Marriage was instituted by God with the creation of Adam and Eve. Before the fall, Genesis 2:24 tells us that, because God made Eve to be the perfect helper for Adam, “a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife.” Later, Ephesians 5:21-33 tells us that marriage is meant to be a reflection of the unconditional, covenant love between Christ and the Church. 

But God’s good intentions for marriage have been desperately distorted. Abandonment and divorce cause devastation throughout the world. Women in the Majority World are especially vulnerable because they often have little recourse or opportunity to support themselves. As we travel and teach about God’s plan for the family, we encounter incredibly broken beliefs. Even Christians too often believe that wives are property (like houses and cattle), like children (needing discipline), and slaves. These beliefs lead to all kinds of brokenness in marriage—child marriage, abuse, adultery, and divorce.

The good news is, God can and does heal marriages and restore them to His design. And as husbands and wives model Christ’s love and submission to each other, it becomes a powerful testimony to their neighbors and family.

Please pray with us…

• That Christian couples will have opportunities to learn and understand God’s intentions for marriage. Pray that their marriages will be healed.
• That many people will see transformed and godly marriages and seek God as the source of healing.
• For daughters to be valued and protected from child marriage.
• For churches to be places of safety, protection, and truth. For pastors to model healthy marriage and teach the biblical model to their congregations.
• For protection for the marriages of pastors and ministry leaders—marriage seems to be one of Satan’s favorite areas to attack spiritual leaders. 
• For Governments to make just laws that uphold marriage and protect abandoned wives and widows.