No matter what season of marriage this finds you in, newly married or heading toward empty nesting, prayer is an essential component to a strong and healthy marriage. There is potential for great work to be accomplished when God’s women set out to pray for their husbands.
Like a woman named Julie, whose husband was passive and uninterested in leading spiritually. Through a series of conversations and prayer we had together, she finally realized that it was time for her to step back, pray for her husband, and allow God to change his heart. It wasn’t easy, but in doing so she released control of trying to fix her husband herself. And through obedience and trust, she began to see the Lord work a miracle in her marriage. Slowly he began to lead in those areas that she had been praying for. It encouraged her to pray all the more, as well as myself.
God is doing something significant
Prayer is effective. We have to believe that God is doing something significant when we pray. The answer will come in His timing, His way, and in which He gets all the glory. We need to allow our hearts to soak up the truth of James 5:16, “the prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”
As redeemed women, whose lives are hidden in Christ, prayer is doing a transformative work in ourselves and in our marriages. So here are three ways to pray for you husband.
1. His Purpose
Pray that your husband would know the purpose for which God has called him. Our primary role as a wife is to help our men fulfill their callings. Pray that your husband would not be side-tracked with things that are unessential to God’s purpose and glory. Pray that his mind would be strengthened against doubt and discouragement. Ask the Lord to give him clear thinking, wisdom and protection as he faithfully follows Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
2. His Transformation
We all struggle. And in some seasons, more than others. As wives, we have a front seat to the areas of our men’s lives in which they wrestle with. How much more should we pray for them, when God allows our eyes to see a specific area of prayer needed?
It could be continual doubt, ongoing hurt, anxiety over finances, indifference to their health or even an addiction. Pray for transformation. Implore God that every area that has a negative hold on your husband would lose its grip. Ask the Lord to open your husband’s eyes to gospel truths that will stir hope and his affections for Christ and His glory. And praise God as you pray, knowing that He alone can help and provide the grace needed for you spouse.
Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
3. His Friendships
The bible is very clear that who we spend time with influences our thoughts and actions. (Proverbs 13:20) And it also teaches the fundamental truth about all humans, we were created for community. No lone rangers. Friendship and accountability are important.
Does your husband have close friends he can talk with? pray with? Are there godly men in his life that are encouraging him to live on mission for Christ? Take it to the Lord. Ask Him to bless your husband with godly men who will do life with your husband. Pray that your husband would make himself available to meet together with other men, and that he would make godly friendships a high priority in his life. May the Lord grant him a deeper understanding of how sweet of a blessing friendship truly is.
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”
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