Brian Tubbs asked:

The biblical model of marriage is one man joined with one woman in lifelong marriage (Genesis 1-2). However, in today’s society, the reality of marriage is quite distant from that ideal. Divorce is common, even in Christian couples.

According to pollster and trends analyst George Barna, professing Christians “have the same likelihood of divorce as do non-Christians.” As of 2004, says Barna, 35% of Americans who have been married end up getting a divorce. That percentage is identical between Christian and non-Christian families.

This, of course, doesn’t mean that all Christian families have rejected the biblical ideal. In fact, it doesn’t even mean that all those Christians who got a divorce did so with intentional disregard to the Bible. A Christian friend of mine once told me: “I have always been against divorce, and I never dreamed it would happen to me.”

Perhaps you are in the same boat that my friend found himself in many years ago. Maybe you are facing a divorce that you never dreamed would happen – and one that you don’t want. What can you do to save your marriage?

First, get on your knees in prayer. The most important thing a Christian facing a divorce can do is to pray – and to do so “without ceasing” (to borrow a phrase from the Apostle Paul). Pray fervently. Pray passionately. Pray persistently. Do not give up in your prayers. Pour your heart out to God, ask Him to change you (as needed), to grow you, and to guide you. Rededicate your life and your home to God.

Second, ask your wife or husband to go to marriage counseling with you. Even if divorce seems inevitable, a couple shouldn’t “go down without a fight.” Get counseling — even if it’s with a few pastors and counselors.

Third, get a hold of some good material on marriage. Read books about marriage. Basically, take yourself to school on marriage and family! We study our occupations. Why not study about marriage? Get a hold of a good book at the library or find a good marriage resource online.

Don’t give up. Pray. Trust God. Go to counseling. Educate yourself. Take these steps – and you may very well see a turning point in your situation.