Transform your relationship through the power of prayer

Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In marriage, those three strands represent you, your husband and God—woven together to create something stronger than any of you could be alone.

Yet as moms, we know the reality: between the chaos of raising children, managing households and balancing work and family responsibilities, our marriages often receive whatever energy we have left at the end of the day—which sometimes isn’t much at all.

This week, as we begin our prayer journey together, we’re focusing on one of the most important relationships in your life: your marriage. Praying for your marriage has the power to transform your relationship with your spouse in ways you might never have imagined.

Why pray for your marriage?

Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Maintaining a healthy marriage is a struggle in modern culture, and Christian marriages are not immune. The stresses of parenting, financial pressures and simply navigating life together can strain even the strongest relationships.

Prayer creates a spiritual foundation to help us weather these storms together. When we pray for our marriages, we’re inviting God—the very creator of marriage—to be active in our relationship.

Scripture-based prayers for marriage are a great place to start, like this verse in Philippians:

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.”

Philippians 1:9 (NIV)

Isn’t that exactly what we want in our marriages? Love that continues to grow deeper and richer through the years?

Starting with your heart

The most powerful prayers for your marriage often begin not with requests about your husband, but with an honest look at your own heart. In Psalm 19:14, David prays:

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Before we can effectively pray for our marriages, we need to examine our own attitudes, expectations and areas where we might need growth. Here are some heart-centered prayers to consider:

Prayer for a gentle spirit

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 16:1 (NIV)

Lord, help my words be gentle and life-giving in our home. When I’m tired or frustrated, remind me that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Give me the strength to respond rather than react, especially when tensions are high. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for forgiveness

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Father, show me areas where I’m holding onto resentment or keeping score in my marriage. Help me embrace the truth that love covers over a multitude of sins. Give me a heart that is quick to forgive and slow to harbor bitterness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for patience

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

God, in moments of frustration, help me remember that love is patient. Give me the grace to extend to my husband the same patience you so generously give to me every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praying for your husband

Once we’ve examined our own hearts, we can turn our prayers toward our husbands. Not with a critical spirit of “fix him, Lord,” but with genuine love and desire for God’s best in his life.

Ephesians 5:25 reminds us that husbands are called to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This is an incredibly high standard—one that requires God’s help to fulfill. Here are some specific ways to pray for your husband:

Prayer for his relationship with God

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

Lord, draw my husband’s heart closer to you. May he hunger for your Word and seek your presence daily. Help him find his identity and worth in you rather than in his work or achievements. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for his leadership

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Father, give my husband wisdom as he leads our family. Help him make decisions that honor you. When he feels inadequate or overwhelmed, remind him that your strength is made perfect in weakness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for his work

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

God, bless the work of my husband’s hands. Give him favor in his workplace and integrity in all his dealings. Help him find the right balance between providing for our family and being present with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for his protection

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Lord, protect my husband physically, spiritually and emotionally. Guard his mind from temptation and his heart from discouragement. Surround him with Godly influences that will strengthen his faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praying together: The ultimate marriage prayer

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5 (NIV)

Praying together as a couple takes wisdom and practice. Though it may feel awkward at first, praying together is a great tool for building a God-centered marriage.

Couples who pray together report greater intimacy, better communication and stronger overall relationships.

Here are some practical ways to begin praying together, even if you’ve never done it before:

Start small

Begin with just 1-2 minutes of prayer together before bed. Keep it simple—thank God for one blessing from the day and ask for His help with one concern.

Hold hands

Physical touch during prayer creates both physical and spiritual connection.

Use written prayers

If praying aloud feels uncomfortable, try reading a Psalm together or using the Biblical prayers for a healthy marriage below as a starting point.

Pray specifically

Rather than general prayers like “bless our marriage,” pray about specific situations: an upcoming decision, a challenging parenting issue or a work stress.

Be patient

Remember that developing a prayer habit takes time. If your husband is reluctant, don’t pressure him—simply invite him occasionally and pray that God would make it a natural part of your relationship over time.

When marriage is hard: Prayers for difficult seasons

Genesis 2:18 reminds us that God created marriage because “it is not good for the man to be alone.” Yet even with this divine design, every marriage goes through difficult seasons. During these times, prayer becomes not just important but essential.

If you’re going through a challenging period in your marriage, here are some specific prayers that can help:

Prayer for communication

God, when words fail or hurt, help us find better ways to communicate. Bring understanding where there is confusion and patience where there is frustration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for healing

Lord, you are the great Healer. Where there are wounds in our relationship, bring your healing touch. Help us extend grace to each other as you have extended grace to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for unity

Father, in areas where we disagree, help us remember that we are on the same team. As Colossians 3:14 reminds us, help us “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for perspective

God, when problems feel overwhelming, help us see them through your eyes. Remind us that this is just one season, and that you are working even when we cannot see it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Practical ways to praying for your marriage a habit

Like any spiritual discipline, praying for your marriage is most effective when it becomes a consistent habit. Here are some practical ways to incorporate marriage prayer into your busy mom life:

Create prayer triggers

Designate certain daily activities as reminders to pray for your marriage. For example, pray for your husband every time you wash dishes or fold his laundry.

Use visual reminders

Keep a small photo of the two of you in your Bible or on your nightstand as a prayer prompt.

Set aside sacred time

Even five minutes of focused prayer for your marriage each day can make a difference. Consider setting an alarm on your phone to remind you.

Keep a marriage prayer journal

Write down specific prayers for your marriage and date them. Leave space to record how God answers these prayers over time.

Pray Scripture

Choose one verse about love or marriage each week (like those in our reading plan) and pray that specific verse over your relationship daily.

Remember: Prayer changes you first

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

As you embark on this journey of praying for your marriage, remember that often the first person God changes through prayer is you. You may begin praying for changes in your husband or relationship, but don’t be surprised when God begins to transform your own heart, expectations and attitudes.

As you pray, God shapes not just your words but the very meditations of your heart.

A prayer for your marriage today

Let’s end with a prayer you can pray right now for your marriage:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of marriage and for my husband. Thank you for bringing us together and for your presence in our relationship. Lord, I lift my marriage to you today. Strengthen our bond, deepen our love and help us to reflect your love to each other and our children. Show me how to love and respect my husband in ways that honor you. Where there are hurts, bring healing. Where there is distance, bring closeness. Where there is misunderstanding, bring clarity. Help us to be quick to forgive and slow to anger. Remind us daily that our marriage is not just about our happiness but about our holiness—about becoming more like you through the journey of loving each other. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find all the related posts, videos and resources for the “Praying Through the Busy” Bible study by clicking the image below: