20 LOVE DARES to Improve Your Marriage

Let's Dare to Love

In the day and age of Selfies and social media, we can sometimes forget to love each and instead give in to self-indulgence. Love comes from God and is modeled in the life of Jesus Christ. Dare to love your spouse in a whole new way. Try these 20 dares inspired by Alex and Stephen Kendrick's book The Love Dare.

Dare 1
Love is Thoughtful – James 1:19
Love can be communicated in various ways, but for this dare use words to show love. Resolve to say only positive words to your spouse. The Bible tells us that patience can persuade a ruler and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Dare 2
Love is Kind – Proverbs 19:22
Do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. One small random act of benevolence can mean a great deal to your loved one.

Dare 3
Love Believes the Best – Romans 12:15
Become your spouse’s biggest fan! When your spouse wins, you win. Don’t let bitterness and jealousy rise up and create thorn bushes in your marriage. Also, keep cheering your spouse on even if it’s a season of promotion for you.

Dare 4
Love Is A Verb – Psalm 32:10
Do something for your spouse to tangibly demonstrate your love. Load the dishwasher. Wash the car. Prepare dinner. Do this for the sheer joy of being their life partner.

Dare 5
Love is Selfless – Romans 12:18
Show love by choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

Dare 6
Love Seeks to Understand – Ecclesiastes 10:12
Find out from your spouse if there is anything that makes them uncomfortable or irritable. Do they have any requests for change? Try to understand their perspective and whatever you do don’t get defensive.

Dare 7
Love Promotes Intimacy - Proverbs 23:26
Just be together. Put some things on your schedule aside and carve out uninterruptible time for just the two of you.

Dare 8
Love Intercedes – John 9:31
Begin praying for your spouse’s heart. Pray for those areas that you desire God to work in most.

Dare 9
Love Forgives –Luke 23:34
It’s time to hit the reset button. Forgive your spouse today and let go of anything holding back your heart from them. Say willfully, “I choose to forgive.”

Dare 10
Love Always Protects – Romans 12:16
Establish a mutual set of rules that you both will abide by when you’re having “heated discussion.” When the next disagreement occurs have these rules handy to work from.

Dare 11
Love is Responsible - Galatians 5:6
Take responsibility for your actions. Don’t play the blame game. Own up and make things right. This requires a great deal of transparency and sincerity.

Dare 12
Love Encourages – Philippians 1:3
Contact your spouse today while they’re at work to just give them an encouraging word. Make it special, see if there’s anything they need you to do.

Dare 13
Love Is A Commitment – Mark 10:9
The covenant of marriage is one not to be taken likely. You make a vow to God to love this person…even when you don’t feel like it. Affirm that love is a choice and love your spouse even when sometimes you feel they don’t love you in return.

Dare 14
Love is God’s Word – Romans 15:4
Have personal devotional time where you commit to read God’s Word. Begin submitting each area of your life to the will of God.

Dare 15
Love Celebrates Godliness – Psalm 101:2
Verbally affirm when your spouse demonstrates Christ-like character. Encourage “the God in them” to continue to come forth.

Dare 16
Love Brings Unity – Amos 3:3
Remove any barrier of division that it causing separation between you and your spouse. Pray and ask the Lord to move any obstructions from your heart.

Dare 17
Love Meets Physical Needs – Song of Solomon 7:6
Bedroom intimacy is a vital component to growing together in marriage and love. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as pave the way to greater intimacy.

Dare 18
Love Agrees in Prayer – Psalm 145:16
Become intentional about praying and reading your Bible together. Guard and protect this devotional time to pour more of God into your marriage.

Dare 19
Love is Accountable – Proverbs 11:14
Find a marriage mentor to come alongside you in your marriage walk. If you feel that counseling is needed, pray and ask God to direct the process.

Dare 20
Love is Satisfied in God – Psalm 1
Blessed and full of joy is the person who relies fully on God. Our spouse are our life companion but they are not our source of life. God is. Keep Him first and invite Him into your marriage daily.

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Galleries/20-Love-Dares-to-Improve-Your-Marriage.aspx?p=21#AdHkt3zkhtiwyCWi.99