“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” 1 Timothy 2:1
Several years ago, I came to a place of desperation in my marriage. My husband was facing some hard situations and, as much as I hated to see him struggle, there was not one thing I could do to change his circumstances. I was at a loss and had nowhere to turn but to God. My husband needed my prayers, but I just didn’t know how to pray effectively. I wanted to do more than bring a list of needs before the Lord; I wanted to see the mountains move.
Then I remembered one of my sisters recommending that I read The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. Out of a deep desire to change, I checked out the book and the audiobook from the library; I needed answers, and I was determined to find them! Before I read, I prayed and committed to myself, “This will not be a book on prayer I read and then forget. This book will change my life.”
I listened to The Circle Maker several times on audiobook and let the message go deep into my soul. As much as I wanted a formula for the right way to pray, I learned that there is no special prayer to move God’s heart. Praying to move the mountains is about believing we serve a big God who is all-powerful and can make all things right. He shows us His omnipotent power repeatedly throughout the Scriptures. He has the power to heal, the power to restore, and the power to bless. Our job as daughters of the Most High God is to trust Him to hear our prayers and to continue to pray in faith for what we are contending for. He says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). We serve a Good Father who will not give us a stone when we ask for bread (Matthew 7:9-11). His Word says He will give good things to those who ask! Moms, we must believe not only that He is able but that He loves us and wants to answer our prayers.
During this time, I discovered that there is power in praying God’s promises found in the Bible. As I spent time in the Word, I realized how much I loved praying the Scriptures I was reading over my husband. One of my favorite scriptures to pray became Psalm 5:12: “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” I love thinking about God’s blessing and favor surrounding my husband as I pray. Along with praying the Scriptures, I would bring my husband’s needs before the Lord, thus “circling” him in prayer.
Whether your husband needs healing, wisdom, revelation, or a miracle, you can “circle” him in prayer by praying the promises of God and bringing his needs before the Lord. But remember, praying for your husband through the tough times is not about finding the right words to say—it is about believing that God loves your husband more than you do and that He has good things in store for both of you!
It has been more than five years since I began this journey of intentionally praying for my husband, casting all my cares on Him because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). I have seen God answer my prayers in small ways, in big ways, and in ways I never imagined possible, and He will do the same for you. Be bold, believe, and ask God to do big things!
With Love,
Jennifer
Faith-Filled Idea: Find Help to Pray
While there is no formula, the Bible says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us” (Romans 8:26). Not only can we pray Scripture over our husbands and families (the book of Psalms is a great place to start), but there are also Christian resources that can lead us and guide us in our prayers. One of my favorites is Stormie Omartian’s book The Power of a Praying Wife. It is broken into thirty topical chapters so you can pray one topic each day of the month. You can pray the prayer she has written or create your own, adding your husband’s specific needs as the Holy Spirit leads you.
“We are never more like Christ than in prayers of intercession.” Austin Phelps
Jennifer is a Colorado Springs native and each year,looks forward to summer time when she experiments with vegetable gardening and escapes to the Rocky Mountains for camping trips with her family.
She is trusting Jesus to redeem her life and crown her with love and compassion as He promises in Psalm 103:2-5.
- Mom to Mom with Jennifer - February 17, 2024
- Mom to Mom with Jennifer - October 1, 2023
- The Challenge of Early Mornings - July 7, 2023