Trusting God To Shape and Mold Your Marriage
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to build a habit of praying for my spouse and trusting you to work in them. Amen.
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:10-13
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
REFLECT:
Oftentimes, it is easy to want to try and change something about our spouse whether it’s how they drive, how they talk to us, how they cook or maybe even their faith in Jesus. We want to see change take place in our spouse because we want the best for them, but we cannot forget that only Jesus can change a person’s heart. Prayer is how God brings unity in a marriage. The closer both of you get to God, the closer you will grow together. In a lasting marriage, Jesus is the center, not ourselves. The best way to help your spouse grow in their faith and change into the likeness of Jesus is not only having conversations with them but praying for them as well. Pray specifically that the presence of God would be evident in their life and your marriage and that they would grow in their personal trust in Jesus.
APPLY:
How often do you pray for your spouse? What do you specifically pray for? God promises us in the verses above that when we pray to him, he’ll hear our prayers, listen to us and work healing in our lives. Begin to think of opportunities to pray for your spouse, it may just be the game-changer your marriage needs. If they’ve got a big day coming up at work, pray with them that God would give your spouse confidence. If they’re having a difficult time trusting God in a season, pray with them and for them that they would feel his presence. Praying together with your spouse, and privately for your spouse, is the best way to see the presence of God in a marriage.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to pray with, and for, my spouse. Help me to see ways you are working to bring us closer together as we grow closer to you. Amen.