Whether you’ve been married for a few months or many years, you know that marriage is challenging. It’s hard to imagine the difficult moments when you are standing at the altar saying, “I do,” but there’s a reason why the traditional vows say, “for better or for worse.” So, when things get tough, and you just feel like throwing in the towel, we hope these 8 prayers for not giving up on your marriage will encourage you.
1. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. – Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT
Lord, give us patience as we seek to be gentle with one another. Even when it’s difficult, give us the strength to focus on the unity we have in You. Help us strive to always seek peace in our relationship with one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. – James 1:19 NLT
Father, I admit that it’s challenging sometimes to slow down and listen to my spouse when I’m angry. Help me to be still and take the time to understand where my spouse is coming from when we’re in a disagreement. Help me to remember what Jesus did on the cross and show grace to them. In Jesus’ powerful name, amen.
3. “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” – Matthew 19:6 NLT
God, I admit this world can be so distracting. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s happening around me instead of focusing on what You’ve put in front of me with my spouse. Help us to keep our eyes on You as we seek to remember why You joined us together in the first place. In Your Son’s name, amen.
4. But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. – 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 NLT
Heavenly Father, give us the will to work on our marriage, even when it’s difficult. The burdens of this life are heavy and overwhelming at times, so please give us the strength to remain by each other’s side through all of life’s trials. In Christ’s name, amen.
5. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. – Ephesians 5:33 NLT
Father God, help me and my spouse to love and respect one another in every circumstance. Give us the strength to look to You and the example Your Son, Jesus, set for us on the cross. May we always treat one another with dignity, even when our relationship is challenging. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
6. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. – Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Lord, give me the heart to sacrifice my wants and desires for my spouse’s. Help me have the patience and understanding to learn to compromise with my spouse. May we always strive to live a life filled with love as Christ did for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
7. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16 NLT
God, give me the heart to pray for my marriage. I don’t always turn to You first when things are challenging like I know I should. Help me to pray with as well as for my spouse. May we believe that good results will always come from turning to You in prayer. In Christ’s name, amen.
8. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Lord God, I praise You for sending Jesus to forgive me. Help me to have that same forgiveness for my spouse. Give me the strength to be kind, even when I don’t feel like it. Help me to show grace, mercy, and love like You continually do for me. I pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
