Want to know one way to strengthen your marriage? Start by praying. Praying for your spouse and marriage keeps God in the center. Try these 6 scripture-based prayers for a better marriage. Prayer works. That’s not just church talk. God can change your relationship through prayer.
1. Pray that God would deepen your love for one another.
Scripture: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
Prayer: Father, I need to start by confessing what you already know about me. I am not perfect. I mess up. I know I make mistakes every single day, especially in the relationship that matters the most. And, I am married to someone who is just as imperfect as I am. I ask that despite all of the ways we fail each other and You, please deepen our love for each other…and YOU. Help us to see through our failings and instead see each other as You see us: Chosen, loved and forgiven. Amen.
2. Pray that God would help you love each other well and bring peace to your relationship.
Scripture: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:2-3
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit. Because He dwells within us, I know my spouse and I have access to unity. Help us to recognize the Holy Spirit at work in our marriage and help us to fight for and keep the unity in a way that honors You. I know I’m not always humble and gentle in our conversations or in my actions. I also know I sometimes lose my patience. In those moments, please remind me of your bond of peace. Amen.
3. Pray for forgiveness.
Scripture: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Prayer: Father, thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for sending Your Son to heal our broken relationship through His sacrifice on the Cross. Sometimes I get caught up in my own hurt feelings that I forget Your perfect example of forgiveness. In those moments, will You nudge me? Will You lead me to speak to and act kindly towards my spouse even when I feel wronged or misunderstood? And, more importantly, remind me of how forgiveness heals relationships. Amen.
4. Pray that God would keep mouths shut, ears open and anger in check.
Scripture: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:19-20
Prayer: Father, I feel like I ask for Your help all of the time. Scratch that. It’s true. I bring my prayers for a better marriage to You all of the time because I NEED Your help all of the time. When my spouse and I disagree, please let me lead with my ears. I want to listen in a way that reveals the heart of an issue. I want to listen in a way that seeks understanding and displays empathy. I want to listen in a way that produces loving and kind words not words that fuel the fire of anger. You know that I’m not great at keeping my mouth shut and my anger in check, especially when my spouse and I disagree. Please help me in that area. Amen.
5. Pray for helpful and encouraging words.
Scripture: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Prayer: Father, I will keep this simple. Put words in my mouth that build my spouse up, not tear my spouse down. Amen.
6. Pray that you treat love as a verb.
Scripture #1: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Scripture #2: “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” – 1 John 3:8 (NLT)
Prayer: Father, I pray that the words found in First Corinthians would be so much more than just a verse read at marriage ceremonies. I want our marriage to live out these words in our everyday living as a couple. I want this kind of love in our marriage. Lead us each and every day to put love into action through our choices, our words, and our actions. Amen.