Money can't buy me love

As I sit down to write this weeks post, I'm looking at the Valentine's Day card that I received this year - and, before anyone asks, yes it was sent by my wife!

But did you know that nine out of 10 adults say time with their loved one on Valentine’s Day is more important than an indulgent gift – with men valuing quality time more than women.

That is the result of research published by the Church of England, which asked 1,000 people to choose whether they would prefer more time with their Valentine, or an expensive present.

Eighty-nine percent of people currently in a relationship said they preferred quality time together (91 per cent of men, 86 per cent of women), whereas only eight per cent favoured an indulgent gift (six per cent of men, 10 per cent of women).

The website has responded to the findings by featuring a new romantic prayer for couples to pray together on Valentine’s Day, thanking God for quality time, and celebrating togetherness and commitment.

Couples are encouraged to pray: “Loving God, on this Valentine’s Day, we might give gifts like flowers or cards, or look forward to the romance of a meal out, but the joy of sharing in these things is our time together.”

The prayer also offers: “We thank you, Lord, for the time we will spend together today, and every day. And in that precious time, we pray our love will grow stronger and deeper. “

It is released during National Marriage Week, which this year has the theme Celebrating Commitment, “to reflect both the way that many couples see marriage, and the need for society at large to continue to celebrate the stability that married families bring to society”.

Revd Jan Harney, co-author of the new prayer and the resident 'blogging reverend' of the http://www.newlyweds-uk.com/website commented: “Anyone can grab a gift to hand to someone – but giving a person your undivided attention is the ultimate compliment. Love is what matters to people, not expensive presents. These results underline that couples can have a special Valentine’s Day even if they have less money at the moment. After all, the best things in life are free.”

Here's the prayer for couples - why not use it yourself, it doesn't have to just be Valentine's Day that you can share your love together.

Loving God, on this Valentine’s Day,
we might give gifts like flowers or cards,
or look forward to the romance of a meal out,
but the joy of sharing in these things is our time together.

We thank you, Lord, for the time we will spend together today, and every day.
And in that precious time, we pray our love will grow stronger and deeper.
Remind us today to cherish each other,
And to value the way our commitment inspires and supports all those around us.

Forgive us, Lord, when we have hurt one another,
Hurt other people,
Hurt you.

Help us, Lord, in the ups and downs of life,
to be faithful to one another,
and to you.

So with grateful and loving hearts,
we entrust this day
and each other,
into your hands,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen