The Love Dare

No one becomes a more loving person by accident.  Rather we tend to drift into the direction of ease and selfishness. But with God's help and a little bit of encouragement and prayer, we can learn a better way of loving. Here are a few practical suggestions that are designed to raise the level of your relationships.  Take one step at a time and see the difference it will make in your life.

Love Dare - Day 1   Read Ephesians 4:2

Resolve to say nothing negative about your spouse today.

Love Dare - Day 2  Read Ephesians 4:32

Do at least one unexpected gesture to your spouse as an act of kindness.

Love Dare - Day 3  Read Romans 12:10

Buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking about you today."

Love Dare - Day 4  Read Psalm 139: 17-18

Contact your spouse sometime during the day and ask how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

Love Dare - Day 5  Read Proverbs 27:14

Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them.

Love Dare - Day 6  Read Proverbs 16:32

Choose to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.

Love Dare - Day 7  Read I Corinthians 13:7

On a sheet of paper, write out positive things about your spouse. At some point during the day, pick a positive attribute from the list and thank your spouse for having the characteristic.

Love Dare - Day 8  Read Song of Solomon 8:6

Share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.

Love Dare - Day 9  Read I Peter 5:14

Think of a way to greet your spouse today to reflect your love for them, and then do it with a smile and enthusiasm. 

Love Dare - Day 10  Read Romans 5:8

Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse.

Love Dare - Day 11  Read Ephesians 5:28

What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Example: Choose a gesture that says “I love you" and do it with a smile.

Love Dare - Day 12  Read Philippians 2:4

Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse.

Love Dare - Day 13  Read Mark 3:25

Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement and resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.

Love Dare - Day 14 Read Ecclesiastes 9:9

Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse.

Love Dare - Day 15  Read I Peter 3:7

Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine.

Love Dare - Day 16  Read 3 John 2

Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse's life and in your marriage.

Love Dare - Day 17  Read Proverbs 17:9

Determine to guard your mate's secrets and pray for them.

Love Dare - Day 18  Read Proverbs 3:13

Prepare a special dinner at home and focus this time on getting to know your spouse better.

Love Dare - Day 19  Read I John 4:7

Ask God to show you where you stand with him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

Love Dare - Day 20  Read Romans 5:6

Dare to take God at his word and trust Jesus Christ for salvation.

Love Dare - Day 21  Read Isaiah 58:11

Make time to pray and read your bible today.

Love Dare - Day 22  Read Hosea 2:20

Choose to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it.

Love Dare - Day 23  Read I Corinthians 13:7

Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.

Love Dare - Day 24  Read I John 2:17

Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it.

Love Dare - Day 25  Read 2 Corinthians 2:10

If there is anything you haven't forgiven in your spouse, forgive it today.

Love Dare - Day 26  Read Romans 2:1

Ask for God's forgiveness for your areas of wrongdoing, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse.

Love Dare - Day 27  Read Psalm 25:20

Think of one area where your spouse has told you you're expecting too much, and tell them you're sorry for being so hard on them about it.
 

Love Dare - Day 28  Read I John 3:16

Purpose to do what you can to meet the greatest need in your spouse's life right now.
 

Love Dare - Day 29  Read Ephesians 6:7

Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs.
 

Love Dare - Day 30  Read John 17:11

Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse and, if appropriate, discuss it openly and seek God for unity.
 

Love Dare - Day 31  Read Genesis 2:24

Commit to God and your spouse to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.
 

Love Dare - Day 32 Read I Corinthians 7:3

If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your spouse today (in a way that honors them).
 

Love Dare - Day 33  Read Ecclesiastes 4:11

Tell your spouse that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel.
 

Love Dare - Day 34 Read I Corinthians 13:6

Verbally commend your spouse about a recent time when they demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way.
 

Love Dare - Day 35 Read Proverbs 15:22

Find a Christian marriage mentor. Ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.

Love Dare - Day 36 Read Psalm 119:105

Commit to reading the bible every day. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to reading with you.
 

Love Dare - Day 37 Matthew 18:19

Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together.
 

Love Dare - Day 38 Read Psalm 37:4

Ask yourself what your spouse would want if it was obtainable, then map out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires.
 

Love Dare - Day 39 Read I Corinthians 13:8

Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Leave it in a place where you mate will find it.
 

Love Dare - Day 40 Read Ruth 1:16

Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home as a living testament to the value of marriage in God's eyes.