Our second annual marriage retreat is fast approaching. I hope you're excited to get away and spend time wtih your spouse, with friends, and with God. Each week we'll be sending out a little blog post to get us thinking and praying in the right direction.

       This week, we want to start everything off with prayer. Prayer is such a critical part of both our relationship wtih God and our relationship with our spouse. So, here's your assignment as a couple: pray. Find some quiet time alone (probably after any kiddos are in bed if you're like us) and pray through the following items.

       1. Pray for the next few weeks. Pray that God open your heart and reveal your marriage and your spouse to you in a new way. Pray that these next few weeks prepare you for a weekend of focus on your marriage. Pray for fresh eyes and an unclouded view of your marriage.

       2. Pray for your spouse. Pray that God bless them. Pray that God bring them success. Pray that God work in and through them for the sake of your marriage.

       3. Pray for God's help. Be open about the fact that we aren't perfect and we can't make a perfect marriage on our own. We need a savior. Pray for God's help in building a great marriage.