This article is based on the Marriage After God Podcast episode “Sacred Intercession: The Power of Praying for Your Wife as Jesus Prays for His Church.” Subscribe and listen today.
In my 16-plus years of being married to my beautiful wife, I've come to understand the profound power of prayer in my marriage for her.
Each time I pray for my wife, I'm opening the gates of heaven and carrying her over the threshold directly into the throne room of God. I'm laying myself down to raise her up, and in doing so, I'm praying for myself as well, for we are one.
But for those out there that are at the beginning of this journey or have been doing it for years, I would like to inspire your marriage prayer journey by drawing inspiration from the one we learned to pray from in the first place, Jesus!
When we as husbands are told in Ephesians chapter 5 to love our wives as Christ loves the church, we can know for sure that praying for our wives is a major part of that calling because Jesus is always praying for us, as Hebrews 7:25 tells us,
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
So, let's look take some tips from our Savior on how to pray for our wives by how he prayed for His Church and disciples.
1. Jesus' Prayer for Peter’s Faith
"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:32, ESV).
Just as Jesus prayed for the faith of Peter, You can pray for your wife's faith. Ask God to strengthen her faith, to help her stand firm in the face of trials, and to deepen her trust in Him.
Pray that her faith becomes the cornerstone of her life, guiding her decisions and shaping her worldview. Pray that she will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding as she places her trust in God alone.
2. Jesus Prays for His Disciples to Have Joy
"But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves" (John 17:13, ESV).
Ask God to fill her with His joy, a joy that is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in His unchanging nature. Pray that she would experience the fullness of joy that only comes from a relationship with Him.
Also, recognize that your actions and attitudes can contribute to her joy. So, ask God to help you be a source of joy in her life, to encourage her, uplift her, and bring a smile to her face.
3. Jesus Prayed for Protection
"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15, ESV).
Protection is another key area to pray over your wife. Ask God to protect your wife, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually.
Pray for God to guard her heart and mind to shield her from harm and to give her discernment to navigate life's challenges.
Pray that she would be protected from the lies of the enemy and that she would stand firm in the truth of God's Word.
4. Jesus Prayed for His People to Be Sanctified
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17, ESV).
Sanctification, which is the process of becoming more like Christ, is another important aspect to be praying for your wife. Pray for your wife's growth in holiness.
Ask God to help her grow in righteousness to mold her into His image, and to help her live out her faith in tangible ways. Pray that she would be a reflection of God's love and grace to those around her.
5. Jesus Prayed for Church to Have Joy
"But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves" (John 17:13, ESV).
The Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. So, praying for her to be filled with joy is to pray for her to be strong in this world. Ask God to fill her overflowing with his perfect joy.
Pray that her joy would be in Christ and His kingdom and not in earthly things that pass away. Pray that she would be a joy giver as well so that those around her would be encouraged and blessed by the joy she exudes.
6. Jesus Prayed for His Churches Mission and Purpose
"As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" (John 17:18, ESV).
Ask God to use her in powerful ways, to let her light shine for Christ, and to guide her as she influences those around her. Whether it's in her workplace, in your community, or in your family, pray that she will make a positive impact on God's kingdom.
As I pray for my wife in these ways, I've found that my prayers not only impact her but also change me.
They help me to be more understanding, more patient, and more loving. They remind me of the great responsibility I have as a husband, and they draw me closer to God and to her.
So, I encourage you to pray for your wife. Pray for her faith, her joy, her protection, her sanctification, her joy, and her mission. As you do, you'll see God move in her heart and in yours as well.
For further reading:
Christian Community: The Secret Ingredient for a Stronger Marriage
How to Pray for Your Husband: 8 Specific Areas to Pray Over Your Husband
Building a Strong Foundation: 6 Divine Callings for Every Marriage
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/PeopleImages
