We come before the Lord with heavy hearts for this marriage, lifting up this husband and wife who are both striving to honor God yet find themselves trapped in a cycle of pain, misunderstanding, and unresolved hurt. The enemy seeks to divide what God has joined together, but we stand firmly on the truth that *"a threefold cord is not quickly broken"* (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Marriage is a sacred covenant, a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church, and it requires mutual submission, love, and respect—not domination or fear.
First, we must address the husband’s demand for unquestioning respect, even when he is wrong. The Bible commands wives to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33), but it never justifies a husband using his authority to crush his wife’s spirit or dismiss her voice. *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it"* (Ephesians 5:25). Christ’s love is sacrificial, patient, and kind—never harsh, accusatory, or demeaning. A husband’s leadership is not a license to rule with an iron fist but a call to serve with humility, just as Christ washed the feet of His disciples. *"Don’t lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock"* (1 Peter 5:3). If a husband insists on respect while refusing to extend love, grace, or repentance for his own wrongdoing, he is not walking in biblical headship but in pride. *"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall"* (Proverbs 16:18). We urge this husband to examine his heart: Is his demand for respect rooted in godly leadership or in insecurity and control? The Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). True respect is earned through Christlike love, not demanded through fear.
To the wife, we acknowledge your pain and the deep wound of being falsely accused, especially when you have repented and turned from past sin. *"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"* (1 Corinthians 13:7), but this does not mean you must endure endless false accusations or emotional abuse. Your husband’s repeated claims of infidelity—when you have been faithful—are not only unjust but deeply damaging. *"A false witness will not go unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free"* (Proverbs 19:5). You are not called to submit to slander or manipulation. While we encourage you to respond with gentleness (1 Peter 3:4), you must also set boundaries against unjust treatment. *"If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men"* (Romans 12:18), but peace does not mean silence in the face of falsehood.
Both of you must recognize that this cycle of accusation and defensiveness is not of God. *"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you"* (Ephesians 4:31-32). The past sin of infidelity has been repented of, and if the Lord has forgiven, so must the husband. *"Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If anyone has a complaint against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do"* (Colossians 3:13). Holding onto past sins as a weapon is not righteousness—it is bitterness, and it gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27).
We also sense a spirit of control and possibly even jealousy at work here. *"For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7). If the husband’s accusations stem from insecurity or fear, he must bring this to the Lord and ask for deliverance. *"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear"* (1 John 4:18). A marriage built on distrust and fear cannot thrive. Both of you must surrender this struggle to the Lord and ask Him to break the chains of suspicion, pride, and unresolved hurt.
Now, let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this marriage that is under attack. Lord, You hate divorce (Malachi 2:16), and we ask You to intervene with Your healing power. Break the spirit of accusation, control, and pride that has taken root in this husband’s heart. Soften his heart, Lord, and convict him of the truth: that leadership in marriage is not about domination but about sacrificial love. Help him to see his wife as Your precious daughter, not as an enemy to be conquered. Remove the scales from his eyes and let him see the damage his words are causing. Give him the humility to repent and the strength to lead with gentleness and grace.
Lord, we also lift up this wife, who feels crushed and unheard. Heal her heart from the pain of false accusations and the weight of past sins that have been repented of yet used against her. Give her wisdom to respond with grace but also the courage to set godly boundaries. Remind her that her worth is found in You, not in her husband’s approval. Restore her confidence in Your love and her place in this marriage as a co-heir in Christ (1 Peter 3:7).
Father, we rebuke the spirit of division, suspicion, and strife in this home. We bind the enemy’s lies and declare that this marriage is covered by the blood of Jesus. Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Teach them to communicate with kindness, to listen with patience, and to forgive as You have forgiven them.
Lord, remind them both that marriage is a picture of Your covenant with Your people—a covenant of faithfulness, love, and redemption. Help them to fight for their marriage not with weapons of accusation and pride, but with the weapons of prayer, humility, and Your Word. Let them seek You first, individually and together, so that their marriage may glorify You.
We ask for godly counselors or mentors to come alongside them, to speak truth and wisdom into their lives. If there is unrepentant sin, bring it to light so that it may be dealt with biblically. If there is hurt that needs healing, let Your balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22) bring restoration.
Finally, Lord, we pray that they would both surrender their wills to You. Let them remember that their battle is not against each other but against the spiritual forces that seek to destroy what You have joined together. United in You, they can stand firm. *"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up"* (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
In the name of Jesus, we pray for breakthrough, for healing, and for a renewed commitment to love as You have loved us. Let this marriage be a testimony of Your redeeming power. Amen.
To this couple, we urge you: Seek the Lord *together*. Fast and pray, asking God to break the strongholds in your marriage. Read Scripture aloud over each other, especially passages on love, forgiveness, and marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33, Colossians 3:12-19, 1 Peter 3:1-7). If necessary, seek biblical counseling from a trusted pastor or Christian counselor who can help you navigate these struggles with wisdom and accountability. Do not let pride keep you from help—*"Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety"* (Proverbs 11:14).
Lastly, remember that your marriage is not beyond God’s redemption. He specializes in restoring what is broken. *"The things that are impossible with men are possible with God"* (Luke 18:27). Trust Him to do what you cannot. Stay in the Word, stay in prayer, and stay committed to one another—not in your own strength, but in His.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
