#30. We are commanded to allow nothing to hinder our prayers.

1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding
way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of
the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that

Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

There are few, if any, closer relationships than that between a husband and a wife. It is
interesting, then, to consider the writings of Peter and Paul where they touch on the
importance of prayer in this most intimate of relationships.

Peter is concerned that a lack of proper understanding by the husband in respect of his wife, a
lack of due honor on his part toward her, would cause a hindrance in their prayers. The
husband would be looking down upon his wife, even perhaps dismissing her for her weakness,
instead of seeing her as his equal in the sight of God but made subject to his headship in the
economy of God - just as Christ is co=equal with God but subjected Himself to God in the plan
of redemption.

Paul, on the other hand, is concerned that the physical appetites of a husband and wife should find their
expression within the marriage relationship. The only reason he allows for a suspension of consensual
physical relations in a marriage is where the husband and wife agree on this for a limited period in order
that they may give themselves to prayer.

What may we learn from these passages? Clearly prayer in a marriage holds a high place in the eyes of
both Apostles. Everything must be done to avoid hindrances in prayer, and prayer is the only reason why
the physical union of husband and wife may be suspended by agreement for a short time.

It is often said that the family that prays together stays together. Perhaps that expression finds support
in passages such as the ones above. The principles they contain will be helpful to all married believers in
ordering their devotional lives. Surely, though, we may all learn from these texts that we must honor our
brothers and sisters and esteem them as fellow heirs in the Lord so that our prayers with them will not
be hindered, and that we should be willing to suspend other legitimate desires, pleasures and appetites
for a season as the need arises so that we may pray.

The passages set prayer in a very lofty place in marriage but the principles extend further. Let's ask
ourselves this week whether we view prayer as Peter and Paul did. What would we give up for a season
so that we could pray? What hindrances to prayer are there in our lives that we need to remove with
God's help? There is no time like the present to begin a new habit of prayer - personal, family and
congregational!

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