06.01.12 The 6th Key for Evaluating a Prospective Partner's Spiritual Alignment Is There Shared Participation in Prayer and Spiritual Practice?

6. Is there Shared Participation in Prayer and Spiritual Practice?

Consider whether you and the prospective partner actively seek God jointly. Do both of you intentionally pray together and involve Him when making shared decisions? Is there a shared desire to nurture your spiritual life jointly; or is spirituality treated strictly as an individual matter?

Mary and Joseph must have both realised each one’s willingness to share in prayer and spiritual practices with the other. For instance, we see them taking baby Jesus to the temple in accordance with the law of Moses, where they were mandated to present a firstborn for redemption fourty days after his birth (Exodus 13:12–15); although scholars remark that it was not mandatory for both parents to perform the practice together. In other words, Joseph could have stayed at home and nobody would have raised any eyebrows. But the man went with Mary. Of note also is that Mary had to get her ‘purification’ as a mother, on the same visit (Leviticus 12:1–8) and Joseph was there with her. The couple must have discovered that they ‘smoothly flowed’ when it came to adhering to religious Jewish practices. Their shared spiritual life fostered profound unity, mutual trust and a collective submission to God’s will.

Donald was a loner when it came to participating in spiritual activities with Harriet, creating a growing gap between them. While he deeply valued prayer and other such activities, Harriet progressively disengaged from any form of spiritual participation. She demonstrated little desire to seek God together, which regrettably weakened their shared direction and incrementally drew them spiritually apart.

Shared spiritual participation profoundly deepens a couple’s bond and strengthens their alignment. When you actively seek God together, discernment becomes a shared effort, decisions gain greater clarity and the relationship develops on an unshakeable and common spiritual foundation. This mutual engagement ensures that your spiritual journey is a collaborative effort, which enriches the partnership.