Your wedding day may have been the start of something beautiful, but your marriage is the sacred journey that follows. As Christian newlyweds, it’s not just about adjusting to shared routines—it’s about intentionally building a God-honoring relationship that reflects the love of Christ.
The first year of marriage is a critical foundation for the years to come. By incorporating Christ-centered habits, you and your spouse can stay spiritually connected, emotionally strong, and deeply in love—not just with each other, but with God at the center of your covenant. Here are nine powerful habits to cultivate in your first year
Pray Together Daily
Prayer is the lifeline of a strong Christian marriage. When couples pray together, they invite God into their relationship, seeking His guidance, peace, and wisdom. Whether it’s morning prayers before work, bedtime devotionals, or spontaneous moments of gratitude, consistent prayer builds unity and trust in your marriage.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
Make it a priority to pray for one another’s growth, challenges, and dreams. Creating a peaceful prayer space in your home with a simple scripture-themed wall art piece or a candle-lit devotional space can enhance your prayer routine.
Study the Bible as a Couple
Reading God’s Word together helps align your values and decisions with Scripture. Choose a couple’s devotional like The Love Dare Day by Day or The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional to keep your time intentional and practical. Consider reading passages that focus on love, patience, and commitment, such as Ephesians 5:25, which reminds husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.
You can also start a Bible journaling habit—His & Hers journaling Bibles are a thoughtful gift idea.
Attend Church Together
Building relationships with other Christian couples and staying involved in a local faith-based community strengthens your marriage. Attending church together fosters spiritual accountability, provides Biblical teaching, and offers opportunities to serve side by side. Consider joining a marriage ministry, participating in a small group, or volunteering at church together to deepen your faith. Get dressed in your Sunday best and take pride in this weekly commitment. A stylish Bible tote can make it easier to bring your Bible and notes along!
Set Spiritual Goals as a Couple
Just as you would set financial or career goals, spiritual goals should be a priority in your marriage. Together, commit to habits that deepen your faith and relationship, such as:
- Memorizing Bible verses
- Praying for your future children
- Fasting together once a month
- Reading a marriage book each season
Try a couple’s goal-setting planner like the Christian Life Planner to stay on track with your vision.
Keep God at the Center of Conflict
Arguments will happen, what matters is how you handle them. Learn to pause and pray before responding in frustration. Ask God for wisdom, patience, and grace.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2
Read books like “The Meaning of Marriage” by Tim Keller to gain a biblical perspective on love and conflict resolution.
Celebrate the Sabbath Together
Amid busy schedules, it’s easy to overlook the importance of rest and worship. Commit to honoring the Sabbath—unplug from work, social media, and distractions, and spend intentional time together. Enjoy a home-cooked meal, light candles, and reflect on God’s blessings to make Sabbath observance meaningful. Light some Sabbath candles, make a home-cooked meal, and reflect on your week. Rest is a form of worship, and honoring the Sabbath can bring peace and refreshment to your marriage.
Speak Life and Blessings Over Each Other
The words you speak to your spouse matter. Affirm them with encouragement, gratitude, and blessings.
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” – Proverbs 18:21.
Consider leaving Christian affirmation cards on their pillow or mirror for daily encouragement. You might enjoy using Christian affirmation cards to encourage one another. Leave them on pillows, bathroom mirrors, or inside a lunchbox.
Create a Christ-Centered Home Environment
Your home should reflect your values. Display scriptures on your walls, play worship music during breakfast, and keep your bookshelf filled with uplifting resources. A home that honors God welcomes His presence.
Some ideas:
Commit to Growing Together Spiritually
It’s easy to fall into routines, but growth requires intentional effort. Choose to grow together spiritually—listen to Christian podcasts, attend marriage conferences, or take a faith-based course online.
Great tools for spiritual growth:
- Marriage conference tickets or DVDs
- Couples’ devotional journals
Make a commitment to never stop learning and evolving as husband and wife—always seeking more of God’s truth in your relationship.
Final Thoughts: Your First Year Matters
Your first year of marriage sets the tone for the years ahead. By weaving Christ-centered habits into your daily life, you’re not just building routines—you’re building a legacy of love, faith, and commitment. Every small act—from praying together to speaking blessings over each other—strengthens your covenant with God. Your journey doesn’t need to be perfect—just centered on the One who created marriage.
When you pray together, worship together, and seek God together, you grow into the couple He designed you to be. It doesn’t require perfection—just a heart willingness to honor Him in the small, daily choices. Whether you’re sharing coffee and a devotional in the morning or resolving conflict with grace and scripture, know that each step you take in faith is strengthening your marriage for the long haul.
Looking for more guidance as you navigate your first year of marriage? Check out our Happily Ever Handbook for tips on faith, communication, finances, and building a Christ-centered home.
Need help getting started? Explore these Christian resources for newlyweds:
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