Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
When Bob was a prodigal, I would pray and ask the Lord to close the doors he had opened through his sinful behavior. I asked the Lord to open Bob’s spiritual eyes to see the truth, so he could be set free. I prayed that the Lord would cancel the ground the enemy tried to gain through Bob’s involvement in sin.
When your spouse comes home, you may slowly realize the doors of sin they have opened in their life while they were living in their prodigal lifestyle. That may have been through a relationship with another person or addictions to drugs, alcohol, or pornography.
Your spouse can be set free from every bondage. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Restoration is a process, so be patient as the Lord continues to work in both of your lives. Don’t give up on praying for your spouse.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
When I was standing for marriage restoration, I became a new creature in Christ. I wanted to spend time with the Lord, and I wanted to read the Word and pray. However, I started to feel like I was praying the same prayers repeatedly. I asked the Lord how I should pray and He led me to Matthew chapter six, where I found the Lord’s prayer.
This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.’” Matthew 6:9-15
I had read that passage many times, but it became alive to me. I started reading books on prayer and learned how to personalize scriptures for my family. God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
One of the passages I personalized was from 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen.
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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I would pray, “Thank you, Lord, that Bob and Charlyne are patient, that we are kind, that we do not envy or boast, and that we are not proud. Bob and Charlyne do not dishonor others, we are not self-seeking, easily angered, and we keep no record of wrongs. We do not delight in evil, but we rejoice with the truth. We will always protect, always trust, always hope and always persevere. Amen.”
So many people tell me that after restoration happens, they let up on praying for their marriage as often. This is the time to stay on your knees before the Lord. The enemy is not going to stop trying to attack your marriage.
There is healing that needs to happen in your relationship. You can show love to your spouse by praying for them. Will you do your part to see them walk in the freedom Christ has by continuing to be their prayer warrior for your spouse?
God bless,
