Prayer Makes a Marriage Strong

With families melting down all around us, something must be done to infuse new strength in husbands and wives. The self help books and seminars are failing. Secular counseling is not keeping couples together. We need God. We must seek him in prayer.

The expression says, “The family that prays together stays together.” While that is true to a degree, the family that prays together must also be grounded upon a husband and a wife that pray alone! If you are to be the best family member that you can be, you must be a person of prayer.

Prayer keeps your priorities in line. When all is said and done the dishes can wait, the lawn can wait, but your relationship with God cannot wait. Prayer is an acknowledgement that you aren’t the perfect spouse! You need God’s help. God uses prayer to change you into the man or woman he wants you to be.

Like exercise, consistency in prayer is better than a big burst every couple of weeks. Spiritual growth requires a good habit of daily prayer. You don’t have to pray for long periods of time for it to be beneficial, but you do have to seek the Lord’s face consistently. Create a prayer plan—write it down in a notebook, your computer or PDA, or even on index cards to have before you.

There are many different parts of prayer identifiable in the Bible. The Psalms as well as many other examples of prayer include elements like praises, thanksgivings, confession of sins, and even affirmations of loving and trusting the Lord. Use these dynamic elements in creating a concrete plan. Include within your prayer plan such things as picking a different attribute of God to praise him for each day of the week. In addition to these wonderful areas, write down some specific areas for which to seek God’s help.

Praying For Yourself

It is vital to pray for yourself. Better than anyone else, you know how far you have to go in becoming a godly husband or wife. Seek God’s powerful help! Ask him to make you godly, wise, better in your marriage role, compassionate, holy, and humble. Identify your weak spots, and then target them for prayer. Ask your spouse what areas he or she thinks you need to work on, and then lift those things to the Lord.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23, 24

An example of an area to pray about is pride. (If you doubt this applies to you, you probably need extra help!) How many ways would your marriage improve if you were less selfish and more humble? You can be sure you are praying according to the heart of God as you seek him for humility. He will love to answer your prayer. Your life will be changed, and your marriage will be changed, all because you prayed about your pride.

Praying For Your Spouse

Praying for your spouse is a wonderful way to fulfill your part in the home. A husband is taking spiritual responsibility for his family as he lifts them before God’s throne. A wife is giving her husband tremendous spiritual help as she intercedes for her man.

You can’t change your spouse—but God can. It is vital to pray for him or her.

Target those areas they need to grow in. Share with one another your burdens and your weak spots. Be sure to also thank God for your spouse. Get specific. Every good gift is from God. Thank God for each of his or her virtues.

Praying For Your Children

If the Lord has blessed you with children be sure to make them special objects of prayer. Seek the Lord for their salvation. Ask him to give them godly Christian character. Pray that they will honor and obey you, and pray that you will have grace to nurture and admonish them in the Lord. While you don’t know the identity of their future spouse, God does. Be sure to ask him for a good one on their behalf.

In and of ourselves we are all spiritual failures. The sins we commit against God also build walls between ourselves and our spouses and children. The great news is that Jesus died in the place of spiritual dud husbands and wives. Repent of your sins. Call upon him for forgiveness. Jesus’ resurrection proves that all that he said and did were real! You will experience his grace. He will help you treat your family out of the overflow of that grace.

Praying together and staying together are great. But for the maximum benefit to you family, be sure to be a person of prayer by yourself as well. As you seek God’s face, you will become more like him. As you become more like him, your life and your marriage will be transformed!