Marriage After God

A unique episode awaits! But first, a small request: If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a star rating and review. This helps others discover our show.Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform & never miss an episode.Main Topic:The Marriage Gift: Introducing our new 1-Year Marriage prayer devotional. Pre-Order Today ->  HTTP://themarriagegift.comPodcast Interviews: Sharing insights and deeper thoughts from our recent podcast interviews.Featured Podcasts:The Dad Tired Podcast with Jerred Lopes. Listen to our episode here.His & Her MoneyTruth for Your TwentiesThe Happy HomeThe Christian Parenting PodcastNow That We're a Family with Elisha & Katie Votberg...and 8 more to come!Want to interview us on your podcast? Reach out to support@marriageaftergod.comDeep Dives:First Impressions: Reflecting on the diverse range of podcasters we've met.Truth for Your 20s: Discussing our dating years, advice for singles, and challenges faced by the current generation regarding marriage.Our Origin Story: A walk down memory lane, revisiting our early struggles and celebrating our growth in various aspects of life.Working Together: Tips for couples working together, reminiscing about our time in Africa and Florida with a missions organization, and our online missionary work for marriages over the past 12 years.Marriage After God Book: A reflection on our book and its enduring message.Connect with Us:WebsiteInstagramFacebook Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

Introduction: Welcome to a Journey of EncouragementJoin us as we explore the transformative power of positive affirmation in marriage.Discover how a single word of encouragement can change your day.Sponsored by: "The Marriage Gift: 365 prayers for our marriage." Strengthen your marriage through prayer. Visit themarriagegift.com.Celebrations and Reflections: Truett's Birthday and Affirmation InsightsTruett's Birthday: Family fun with blueberry cake, park visits, and teaching marbles.Affirmation Reflection: How specific affirmation from a coach can lift you up.God and Affirmation: Recognizing and seeking affirmation from the Lord.God's Affirmation Through His Word: Emotional Support and EncouragementBiblical Examples: How God affirms us through His word, providing emotional support, encouragement, and reminders of our identity and truth.The Importance of Affirmation in Marriage: Building a Strong ConnectionWhy It Matters: The role of affirmation in boosting self-esteem, love, appreciation, comfort, and intimacy in marriage.Compliments and Encouragement: The healing power of gracious words.Practical Ways to Affirm Your Spouse: A Guide to Expressing LoveHow to Affirm: From texts and face-to-face conversations to social media tags and heartfelt letters.When and Where to Affirm: Timing and location ideas to make affirmation a daily habit.What to Say: Ideas for compliments, acknowledgments, and affirmations that resonate.Growth Spurt: Focus on Doting Over Each OtherMonthly Challenge: Keep your eyes on the prize and dote over each other. Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

Welcome to a new episode of the Marriage After God podcast, where we explore the pursuit of happiness in marriage. Are you seeking happiness in your relationship? Do you feel like joy is elusive in your marital life? Do you ever look at other couples and wonder why you can't experience the same level of happiness?Happiness is a universal pursuit. Many of us go to great lengths to experience and achieve happiness in life. We all yearn for that feeling of contentment, that regardless of what's going on, we feel good, we feel happy. In today's episode, we delve into why we are driven by the desire to experience true happiness and how to find it when it seems hard to come by.Our episode today is sponsored by The Marriage Gift: 365 Prayers For Our Marriage. This book, written by us, Aaron and Jennifer Smith, is a result of the positive response from hundreds of thousands of couples who have taken our marriage prayer challenge and gone through our 31-prayer for my husband and wife books. We believe prayer is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your marriage, hence the title, The Marriage Gift. You can pre-order your copy today at themarriagegift.com.In this episode, we also discuss our new book, The Marriage Gift, and share some personal experiences, including swim lessons for our younger kids and a heartwarming moment when our son Truett asked a friend if he knows God. We also delve into the topic of happiness, its definition, and how it varies from person to person.We explore a short film about a rat chasing happiness in New York, which serves as a metaphor for our relentless pursuit of happiness. The film shows that nothing lasts, and the feeling of happiness doesn't last either. You can watch the film here.We also discuss a study that found marriage to be the best predictor of happiness in America. You can read more about the study here.We delve into the importance of happiness in marriage and how it's not always about feeling happy. We share our experiences from our 16+ years of marriage, including the hard seasons and how we navigated through them. We discuss the role of happiness in marriage from a biblical perspective, referencing scriptures like Ecclesiastes 1:7-8, Romans 8:13, and Psalm 1:1-3.Finally, we share practical steps to grow happiness and satisfaction in marriage, and how true satisfaction in Christ affects our earthly relationships, including marriage.Tune in to this enlightening episode and join us on this journey towards finding true happiness in marriage. Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

Welcome to the halfway point of the year! This can be a challenging time for many of us who started the year strong with important goals but have yet to achieve them. For others, you might be on track but find your motivation waning as the year progresses.Today, we're here to remind you that your goals matter and it's not too late to refocus on the finish line. Let's keep the pace of your progress and cheer you on toward achieving those things you hoped to tackle this year. It’s go time! SponsorshipThis episode is brought to you by the Marriage After God store. Our ministry has been supported by all of you faithful customers who have chosen to purchase our resources and books, including "31 Prayers for My Husband and Wife," "Husband and Wife After God," "31 Prayers for My Son and Daughter," "The Unveiled Wife," and "Marriage After God."We're thrilled to bundle these sets together and offer occasional deals to help with the price of these products. So be sure to subscribe via email so you don't miss the deals! You can shop our books at shop.marriageaftergod.com.We also want to give a big shout out to our patron team who has chosen to partner with us in blessing tens of thousands of couples with free daily prayer emails and this weekly podcast. We're grateful for your support! If you'd like to join our patron team, please visit marriageaftergod.com/patron. Topic: GoalsToday, we're talking about goals. Why do we set them? What happens when we get off track? And how can we get back on track when we've fallen off the wagon?We set goals because we want to change, grow, or experience something new. Whether it's weight loss, financial gain, learning something new, or spiritual growth, we know it feels good to achieve these goals.But what happens when we're not on track? We can get overwhelmed with our goals and the commitment they require. Things come up that distract us or stop us. And then it feels like we've failed, so we stop altogether.The key is to remember that the change itself is what we're really pursuing. The goal is simply the means by which we change. So even if we feel like we've failed to attain the goal, we shouldn't quit. We should recognize the actual change that has been happening all along. Getting Back on TrackWhen you've fallen off the wagon, it's important to encourage each other to keep going. Change your mindset to focus on the transformation that's happening in your life. Remember, you're better today than you were yesterday. If you look back, you can clearly see that you've made forward movement. Supporting Each OtherAs a couple, it's crucial to support each other in our personal pursuits. Acknowledge each other's efforts, be patient, and celebrate the fact that you're trying something new and trying to change for the better. Growth SpurtThis month, we're focusing on growing by letting freedom ring. We're celebrating the freedom to learn something new, the freedom to pray, and the freedom to pursue happiness. PrayerDear Lord, thank you for giving us the capacity to set new goals, to experience transformation, to do something new, to learn and to grow. We pray we would take advantage of all that we have been given to do the hard thing and see progress. Regardless of how much time we have left in this year, will you motivate our hearts and minds to follow through with the goals we hope to achieve? Will you keep insecurity far from us? We pray we would be supportive in marriage and work together as a team to carry out your will. In Jesus’ name, AMEN! Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

IntroductionIn this episode, we explore the power of understanding in marriage, focusing on the moments of vulnerability that allow us to truly know each other. We discuss the importance of delicate conversations that lead to understanding, reconciliation, or change. Join us as we share insights on how to handle these conversations for the sake of unity in marriage.Sponsor: Marriage After God Patron TeamThis episode is brought to you by our faithful patron team. These individuals have chosen to pay it forward and help financially support this show. To join, please visit marriageaftergod.com/patron. Also, sign up for our free daily prayer email at marriageprayerchallenge.com.Topic: Understanding vs Agreement in MarriageThe Importance of UnderstandingWe delve into the concept of understanding in marriage, highlighting how it fosters empathy and builds connection, even without agreement. We discuss the difference between understanding and agreement, and how understanding can lead to trust, respect, and a stronger bond in marriage.Practical Application: How to Practice Saying "I Understand"We share practical tips on how to practice saying "I understand", including active listening, validating feelings, and speaking with love and respect. We also discuss how to navigate disagreements, find common ground, and maintain peace in the relationship.The Role of Prayer in Promoting UnderstandingWe discuss the importance of praying for understanding, patience, and wisdom in marriage. Prayer can dissolve initial tension, provide a heavenly perspective, and keep us humble.ConclusionUnderstanding is a powerful tool in marriage. It allows us to truly know each other, navigate delicate conversations, and maintain unity. We encourage listeners to practice saying "I understand" and truly seek to understand before disagreeing in their marriage. Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

In this episode, we delve into the core elements that make a marriage not just survive, but thrive. We go beyond the usual suspects of communication, healthy sex life, mutual respect, and financial stability. Instead, we focus on the foundational aspects that precede and outlast these factors. We believe that building a lasting marriage requires action, intention, and a willingness to do the work. So, let's dive in!Sponsor: Marriage After God Patron TeamThis episode is brought to you by our faithful patron team, men and women around the country who have been blessed by our free daily prayer emails and this podcast, and have chosen to pay it forward. Special shoutouts to our recent patrons: Emily W, Lynsey N, and Angela P. To support this podcast and our daily prayer emails, visit marriageaftergod.com/patron.get our books: shop.marriageaftergod.comjoin our daily prayer email list. marriageprayerchallange.comTopic: The Three Pillars of a Lasting Marriage1. Acknowledge and Accept that Marriage is a CovenantMarriage is more than a legal document or state acknowledgement. It's a covenant, a promise made before God. This covenant is not formed based on who we are or who we will be, but on a choice. We choose to be one until death. Understanding this helps us fight against the lies that tempt us to run or look elsewhere. It reminds us that our promise to each other is before God and not based on our current circumstances.2. Find Security in Knowing the Purpose of Your MarriageWhen we understand that our marriage has a purpose and that God desires to use our marriage for His kingdom and for our good, we begin to experience our marriages differently. The purpose of marriage was meant to reveal in an earthly human relationship the divine relationship between Christ and His church. Walking in this truth will be a cornerstone for us.3. Cultivate Willing HeartsHaving a willing heart in conversation, intimacy, and sacrifice is key to a thriving marriage. Willingness in conversation means being ready to listen, share, and apologize. Willingness in intimacy involves pursuing, embracing, and trying new things. Willingness in sacrifice includes surrendering your time for their sake, serving, and laying down your desires to be in agreement.ConclusionBuilding a lasting marriage requires more than the usual advice. It requires acknowledging and accepting the covenant of marriage, understanding the purpose of your marriage, and cultivating a willing heart. Join us as we explore these concepts in depth and provide practical advice on how to implement them in your marriage. Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

Support this podcast, Become a Patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron or buy one of our many marriage resources: https://shop.marriageaftergod.comIn this episode, we open up about our personal struggle with a sexless marriage, something we grappled with for many years. We delve into our journey, discuss the common causes of a sexless marriage, and provide potential solutions that helped us and may help other couples too. While each couple's experience is unique, we hope our story provides guidance and hope to those facing a similar situation.Key Points Discussed:Understanding Our Issue: We emphasize that it's crucial not to define our entire marriage by sex. Although sex is a vital aspect of a marital relationship, it shouldn't overshadow the other elements that make a marriage meaningful.Dealing with Our Discouragement: We share how living in a sexless marriage can feel lonely and discouraging. We discuss the importance of identifying and challenging the lies and doubts that may arise in such times.Our Practical Solutions:  We explore the practical steps we took to address this issue in a way that aligns with our faith and spiritual beliefs.Avoiding External Pitfalls: We stress the importance of resisting the temptation to seek fulfillment outside the marriage through mediums like romance novels or pornography, which can worsen the situation rather than help.Maintaining Hope and Encouragement: We discuss our journey through a sexless marriage, which required maintaining a positive mindset, keeping faith, and continually encouraging each other.Prayer:Dear Lord,Thank you for the special gift of sex in marriage. We appreciate the way you designed to experience being one flesh in a physical way. We pray we would continually pursue one another and posture our hearts to be inviting and ready and willing to embrace each other. We pray over our marriage and specifically our sex in marriage that we would be blessed and fulfilled. Please help us to love one another and meet each others needs. We pray when we come together; it would be a positive experience.In Jesus’ name AMEN!  Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

In this week's episode, we're picking up 'Habits Of The Household' by Justin Whitmel Earley. Join us as we delve into the seemingly mundane daily rituals that, in reality, hold a profound influence in our lives. We're all guilty of dismissing these small tasks as trivial - scrolling on our phone, deciding what to eat, or even how we put the kids to bed. However, it's time to reconsider their significance. After all, anything we do every day makes up a significant portion of our lives. Recognizing this is just the beginning.Earley's insightful and powerful book guides us on a journey of understanding, prompting us to re-evaluate these daily habits and, more importantly, teaching us how to leverage them for our good. It's not just about embracing the power of routine to transform our lives one day at a time but, more importantly, recognizing the spiritual purpose and ramifications of our daily habits. We discuss our key takeaways from the book, share personal experiences, and explore practical steps to implement these concepts.Whether you've read the book or not, this episode will open your eyes to the power of daily rituals and their potential to inspire dramatic change. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that will challenge you to look at your everyday habits in a new light. Get ready for an episode filled with valuable insights, compelling discussion, and a newfound appreciation for the little things that shape our lives.Grab the book here -> https://amzn.to/3P1xEpf   Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

When a husband prays for his wife, he opens the gates of heaven and carries her over the threshold directly into the throne room of God. When a husband prays for his wife, he prays for himself since they are one. When a husband prays for his wife, he lays himself down in order to raise her up. The question is, will he pray?In this episode of the 'Marriage After God' podcast, hosts Aaron and Jennifer Smith discuss the transformative power of a husband praying for his wife. Drawing from biblical teachings, they highlight the integral role of prayer in Christian faith and everyday life. The Smiths explore the importance of a husband praying for his wife, emphasizing unity, protection, sanctification, joy, and mission, inspired by Jesus' High Priestly Prayer. They provide actionable insights on specific prayer points for your wife, such as spiritual growth, confidence, freedom from fear, and understanding her purpose. The episode encourages husbands to lead spiritually and support their wives emotionally, physically, and spiritually through prayer, fostering an extraordinary marriage. They also share personal experiences, offering a real-world perspective on the impact of prayer in marriage. The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer for growth, unity, and divine guidance in marriage. Join the Smiths on a journey to strengthen your marriage through the power of prayer.--This week's episode is brought to you by our faithful patron team, which comprises listeners like you who faithfully and financially support this podcast and our daily marriage prayer emails. Thank you to all of our patron team for your support and prayers.If you have been enjoying our weekly podcast and would like to join the patron team to help support this show, please visit marriageaftergod.com/patron   Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!

Join Our Patron Team -> marriageaftergod.com/patronJoin Our Free Daily Prayer Email -> marriageprayerchallenge.comBuy Our Best Selling Prayer Books -> shop.marriageaftergod.com Oswald Chambers once said, “We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.”Often times we pray in the midst of our despair when we have exhausted all of our own wisdom and strength. When we don’t know what else to do. We finally humble ourselves and go to the one we hope will deliver us from the storm. What would our marriages look like and experience if we committed to a habit of prayer, surrendering to the Lord before any storm, listening to Him and letting Him lead us day in and day out, with our eyes set on Him?   Dear Lord, Thank You for our marriage. Thank you for the special relationship we get to experience and cultivate. We pray we would be intentional in how we love each other. We pray we would be courageous and bold in praying for one another. We pray we would feel inspired to pray all throughout the day for each other. In moments we feel great need or when we feel frustrated in marriage, please remind us and lead us to pray for our relationship. Thank You for the gift of prayer. We pray we would honor you by praying for each other often.In Jesus’ name AMEN! Connect With UsInstagram | @marriageaftergodInstagram | @unveiledwifeInstagram | @husbandrevolutionCheck out our marriage resources!SponsorsGet our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage!