4 Ways to pray when your spouse struggles

Whether they are struggling with emotional or physical situations, God wants us to pray for our spouses.

Perhaps your relationship is struggling because one of you is involved in less than Godly activities, struggles with addiction, is experiencing emotional turmoil or perhaps struggling with their faith. What does the Bible say we should do when our spouse struggles?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In a slight twist from Crosswalk.com's "4 Ways to Pray When Your Husband Struggles," Catholic Online presents four ways to pray when your spouse struggles.

We decided to talk about spouses in general because men and women can help each other the same way -with God's help.

Anyone who has ever encountered recurring issues with their spouse can take advantage of the following ways to pray for God to change poor, or even dangerous behavior.

Pray when you are alone

Ephesians 4: 1-2 I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you therefore to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you were called. With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love.

You can pray that God helps your spouse at any time -whether you are driving around town, waiting your turn in line at the bank, sitting in a quiet church, stretched out on your bed or even as you're brushing your teeth before going to sleep.

Praying for God to help your spouse is the best way to pray when you want to keep the prayer going for long periods of time. Trust that God will help your spouse and He will.

Pray together

1 John 5:14-15 Our fearlessness towards him consists in this, that if we ask anything in accordance with his will he hears us. And if we know that he listens to whatever we ask him, we know that we already possess whatever we have asked of him.

If your spouse is struggling, they know you know. So why not gently ask if they would be willing to pray with you? Sharing a prayer not only brings comfort to your spouse, it also strengthens the prayer. God can always hear us, but together there is a special bond that is reminiscent of the one created when you exchanged wedding vows.

Take a few minutes to pray for God's guidance and your spouse will be consoled by God and their best friend.

Pray God's Word aloud

2 Timothy 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who has no need to be ashamed, but who keeps the message of truth on a straight path.
When we speak the Scriptures aloud, there is power in our words. Praying scriptures out loud in the silence of our homes or while driving in our cars can be done quickly and simply, just by taking claim to everything God promised us in His Word.

Focus on God and your actions, not your spouse

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons with which we do battle are not those of human nature, but they have the power, in God's cause, to demolish fortresses. It is ideas that we demolish...

When our spouse is struggling, it can be very hard to deal with. At first it is painful to see, but after a time sometimes it can turn into something ugly that hardens our hearts.

If, for example, your spouse struggles with depression, their constantly negative attitude can begin to grate. Just remember that your focus is not on how much of a bother your loved one's attitude has become, your focus remains on God and how to be a better source of support.

God has called us to help one another, and the same is very true for spouses. Don't let your spouse's problem become yours. Give it up to God and trust that things will change for the better.

When you find yourself struggling with something, ask your spouse to pray with you. Pray for yourself when you have a moment. Pray, pray, pray. God wants us to rely on Him. He also calls us to help each other learn how to lean on Him. When you or your spouse struggle, please remember that God is there.
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