Catholic priest Patrick Peyton once said, “The family that prays together, stays together.” I believe he was right. And I also have observed that families that attend church together are much more likely to stay together. That’s because the right church, one which preaches the Bible, teaches us to love each other and forgive each other. 

Peter asked Christ if he should forgive his brother seven times. Jesus said, “Not seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Forgiving someone who has hurt us is difficult, but it is absolutely necessary to maintain a healthy marriage or relationship in general. Of course, there are many couples who stay together without forgiving each other. I heard of one old couple who didn’t speak to each other for several years. These partners don’t actually love each other. And such a marriage is subject to crumbling with enough provocation.

Durable marriages are those in which each partner realizes and accepts the fact that his or her partner is not perfect and never will be. He or she also realizes that he himself or she herself is also very far from perfect. Attending church teaches us wisdom — enough wisdom to see ourselves more as others see us. That is the way we really are.

The Bible instructs us to assemble together. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” If we Christians follow the commandments of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we will love God more than anyone or anything and others as ourselves (Great Commandment). If we love God, we will want to worship Him. The right church is the very best environment for that. If we love others, we will want to assemble with and fellowship with them.

Church improves the character of most people and brings them closer to God. The results are quite marvelous: patience, joy, wisdom and real happiness. We cannot be happy doing as we please; we must learn what God wants us to do. We cannot find happiness by pursuing it. It is God’s reward for our obedience to Him.