3 Powerful Ways to Fight for Your Family and Strengthen Your Marriage

Three Ways We Fight for Our Family

It’s almost frightening how quickly I embraced the thought. It was early evening, my husband home from work, and in the swirl of conversation and formulation of plans, I had a suggestion. It was something we could implement as a couple for the benefit of our marriage.

But we’d been down this road before. Whether it was weekly date nights, nightly couple devotions, or co-reading an edifying book, we’d take it up with vigor and start down the path only to watch it fizzle, foiled by life’s interruptions.

So the thought came easily — What’s the use?

I embraced it, and kept quiet.

That same evening, though, the Lord made me uncomfortable with my posture. As I prayed and pondered, I realized that I was giving ground to the enemy. Instead of standing firm and looking to the Lord to shore up this area, I’d given up. Retreated. I may as well have announced that I would no longer occupy this ground in my marriage. "Here, enemy, you can have it."

Fighting for Our Family

Marriage and family are battlegrounds. They are not static, peaceful places. The enemy seeks to destroy the unity and love that God intends for our families. But as followers of Christ, we are called to fight for our families and not give in to complacency or defeat. The Bible calls us to be vigilant and actively engage in the battle.

So how do we fight for our family? Here are three ways:

1. Commit to Regular Prayer

Prayer is our greatest weapon in the fight for our family. It is through prayer that we invite God's presence, power, and protection into our homes. We must commit to regular, intentional prayer for our spouse, children, and the overall health of our family.

Scripture is filled with examples of the power of prayer. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." When we come together in prayer as a couple and as a family, we are inviting the presence of God into our midst.

Prayer is not just a one-time event. It is an ongoing conversation with God. We should make it a habit to pray for our family daily, seeking God's guidance and protection. As we pray, we surrender our worries, fears, and concerns to God, trusting that He is in control and that He will fight for us.

2. Prioritize Quality Time

In the busyness of life, it can be easy to neglect spending quality time with our family. But if we want to fight for our family, we must prioritize time together. Quality time allows us to strengthen our relationships, build trust, and create lasting memories.

One way to prioritize quality time is by establishing regular family traditions. These can be simple activities like family game nights, movie nights, or shared meals. By setting aside specific times for these activities, we show our family that they are a priority in our lives.

Another important aspect of quality time is active listening. When we spend time with our family, we must be fully present and engaged. Put away distractions like phones and truly listen to each other. Show interest, ask questions, and seek to understand. This not only deepens our connection with our family members but also creates an environment where open communication can thrive.

3. Cultivate a Gospel-Centered Home

A gospel-centered home is one that is centered on the truth of God's Word and the person of Jesus Christ. It is a home where the gospel is not just talked about, but lived out in daily life. As we cultivate a gospel-centered home, we create an environment where our family can grow in their faith and experience the grace and love of God.

One way to cultivate a gospel-centered home is through regular family devotions. Set aside time each day to read the Bible, pray, and discuss spiritual truths as a family. This not only strengthens our own faith but also models for our children what it means to follow Christ.

Additionally, we must be intentional about teaching and modeling biblical values and principles to our family. This includes things like forgiveness, love, and selflessness. As we live out these values in our own lives, we provide a powerful example for our family to follow.

Conclusion

Fighting for our family is not easy, but it is necessary. We must be intentional and proactive in our efforts to protect and strengthen our marriage and family. By committing to regular prayer, prioritizing quality time, and cultivating a gospel-centered home, we can stand firm against the enemy's attacks and experience the abundant life that God desires for our family.

So let's not give up. Let's fight for our family and trust that God will be with us every step of the way.