Sleep can be wonderful in marriage. God gives good things to His people while they sleep (Ps 127:2). God gave Adam the perfect mate while he was sleeping (Gn 2:21). God made man to cling to his wife, that they would not be alone (Gn 2:24).
Sleep can be difficult in marriage. There might be snoring, bad breath, other odors, being awakened by your spouse's tossing and turning, cold feet, kids in the bed, etc. Even though your spouse lies inches from you in bed, you might feel "the barrier of hostility" that keeps you apart (Eph 2:14).
How can a married couple "sleep in heavenly peace"? On the night of his wedding to Sarah, Tobiah "arose from bed and said to his wife, ‘My love, get up. Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us' " (Tb 8:4). Trusting fully in God, they prayed together as a couple. Then "they said together, ‘Amen, amen,' and went to bed for the night" (Tb 8:8). God blessed their marriage abundantly.
Together with your spouse, invite Jesus into your marriage. It takes three to experience the full joy of marriage: husband, wife, and the Lord (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1642). "A three-ply cord is not easily broken" (Eccl 4:12). "It is [Jesus] Who is our Peace" (Eph 2:14).
Before you lay down to sleep, repent of any bitterness, resentment, anger, or unforgiveness toward your spouse. "The sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you" (Eph 4:26-27). Let your "marriage be honored in every way and the marriage bed be kept undefiled" (Heb 13:4).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, may all marriages reflect Your love for the Church (Eph 5:32). |
| PROMISE: | "Happy are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!" –Ps 128:1 |
| PRAISE: | The death of their infant son brought Jack and Glenda closer together in faith, trust, and hope in the Lord's love. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College