Why You Should Pray for Your Spouse
By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. - James 5:16 (ESV)
Prayer is one of the easiest things to do, and yet probably one of the most ignored disciplines in the Christian faith.
The Bible tells us in James to confess our sins and pray for each other, that we may be healed. I love how this applies to marriage. We have the opportunity with our spouses to create an intimacy that goes far beyond sexual - praying for each other, and with each other. Praying together brings all manner of healing into a relationship. It knocks down defensive walls and creates vulnerability.
After all, if the Bible tells us to love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44), how much more do we need to pray for our spouses? If we aren’t careful, sometimes our husbands/wives can all too easily begin to feel like the enemy. Finger-pointing and blame-games begin, and before we know it, we’re fighting each other instead of the real enemy of our souls.
We’re to live in harmony with our spouses (Romans 15:5-6) and there’s no faster way to bring peace and harmony into a home than with prayer. There have been times in the middle of an argument where I’ve grabbed my husband’s hand, gritted my teeth, and started to pray. That’s not a testament to me, but to the power of the Holy Spirit to disarm disunity. After all, it’s really hard to stay mad at someone you’re in prayer with!
Praying for your spouse not only brings peace into your marriage and tempers arguments, but it also helps your spouse in a tangible way. Galatians 6:2 (ESV) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Did your spouse have a bad day? A boss that chewed them out? A financial worry? A friend that’s upset with them? We can help carry our spouse’s load when we go to the Lord on their behalf in prayer.
Praying together out loud draws spouses together in a unique way. It can be awkward at times, but also incredibly intimate. It creates a bond and a new level of trust like no other. It’s worth pushing past the initial level of discomfort to pray together—and pray together regularly.
During the day when you aren’t able to pray with your spouse, be sure to pray for them. When you’re on your morning commute, ask the Lord to bless their day and keep them safe. On your lunch break, beseech the Lord on their behalf to maintain purity and strengthen your marriage. On the drive back in the evenings, praise the Lord for your spouse and begin to prepare your heart to join them at home.
Praying for your spouse is a great privilege, and no one is more equipped to pray for your husband/wife than you are. Take the honor seriously. You can start forming a habit of prayer for your spouse today. You won’t regret it!
Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over sixteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her drummer of a hubby, two story-telling young daughters, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of pickle chips. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. When she's not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha. Visit her and see a list of books at http://www.betsystamant.com./
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Originally published Friday, 05 April 2024.
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