Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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Couples<br />
pursuing<br />
prayer<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
A marriage insight<br />
from Lauren Mitchell<br />
ERIKA JAMES CARDER<br />
MY HUSBAND, PETE, AND I<br />
seek to keep God at <strong>the</strong> center of our marriage<br />
by talking to Him toge<strong>the</strong>r. I would be lying if<br />
I said this isn’t a struggle. The places we need<br />
God <strong>the</strong> most, we d<strong>on</strong>’t tend to invite Him,<br />
including <strong>the</strong> times when we have misunderstandings<br />
and fights.<br />
A Scripture my husband and I stand <strong>on</strong> is<br />
Colossians 4:2, “C<strong>on</strong>tinue steadfastly in prayer,<br />
being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinue is <strong>the</strong> key word because my spouse<br />
and I will c<strong>on</strong>tinue to hurt each o<strong>the</strong>r, we will<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinue to need to forgive, we will c<strong>on</strong>tinue to<br />
face disappointment, so we need to c<strong>on</strong>tinue in<br />
prayer. We have to c<strong>on</strong>tinue inviting God to all<br />
<strong>the</strong> places it feels hard to pray in, c<strong>on</strong>tinue being<br />
watchful for His answers, and c<strong>on</strong>tinue with<br />
thanksgiving for God’s help and for each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
I’d love to say that we pray every night, completely<br />
forgive each o<strong>the</strong>r during those times<br />
of frustrati<strong>on</strong> and automatically turn to prayer<br />
when it’s needed, but <strong>the</strong> truth is we’re still two<br />
humans. We struggle, and we fail, but we’re<br />
going to c<strong>on</strong>tinue.<br />
God doesn’t expect our perfecti<strong>on</strong>. That verse<br />
doesn’t say to be perfect in prayer; ra<strong>the</strong>r, it tells<br />
us to keep at it. My spouse and I persist in prayer<br />
because we’ve found that God blesses us when<br />
we pray for each o<strong>the</strong>r and with each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Prayer has become a powerful force in our<br />
marriage, and we have <strong>the</strong> great h<strong>on</strong>or of seeking<br />
God toge<strong>the</strong>r. •<br />
Lauren Mitchell is a wife and mo<strong>the</strong>r of three children. As<br />
a writer and speaker, her passi<strong>on</strong> is teaching women how<br />
to grow closer to God through prayer.<br />
Lauren and Pete Mitchell<br />
APRIL / MAY <strong>2023</strong> FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 13
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