Strengthen Your Relationship: A Prayer For Marriage

Whether you’re newly married or have been together for so long you usually forget your anniversary, including a prayer for marriage in your daily routine is a wise investment.

Prayer can strengthen and sustain your marriage by filling you with fresh grace and patience. It can also give you an insight into God’s perspective, even revealing His heart for your spouse.

If you’re searching for a prayer for married couples because you feel your marriage is under threat, or maybe you just feel disconnected and are craving intimacy? Firstly, know you are not alone. Secondly, know there is still hope.

So many of the trends and wisdom of the world prioritise independence, monetary success, and self sufficiency. But, as Christians, we subscribe to another form of wisdom. We’re part of a kingdom that values relationship, community and putting others’ needs first.

These values can help build healthy, thriving, marriages.

What Are Some Key Bible Verses About Marriage?

Doing a quick study into Bible verses about marriage can be risky. It surfaces themes like submission and without a thorough Biblical knowledge and understanding of historical context you can easily get led into murky water. A shallow look at marriage in the Bible paints the man as the boss and the woman as the doting, submissive, other half. Actually, the truth is quite different.

The Bible celebrates the stories of some of the inspiring, powerful women in history. Read the stories of Mary Magdalene, Esther, Ruth and Naomi and see how God loves and uses brave women to do His work.

Scripture also celebrates intimacy. Marriage is even the chosen image to describe how Jesus loves the church.

The best place to start to get an understanding of marriage in the Bible is right at the beginning.

Genesis 3:24 says: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

This verse introduces the idea of husband and wife being one flesh. Let this truth be the bedrock of your marriage: when you said ‘I do’ you both became one equal half of a whole.

Another famous reference to marriage in the Bible can be found in Proverbs 18: 22: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”

How Does The Bible Describe A Successful Marriage?

1 Corinthians 13 contains one of the most famous passages from the Bible. These verses are often read out during wedding ceremonies as they speak so wisely into what a marriage should be like.

“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 trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

This simple list is a great illustration of what a successful marriage looks like. These verses encourage us to prioritise patience and kindness, to not be too proud or self seeking and to keep no record of wrongs. Some of these are incredibly challenging! Can you imagine wiping the slate completely clean after every fight or disagreement? No keeping a record of wrongs would mean truly forgiving, and committing never to bring up, hurts of the past. It’s quite the ask!

We know that we are called to love God and to love one another. While marriage is a firm commitment it still takes discipline and nourishment to keep your relationship healthy.

In Colossians 3:14 it says: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

God is love and when we invite Him into our marriage one of the natural fruits is unity. If you’re going through a season of feeling disconnected from your spouse, a great place to start is connecting with God all over again.

What Advice Does The Bible Give To Married Couples?

One of the best pieces of advice for married couples is found in Ecclesiastes. Again, you might recognise this passage as it’s read out so often at weddings. But, just because it’s been quoted for years, doesn’t take away from how radical and insightful it still is today.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says:

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

This one verse contains a key piece of advice for building a healthy, strong marriage. Namely, that God needs to be right at the centre of it. A cord of three strands, man, wife and God, is not easily broken.

Make sure you and your spouse come together in a joint pursuit of God. Invite Jesus into every part of your marriage and dedicate all you do to Him.

What Special Prayers Can Married Couples Pray Together?

Here’s a simple prayer for marriage you and your spouse can pray together:

Dear Jesus,

We invite you into the centre of our marriage. Make us as three strands, both woven together with you. Please fill us with grace for each other, patience and forgiveness.

Let all we do as a married couple point people towards your goodness and your truth.

Amen

Another easy way to pray together as a married couple is to listen to an audio devotional together. Either starting or ending your day, together, as you mediate and pray, is a brilliant way to build intimacy with each other and God.

A Prayer For Marriage To Bring Comfort

Dear God, We need your comfort and peace today. Life has been difficult recently and we feel disconnected and at odds. We want our marriage to go from strength to strength, to endure and bring us and you great joy. Please bring us closer together again and bless our marriage. Amen

What Are Some Bible Verses To Encourage Commitment In Marriage?

The Bible is a great source of inspiration, advice, and wisdom on how to build a strong and lasting marriage. Here are some Bible verses to encourage commitment in marriage:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9).

"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" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled" (Hebrews 13:4).

Are There Any Specific Scriptures For Couples In Crisis?

Guiding us out of crisis into comfort is God’s speciality. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and great redeemer. There is no situation beyond God’s love and no person, or relationship, beyond his rescue.

There are lots of Bible stories of God meeting people in a place of crisis and pain and walking with them, every step of the way, to freedom.

If you feel like your marriage is in crisis it’s a really good idea to seek support and counsel from people you trust. Try reaching out to another couple at church, or consider therapy.

What Are Some Bible Verses About Forgiveness In Marriage?

Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of any healthy marriage. It is important to understand that forgiveness is not just a one-time event but rather a culture that you have to steward and encourage. The Bible provides us with several verses about forgiveness in marriage that can guide us in cultivating this important virtue.

Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

This verse reminds us that forgiveness in marriage should be motivated by the forgiveness we have received from God through Christ.

Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

This verse emphasizes the importance of forbearance and patience toward one another, coupled with the willingness to forgive as Christ forgave us.

Wherever you’re at with your marriage remember that God is a redeemer, the source of all love and hope and that He wants only good things for you. While saying a short prayer for marriage might seem like such a small thing, it's actually a brilliant way of strengthening your relationship. It invites God into your marriage and releases His peace and joy into the relationship.