Day to day life can get busy and overwhelming. Most of us know that it is important to make time for God in our schedules and that praying with our spouse is a good habit to have. But how often do we pray for our husband instead of just with him? Here are ways to pray for your hus band that are guaranteed to improve your relationship with one another as well as your joint relationship with God.
1. Pray for your husband's relationship with God.
Even though your husband (hopefully) already shares your faith in God, pray for his genuine relationship with our Creator. Pray that he would walk alongside Him, spend time with Him, and worship Him. Pray that he would long to read the Word and talk with God as he would a friend. As you pray this for your spouse, ask God to show you ways that you can help him grow.
2. Pray that God would bless him.
Contrary to some people's beliefs, God wants his children to be blessed. You shouldn't be ashamed to pray for blessings for you or your husband, as long as you are serving God and ask with the right heart. Pray that your husband would be blessed and successful in whatever he pursues, whether it be his job or his relationship with your children. As you do this, ask God to remind you both who is responsible for blessings when they come.
3. Pray for his health.
Just as you would pray for your friend or family member when they are sick, pray for your husband's spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. A healthy husband will be a better servant to the Lord and a better protector and provider for his family. 3 John 1:2 says "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."
4. Pray for his heart.
Pray that your husband would have a heart for God. Pray that his intentions are pure and that he listens to God. Pray that his heart would be compassionate, caring, strong and sensitive when needed. Ask also that your husbands heart would be tender toward the Lord when He speaks to him.
5. Pray for your husband's sexual temptation.
Let's face it, men are different than women in the fact that they have a higher need for sexual interaction. Your husband could be the deacon at your church, the most loyal man you've ever known, but temptation comes to all of us. Whether it's a friend telling him about a pornographic website or a female co-worker over stepping her boundaries, temptation will come. Pray for your husband that he would hold fast to the word of God and think in things that are pure.
6. Pray for his purpose.
Pray that your husband would not be discouraged by his daily routine but that he would be encouraged that he is exactly where God wants him to be, serving the purpose God has planned for him to serve at this moment in time. Pray also that you would be able to help him feel like his work as a father, husband, friend, and servant of God are relevant and full of purpose.
7. Pray for his protection.
Ask God to watch over your husband and have His arms of protection around him. Pray that the Lord would protect him physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.
8. Pray for your husband's trials.
"You mean pray for protection from trials, right?" Wrong. Pray that he would endure trials. It sounds crazy I know. But just as James 1:2 tells us, trials produce perseverance. Pray that your husband would meet the trials that God has planned for him with determination and reckless trust. Pray that he would learn to hand the difficult times entirely to God and lean on His power to get through.
9. Pray for his perspective.
Pray that your husband would view the things of this world as just that -- of this world. Pray that he would have an eternal perspective and not spend too much time stressing over the temporary aspects of this life.
10. Pray for your husband's fatherhood.
Pray that your husband would be a discipline your children wisely and love them unconditionally. Pray that he would teach them to be men and women of God. If he is not yet a father, pray that his heart will be prepared and that he would find a young man to mentor and show the ways of the Lord to.
11. Pray for his wife.
Lastly, pray for yourself as a wife and your attitude toward your husband. Pray that God would help you be the kind of wife that your husband can respect and love as Christ loved the church. Pray for your heart and his to be changed as you pray for each other and work to care for each other in a way that proclaims the Gospel.