Episode 236: Praying With and For Your Future Spouse (feat. Scott Kedersha)

Summary

In this episode of 'Becoming Something,' hosts JP and Skye delve into the importance of prayer in relationships, especially for young adults navigating dating and marriage. They discuss the impact of consistent prayer on marital satisfaction and divorce rates, as well as the vulnerability and intimacy that come with praying together. The conversation highlights the release of 'The Ready or Not Prayer Guide,' a resource designed to help couples pray for their relationships before marriage, fostering a deeper connection with each other and with God.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The podcast 'Becoming Something' aims to provide honest and real conversations for young adults in their 20s and 30s, preparing them for life's challenges and helping them become what God desires.
• 📚 The hosts discuss the importance of prayer in relationships, particularly in strengthening marriages and preparing for marriage through prayer.
• 💔 A referenced statistic suggests that the divorce rate is significantly lower among couples who pray together, with one in ten thousand getting divorced compared to the general rate of 30-50 percent.
• 🤔 The podcast raises the question of whether it's appropriate to pray with a significant other before marriage and how to balance prayer with guarding one's heart.
• 📖 Scott, the marriage pastor, shares about his book 'Ready or Not: Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have Before Marriage' and the 'Ready or Not Prayer Guide' for couples who are dating or engaged.
• 🙏 The 'Ready or Not Prayer Guide' provides 100 prayers for dating and engaged couples to pray for their relationship and for each other to become more Christ-like.
• 🔑 Scott emphasizes that the prayers are not just for the marriage itself, but for developing Christ-like attributes in individuals and their relationships.
• 💬 The hosts share personal stories and experiences about how prayer has impacted their own relationships and the importance of being open and vulnerable with God and their partners.
• 📈 Scott mentions a study that found a divorce rate of less than 1% among couples who pray together out loud on a consistent basis, highlighting the power of prayer in marriage.
• 🎉 The podcast ends with an encouragement for couples to pray together and for individuals to pray for their future spouse, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's will in relationships.
• 💕 The hosts conclude by sharing their personal experiences with prayer and how it has transformed their marriages, encouraging listeners to embrace a prayerful approach to relationships.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the podcast 'Becoming Something'?

The main theme of the podcast 'Becoming Something' is to have honest and real conversations aimed at helping young adults in their 20s and 30s prepare for various aspects of life, with the hope of helping them become all that God desires them to be.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Ephesians 4:29' mentioned in the podcast?

The phrase 'Ephesians 4:29' is significant as it refers to a Bible verse that encourages believers to speak only words that build others up, which is a guiding principle for the conversations in the podcast.

Why did the guest initially hesitate to accept the job offer mentioned in the podcast?

The guest initially hesitated to accept the job offer because he wanted to take two weeks to pray about it, but upon expressing his acceptance, he was told that someone better had been found, which turned out to be a negotiation tactic.

What is the relationship between JP and Nate as discussed in the podcast?

JP and Nate have a long-standing relationship, having worked together in the past in a small office that was previously used for storage, which has contributed to their camaraderie and shared experiences.

What is the purpose of the book 'Ready or Not' by Scott?

The book 'Ready or Not' is designed to guide couples who are seriously dating through 12 essential conversations they should have before getting married.

How does the podcast suggest couples can prepare for marriage through prayer?

The podcast suggests that couples can prepare for marriage through prayer by using the 'Ready or Not Prayer Guide' which provides 100 prayers for dating and engaged couples to pray together or individually, focusing on becoming more Christ-like.

What is the significance of praying together as a couple, as discussed in the podcast?

Praying together as a couple is significant because it can lead to a deeper level of intimacy and vulnerability, allowing both parties to share their hearts and struggles openly, and it can strengthen the relationship by aligning their goals and values with their faith.

What is the podcast's stance on praying for a future spouse?

The podcast encourages praying for a future spouse, suggesting that individuals should pray for themselves to become better partners and for God to guide them towards a spouse who shares similar Christ-like attributes.

What advice does the podcast give regarding praying for specific desires in a relationship?

The podcast advises being specific and honest in prayers about relationship desires, while also asking God to align those desires with His will and to show where one might be off in their expectations or requests.

How does the podcast address the concern about praying together before marriage?

The podcast addresses the concern by suggesting that praying together before marriage can be appropriate if done in a way that guards the heart and maintains appropriate boundaries, rather than using prayer to manipulate or misrepresent one's intentions.