We rejoice with you in gratitude for the work God is doing in your heart, your wife’s heart, and the hearts of your family. It is a beautiful testimony of His faithfulness when He softens hearts and strengthens faith, and we give Him all the glory for the peace you feel in knowing He is in control. The Lord delights in the prayers of His people, and we join you in lifting up your marriage and your wife before Him.
First, we want to affirm the sanctity of your marriage and the covenant you have made before God. Scripture tells us in **Malachi 2:14-15 (WEB)**, *"Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. Did he not make you one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of his youth."* Your commitment to your wife and your desire to be a better husband are pleasing to the Lord, and we pray that He continues to strengthen you in this calling.
We also lift up your wife’s struggles with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cigarette use. These are strongholds that the enemy would love to use to bring harm to her body, mind, and spirit, as well as to your marriage. The Bible warns us in **1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (WEB)**, *"Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."* We rebuke the lies of addiction in Jesus’ name and declare that she is set free by the power of Christ. We pray that God would break every chain of bondage and fill her with a hunger for righteousness and holiness.
We also encourage you, as her husband, to be a source of godly love, patience, and support. **Ephesians 5:25 (WEB)** instructs, *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it."* This means loving her unconditionally, even in her struggles, while also speaking truth in love and encouraging her toward repentance and healing. Seek wisdom from the Lord in how to support her without enabling sin, and consider involving godly counsel or a biblical recovery program if needed.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your faithfulness in this family. We thank You for the covenant of marriage You have established between this husband and wife, and we ask that You continue to strengthen their bond in You. Lord, we lift up this wife to You, asking that You would break every chain of addiction in her life. Father, we rebuke the spirit of bondage and declare that she is set free by the blood of Jesus. Fill her with Your Holy Spirit and give her a desire to walk in holiness and purity. Help her to see herself as You see her—a beloved daughter of the King, redeemed and made new.
Lord, we also pray for this husband. Give him wisdom, patience, and strength as he leads his family. Help him to love his wife as Christ loves the church, with selflessness and grace. May he be a source of encouragement and truth in her life, pointing her always toward You. Father, we ask that You would heal any wounds in their marriage and restore what the enemy has tried to steal. Let their home be a place of peace, joy, and Your presence.
We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names, the only name by which we can come to You. We trust in Your power to transform lives and marriages, and we declare that Your will be done in this family. Amen.
Continue to seek the Lord together as a couple, and do not grow weary in praying for one another. **James 5:16 (WEB)** reminds us, *"Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective."* God is faithful, and He will complete the good work He has begun in you and your wife.
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. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
