturated
with his presence.
Christal (23:04):
Yeah, and the more you do it, the more you're gonna
wanna.
Keep praying together.
I just think it's gonna becomenormal to you when you do pray.
And so start, start small, startat bedtime, start at mealtimes,
and then keep praying.
Pray over those things like ofcourse, big decisions.
Pray over your finances.
of course it's easier sometimesto just, let's pray about the
(23:27):
kids.
Sometimes like, that's a goodstarting point.
Let's, let's pray for the kidstonight.
If
Lennon (23:31):
you have kids, you always have something to pray
about.
Mm-hmm.
Because you always havesomething to worry about.
And it's this, these littlepeople or these grown people
that came from you that youlove.
Christal (23:43):
Exactly.
And then, you know, careerdecisions, we've talked about
that with moves or, Maybe God'sleading me into this new thing,
this new endeavor.
Let's pray about that.
Will you pray with me aboutthat?
So those are things you canbring to the Lord together.
Lennon (23:59):
My boss is all over me at work.
I don't know if I can keepworking here or I if, if it's
carry, if you're carrying it onyour shoulders.
Share it with your spouse andshare it with God.
Christal (24:11):
And you don't have to have all this eloquent speech to
pray well, right?
Yeah.
Start small.
I think that's one of theintimidating things about
praying with your spouse is youmight feel like you've gotta
have all these perfect words tosay,'cause you're praying out
loud in front of someone else,
Lennon (24:26):
right?
Christal (24:27):
You don't have to have that.
You do not.
It could just be, God, will youhelp us You know this situation.
Please help us know what to do.
Lennon (24:34):
That's more than enough.
Yeah.
More than enough.
Yeah.
And, and then the last thing Iwould say in terms of kinda what
do you pray about?
Not everything has to be a need.
In fact, not everything shouldbe a need.
Pray about talk to God aboutthings that you're grateful for.
Yeah.
That's what gratitude is.
What are you thankful for?
What are things that you wantedin the past that you've
(24:55):
forgotten that you have now?
Mm-hmm.
And one of the questions that Ilove to ask is if we woke up
tomorrow and only had the thingsthat we had thanked God for in
the last few months, what wouldwe be left with so that you may
not own the house of your dreamsright now, but thank God for
your rental.
You know, your kids may not beacting right, but you wanted to
(25:17):
be a mom and a dad and, and Godblessed you with children Once
you start finding things tothank God for, you start
noticing a lot more things tothank God for in a, in a prayer
life that's marked by gratitudeis really joyful.
Mm-hmm.
And that does something for amarried couple as well, because
sometimes life can become allabout getting through the next
(25:38):
day or dealing with the nextissue.
But no, God has been good to us.
Yeah.
And we're talking to him aboutit.
And you know what, I kinda loveyou too.
We have a, we have a, we have alife together.
Mm-hmm.
That's good.
Christal (25:50):
Yeah.
That's really good.
I love the thankfulnesstogether.
'cause on your own it'simportant, but when you thank
the Lord for what you do haveand what he's done, it reminds
your spouse as well.
Oh yeah.
We are so blessed.
Look at this and that.
And it helps you just connect inthat way of, of thankfulness.
So I love that.
I will also just say that.
(26:10):
First of all, life is morespiritual than we think.
Lennon (26:13):
Yes, we
Christal (26:13):
don't wanna be kooky and think every little thing, I
didn't get that parking spot.
Must be the devil.
You know?
We don't wanna be those people.
But at the same time, we'vegotta recognize that we have an
enemy especially the enemy doesnot love that a couple's praying
together or praying over theirfamily.
No.
So don't be surprised if youstart your prayer life and you
(26:35):
start, devoting time to we'regonna pray together.
Don't be surprised if you havesome things that come against
you or make it more difficultfor you to do so.
So remember that, That justmeans you're on the right track.
Lennon (26:48):
It does.
Let's close this way.
At the end of Jesus's Sermon onthe Mount, he talks about not
worrying about what we'll eat orwhat we'll wear all the things
and pressures of life.
And he says that we don't haveto do that because we belong to
God.
And Jesus wraps up the Sermon ofthe Mount saying, if we will
just seek first the kingdom ofGod, all the basic needs will be
(27:09):
provided for us, and that wedon't have to worry about
tomorrow.
Tomorrow will worry aboutitself.
He's with us right now.
And so what we wanna remind youof is that God has a will and
plan for.
Your marriage.
We access that will and planthrough prayer.
And that prayer aligns our lifewith his purpose.
Your life, your marriage isbigger than the problems you're
(27:31):
facing right now.
God's purposes for the two ofyou together are bigger than
your pain, and your marriagewill become clearer and stronger
every time you pray together.
So let's get started.
Christal (27:46):
Friends, thank you for joining us today.
Don't forget to follow orsubscribe so you never miss an
episode.
We drop new ones every Tuesday.
If today's conversationencouraged you, would you please
take a minute to leave a review?
It really helps more people findthe show and join our community.
You can visitus@homeandmarriage.com for more
(28:09):
resources.
Like our six Habits of HappyCouples course, and if you'd
like us to come speak at yourchurch or event, you can
schedule us through the website.
You can also follow along onInstagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
All of the links are in the shownotes.
Lennon (28:26):
We really do believe that home can be your favorite
place.
We'll be back again next weekwith more encouragement and
wisdom to help you become betterat home and stronger together.
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