For Good Listening in Marriage
Patient Lord,
Many of the issues that arise in marriage are negatively impacted by – if not caused by – miscommunication. Since one of the leading contributors to miscommunication is failing to listen well, help spouses give attention to this essential element of good communication. The longer couples have been married, the easier it can be for one spouse to presume s/he knows what the other is going to say. When that is the case, the skill of active listening is skipped by the spouse who has begun internally formulating a response. Give husbands and wives the loving respect for each other to commit to listening attentively when the other is speaking. Help them reflect this by eliminating any distractions that might hinder good listening or even give a partner the impression s/he isn’t being heard. Let patience be the norm in this area as spouses work to improve, and bless their marriage with deeper understanding and connection as a result.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.