Perhaps you are struggling in your marriage and feel like no matter what you do it isn’t “enough.”
You’ve tried marriage seminars, read every book, and even considered counseling.
But have you ever gotten down on your knees, face to the ground in your “prayer closet,” and cried out to the Lord for help?
When life’s storms hit (and they will) – we do everything we can to control the chaos.
No human being likes to feel pain or anxiety, so we’re desperate to try anything to make it stop.
Sadly, in some homes this results in a painful separation or divorce, creating generations of pain and trauma.
And while society teaches us the “latest tips” on how to fix our own problems – as Christians we’re forgetting one thing.
Prayer.
God’s Word reminds us that the battles we face are not of this world.
So why do we try and fight them with worldly methods?
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
All throughout the Bible, there are passages on Jesus taking a step back and going to pray to His heavenly Father.
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” Luke 5:16
Yes, even Jesus Himself knew the power of prayer – and He demonstrated this to us during His life here on earth.
So for those who have a struggling marriage, instead of trying to “fix, manage, or control” your spouse – get down on your knees and pray.
Christian author Stormie Omartian wrote a series of prayer books like “The Power of a Praying Wife” which teaches us how to pray and includes topics such as praying for your husband’s mind, fears, choices, health, reputation, trials, emotions, work, etc.
She also authored “The Power of a Praying Husband” and “The Power of a Praying Parent”.
The enemy is working overtime to destroy families and marriages and he will use any stronghold or weak spot to get in and do his bidding.
But by covering our spouse in prayer, we are fighting the war in the spiritual realm – where it’s actually taking place.
In addition to fervently praying for our spouse we must also pray for God to do a work in our own heart.
Often times, we bring emotional brokenness and baggage to our marriage, whether from our family of origin, past relationships, or trauma.
Sometimes we can get so focused on “fixing” the other person or praying for all of “their faults” that we ignore the spec in our own eye.
While we can’t change another person, we can change our own behavior.
And it all starts with prayer.
Here is a sample prayer you can use to pray for your spouse:
Oh Father God, we know how much you love the sacred covenant of marriage, as it mirrors your relationship with your bride, the church. God, we know in this world we will have trouble, but we take heart in that you have overcome the world. Please forgive us for the times we hurt one another with our words or actions. Help us to become more like you, humble in our actions and pure in our thoughts. Please help us to serve our spouse well, knowing that in doing so, we are serving you. Lord Jesus, we lift up our spouse to you right now. Please God, help their heart to seek you first so they can love us in the way you have first loved them. We pray for their will to be surrendered to you and ask that you protect them as they go about their day. Thank you Lord for Who you are. We know you are sovereign and that we can trust in your timing. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. The King of all Kings. In your name, Amen.
May God bless your marriage!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
(h/t Christian Life Daily)