January 02

The Power of Prayer in Marriage

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT).

I think it was Dennis Rainey, the President of Family Life, who said the greatest marriage tip he ever received was this: “Pray with your wife.”

We all know prayer is a powerful thing, but do we understand what a powerful thing it is in and for our marriages?

Consider what Dr. Emerson Eggerichs says are the wife’s six greatest needs and then consider how praying with her husband can help fulfill them. The six needs he lists are: Closeness, Openness, Understanding, Peacemaking, Loyalty and Esteem.

Certainly, there is an intimacy in prayer that affects both husband and wife … but especially the wife. I believe it is in prayer where she many times will uncover her husband’s heart. This is empowering, but there is also a greater understanding and a shared sense of loyalty as they pray for one another. Esteem grows too and so does respect for her husband—the very thing he needs from her.

I see prayer as a great healer and sustainer of relationships. It can put us both into what Dr. Eggerichs calls the Energizing Cycle. Prayer not only brings great power to our lives; it brings greater partnership to our marriages.


Father, help us remain true to You, true to each other and true to this calling: “Pray about everything.” Amen.