Prayer to Soften a Hardened Heart
- Thread starter Praying women
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We lift this heartfelt plea before the throne of grace, recognizing the deep pain and longing in this prayer. First, we must address the foundation of all prayer—it is only through the name of Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father. Jesus Himself declared, *"Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full"* (John 16:23-24 WEB). There is no other name by which we can be saved or through which our prayers are heard (Acts 4:12).
Now, to the matter of the hardened heart—both yours and his. The Scriptures warn us, *"Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life"* (Proverbs 4:23 WEB). A hardened heart is dangerous, for it resists the work of the Holy Spirit and can lead to destruction in relationships, especially in marriage. We must rebuke the spirit of hardness and unforgiveness that seeks to take root. *"But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes"* (1 John 2:11 WEB). If there is any bitterness, resentment, or unconfessed sin in your own heart, we urge you to repent and seek reconciliation with God first.
Marriage is a sacred covenant, ordained by God, between one man and one woman for life. The Bible commands husbands, *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it"* (Ephesians 5:25 WEB). This is not a suggestion—it is a divine mandate. A husband is called to sacrificially love his wife, to cherish her, and to lead his family with humility and godliness. The prayer for him to love his wife and unborn child is righteous and aligned with God’s will. We must also rebuke any spirit of selfishness, neglect, or emotional abandonment that may be at work in him. *"Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband"* (Ephesians 5:33 WEB).
We pray now with authority and compassion:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we are saved and through which our prayers are heard. Lord, we lift up this marriage before You, asking that You would break every chain of hardness and unforgiveness. Soften the heart of this husband, Lord. Remove any pride, selfishness, or spiritual blindness that keeps him from loving his wife as Christ loves the Church. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, that he may lead his family with wisdom, tenderness, and strength.
Father, we also ask that You heal the heart of this wife. If there is any hurt, bitterness, or fear, we ask that You replace it with Your peace and trust in Your promises. Help her to forgive as You have forgiven her, and to extend grace even when it is not deserved. Lord, we declare that this marriage is under the blood of Jesus, and we rebuke every scheme of the enemy to divide them. Restore their love, their unity, and their purpose as a family.
We pray for this unborn child, that You would knit them together in their mother’s womb and prepare a future for them filled with Your blessings. May this child grow up in a home where Your love is evident, where the Word of God is honored, and where the presence of Jesus is welcomed.
Father, we trust in Your power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Work in this situation for Your glory, and let Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to stand firm in faith, knowing that God is able to do far more than we can imagine. Continue to pray without ceasing, and seek godly counsel if needed. Remember, *"Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails"* (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 WEB). This is the love that God calls husbands to show their wives, and it is the love that will prevail in your marriage if you both surrender to Him.
Now, to the matter of the hardened heart—both yours and his. The Scriptures warn us, *"Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life"* (Proverbs 4:23 WEB). A hardened heart is dangerous, for it resists the work of the Holy Spirit and can lead to destruction in relationships, especially in marriage. We must rebuke the spirit of hardness and unforgiveness that seeks to take root. *"But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes"* (1 John 2:11 WEB). If there is any bitterness, resentment, or unconfessed sin in your own heart, we urge you to repent and seek reconciliation with God first.
Marriage is a sacred covenant, ordained by God, between one man and one woman for life. The Bible commands husbands, *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it"* (Ephesians 5:25 WEB). This is not a suggestion—it is a divine mandate. A husband is called to sacrificially love his wife, to cherish her, and to lead his family with humility and godliness. The prayer for him to love his wife and unborn child is righteous and aligned with God’s will. We must also rebuke any spirit of selfishness, neglect, or emotional abandonment that may be at work in him. *"Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband"* (Ephesians 5:33 WEB).
We pray now with authority and compassion:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we are saved and through which our prayers are heard. Lord, we lift up this marriage before You, asking that You would break every chain of hardness and unforgiveness. Soften the heart of this husband, Lord. Remove any pride, selfishness, or spiritual blindness that keeps him from loving his wife as Christ loves the Church. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, that he may lead his family with wisdom, tenderness, and strength.
Father, we also ask that You heal the heart of this wife. If there is any hurt, bitterness, or fear, we ask that You replace it with Your peace and trust in Your promises. Help her to forgive as You have forgiven her, and to extend grace even when it is not deserved. Lord, we declare that this marriage is under the blood of Jesus, and we rebuke every scheme of the enemy to divide them. Restore their love, their unity, and their purpose as a family.
We pray for this unborn child, that You would knit them together in their mother’s womb and prepare a future for them filled with Your blessings. May this child grow up in a home where Your love is evident, where the Word of God is honored, and where the presence of Jesus is welcomed.
Father, we trust in Your power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Work in this situation for Your glory, and let Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to stand firm in faith, knowing that God is able to do far more than we can imagine. Continue to pray without ceasing, and seek godly counsel if needed. Remember, *"Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails"* (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 WEB). This is the love that God calls husbands to show their wives, and it is the love that will prevail in your marriage if you both surrender to Him.
We're right there with you, friend. We've felt that heavy heart too, that burden of a hardened heart against us. It's tough, we know. But remember, God sees, God knows, and God cares. He's right there with you in this, every step of the way.
We're lifting this situation up together. Let's ask God to soften that heart, to open those eyes to see the love you have for them. We're not just asking, we're claiming it in Jesus' name. Because Jesus said, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified." (John 14:13)
Let's also ask God to give you patience, kindness, and understanding. To help you love them as Christ loves us, even when it's hard. Because love is patient, love is kind. It doesn't envy, it doesn't boast, it's not proud. It doesn't dishonor others, it's not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
And let's not forget to ask for wisdom. Wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to act, and when to wait. God promises in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
We're praying all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
We're lifting this situation up together. Let's ask God to soften that heart, to open those eyes to see the love you have for them. We're not just asking, we're claiming it in Jesus' name. Because Jesus said, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified." (John 14:13)
Let's also ask God to give you patience, kindness, and understanding. To help you love them as Christ loves us, even when it's hard. Because love is patient, love is kind. It doesn't envy, it doesn't boast, it's not proud. It doesn't dishonor others, it's not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
And let's not forget to ask for wisdom. Wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to act, and when to wait. God promises in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
We're praying all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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