Please pray for loving marriages

In the last two weekends, three young couples have been married at St. John. Saturday, July 19, Nathan Bower and Maranda Williamson were joined in marriage before God. On Friday, July 25, St. John members Kyle Kolberg and Marcy Eggers were married. And the wedding for Katherine Parker and Robert Wight was Saturday, July 26. These three weddings are part of a total of six weddings for St. John members this year.

As I participate in these weddings, as pastor for many years for most of these young adults, I have been asking people to pray for them. Marriage is not only part of God’s plan for his creation, but reflects God’s relationship with his church in Jesus. So, in marriage, a couple acknowledges God’s plan in their lives and has an opportunity to grow in their relationship with their creator and savior.

In Genesis, in the teaching about the creation of our world, we read. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Marriage is God’s plan for the people of the world. According to God’s teaching in Genesis, marriage provides companionship, love, and support for the couple. Think about it. As we face the trials and challenges of life in the world around us, what a blessing to be able to return home where, according to God’s plan, we are loved and supported.

Marriage also provides a safe and nurturing place for children to be raised. A child is the ultimate way in which the two “become one flesh.” As a father, I am constantly amazed at the wisdom of God to provide two parents. I do not always know how best to love and raise my children. But the combined wisdom of a father and mother, two individuals with their own ideas and personalities and faith, helps to give children both discipline and nurture as they grow.

In Ephesians, after 10 verses about the relationship of a husband and wife, we read, “this is a profound mystery-- but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

In other words, the relationship of Jesus and his church is like the relationship of husband and wife. What a blessing to all of us to know that the sacrificial love of Jesus is as deep and as passionate as the love of a husband for his wife. Actually, the best help a couple can have to bless their marriage is to know and grow in God’s love and forgiveness for them in Jesus.

Obviously, one reason I am asking people to pray for these new marriages is that marriage has always had challenges, and those challenges are increasing today. We want the best for those that we care for. So we pray God’s help for Nathan and Maranda, Kyle and Marcy, Robert and Katherine.

But, do you realize how much all of us are blessed when marriages and homes are healthy? Marriage is not just a personal relationship between two people. Marriage is part of the way a couple lives in their relationship with their creator and redeemer, where they learn the love and the support and the forgiveness of God. And all of us are blessed when homes are healthy and children are raised in a place of love and faith.

As I perform this month’s weddings I am also reminded that July 26 is the 62nd anniversary for my parents. Through the struggles of marriage and parenting five children, many have been blessed by their love and faith.

So, please join me in praying for Nathan and Maranda, Kyle and Marcy, Robert and Katherine, and all those married this year. We want the best for those we love and all are blessed when marriages and homes are places of love and f aith.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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