It's "Marriage Prayer Friday!"

These weekly marriage prayers aren’t usually so personal but this time I want to dedicate a prayer to my precious husband — he’s an absolutely beautiful man who lives well his passion to love me and our family while honoring God.

Larry and I are celebrating our 23^rd wedding anniversary tomorrow! We are those people who can truly say, “I married my best friend.” We’ve put up some fierce fights over the years, as any good friends sometimes do. Thankfully, those battles haven’t always been targeted toward each other. Most of them were battles we had to dive into with our elbows linked hard together and our hearts inclined toward Christ. So while this prayer (based on Colossians 1:9-14) is one of my own heart today, I hope many of you can join with me before the Lord bearing the same gratitude and hope.

A prayer for your own marriage—

GRACIOUS JESUS, it amazes me to consider how you chose me and my spouse especially for each other. From before either of us was born You knew what we would face together — hardships, joys, sins, consequences, dreams, and celebrations. Though we are often surprised by our life together, you are not. Lord, you know I have prayed for my spouse often since the day we first met. Today, I ask you again to fill him/her with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that we may live a life worthy of You. We want to please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that we have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks always to You Heavenly Father. How can I adequately thank You, Jesus, for weaving us together the way you have over the years? Through our salvation, You have qualified us to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. Lord, you know we have not always lived in the light of Your grace and love toward each other. Yet, in Your great mercy, you claimed us out of the pit and rescued us from the dominion of darkness and anchored us in the kingdom of Your Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Thanks be to You, most awesome God, for this is a day of rejoicing in the Lord. And may the joy of the Lord always be our strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

Something to pray for a friend's marriage—

GRACIOUS JESUS, as I pray for the marriages of friends and family that I love, I am amazed to consider how you place people in relationships with such great wisdom and vision. Before any of these couples were born, You knew what they would face together — hardships, joys, sins, consequences, dreams, and celebrations. Though they are often surprised by their life together, you are not. Lord, please prompt them to pray for each other regularly (even when they are not in the mood). Fill each of them with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that they may thrive in a marriage worthy of You. Thank you for my married friends who want to please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that they have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks always to You Heavenly Father. How can I adequately thank You, Jesus, for weaving them together the way you have over the years? Through their salvation, You have qualified them to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. Lord, you know they have not always lived in the light of Your grace and love toward each other. Yet, in Your great mercy, you are willing to claim them out of any pit and rescue them from the dominion of darkness. You alone can anchor them in the kingdom of Your Son in whom they have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Thanks be to You, most awesome God, that the gift of marriage is reason for rejoicing in the Lord. And may the joy of the Lord always be their strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN