Jill: In every marriage, prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have in our toolbox. When we pray (together or on our own), we have the opportunity to align our own desires to God’s. We also have the opportunity to talk directly to God lifting up to Him whatever is on our heart.

Mark: In fact, the Bible tells us that God listens to us! In Jeremiah 29:12 we are reminded, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” We have a God who loves us, cares for us, and hears us. How powerful is that?

Jill: If you are married, it’s important to pray for your spouse and your marriage. For their health. Their fulfillment. The unity you share. The direction you both are heading in. For wisdom.

Mark: Even during hard seasons of marriage, when the last thing you want to do is pray for your spouse, prayer is crucial. Jill often shares about how God’s Word, along with prayer, is what gave her the strength during our dark season to give me “unhumanable love.” That love, combined with what God was doing in my heart, was a huge part of what ultimately saved our marriage.

Jill: Today we want to share some prayers you can pray over your spouse. You can do this in your personal prayer time or during any time of prayer you have together.

2025 Update:

Mark: When we first shared this prayer collection in 2023, it included just ten prayers—but we’re updating it to include double that amount!

Jill: That’s right! Mark and I recently went through the exciting process of publishing our very own companion prayer and journaling guides—they’re called 199 Prayers for My Husband and 199 Prayers for My Wife!

Mark: As you read through this article, you’ll get a sneak peek at some of the prayers from our new books (they’re the ones with red headings.) We are thrilled to share these with you and hope that they help you keep your eyes on the truth, invite you to reflect, and prompt you to invest intentionally in your marriage.

Here are some prayers you can pray over your spouse:

(Hint: Replace “my spouse” with your spouse’s name!)

Pray for Wisdom

Lord, I pray for wisdom for my spouse today. I pray that they would experience clarity from You about any difficult situations at work. Give them wisdom for decisions they need to make. I pray that You would give them clarity for whatever today holds. Help them to feel Your presence so they can lean on Your truth and guidance.

Pray for Inner Strength

TRUTH

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

(Ephesians 3: 16-18 NIV)

TALK TO GOD

I’m praying that You’d give my spouse the kind of supercharged inner strength that comes straight from Your Spirit. Let them feel Your presence growing within them as they place their trust in You. Help their roots go deep into Your love, so they’re rock-solid and steady. May they grow to understand how vast and deep Your love is, even though it’s impossible to wrap our heads around this completely. Let them experience the selfless love of Christ in a profound way. I’m asking that their life becomes firmly anchored in Your love, giving them a solid foundation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Have you experienced the love of Christ in a profound way?

TAKE ACTION

Have someone take a picture of the two of you. Order a print and frame the picture, then display it in your home.

Pray for Their Parenting

Lord, being a parent is hard. I pray for my spouse as a parent today, that You would give them patience, grace, and confidence. Help them to see our children for the unique people they are and give them confidence in how You have prepared them and created them to parent well.

Pray for Their Thinking

TRUTH

“But we have the mind of Christ.”

(I Corinthians 2:16 ESV)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, today I’m praying about my spouse’s thoughts. I know they’re kind of a big deal because thoughts can shape how we feel, what we believe, and even what we do. So, I’m asking You to move their thoughts to Your thoughts. If there’s any pride, root it out. If there’s any insecurity, please give them a boost of confidence. Where they’re getting all tangled up in confusion, make things clear. And where they’re buying into lies, bring them some truth. If they’re feeling like there’s no hope, show them that hope is still alive. May they grow to know You deeper than they do now. May they grow to know Your Word better than they do now. And when they’re thinking about making a change, help them pause and examine their thoughts so they can more assuredly have the mind of Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Consider your own thoughts about your spouse. When you think of them, do you have the mind of Christ? Do you think about them in the same way that God thinks of them?

TAKE ACTION

When you speak to your spouse today, match your words and tone of voice to how you imagine God would speak to His son or daughter whom He loves deeply.

Pray for Unity

Lord, I pray that my spouse and I would be unified today. Give us the confidence to communicate our needs clearly, not to assume intentions, and to be one in our vision. Give us the grace to make decisions well and to understand one another.

Pray For Their Choices

TRUTH

“We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.”

(2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, please help my spouse live a life that’s all about purity, understanding, patience and kindness. Let the Holy Spirit be their guide, helping them make good choices and take the right actions. I also pray that their love will be genuine and sincere. Keep them growing in You and Your love so that their life will be a testament to how great You are and how awesome Your grace can be. Help them love those who are hard to love, because I know they can only do this through You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Are you a shining example of God’s love in your home? Is there someone in your life who’s hard to love, yet God is asking you to love that person?

TAKE ACTION

Surprise your spouse with a small gift for no reason at all.

Pray for Fulfillment

Lord, I pray that you would help my spouse to experience fulfillment in their life and work today. Help them to see You in the details and to feel fulfilled in who you have created them to be. Help them to see the big picture they are a part of today.

Pray for Perfect Peace

TRUTH

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let mot your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 

(John 14:27 ESV)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, my spouse could really use some of your peace right now. Can you help them focus on You and Your truth? When they’re tempted to go their own way, give them a nudge so they stop and listen to Your guidance. That way, they can find the kind of peace that comes with following Your lead. I’m also asking that their heart will stay calm and fear won’t get the best of them. Kind of like Peter when he took that daring walk on water with Jesus. Keep my spouse’s eyes on you, Lord, even if they’re not all that familiar with Your truth or Your way of doing things. And when worry and fear try to sneak in, kick them out and replace them with peace and courage. If anxiety starts messing with their joy, trade it for that unique serenity that only comes from You. Let them feel Your presence and know You as the Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Where is worry creeping into your thoughts? Where is your heart troubled? Move your eyes from the mountains to the Mountain Mover today so you can experience peace.

TAKE ACTION

Send your spouse a reassuring text message today about something that has been weighing heavily on them. Tell them you believe in them and, if they are open to you praying for them, send them a brief prayer to help them experience peace in whatever they are struggling with.

Pray for Faith

Lord, I pray that my spouse would develop an unshakable confidence in who You are, and live a life in line with that faith in You. When they are tempted to stuff their feelings, may they bring them to You. When they are tempted to lash out, may they pour out their heart to You. 

Pray for Their Influence

TRUTH

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

(2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, we’re so grateful for the light You’ve brought into our lives. I hope my spouse never forgets just how precious this light is. It’s not about us being super strong or capable; it’s all about You, God. Even when we’re not perfect, Your light still finds its way through the cracks. Help my spouse walk through life with confidence, knowing they’re carrying Your amazing light with them. Show them the chances they’ve got to make a real difference in this world. Let them be a kind of person that shines Your love, grace, and truth to the people around them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

What environments and activities do you spend time in where the light of Christ can shine through you?

TAKE ACTION

Build a bonfire and make s’mores together. Remind yourself of the powerful light of Christ shining in you.

Pray for Joy

Lord, I pray joy over my spouse. I pray that they would experience Your joy regardless of outside circumstances. May their joy also be contagious to those around them. May their joy be an overflow of contentment in their heart. 

Pray for God’s Power

TRUTH

“Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.”

(Psalm 34:1 NIV)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, use Your power to save my spouse. Use Your great power to set them free. Their struggles are real. Their emotions are evident. I don’t know how to help them, Lord, but I know and trust that You do. Your power and strength are abundant, and they need You to work in their life today. Pour Your love upon them, Father. Set them free to run with freedom and without constraint. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Is there any place you yourself need to be released from? If so, this may be a good place to consider coaching or therapy.

TAKE ACTION

When you offer to help your spouse with something, make sure you accomplish what you agree to do without expecting anything in return.

Pray for Safety

Lord, I entrust the safety of my spouse today completely to You. Whatever they are doing today, I ask that You will protect them physically. I also ask that You protect their heart. Help them to be wise in protecting our marriage as well. 

Pray to be Lifted and Built Up

TRUTH

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

(Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, I ask today that my spouse’s words be honey to the ears of those they speak to. Let their words reflect You and Your love. Let them lift people’s hearts and build them up. Give them wisdom to consider the things they say and to reflect upon whether they exude Your love, grace, and hope. Let them draw their words from the depths of Your promises. May their communication bring life to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Do your words build up or tear down?

TAKE ACTION

Use your words to build your spouse up. Write down your favorite things about them on slips of paper and hide them in places they will find (by their nightstand, a drawer in the bathroom, their car, etc.).

Pray for Connection

Lord, help me better understand my spouse today. I pray for the connection in our marriage, that You would guide us both to love each other well. Help us see ways that we can be more intentional in connecting to one another.

Pray When They Feel God Is Far Away

TRUTH

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

(Psalm 63:1 NIV)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, You are my God, and You are also my spouse’s God. May they believe in You, follow You, and desire You. I recognize that feeling spiritually dry is a common experience, and people can go through periods when they feel disconnected from You and their faith. Help my spouse to see these seasons as an invitation to a time of growth and transformation in their spiritual journey. Let them know You are present. Let them see and recognize You and Your work. Meet them today right where they are, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Are you feeling like God is far away? If so, ponder how you could change up your “connect with God” routine.

TAKE ACTION

Post a note on your spouse’s bathroom mirror or inside their car reminding them that the Lord is present and sees them.

Pray for Growth

Lord, I pray that You would lead my spouse on the growth path that You have for them, whether that is spiritual, vocational, or emotional. Help them see the potential of what’s possible throughout their life, and what You are calling them towards. I pray that they would grow and flourish this year, drawing nearer to You, and growing more and more into who You have created them to be.

Pray When They’re Overwhelmed

TRUTH

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28 NLT)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, I am so grateful for my spouse, our life together, and Your provision. You do provide all that You have promised. When life is overwhelming for my spouse, pour out Your blessings upon them so that they would feel and embrace Your presence. Help me to know how to help them. Help me to understand how to empathize with them and validate their needs. Remind them, Lord, that You do wipe away all sins and will one day heal all burdens and hurts. Help them to let go of control over their hurts and instead trust that You will provide the best possible outcome. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

How can you give up control and trust God to meet your needs?

TAKE ACTION

The next time your spouse communicates overwhelm or anxiety, ask them if you can hold them and pray for them in that moment.

Pray for Friendships

Lord, I pray for my spouse’s friends and the formation of new friendships. I pray that their friends would influence them positively, and I pray that my spouse feels the freedom to spend time with the friends that are important to them. If there are any friendships that aren’t good for them, I pray for Your divine intervention to disconnect them from those relationships. Give me the wisdom in how to best encourage them in their connections.

Pray for Them to See They’re Part of a Bigger Story

TRUTH

“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.'”

(Luke 5:26 NIV)

TALK TO GOD

Lord, help my spouse to see Your mighty works. May their eyes be open to seeing Your goodness. Grant them the grace of wonder, where they marvel at Your creation and stay in awe of who You are. Help them slow down and see the beauty around them. I pray they see themselves as part of a bigger story and a bigger plan. May they give You praise for the remarkable things they see You do in their life and in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THINK

Are your eyes open to God’s goodness? Do you marvel at His creation?

TAKE ACTION

Go for a walk or a hike in a beautiful place, such as a park, botanical garden, or nature preserve. Hold hands, meander, and marvel together at the beauty of God’s creation.

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Looking for more?

Don’t forget to check out our brand new books, 199 Prayers for My Husband and 199 Prayers for My Wife!

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Want to become the world’s most romantic spouse? Sign-up for our Flirt Alert resource!

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Do you feel like your marriage is hanging on by a thread (or you want to make sure it doesn’t get there)? Consider our Marriage 2.0 Intensive that we host at our home in Normal, IL. We only work with one couple at a time. We’d love to work with you!

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Please give me the 10-Day No More Perfect Marriages Blog Series in an easy-to-read PDF format!

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