What are the 5 spiritual disciplines? And what does this have to do with marriage? read on…

PRAYER

Prayer is our way of conversing with God and telling Him our thoughts and feelings. In prayer, we share with Him anything and everything, from our wants to our fears, from decisions we are pondering about to things we worry about. We can always be sure that God hears us. Being the Creator, God has power over all the universe, yet He pays attention to us as if there was only one of us. He is a Father filled with love. We can be sure that God is able and willing to answer our prayers as long as they are according to His Will.

“In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

FELLOWSHIP

As individuals, we were all given different strengths and talents. No one was given all the abilities so that we can learn and benefit from one another. People who believe in the Lord are all part of one family; we are brothers and sisters who interact with one another. We work together to help and care for one another. This is the reason why God gave us different abilities and why He has brought us together with fellow believers.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).

WORSHIP

Worship is much more than music. Worship is offering our entire being to God. It is the act of expressing to God how much He is worth to us. We worship God by praising Him for his goodness, humbling ourselves before Him, thanking Him for our blessings, and looking to Him for help. Obedience is also a form of worship. We study His Word to learn more about what God desires from us and to check if we are aligned with the destiny He has wonderfully prepared for us. .

“to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).

APPLICATION

There is no better teacher than God. He has taught us many lessons which we could apply in our lives. It does not suffice to simply read or know the scriptures. God gave his words for us to learn, follow, and apply in our daily lives. Through application, we can discover the things that God wants us to experience. Following God can only lead to all things good.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5,6

QUIET TIME

Man often seeks for peace in a world filled with distractions. Quiet time is giving time for God. It refers to having a daily appointment with God and closing out all the distraction around us. Having a conversation with God can be thru praying, reading the Bible or it can be as simple as talking with God and listening.

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray’” (Matthew 26:36).

Now you might be asking, what does this have to do with marriage? The answer is, a lot, these are things that keep our hearts and minds focused on God; and a couple that is faithfully praying, fellowshipping with other couples, worshipping together, applying what they learn, and diligently doing their quite time, will stand firm in the worst of trials.