Number One Factor For Lowering Divorces
By Shauntie Feldhahn
The often-cited statistic that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce - even among churchgoers - can make commitment seem fruitless. But that statistic is misleading. Dozens of studies distinguish between couples who claim a nominal faith and those who prioritize church attendance.
Couples who have a strong commitment to faith and attend church regularly are far more likely to have lifelong relationships.
One recent study in particular shows that those who go to church and pray together have a much lower divorce rate. The University of Virginia's Brad Wilcox found that regular church attendance cuts the likelihood of divorce by 30 to 35 percent. Wilcox's work is supported by another study by Annette Mahoney of Bowling Green State University, which independently came to a similar conclusion.
While that rate is still unfortunately high, when you add prayer into the mix, thoughts of divorce plummet.
A 1998 survey by the Georgia Family Council found that among couples who prayed together weekly, only 7 percent had seriously considered divorce, compared to 65 percent of those who never prayed together.
(Ed. Note: Only 7% considered it. It doesn't say how many went through with it...a lower number for sure. Jim)
The abundant marriage that God has designed for us is not only possible but also likely, and the journey there starts with one word - commitment.
Taken from For Couples Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn.