The acrostic stands for M.A.G.I.C. stands for "Marriages Able to Grow In Christ."

The format will be a short article on the institution of marriage, at the end of the article readers will be able to have questions that they have submitted addressed. There is a need for the MAGIC to be returned to this vital institution, so let's make magic. Most people get married to live happily ever after. The institution of marriage is being eroded by the forces in our society that feel it is outdated and want to change the definition of this foundational institution. Statistics show that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, the sad reality is that these statistics are the same for Christian marriages. Young people are turned off because they see the stats and have opted to live together without this covenant relationship. Making matter worse many argue that many of the couples that remain married are miserable, these marriages are filled with abuse, neglect, financial problems and adultery. So I invite you to Let's make magic, Let's make marriage able to grow in Christ.

Five steps before you deem your marriage hopeless. Please try these five things before you throw up your hands and decide that divorce is for you.

1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Counseling
4. Attempt at genuine reconciliation
5. Separate but Wait before you file for divorce
 

PRAYER

1 Peter 3:7 - "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

This verse teachers us that when we as a couple do not dwell together with knowledge and treat one another as God would have us to treat the other it hinders our prayers. That’s right marital problems stops up the communication pipe line you have to God. Since God is a God that hears us and helps us. We being two imperfect people needing God’s help every step of the way, must always seek to be in fellowship with Him. This is difficult when we are out of fellowship with one another. This must be our top priority! Many couples, who are at this stage in their relationship, will admit that they are not dwelling with each other according to knowledge, or giving honor to their spouse.  Ps 66:18 says “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” You may be having all kinds of questions now, how do I pray? What do I pray? Or what is the use in praying if the bible says God won’t hear me if I have sin in my heart and I know that I do? This is why this article is written, to give you hope and help.

First the hope, did you know that the bible says that the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much James 5:16b? Then Jeremiah 33:3 states, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” When we pray and pray right it works, God hears and God answers! Pray this prayer Father forgive me for I have not modeled for the world, my children or the church what a Christian marriage should be. I have not loved my mate unconditionally as you require. I have not prayed for this marriage as I should and I repent of my sins in relation to my spouse. With your help I will be a better spouse. Please help me to release any hurt to you that I may feel I have a right to, and begin to heal. I need your help, your wisdom, and guidance, I fully place my trust in You the God of HOPE!

For the next thirty days I want you now to make this daily faith confession concerning your marriage!

FASTING

1 Co 7:5 - "Defraud not one another, except by consent for a time, that ye may be free for fasting and prayer, and again may come together, that the Adversary may not tempt you because of your incontinence."

 Step one is prayer, there is a second discipline that will separate those that are truly serious from those that are not, it’s called fasting. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that requires self denial. There are benefits to this discipline as you will see and experience. The Apostle Paul teaches that you may deny your fleshly appetites for a higher spiritual reason; examples would be prayer or purification. This is also a very good practice if your marriage is not on the rocks. The Lord says, in Mt 6:16 `And when ye may fast, be ye not as the hypocrites, of sour countenances, for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men fasting; verily I say to you, that they have their reward. Jesus says when you fast, not if you fast implying that this should be a part of our disciplined walk of faith. The flesh has many appetites, here I will name two. The first is the appetite for food. If we do not discipline ourselves in this area we will become overweight, eat unhealthy things and lack self control, eating in excess, or when we are not hungry. The second, is the appetite for sex, this also may be denied for a higher appetite that of seeking the Lord and spending time with him and in his word. If we do not develop discipline in this area we will be promiscuous, unable to control our passion, lusts and sexual desires. One last word of caution, Paul says that before we abstain from sex with our mate even for this higher spiritual discipline of fasting it must be with their consent. When was the last time that you and your mate consummated your marriage?

Mt 6:18 - "that thou mayest not appear to men fasting, but to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father, who is seeing in secret, shall reward thee manifestly (openly)."

You are declaring a fast for three purposes:

Revelation is that special leadership, word, unction, guidance, direction from God that you need right now in your marriage that will give you the hope that is necessary to go on, to hang in there and to fight for this relationship. In the book of 2 Chronicles the twentieth chapter Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel were facing insurmountable odds, a great enemy much greater then they were, a large army. To make matters worse they did not know what to do. This great leader proclaimed a fast in verse 3 and received a revelation in verses 15-17 God tells them what to do and that He would fight the battle that they would not have to worry. What a revelation! The wisdom of God for your situation can be the turning point that you need, to turn your marriage around.

Restoration: In Isaiah 58 Let’s deal with two types of fasts, a true fast and a fast to be seen. Jews' hypocrisy in their fasts, has always been a problem with God. Isaiah 58:1-5. One of the problems that Jesus had with the Jews in the New Testament when they fasted is they did it to be seen of men. Do not fast so that you can parade around in front of your partner declaring how spiritual you are. Secondly, a true fast described, Isaiah 58:6-8. In a true fast not only does it include self-denial, but there are also works of charity, doing good to those that are in distress. In this case denying yourself and doing well toward your spouse. This is restorative in nature and rewarding, it restores the spouse and you will be refreshed.

Relationship: If the relationship is worth saving, it may mean driving the devil out. The bible teaches that he often does not go willingly or easily. Your mate is not the devil. Your mate may be acting like the devil but they are not the devil, they are the person you fell in love with and vowed to love unconditionally til death seperated you.  Mt 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. If your spouse has been complaining about how much time you spend at work, watching television, on the computer or what ever fast from that and give the time to your relationship and see what a difference this will make.