When the Father brought humanity to life, we were stamped with His image and likeness – a feature unique to mankind that not only speaks to Whose we are and who we are, but how we are to live. Since we’re made in the Lord’s image, it’s our task to reflect Him, something that becomes more natural when we know Him well from prayer.
Prayer is paramount to each soul, but equally so to each married couple. Just as the soul bears God’s image and likeness, a married couple – a new creation in Christ at their wedding – needs to pray together to better reflect the Lord to their children and everyone else in the day to day. On top of this, husband and wife are ultimately called to mirror the love Jesus has for each of them.
Archbishop McGovern articulated that truth beautifully at the Marriage Celebration Mass last weekend:
“You have set out […] to go about the mission of loving one another in a way that imitates the love of Christ[…]”
Living in a sacramental marriage means you’re both all in—for better or worse— until one of you draws your final breath. Praying together makes that lifelong vow possible, and the experience itself is renewing and uncomplicated.
Begin with an invitation.
“Will you pray with me?” then meet with the Lord regardless of the answer. A hesitant spouse may need loving, consistent invitations without pressure. Ask your husband or wife to pray an Our Father over morning coffee, meet for daily Mass over the lunch hour, or read the day’s Gospel before bed. If he or she agrees, wonderful; if not, bring your shared joys and concerns to the Lord on behalf of you both.
Be real.
St. Therese said “I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me.” No need, burden, or joy is too small to mention to the Father, Whose attention is loving and infinite. Spontaneous prayer confesses the same faith as our beloved rote prayers, but with personalized intimacy. Consider praying spontaneously together, taking turns to thank God for the challenges and comforts of the day and asking Him for further help and blessings. Such prayer opens a window into your spouse’s soul and helps you see them more as the Lord does.
Be humble.
Recognize that time spent in joint prayer is essential and more necessary than anything else. Make doable commitments to pray together before the TV goes on at night. Simple, frequent prayer is good in and of itself and lays a foundation for deeper prayer life. God has already committed to meet you there; go eagerly to be restored.
A marriage rooted in prayer becomes a living icon of God’s love—steady, renewing, and radiant. When husband and wife turn to the Lord together, they don’t just reflect His image; they carry His presence into every corner of their shared life.
Katie Sciba is a national speaker and an eleven-time Catholic Press Award winner. She and her husband have been married since 2008, are blessed with seven children and live in Papillion.
READ KATIE SCIBA’S REFLECTION ON HER OWN MARRIAGE
Commentary
Praying Together: The Heartbeat of a Sacramental Marriage
August 14, 2025
When the Father brought humanity to life, we were stamped with His image and likeness – a feature unique to mankind that not only speaks to Whose we are and who we are, but how we are to live. Since we’re made in the Lord’s image, it’s our task to reflect Him, something that becomes more natural when we know Him well from prayer.
Prayer is paramount to each soul, but equally so to each married couple. Just as the soul bears God’s image and likeness, a married couple – a new creation in Christ at their wedding – needs to pray together to better reflect the Lord to their children and everyone else in the day to day. On top of this, husband and wife are ultimately called to mirror the love Jesus has for each of them.
Archbishop McGovern articulated that truth beautifully at the Marriage Celebration Mass last weekend:
“You have set out […] to go about the mission of loving one another in a way that imitates the love of Christ[…]”
Living in a sacramental marriage means you’re both all in—for better or worse— until one of you draws your final breath. Praying together makes that lifelong vow possible, and the experience itself is renewing and uncomplicated.
Begin with an invitation.
“Will you pray with me?” then meet with the Lord regardless of the answer. A hesitant spouse may need loving, consistent invitations without pressure. Ask your husband or wife to pray an Our Father over morning coffee, meet for daily Mass over the lunch hour, or read the day’s Gospel before bed. If he or she agrees, wonderful; if not, bring your shared joys and concerns to the Lord on behalf of you both.
Be real.
St. Therese said “I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me.” No need, burden, or joy is too small to mention to the Father, Whose attention is loving and infinite. Spontaneous prayer confesses the same faith as our beloved rote prayers, but with personalized intimacy. Consider praying spontaneously together, taking turns to thank God for the challenges and comforts of the day and asking Him for further help and blessings. Such prayer opens a window into your spouse’s soul and helps you see them more as the Lord does.
Be humble.
Recognize that time spent in joint prayer is essential and more necessary than anything else. Make doable commitments to pray together before the TV goes on at night. Simple, frequent prayer is good in and of itself and lays a foundation for deeper prayer life. God has already committed to meet you there; go eagerly to be restored.
A marriage rooted in prayer becomes a living icon of God’s love—steady, renewing, and radiant. When husband and wife turn to the Lord together, they don’t just reflect His image; they carry His presence into every corner of their shared life.
Katie Sciba is a national speaker and an eleven-time Catholic Press Award winner. She and her husband have been married since 2008, are blessed with seven children and live in Papillion.
READ KATIE SCIBA’S REFLECTION ON HER OWN MARRIAGE