How To Pray For Your Spouse

Need a miracle? Need God’s power to move? Pray! Prayer connects us to the God of the universe. God has made a way for us to enter His throne room and have a conversation with Him. Through prayer we can see the hand of God move, we can tap into His power and strength, and ultimately invite Him into our situation and into our lives. Prayer not only builds our relationship with God but it CHANGES things and even more so it changes us. Prayer opens the door for the Holy Spirit to move and to see the fullness of what God has in store. We become more alive and more engaged with God the more we open ourselves to him in prayer. 

Prayer makes an incredible impact and through it, we can see the supernatural. So why not tap into this supernatural power on behalf of our spouse? Prayer is one of the greatest and most tangible ways we can fully love our husband or wife. It’s a chance to come alongside Jesus as He sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us (Romans 8:34), and stand in the gap for our spouse. Don’t stand on the sidelines as a spiritual battle wages war over your husband or wife, instead, get in the fight against the enemy and combat him by covering your spouse in prayer. The enemy is out to kill steal and destroy (John 10:10), this is why Paul tells us in Ephesians to not only put on the full armor of God but to pray, “Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (vs. 6:18). So here are a few ways and suggestions on how to pray more specifically for your spouse.

Pray your spouse would have a deeper relationship with God: If your spouse already lives for Jesus pray that he/she would continue to trust and remain in Him. Pray that their heart would be receptive and open to what God is speaking to them. Pray John 15:5 over your spouse, “ I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Ask God to produce much fruit in your spouse and they would not do anything apart from Him. Ask God to increase your spouse’s faith and that God would truly be Lord of his or her life. If your spouse doesn’t follow Jesus, pray that they would come to know God, that God would reveal Himself to them and they would accept salvation.

Pray that your spouse would have strong, godly friendships: Whether we want to believe it or not the people we spend time with have an influence on our life. So pray that those who surround your spouse would be people who bring encouragement and who are also pursuing Jesus so that they would “motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). 

Pray for your spouse’s responsibility: Pray for your spouse’s job, whether that is away from the home or at home caring for children. Pray that your spouse finds joy in what they are doing day-to-day and that they will have favor with their bosses, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. Ask God to give your spouse strength and wisdom to fulfill their responsibilities and that they would prioritize family time. Pray that God will help you and your spouse to be wise and good stewards of what God has given you such as money, a home, and even time. Pray against stress and worries life can bring and that your spouse would not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present their requests to God (Phil. 4:6). 

Pray protection over any mental, emotional, and spiritual temptations your spouse may endure: Cover your spouse’s heart, mind, and soul by asking God to place a hedge of protection over them from the lies of the enemy. Pray that your spouse would recognize the difference between the lies and what is true and that they would take any negative thoughts captive. Pray that your spouse would not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of their mind. So that they will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will (Rom. 12:2). Ask God to bring out in your spouse the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). 

Pray for your spouse’s relationship with your children: Cover your spouse’s relationship with your children with prayer by asking God to build, protect and strengthen the relationship. Pray that both you and your spouse would be a good example and role model to your children and that you and your spouse’s relationship with Jesus would be contagious to them. Pray that your husband or wife would love your children well and in a way that is specific to each child. Pray for patience, grace, and discernment as your spouse seeks to teach and train your child. Pray that he or she would be faithful to respond to the needs of your children with love and affection. “Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged” (Col. 3:20). 

There are so many different ways to pray for your spouse, but you know your spouse best and what may be heavy on their heart so be sure to take that too into consideration. As you pray for your spouse be mindful to also thank God for your spouse as well. Your spouse is God’s gift to you, don’t take advantage of them but rather recognize how precious they are to you. Be intentional to not only speak gratitude to God about your spouse but to fervently pray for them, whether you have a list of what you want to pray or if you just take a moment to pray what’s on your heart for them the main point is…. just do it. Just pray and always include your spouse. Remember God loves your spouse even more than you do and as you pray God will do mighty work. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Rom. 8:28).