20 Marriage Devotional: Why Praying for Yourself Matters

Show notes

About This Episode Is it selfish to pray for yourself? In this devotional, we make the case that personal prayer is vital, because we need God and His word even more than food and water (Acts 17:28). Neglecting prayer is like holding our breath. Using the airplane oxygen-mask picture, we look at Jesus, who repeatedly withdrew to desolate places to pray, even while grieving John the Baptist before feeding the 5,000. We talk about praying without ceasing, the Holy Spirit interceding for us with groanings, and approaching God's throne boldly. We also share practical ways to pray, like journaling, a prayer closet, and praying during hobbies, and we each open up about our own prayer requests.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode Not selfish — why praying for yourself matters as much as praying for others Spiritually starved — why we need God and His word more than food and water (Acts 17:28) The oxygen mask — securing your own walk with God before helping others Jesus' example — withdrawing to pray, even while grieving John the Baptist before feeding the 5,000 Pray without ceasing — what 1 Thessalonians 5:17 looks like in everyday life The Spirit's help — the Holy Spirit interceding for us with groanings (Romans 8:26) Boldness before God — approaching His throne with confidence (Hebrews 4) Practical habits — journaling, a prayer closet, and praying during hobbies like crocheting and painting Honest requests — our own prayers around intimacy, fatherhood, and anxiety

Scripture Referenced Acts 17:28 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Romans 8:26 Hebrews 4

Resources from This Episode Husband After God Wife After God Shop Marriage After God Full show notes and blog post

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