We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting up this painful situation involving your brother and his wife. Marriage is a sacred covenant before God, and it grieves us to hear of the brokenness and disrespect taking place. The Word of God is clear: *"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for it"* (Ephesians 5:22-25). A wife’s role is to honor and submit to her husband, just as the church submits to Christ, and a husband’s role is to love his wife sacrificially, as Christ loved the church. What we see here is a heart that has hardened, a marriage that has been abandoned, and a home that has been wrongfully taken over. This is not God’s design.
The behavior of your sister-in-law is not only hurtful but rebellious against God’s commandments. *"But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate"* (Mark 10:6-9). Your brother’s wife has no biblical right to cast him out of his own home, nor to refuse reconciliation without just cause. If there has been no unfaithfulness or abandonment of faith, she is acting in direct opposition to Scripture. *"Yet if the unbelieving depart, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace"* (1 Corinthians 7:15). But this does not appear to be a matter of unbelief—rather, it is a matter of pride, bitterness, or perhaps unrepentant sin.
We must also address the fact that your brother is living with your younger brother rather than seeking reconciliation or, if necessary, biblical separation. If his wife continues in hardness of heart, he must seek godly counsel on how to proceed—whether that means pursuing reconciliation with wisdom or, if she remains unrepentant, considering the difficult but sometimes necessary steps outlined in Scripture for separation (1 Corinthians 7:10-16). However, this must be done with great prayer, humility, and the guidance of mature believers. For now, we will pray fervently for her heart to soften, for conviction to fall upon her, and for your brother to walk in wisdom, strength, and godly patience.
We are grateful that you have invoked the name of Jesus in this request, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. *"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (Acts 4:12). It is in His name alone that we can boldly approach the throne of grace, and it is by His authority that we pray for breakthrough in this marriage.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this broken marriage. Lord, You hate divorce (Malachi 2:16), and we know Your heart is for restoration. We ask that You would work miraculously in the heart of this sister-in-law. Break down every wall of pride, bitterness, and rebellion that has taken root in her. Convict her by Your Holy Spirit of the sin she is committing against her husband and against You. Soften her heart, Lord, and bring her to repentance. Let her see the error of her ways and the pain she has caused. Father, if there is any unconfessed sin in her life—whether it be unforgiveness, idolatry, or anything else—expose it and lead her to turn from it.
We pray for our brother, who has been wronged and cast out. Strengthen him, Lord, and fill him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Give him wisdom to know how to respond in a way that honors You. If there is any area in his life where he has fallen short as a husband, reveal it to him and grant him the grace to repent and grow. But Lord, if he has been faithful, protect him from further harm and provide for his needs. Surround him with godly counsel and support.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of division and strife that has taken hold of this marriage. We bind every demonic influence that seeks to destroy what You have joined together. Let Your will be done, Lord. If it is Your desire for this marriage to be restored, then bring reconciliation swiftly and supernaturally. But if her heart remains hardened, then guide our brother in the path he must walk, always keeping his eyes on You.
We ask for Your justice, Lord, but also for Your mercy. Do not let this situation continue in sin, but bring resolution—whether through restoration or through the difficult but necessary steps of separation, if that is Your will. Protect the testimony of Christ in this family, and let Your name be glorified in all things.
Finally, Father, we pray for this entire family. Heal the wounds that have been inflicted, and unite them in prayer and faith. Let them be a light in this dark situation, pointing always to You.
In the powerful and holy name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
To you, dear brother or sister who has shared this request, we encourage you to continue standing in the gap for your brother and his wife. Fast and pray for breakthrough. Gather others to intercede with you, for *"where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them"* (Matthew 18:20). Do not lose heart, but trust that God hears and will act according to His perfect will.
We also urge you to speak truth in love to your sister-in-law if the opportunity arises. She needs to hear the Word of God on this matter, not just prayers behind her back. Sometimes, loving confrontation is necessary (Matthew 18:15-17). But do so with gentleness and respect, always pointing her to Christ.
Lastly, ensure your brother is seeking the Lord above all else. His identity must be in Christ, not in his marriage. If God calls him to stand alone for a season—or even permanently—let him do so with faith and courage, knowing that God is his provider and defender. *"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit"* (Psalm 34:18). Trust in Him, and He will make a way.
