The Open Heavens 13 July 2026 devotional for today is SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR SPOUSE.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 13 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR SPOUSE
MEMORISE
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:9
READ: Proverbs 5:15-19
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 13 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
I am always concerned when I see married couples who don’t spend quality time together. Many of such couples spend the whole day away from each other at work and only come home to sleep at night, then they are off again in the morning. Even on weekends, they either go to work again or attend other engagements without their spouses.
This ought not to be so because when you truly love someone, you will always find a way to spend quality time with him or her, and the more time you spend together, the more your love will blossom.
Years ago, a woman who was sick confessed to me that she actually didn’t want to be healed because when she was hale and hearty, her husband wasn’t spending quality time with her. However, now that she was sick, he always returned home immediately after work. Husbands and wives should not abandon their spouses because of work or any other commitment. They must spend quality time with them to build strong bonds.
Married couples must also pray together. It is unfortunate that some married couples hardly ever pray together. They may attend prayer meetings, where they spend hours praying with others, but when they return home, they are often too tired to pray together. One way that married couples can maintain strong, loving relationships with one another is by praying together regularly. Prayer strengthens marriage bonds and solidifies the love between a man and his wife.
My wife and I have been married for 59 years, and we regularly create time to laugh and have fun together. We are lovers, not just a man and a woman who are living together under one roof.
Husbands and wives should play with one another. They shouldn’t be so serious that they cannot spend time laughing with their spouses or making them laugh. When laughter is always heard in a home, there will be fewer reasons for friction.
Husbands and wives must be intentional about creating time for fun activities with one another that will lighten the atmosphere in their homes and fill it with joy.
Lastly, married people should take time to shower their spouses with compliments. They must not take them for granted; instead, they should seek ways to express how special they are and thank them for everything they do. I pray that God will strengthen the relationships between all men and women who are joined in holy matrimony, in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Today is my lover’s birthday. Please join me in asking God to continually strengthen her and multiply His grace and peace in her life.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Song of Solomon 1-4
Open Heavens HYMN 33: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 13 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Ecclesiastes 9:9
“Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.”
This verse is God’s command for marital joy. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals that marriage is not merely a contract or a duty—it is a gift to be enjoyed. The phrase “live joyfully” implies active, intentional pursuit of happiness together. The words “all the days” mean this is not a temporary season but a lifelong commitment to joy. Solomon, writing from the perspective of “vanity” (the fleeting nature of life), says that joyful companionship with your spouse is your “portion”—your allotted gift from God. To neglect this is to miss one of the few pleasures God gives under the sun.
BIBLE READING: Proverbs 5:15-19
This passage is a celebration of marital love and fidelity. It uses vivid imagery: drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. She is described as a loving hind and a pleasant roe—graceful, desirable, delightful. The command is to let her breasts satisfy you at all times, and to be ravished always with her love.
The Concern: Married Couples Who Don’t Spend Time Together
1. The Modern Epidemic of Separation
“I am always concerned when I see married couples who don’t spend quality time together. Many of such couples spend the whole day away from each other at work and only come home to sleep at night, then they are off again in the morning. Even on weekends, they either go to work again or attend other engagements without their spouses.”
Consider the typical pattern:
| Day | Morning | Evening | Problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | Leave early for work | Return exhausted, eat, sleep | No meaningful interaction |
| Saturday | Work, errands, engagements | Collapse from fatigue | No quality time |
| Sunday | Church, then rest for Monday | Prepare for the week | Missed opportunity for connection |
“This ought not to be so because when you truly love someone, you will always find a way to spend quality time with him or her, and the more time you spend together, the more your love will blossom.”
| If You Love Someone | The Evidence |
|---|---|
| You find time | You make sacrifices to be together |
| You prioritize them | They are not an afterthought |
| You enjoy their company | Time with them is not a duty but a delight |
| Your love grows | Proximity and attention deepen affection |
If you never spend time with your spouse, you are not loving them well. Love requires presence. Love requires attention. Love requires the investment of time.
2. The Shocking Confession of a Sick Woman
“Years ago, a woman who was sick confessed to me that she actually didn’t want to be healed because when she was hale and hearty, her husband wasn’t spending quality time with her. However, now that she was sick, he always returned home immediately after work.”
This is a devastating testimony:
| When She Was Healthy | When She Was Sick |
|---|---|
| Husband came home late or not at all | Husband returned immediately after work |
| He prioritized work and other engagements | He prioritized being with her |
| She felt abandoned | She felt attended to |
| She had no desire to return to that loneliness | She preferred sickness with attention over health with neglect |
“Husbands and wives should not abandon their spouses because of work or any other commitment. They must spend quality time with them to build strong bonds.”
| What Happens When You Abandon Your Spouse for Work | What Happens When You Prioritize Time Together |
|---|---|
| Your spouse feels neglected, unloved, unwanted | Your spouse feels cherished, valued, secure |
| Your marriage becomes a roommate arrangement | Your marriage becomes a partnership of love |
| The enemy gains a foothold for temptation | The marriage is fortified against attack |
| Your children learn a poor model of marriage | Your children see love modeled and imitate it |
Do not wait for a crisis to be present with your spouse. Do not force them to choose between illness with your attention and health without it. Be present now.
The Power of Praying Together
“Married couples must also pray together. It is unfortunate that some married couples hardly ever pray together. They may attend prayer meetings, where they spend hours praying with others, but when they return home, they are often too tired to pray together.”
| The Irony | The Tragedy |
|---|---|
| They pray for hours at church | They cannot pray five minutes together at home |
| They intercede for others | They neglect intercession for their own marriage |
| They are zealous in public | They are cold in private |
“One way that married couples can maintain strong, loving relationships with one another is by praying together regularly. Prayer strengthens marriage bonds and solidifies the love between a man and his wife.”
| What Prayer Together Does | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Invites God into the center of the marriage | God becomes the third strand (Ecclesiastes 4:12) |
| Creates vulnerability and intimacy | You cannot pray together and remain strangers |
| Aligns your hearts toward the same purpose | You become “one” in spirit as well as flesh |
| Defuses conflict | Hard to stay angry at someone you have just prayed with |
| Builds a spiritual hedge of protection | The enemy cannot easily penetrate a praying couple |
Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” You, your spouse, and God—woven together through prayer—form a cord that cannot be easily snapped.
Daddy Adeboye’s Testimony: 59 Years of Love
“My wife and I have been married for 59 years, and we regularly create time to laugh and have fun together. We are lovers, not just a man and a woman who are living together under one roof.”
| What Their Marriage Is | What It Is Not |
|---|---|
| Lovers | Roommates |
| Partners in joy | Business partners managing a household |
| Intentional about fun | Serious, rigid, joyless |
| Laughter-filled | Tension-filled |
After 59 years, Daddy Adeboye still calls his wife his lover. He still creates time for fun. He still laughs with her. This is not an accident—it is intentional.
The Role of Laughter and Play
“Husbands and wives should play with one another. They shouldn’t be so serious that they cannot spend time laughing with their spouses or making them laugh. When laughter is always heard in a home, there will be fewer reasons for friction.”
| A Home with Laughter | A Home Without Laughter |
|---|---|
| Tensions are released quickly | Small irritations become big fights |
| Joy is present | Resentment grows |
| Children feel secure | Children sense the coldness |
| The marriage feels light | The marriage feels heavy |
“Husbands and wives must be intentional about creating time for fun activities with one another that will lighten the atmosphere in their homes and fill it with joy.”
| Ideas for Fun Together | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| A weekly date night | Protected time for connection |
| Watching a comedy together | Shared laughter breaks down walls |
| Taking a walk or hike | Conversation flows naturally |
| Cooking a meal together | Collaboration and fun |
| Playing a board game | Friendly competition, playfulness |
| Traveling together (even a short trip) | New experiences create shared memories |
Fun does not happen by accident. It must be intentional. Schedule it. Protect it. Prioritize it.
The Power of Compliments and Gratitude
“Lastly, married people should take time to shower their spouses with compliments. They must not take them for granted; instead, they should seek ways to express how special they are and thank them for everything they do.”
| Taking Your Spouse for Granted | Showering Your Spouse with Compliments |
|---|---|
| “They know I love them; I don’t need to say it” | You say it often, in many ways |
| You notice only their faults | You actively look for what to praise |
| You assume they will always be there | You treat each day as a gift |
| Thank-yous are rare | Thank-yous are frequent and specific |
“I pray that God will strengthen the relationships between all men and women who are joined in holy matrimony, in Jesus’ name.”
Practical Steps for Strengthening Your Marriage
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Scripture, here is how to build a strong, joyful, lasting marriage:
1. Prioritize Quality Time
| Instead of… | Do This… |
|---|---|
| Working late every night | Set a time to leave work and come home |
| Weekends filled with outside engagements | Block out time for your spouse first, then schedule other things |
| Sitting on opposite sides of the couch | Sit close. Touch. Talk. Be present. |
2. Pray Together Daily
Do not let prayer be only a Sunday activity or a mealtime ritual. Pray together before bed. Pray together in the morning. Share prayer requests. Intercede for your children, your future, your challenges. Let prayer be the glue that holds you together.
3. Laugh Together Often
Find what makes your spouse laugh. Do more of that. Watch something funny together. Share a funny memory. Do not be too serious. Marriage is a gift—enjoy it.
4. Compliment Generously
Each day, find at least one specific thing to compliment your spouse about:
- “Thank you for making dinner tonight.”
- “You handled that situation so wisely.”
- “You look beautiful/handsome today.”
- “I appreciate how hard you work for our family.”
5. Date Your Spouse (Even After 59 Years)
Do not stop courting. Do not stop pursuing. Your spouse should never feel that the chase ended at the wedding altar. Date nights. Surprise gifts. Unexpected affection. Keep the romance alive.
Warning: Do Not Let Work Destroy Your Marriage
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: work is a thief. It steals time, attention, and affection from marriages.
| Work Is a Good Servant | But It Is a Terrible Master |
|---|---|
| Provides for the family | Destroys the family when over-prioritized |
| Gives purpose and income | Becomes an idol when it takes God’s place |
| Can be done with excellence | Should not be done at the expense of your spouse |
The sick woman preferred her illness because it brought her husband home. That is an indictment. Do not let your spouse feel that they must compete with your job for your attention—and lose.
Conclusion: Your Prayer for a Joyful Marriage
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer for strengthened marriages. Whether you have been married for 59 years or 59 days, commit to living joyfully with your spouse.
Pray this (for married couples):
“Lord Jesus, I thank You for the gift of my spouse. Forgive me for the times I have taken my marriage for granted—prioritizing work over presence, seriousness over laughter, silence over prayer, and neglect over compliments. Today, I recommit to my marriage. Help me to live joyfully with my spouse all the days of my life. Give me the discipline to pray with them, the intention to play with them, and the grace to compliment them generously. Let laughter fill our home. Let prayer strengthen our bond. Let love grow deeper with each passing year. I do not want to be a roommate; I want to be a lover. I do not want my spouse to prefer sickness because health brings neglect. I will be present. I will be intentional. I will love as Christ loves the church. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps (for married couples):
- The Time Audit: Track how much quality time you actually spend with your spouse this week (not just in the same room, but actively engaged with each other). If it is less than 5 hours, make a plan to increase it next week.
- The Prayer Commitment: Commit to praying together every day for the next 30 days—at least 5 minutes. If you miss a day, do not give up; start again the next day.
- The Compliment Challenge: Each day for the next week, give your spouse at least one specific compliment or expression of gratitude. Write it on a note. Say it aloud. Send it by text. Do not let a day pass without affirming them.
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