Praying through hard times in marriage

It is so important to pray for your spouse. When Eric and I first got married we were not living for the Lord. One day I was at a four way stop waiting my turn. The Lord asks me how life was going? I took a good look at my life. Eric and I had just got in a fight, and I left to cool down. My life was not what I wanted it to be at that time. I responded not good, Lord. He asked when are you going to start living for Me? I made my mind up I was changing. I thought Eric would want to change with me. I went home and told him about my conversation with God. I was so excited for us to begin our new life with God, but Eric told me he was not ready. I was mad and did not understand why he did not want to live for God with me. Weeks went on and our lifestyles were conflicting with each other. He still wanted to drink and have friends over. I wanted to put all of that behind us. We began to argue about these things. I really just wanted to leave with our son. Instead, I began to pray. The Lord told me to stop asking him to change and start praying for him. I stopped nagging him about changing and started praying for him and our marriage. I prayed that Eric would have an encounter with the Lord. I felt if he had an encounter with God, he would know he was real and change. Months went by and I’m still praying, yet to see fruit from my prayers. One day Eric was mowing the yard while drinking a beer. The Lord began to speak to him. He was answering questions for Eric quicker than he could think of them. This was the first time Eric had heard the Lord. He got off the lawn mower and poured his beer out. He came in and told me what had happened. I was so happy God had answered my prayer. This was the beginning step of us changing our lives for God together. God taught me so much in those months of prayer. He taught me when I give it to Him, I can accomplish more than when I try to do it alone. To pray through things instead of trying to push my way through. He taught me how to pray for someone, how to give and take in a marriage, and to fix myself instead of trying to fix someone else. I learned how to be humble. Although this time in my life was hard, it was very needed. Now Eric and I serve the Lord and have an amazing marriage. I thank God for not letting me give up and teaching me how to pray. I thank God for showing up to my Husband that day and every day that He does. I thank God that He shows Himself to us. That we serve a tangible God who loves us and answers our prayers. Don’t give up on your marriage but ask God to step into it. If you have someone who is not quite ready to commit to God, give it to God and let them see a difference in you. Let them see what God has done in you. The devil hates marriage, so do not let him in yours because he will destroy it. Instead, give it to God and turn down those whispers the devil is putting in your ear to discourage you. No matter what you are going through God can handle it. I thank God for working wonders in my marriage and I know he can do the same for yours. I found the importance of praying for my spouse and I hope you do too.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 love is patient, love is Kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes trusts, always preserves.

Romans 14:19 let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification

Prayer

Father, we come to you today to thank you for giving us life and someone to live it with. We give you, our spouse. He or she is your child anyway. Lord, I give you how I feel and what I think. Help me vent to you only. Help me heal from anything that maybe holding me back from praying for my spouse effectively. lord give me wisdom, understanding, and love. Help me see my spouse how you do. Forgive him or her like you have. Love him or her like you do. I invite you in our marriage and I ask for forgiveness for not asking before now. I ask this in Jesus Name.