Emotional Availability

Introduction

Today’s prayer will be focused on asking God for the strength to be emotionally available for your spouse. In marriage, we’re called to love one another unconditionally, and we can do this by consistently sharing ourselves through intentional conversation and our physical presence. We may fear vulnerability because we think it’s always going to bring hurt and judgment. When we don’t practice being emotionally present and available for one another, it can lead to husbands and wives building a wall in their marriage. This wall can then lead to isolation, resentment, and unforgiveness. As you pray this prayer together, reflect on how God is always emotionally available for you each and every day and how you can replicate that gentle presence within your marriage.

Verse

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”—Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You’re our comforter and counselor! In times of transition, weariness, or worry, we’re reminded we can come to You in vulnerability for guidance.

Holy Spirit, You search our yielding hearts with forgiveness and understanding. You listen to our cries with gentleness, and You love us despite our failings. We long to be emotionally available in this marriage and ask for courage, patience, and understanding to reveal our hearts to one another.

We commit to open our hearts to one another in the same way we open our hearts to You. We’ll make it a habit to check in with each other at least once a week without any distractions to share all of ourselves.

As the wife, I’ll give my husband the space to express himself fully without any interruption, defensiveness, or judgement. Help me to be quick to hear and slow to speak.

As the husband, I’ll give my wife the emotional capacity to be understood and comforted. Give me the wisdom to respond to what she shares with care and compassion. As You instruct in 1 Peter 3:7, help me to honor and understand her heart.

With the attitude of grace, forgiveness, selflessness, and humility, help us to bear each other's burdens. It’s our prayer that even in our weakness You would give us the strength to be available for one another.

In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.