A prayer for married couples

Yesterday, Melisa and I celebrated four years of marriage. I am so thankful to God for my helpmate and so thankful to her for just being who she is and welcoming me into her life as a husband.

I thought I might share a prayer from a prayer card given to the young clergy of the diocese by Fr. Bill Belury. The prayer itself was written by Bishop Slattery, which he used every day at family devotions in his home in Boston.

O God, our heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day. Grant that by thy mercy, neither of us may ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other. Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, and devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then, we pray thee, add to our common life such virtues as only thou canst give. And so, O Father, consecrate our life and love completely to thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom thou hast appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.