Prayer for married couples.

Hello Fr. Ruhnke,

I was wondering if you can recommend me a book that I can buy regarding "praying together" as a married couple.

Thank you,

Maria Sierka
Maricopa AZ

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Maria,

This is a very good question....here are some of my thoughts:

1 - I recommend "doing" (study, writing the answers and dialogue) Chapter 14 of For Better and For Ever ®.

2 - Check out the following on my web site: http://marriagepreparation.com/page/?pg=68

3 - I highly recommend Dr. Sue Johnson's books (and videos), especially Hold Me Tight which is full of exercises for couples to use.....again, this is a style of PRAYER for married couples. http://marriagepreparation.com/page/?pg=127

4  - Appendix C (page 199) of For Better & For Ever ®.  This explains the process of how to do the "daily dialogue" taught by Marriage Encounter.  Here I call it a process for "resolving problems and healing hurts" but it does not have to be about "problems"....it can be about "anything" (for example, "What is the quality in you that I most appreciate?" "What I appreciate most about our marriage?" "What is the most difficult thing for me to talk about with you today? etc. etc. etc.)  The whole point of DIALOGUE is to deepen intimacy.  It is a way of PRAYING in marriage.

5 - I think that "prayer in marriage" is likely quite different from "prayer for priests and nuns."  Most Catholics have been taught practices of prayer that began in monasteries.  There is nothing "wrong" with these traditions, but they may not be the most effective forms of prayer for married couples.

Let me know whether these resources provide what you are looking for....or not.  And if not, can you say what you are looking for that is not in these resources....this would be a great topic for a Zoom meeting with you!

Peace and Love,

Rob