Recently, it occurred to me how often I pray for my sons’ spiritual walk, for God to strengthen their faith, to protect them from the slippery slope of sin, and to give them a desire to know and trust God’s Word. I often read Psalms and turn them into prayers for my own life. But these are not typically the prayers I pray for my spouse.

Maybe this is true for you, too. You pray for the big things: times when they are hurting or overwhelmed, sick or traveling. But on a regular Tuesday afternoon? With what do you go to God on behalf of your spouse?

Sometimes we might not know what to pray. When we don’t have the words, let’s allow God’s Word to choose them for us. The Word of God is clear, true, and without error. Why wouldn’t we say God’s words back to Him? In fact, the New Testament letters often include penned prayers for the Church. Many of the Psalms are penned prayers for Israel. Praying Scripture is a practice that brings joy to God and gives us direction and clarity as we communicate with our Creator.

So, I created this list for all of us who want to make it a habit to pray for the spiritual growth and strength of our teammate. It’s a way to turn Scripture into a prayer for the person we love most—for our partner in this life. May we commit to regularly ask God to protect their heart, guide their steps, and strengthen their faith.

Pray for Peace (Philippians 4:6-7)

Father, I ask that _________ will not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, he/she will go to you by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, and present his/her requests to You, God. May your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard his/her heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Pray for Spiritual Strength (Ephesians 3:16-19)

God, I pray that out of your glorious riches that you strengthen _________ with power through Your Spirit in ________’s inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in his/her  heart through faith. And I pray that _________, will be rooted and established in love, and may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. I pray that _________ will know Your love that surpasses knowledge—that he/she may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of You, God. Amen.

Pray for His/Her Ministry (Colossians 4:5-6)

Father, help ____________ be wise in the way he/she acts toward outsiders; let him/her make the most of every opportunity. Let his/her conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that he/she may know how to answer everyone. Amen.

Pray for Godliness (Romans 6:12-14)

God, I ask that sin does not reign in __________’s body, so that he/she will not obey its evil desires. I pray that he/she will not offer any part of himself/herself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer himself/herself to You, God. I pray that he/she offers every part of himself/herself to You so that You can use him/her as an instrument of righteousness. I pray that sin will no longer be __________’s master, and that he/she remembers Your grace. Amen.

Pray for Endurance During Times of Difficulty (Hebrews 12:1)

God, let __________ throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let him/her run with perseverance the race marked out for him/her, fixing his/her eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Amen.

Pray He/She Will Walk By the Spirit (Galatians 5:16 & 22)

God, I ask that you strengthen __________ so that he/she will walk by the Spirit, and will not gratify the desires of the flesh. I pray that the Holy Spirit develops the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness in him/her. Amen.

Pray for God’s Wisdom & Direction (Psalm 86:11-13)

God, teach ______ your way so that he/she may walk in your truth. Unite his/her heart to fear Your Name. Let ________ give thanks to you with his/her whole heart and glorify Your Name forever. Help him/her remember that your steadfast love is great and You have delivered his/her soul from the depths. Amen.

Pray for A Desire to Love God’s Word (Psalm 119:10-11 & 15)

God, Let _________ seek You with his/her whole heart; let him/her not wander from Your commandments. I pray that he/she will store up Your Word in his/her heart so that he/she might not sin against You, Lord. Let him/her meditate on Your precepts and fix his/her eyes on Your ways.  Amen.