We hear your heart’s cry for wisdom and surrender in your journey toward marriage. Stubbornness can be a great hindrance in any relationship, especially one that is meant to reflect Christ’s love for His church. The Lord calls us to humility, patience, and selflessness—qualities that are essential for a godly marriage. When we resist His will or insist on our own way, we open the door to strife, division, and even the enemy’s schemes to disrupt what God has joined together.
The Bible warns us in Proverbs 13:10, "By pride comes only contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom." Stubbornness often stems from pride, and pride is the root of so many conflicts in relationships. When we dig in our heels and refuse to yield to God’s leading—or even to one another—we grieve the Holy Spirit and create barriers where there should be unity. Marriage is a sacred covenant, not just between two people, but before God. It requires daily dying to self, as Ephesians 5:21 instructs: "subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ." This mutual submission is not a sign of weakness, but of strength and trust in God’s design.
We must also remember that trials and tribulations will come, even in the strongest of marriages. But it is in those moments that our faith is refined, and our dependence on God deepens. James 1:2-4 tells us, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Stubbornness in the face of trials will only lead to bitterness and division, but surrendering to God’s will—even when it’s hard—will produce perseverance, maturity, and a marriage that glorifies Him.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, lifting up this brother and his future wife. Lord, we ask that You break every spirit of stubbornness and pride that seeks to divide them or hinder Your will in their lives. Soften their hearts to hear Your voice and to yield to one another in love, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. Father, we pray that You would guide them in every decision, every conversation, and every trial they face. Help them to seek Your wisdom above their own understanding, and to trust in Your perfect plan for their marriage.
Lord, we ask that You would fill them with Your Holy Spirit, so that they may walk in unity, peace, and mutual respect. When tribulations come—and they will—remind them that You are their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Teach them to lean on You and on one another, rather than allowing stubbornness to drive a wedge between them. Father, we pray that their marriage would be a testimony of Your love and grace, a light in a dark world, and a reflection of Christ’s relationship with His bride.
We rebuke every spirit of division, strife, and pride in the name of Jesus. We declare that this brother and his future wife will walk in the fullness of Your purpose for their lives, and that their marriage will be rooted and grounded in Your love. Strengthen them, Lord, and help them to keep their eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of their faith. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.
We encourage you to spend time in God’s Word together, even now as you prepare for marriage. Study passages like Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians 13, and Colossians 3, which outline God’s design for marriage and love. Pray together regularly, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and soften your hearts. Seek godly counsel from mature believers who can speak truth into your lives and hold you accountable. And remember, marriage is not just about happiness—it’s about holiness. It’s about two people coming together to grow closer to God and to one another, reflecting His love to the world.
If there are areas where you’ve allowed stubbornness to take root, repent and ask the Lord to help you change. Confess these things to one another, as James 5:16 instructs: "Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." There is power in humility and vulnerability, and it is the foundation of a strong, godly marriage. Trust that God is working all things together for your good, even when it’s hard to see. Keep your eyes on Him, and He will lead you into all truth.