Praying for your spouse

What’s the last thing I do before I fall asleep? I’ll give you a clue it’s usually the first thing I do when I wake up too. I am sure you guessed it, pray for my spouse. Wait that wasn’t what you were guessing?

I have been married for over 25 years to the same man. It is getting harder and harder to find people in this world who stay committed to one another. I love him completely. Yes, he makes me frustrated and I am sure I frustrate him too. I am fully committed to be his wife for our whole lives. He is my person. He comforts me, holds me, rubs my back, supports me and encourages me. His job is in Law Enforcement and sees crazy stuff daily. When he comes home and I complain about the most trivial things it seems ridiculous.

God says two are better than one- if one falls the other can help him up. Mr. T says, “I pity the fool who has no one to help!” I am kidding- I don’t know if Mr. T said that. When I am having a rough day, it is nice to text my hubby and read his I love you.

My husband is the closest person to me. He knows all my flaws, has seen all the fat rolls, and still comes home each day. He loves me when I am nice and tries to calm me down when I am being irrational. I want the best for him. I want him to be protected and I want him to be at the center of God’s plan. Who better than me to pray for him? I mean, really pray for him and cover him completely.

My favorite line from War Room is when Beth Moore says something about us women needing to duck so God can hit our spouses. That got me so hard when I first heard it. I can’t make my husband any more of a person than he is willing to be. I can take him to prayer and pray about our entire relationship. But I can’t change his attitude or his outlook on things, only God can.

The best feeling in the whole world is getting a hug. I can remember getting this big manly hug from my father anytime I was upset. Now I have a husband that is capable of doing that too. My favorite though, is when I climb in bed at night after a long day and my hubby wraps his arms around me. It is very hard not to be grateful for him in that moment. So while I unwind in bed, with his arms wrapped around me I thank God for him in every way I can. I pray for him to get peaceful rest, for his mind to stop, for him to think clearly at work and for him to speak life over those he comes in contact with.

If you aren’t intentionally praying for your spouse, why not? If this is the person God gave to you as a help mate, what keeps you from bringing them to God in prayer? Sitting around in a circle of women who share stories about things their spouses have done and how they can’t believe they did them is easy to do. However, I feel awful when I leave those conversations, there are days it is easy to join in but I have been trying harder and harder to not say a word. I want to uplift my spouse and when my children hear me bashing him thats not very respectful. I am teaching my kids to treat others with respect, love, grace and compassion and if they see me spitting negative things about their dad thats not setting a good example.

Ephesians 2:29 says, “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.” Why would I try to tear down my spouse? We are on the same team. Our battle is not supposed to be against each other according to Ephesians 6:12. I am not saying by any means I do not fight with my husband or ever say something negative about him. What I am saying and challenging us all to do is to pray for them immensely and speak positively about them,

Why do I think this is important? Well, I have already shared how my husband is my person and I want only God’s best for him. But praying for others is biblical, James 5:16 says, “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.” I have seen answered prayers because of this habit. My own heart has changed toward my husband by praying God’s word over him. I have seen my husband change because of the prayers.

Here are some practical ways you can start praying for your spouse.

At night- Thank God for him. Touch his head and pray the Lord will give him clear thoughts and peaceful sleep. Touch his arms and pray that he stands strong in the Lord. Pray for his light to shine for all he comes in contact with.

In the Morning- Pray that he has a good day. Pray that God uses him how He needs. Cover him with protection as he travels. Pray his work ethic is good and he makes a difference. Help his mouth speak wisdom and his tongue speak just.

At Lunch- Pray for his health. Pray that he is making good choices for his body. Pray that he has a leader’s heart. Help him to glorify you in all he does.

While washing dishes- Pray that God blesses the works of his hands and heart. Show him his worth when he feels inadequate. Protect him from sickness.

While driving- Pray that God helps him cast his anxiety on Him. Help him submit his fears to you, God. Give him discernment in everything he does.

Here are some of the most powerful verses I use to pray over my husband. I pray that you will download and begin to use it too.