How Do You Pray When Your Marriage Is In Trouble?

If your marriage is in trouble, you should not lose hope. God is the One who designed marriage (Genesis 2:18-25), so He can restore your relationship with your spouse, no matter how broken it may seem. As you pray, surrender your pain at the Lord’s feet and receive His love and comfort. Below is a way to pray if your marriage is in trouble:

Abba Father, You are the One who knows the situation of my marriage. Restore what the enemy has stolen and fix what has been broken. Let Your love overflow, healing our hearts from all the pain we have caused each other. Teach us to forgive as You have forgiven us, Father. Thank You, Abba. Amen.

What to pray for when your marriage is in trouble

Troubles in a marriage may happen due to misunderstandings and unresolved conflicts, but you should not lose hope, as there is hope in Jesus. He invites us to come into His presence. As we surrender our troubles to the Lord, we will experience rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Utter the prayers below and expect miracles to manifest in your troubled marriage:

1. Pray for Restoration

With God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). He can restore marriages that are on the brink of ending. If you feel that you are alone in this battle, remember that your marriage is vital to the Lord, just as it is to you. He understands the pain that you and your spouse are going through. Never hesitate to ask Him for restoration through this prayer:

Our Father, I praise You for Your goodness, despite the troubles in our marriage. I believe that nothing is impossible with You. Restore everything that the enemy has stolen in my marriage, Abba. Let forgiveness, love, and healing overflow between us. Remind us of our covenant to You and each other. Help us to work together as a couple for Your Glory, Father. For this, I pray. Amen!

2. Pray for Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the first step in the restoration of broken relationships. The Lord instructs us to forgive as the Father in heaven forgives us (For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, Matthew 6:14). If you and your spouse have difficulty forgiving each other, ask for God’s help. He will grant you the strength to let go of the anger you are keeping in your heart. Below is a good way to pray for forgiveness:

Dear Lord, grant forgiveness in our marriage. Touch our hearts and set us free from all the pain and anger that we are keeping towards each other. Let Your love and mercy overflow in our hearts, washing away all the hatred and condemnation. Teach us to forgive, just as You have forgiven us. Help us be merciful and gracious like You, Lord. Thank You for staying with us, even during adversity. Amen.

3. Pray for Peace

Despite what you and your spouse are going through, God can grant you peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). If worries and anxieties are overwhelming you, rest in God’s presence and remember that He is ultimately in control. He knows what You are going through and is willing to help. Hold on to God’s promises and remember His faithfulness:

Almighty God, let the peace that surpasses human understanding be in our marriage. Silence the voices of guilt and condemnation. Whatever our marriage is going through, I believe that You are in control. Even if troubles come, we shall find our rest in You. Our confidence does not lie in what we can do but in what You have done. All the glory and honor belong to You alone, our faithful God. Amen.

4. Pray for Joy

Even in the midst of our troubles, we can experience joy. The Lord instructs us to rejoice during trials and adversity, knowing that they will produce perseverance (James 1:2-3). The troubles you are experiencing in your marriage will strengthen you and your spouse. It will also teach you lessons that will make both of you better partners. If you and your spouse’s hearts are filled with sadness, ask God for joy through this prayer: 

Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with joy, despite the troubles in our marriage. Remind us of Your promises and faithfulness. Help us hold on to Your Word during this trying time. Teach us to fix our eyes on You alone and not on our circumstances. Let songs of praise be upon our mouths, giving You all the glory and honor. Thank You for Your everlasting love, Father. Our hope is in You. Amen.

5. Pray for Wisdom

When troubles arise in marriage, most people respond with hurtful words to defend one’s self. Instead of solving the problem, this only leads to more arguments. Remember, harsh words stir up anger, but a soft answer turns away wrath (A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1). Wisdom is needed when dealing with a troubled marriage. Don’t hesitate to ask God for wisdom if you don’t know what to do (If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5). Below is a prayer that can help you:

O faithful God, please give us the wisdom to handle our marriage and to understand each other. Let words of wisdom be always in our mouths, leading to peace and restoration. Teach us to treat each other with love and grace. Help us not to speak foolish and thoughtless words that will only harm our marriage. With Your wisdom, guide us in building a family that pleases You. Amen.

6. Pray for Guidance

As the Mighty Counselor, God can grant us guidance when we are facing troubles in our marriage. As we surrender to His will and put our trust in Him, He will provide us with instruction and direction (I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8). He will never fail you as you choose to trust and depend on Him alone. If you don’t know how to ask God for guidance, here is a prayer you can utter:

Our Father in heaven, guide us in every decision that we make in our marriage. Speak into our hearts and teach us Your ways, Father. Deliver us from the plan of the enemy, O Lord. I renounce confusion, deception, and lies in our marriage, in Jesus’ name! I declare clarity and truthfulness. I praise You for Your goodness, Father. Amen.

7. Pray against Pride

Pride will only prolong the agony in your marriage. It will hinder healing and restoration from happening. We must also remember that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6-7). If you want to experience grace in your marriage, you must let go of your pride by acknowledging God’s sovereignty. Instead of trusting yourself, put your trust in Him alone. If your husband is proud, here is a prayer that can help you:

Father in Heaven, I pray against pride in our marriage. I renounce the arrogance, selfishness, and self-righteousness, in Jesus’ name! Instead of looking at ourselves, teach us to fix our eyes on You. Teach us how to humble ourselves as our Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself. Don’t let pride consume us. Remain at the center of our marriage and let the Holy Spirit lead us to humility. For this, I pray. Amen.

8. Pray against Bitterness

Holding grudges for a long time leads to bitterness. It not only poisons one’s heart, but it can also lead to the destruction of a marriage. If you and your husband have bitterness in your hearts, declare God’s deliverance. He can set you free from the bondage of bitterness For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1). Claim your and your husband’s freedom through this prayer below:

My Savior, grant us freedom from grudges, hatred, and bitterness. I renounce ungodly thoughts and anger in my husband and me, in Jesus’ name! I ask the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation to be upon us. Let Your love fill our hearts, healing us from emotional wounds, freeing us from harbored anger and hatred, and making our hearts pure. Thank You for freedom, Lord. All the praise and honor belong to You. Amen.

Conclusion

When troubles arise in our marriage, we should never hesitate to ask for God’s help. He is our help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). Through prayer, ask God for restoration, wisdom, peace, and guidance. Trust in Him alone and remember His goodness and faithfulness. The Lord will never fail you no matter how difficult the situation is.