Do you pray for your spouse? If so, how do those prayers roll?
I have a daily “to do” list that includes a place to list prayers. My husband’s name, Tony, typically sits on one of those lines. Sometimes, however, I’m not certain how or what to pray. That’s when I turn to God’s Word.
The Bible remains sharper than a two-edged sword. Ephesians paints God’s Word as a weapon, one useful in both offensive and defensive situations. I’ve found it helpful to use that God-given, powerful weapon to pray for my spouse, especially in those times when uncertainty surrounds prayer. Following is a list of powerful verses to personalize and pray over your spouse. Pray them now or pray them later, but certainly don’t let God’s Word sit idle.
1. Pray for Your Spouse’s Salvation
“That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 WEB
What if your spouse isn’t saved? Life in heaven leans dependent on Jesus. Without belief in him as Lord, salvation eludes even the best behaved or richest among us.
Even the demons believe in God according to James 2:19, but they aren’t going to heaven (Matthew 25:41). It’s not enough to simply “know about” or believe God exists. Salvation, eternity in heaven, sits solidly in the hope of God’s Son: Jesus Christ. Why not begin with a prayer covering your spouse’s salvation?
2. Pray for a Heart that Forgives
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 WEB
Jesus forgave. One of my favorite sentences Jesus offered was, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 WEB) It became, literally, his message on the cross for our listening ears to receive.
Forgiveness and freedom walk hand in hand. Forget the heaviness of bitterness and resentment. They’re banished outside when we choose to forgive. Consider a spouse who offers forgiveness easily and quickly. Now, that’s powerful.
3. Pray They Will Trust in the Lord
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6 WEB
Zipping through the day, guided by our own understanding, seems easy. Many of us live life in such a manner. If it “seems” good, we trust and follow. Call it easy, but call it dangerous. The above verses from Proverbs assure this.
For straight paths through life, trust in the Lord stands necessary. Why not grab these two verses and pray them over your spouse, battling for his or her righteous decision-making?
4. Pray He or She will Remain in Christ
“Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 WEB
Have you ever tasted a fresh-off-the-tree peach or mango or even a grape from the vine? There’s nothing quite as mouth-watering as fresh, ripe fruit. But fruit falling early or pieces picked well before harvest time never make it to maturity. The fruit withers and dies, proving useless for eager and awaiting taste buds.
Christians attempting to grow in faith and walk in love will also miss the mark of bearing spiritual fruit unless we remain in the Lord. Pray for a spouse that will remain in the Lord as they live each day.
5. Pray for His or Her Fear of God
“This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecc. 4:12 WEB
Proverbs 16:6 assures a worshipful, reverential fear of the God helps man avoid evil. Ecclesiastes links it to the whole duty of man. Stand assured: a healthy fear of God remains vital. Why not pray for a spouse who fears the Almighty and keeps his commandments?
6. Pray They’ll Ask for Wisdom
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 WEB
Our God gives wisdom liberally – the type of wisdom profitable for life. A spouse who walks in wisdom can impact families, neighborhoods, friendships, marriages, and more. Imagine the power of those wise choices.
7. Pray for Your Spouse’s Heart
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.” Prov. 4:23 WEB
It sits central to our health. Without this vital organ, functions stop and life ceases. It’s the heart. In the spiritual realm, the heart sits central as well.
The Bible calls us to guard the heart and guard it well by keeping close watch over emotions and thoughts. After all, that which sits in the heart determines life’s course.
8. Pray for Protection Against Darkness
“No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,” says Yahweh. Isaiah 54:17 WEB
Life here on earth remains a battle. The evil one stands vigilant, set to kill, steal and destroy your spouse. Why not pray the words above from Isaiah? Using my own spouse’s name, it might sound something like this: “Father, I pray no weapon formed against Tony will prevail. Condemn every tongue that rises against him in judgment. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
9. Pray He or She Will Live in Step with the Spirit
“If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. “ Gal. 5:25 WEB
We have a counselor available 24/7. His deep vat of wisdom sits ready to be offered when needed. Why not pray for a spouse who lives by and in step with the Spirit?
10. Pray Concerning How Your Spouse is Clothed
“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. “ Col. 3:12-14
Sure, they might wear a shirt, shorts, or pants. You may care about your spouse’s appearance in those clothing articles, but what are they wearing spiritually? Are they clothed with compassion and kindness? How about humility and forgiveness? Does your spouse walk in love?
Regardless of where they fall on the scale, if there is such a thing, offer a prayer with Col. 3:12-14. Pray for how your spouse is clothed.
11. A Bonus Prayer for Strength
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 WEB
What John 3:16 is to salvation, this verse is to my prayer life concerning my spouse. I pray for Tony’s strength often. I don’t want him to be strong in his own ideas, plans, and power – even though he is a strong guy and stands plenty powerful in the natural. I, and more importantly the Lord, desire him to rely on the Lord, using His power, insight, wisdom, and direction. This bonus verse sums it up nicely.
Kristi Woods, writer and speaker, is passionate about women walking deeper with God. She clicks words of encouragement at http://www.KristiWoods.net
Originally published Wednesday, 14 March 2018.
