The movie, “War Room,” captured the hearts of millions of people with the message of hope through the power of prayer. Without giving away the outcome, it’s about a couple struggling in their marriage and the impact one pray-er could have on the trajectory of their future. We personally know one person who saw the movie and stopped their plans of divorce so they could instead intercede on behalf of their spouse.
In this post we’re simply going to give some traction for those who desire to pray for their marriage but don’t know how.
The Bible says that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). As such, you go to war for your marriage on your knees!
As you begin to pray for your marriage, start with a prayer of surrender to Jesus’ complete leadership over your life. You are choosing to yield control of your life and marriage to Him. You are allowing His Spirit to guide you and your mate. This removes all grounds for manipulation or control. Your confidence and trust is in God alone.
Pray for blessing (favor) from God to come upon your spouse. If there’s tension in your marriage this could be particularly difficult. But ask God to pour His favor on your spouse. And then, ask for His favor on your marriage.
If there is a rift or chasm between you and your spouse, focus on your requests for God’s healing. He is the Restorer and Reconciler. Center your prayers asking for the Spirit to reveal to you how you are contributing to the situation. You aren’t responsible for your spouse, but you are responsible for you.
God promises to give wisdom to us if we simply ask Him (James 1:5). In order to make good decisions, you will want to faithfully ask God to give you discernment and insight to do the right things in your marriage.
As you practice, make note of the power of prayer God reveals to you, and give thanks to Him for His grace and mercy.
Saying verses from the Bible in prayer can be a helpful way to focus your thoughts and requests before God. Sometimes they will act as an outline for what you are going to take to God. Here are a few verses you might use:
- Ephesians 4:2-3 – 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 4:29 – 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.
- James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Mark 10:9 – Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
- 1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Every marriage needs a group of people willing to pray for them. Don’t wait until a crisis to ask one or two couples to commit to praying for your marriage. Ask them if they will pray that 1) you stay faithful in your commitment to Jesus, and 2) your relationship with Jesus will be evident in your marriage. You gain spiritual protection when others are waging war for your marriage too!
Satan is not taking a break in his war against your marriage and neither should you. Stay faithful and persistent as you build your marriage through the power of prayer!
Would you like to engage more fully with your spouse and build your marriage in a healthy, biblical way? Through books and articles, Heidi and Brad Mitchell help couples grow in their faith to build a marriage on biblical principles. Through Christian marriage conferences and couples’ retreats, Heidi and Brad share biblical truths of how to build your marriage on the foundation of God’s Word. Their careful application of Scripture, along with personal stories and practical tools, has been used by God to transform marriages and redirect families. If you’d like Heidi and Brad to speak at your next marriage conference or couples retreat, connect with them here.
[…] Waging War For Your Marriage – War Room is by far one of the best movies I have seen in a while. Not because of the acting or directing, but because of the message of prayer that it focuses. This post is a great reminder of how to use prayer in our marriages. […]
Thank you !!! Having a tough day but will get better by the grace of god.