Father, we pray today that you will strengthen Christian marriages and families within our church and within our society.  We ask that you would guard our married couples and our families from being assailed by the self-serving morality and uncommitted lifestyles that have become so commonplace.  So we ask, Father, that you give our married couples wisdom and courage of conviction when they often feel that they’re struggling against the tide of culture.  As your Spirit encourages them to resist the tide of cultural opposition, let the strength of their relationships and the happiness that you bless them with bear witness to your design for family life.  Give them reassurance and conviction to stay their courses, especially in seasons of the hard times and struggles that all couples will encounter.  In the end, Father, help our couples to remain faithful to one another and to nurture their children with holy wisdom.  May our fellowship then provide a guiding light to the community that surrounds us, drawing many into your irresistible presence.  Amen!