3 Prayers for a Fully Connected Marriage: Provision, Protection, and Direction

Have you ever had a hard day, week, month, or season in your marriage? You’re not alone. 

I like to refer to our hard stuff in marriage as a “hard minute”. The conversation in my head usually goes something like this, “we are having a hard minute Lord, I need you. Help me to see clearly, keep my heart in alignment with your truth, my emotions in check and let my words be few.”  

Every single one of these pleas can be found in the Word of God and are there for my provision, protection and direction. They guide me, realign me and call me to more.  

Your "hard minute" and my "hard minute" probably look completely different but that doesn't make them any less awkward or painful at the moment. We are fed the lie that marriage is bliss and everyone else's marriage is perfect. They never fight, disagree, argue or struggle. Well… let me be the first to tell you "they" very much struggle, argue, disagree and fight. Can I stand-in for the people you think have the perfect marriage?

Last week my husband and I were frustrated with each other. I needed more communication and he needed more sex. Can I say that here? I just did! We weren't seeing eye to eye and definitely weren't connecting the way that each of us needed. In fact, we have a tendency to engage in a "sex standoff" when one of us feels like our needs aren't being met. We withhold and use intimacy as a bargaining chip. Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’ve done it, you’ve done it and “they’ve” done it. 

While sex and communication aren’t the real roots here, they are the fruit that brings to light the true heart and real issue. Underneath the frustration and disappointment is a hurting heart, and true longing to be known, seen, validated and fully connected. 

It starts with my connection with God. Have we taken a minute to evaluate where we are in proximity to God? He doesn’t move, He is unchanging, but life’s circumstances can cause us to fall away before we even realize how far off course we might be. 

My prayers are simple and intentional.

Provision

Lord, you are everything I need. You will supply all of my needs according to your riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Thank you that you go before me, you are here with me and you will give me everything I need to walk through this season, situation or circumstance. I trust you, God, to provide and I thank you that as I walk out my trust in you, your provision is more than I could ask for or imagine. (Ephesians S 3:20)

Protection

Lord you know me, you see me, you are with me and you never leave me. (Hebrews 13:5) God, you care about my heart, my needs, my desires and my dreams. Protect me from rejection, disappointment, frustration and fear. Keep my heart lined up with the truth from your Word and your intimate love for me. When my spouse tries to wound me with their words, protect my heart. When the world tries to wear me down, give me strength. When the enemy tries to steal, kill and destroy, show me how to walk in the full life you promised me. 

Direction

God, I need you. You are the way the truth and the life. Every day I’m faced with choices and decisions that require more of me than I am confident to give. Show me your way. Teach me your ways. Guide me in all truth as only you can do. 

Think It Over:

What areas of our marriage do we need God’s provision, protection, and direction?

Make a Move:

God’s Word addresses almost every problem we face. Grab a truth from the Word of God about your current struggle or situation and use that scripture as your prayer to God. Simply insert your name or need into the scripture and read it out loud whenever you need the reminder.