Teach Us to Pray...

We, like the disciples (Luke 11:1ff), need our Lord to teach us how to pray. Recently, Susan and I were at an engagement dinner for some friends, where the Lord taught us a little better how to pray. We were each asked to pray specific things for them. Another one of our good friends spent some good time searching the scriptures and prayed this prayer for our engaged friends.

Boaz and Ruth—because of their strong love, both were willing to suffer loss. Boaz jeopardized his inheritance, and Ruth left her family and chose an older man rather than a younger. Their love for each other was stronger than an emotional fancy, or a one-night stand. May Brent and Courtney have a love that transcends emotion and superficial desires and goes to the heart.
Priscilla and Aquila—who stuck together amidst persecution in Rome (Rom. 16), who showed Paul hospitality and faithful service, and who traveled far, never forsaking each other though their path was long and hard (Acts 18:2, 18-19). May Brent and Courtney endure every hardship and test of their faith with indestructible commitment to each other.
Solomon and the Shulamite—who made their relationship stronger through praise and adoration, stoking the fires of love and devotion with many spoken words and graceful embraces. May Brent and Courtney remember that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21), and so may their words always bring life to each other.
We ask that Brent and Courtney would clothe themselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. They will need these qualities to make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive when offended, remembering that the Lord has forgiven them, and that they must forgive others. The best quality they can be clothed with is love, and so wrap them together in it that they may be bound in perfect harmony. In doing so, help them receive the peace that comes from Christ to rule in their hearts. For as husband and wife, as well as members of Christ’s body, they are called to live in peace. Throughout their days, may they always be thankful.
Our God, you are the Holy Spirit, who binds hearts in a cord not easily broken. Bind Brent and Courtney’s hearts together. Make their relationship strong, for you are our Strength.

Our hearts were fully engaged praying these wonderful bible truths. Just from his prayer, we were challenged and instructed to be more intentional and biblical as we pray for people. I look forward to praying this prayer for other couples and ourselves. Thanks to my good friend and Thanks to Jesus for teaching us to pray through him.