40 Encouraging Bible Verses to Heal your Marriage

Marriage is a wonderful blessing that serves as a picture of God’s love for the church–but it is also one of the most difficult human relationships to nurture and maintain with love, forgiveness, and grace.

If you are experiencing difficulty in your marriage, these Scriptures will give you encouragement and strength to love your spouse through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What is God’s Purpose and Design for Marriage?

God’s purpose and design for marriage is clearly spelled out in Genesis when God created Adam and Eve. Not only did God create humankind in his image and likeness, but he gave them a specific mandate in Genesis 1:28,

God blessed them and said to them,

“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Adam and Eve were called to glorify God by filling the earth and to rule with the authority and dominion God had given them. This was a powerful calling that they could not perform separately from each other.

God in Genesis 2:18 said that it was not good that man be alone, so he created Eve to be a support and help to him. God also declared that a husband and wife would become “one flesh”, living together in complete harmony and unity (Genesis 2:24).

Not only were men and women designed to become one with each other, but in Ephesians 5:25-32, marriage is depicted as a beautiful picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:25-32

There is no greater earthly illustration of Christ’s sacrificial love for his people than the picture of marriage. In the same way that Jesus loved us sacrificially, we ought to love our spouses with the same relentless love.

Unfortunately, because of sin in this world, God’s original purpose and design for marriage has been tainted. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can strive to love our spouses in the midst of pain and difficulty.

Bible verses for marriage problems

Bible Verses on Praying for Restoration in your Marriage

Many relationships articles and books reveal the majority of marriage problems stem from the following six categories:

  1. Money issues
  2. Intimacy issues
  3. Communication issues 
  4. Disagreement on Household Division of Labor
  5. Parenting Differences
  6. Addiction

This list is not exhaustive, since each marriage is different, but many marriage problems are at least in some way related to at least one of these categories.

We will address specific Bible verses related to these categories. As you pray for your spouse and for your marriage, use these Scriptures to gain encouragement and strength each day.

The difficulties you experience in your marriage are not uncommon, and God knows the desire of your heart.

May these Scriptures offer you insight and wisdom into how you can better communicate with your spouse and pray for healing and restoration in your marriage.

**Important Note**

These Bible verses on marriage problems can give you hope and encouragement to powerfully pray for your marriage, but if you are experiencing emotional or physical abuse in your marriage, please seek help from a licensed Christian counselor.

You can search for one in your area, or go to Focus on the Family for a free counseling consultation. 

Bible Verses for Marriage Problems: Money Issues

Money management can certainly become a great area of contention for many marriages. Spouses often grow up with different ways of managing their money, or have not learned how to steward their resources God’s way.

Many couples also join together in matrimony with tens of thousands of debt on their shoulders, which also contributes to stress and strife in marriage. 

Take a look at the following verses on money and money management that you can take to the throne of grace as you pray for this very important area in your marriage.

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

Bible Verses to Heal your Marriage: Intimacy Issues

Sexual intimacy in marriage is a beautiful and sacred union between a husband and wife that God designed specifically for the purpose of marriage. Ever since sin entered the world, this precious union has become devastatingly warped, twisted, and corrupted.

We as believers must fight hard to protect the sacred union and purpose of sexual intimacy in our marriages. 

Feel free to use these Scriptures below to pray for this essential area in your Christian marriage.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. Songs of Solomon 1:1-3

Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 7:5

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Song of Songs 2:7

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Song of Songs 8:6

Bible Verses to Address Communication Issues in Marriage

There are many Scriptures that highlight the power of our words. Not only do we need to speak words of kindness towards our spouses, but we need to learn how to best use our words to communicate our thoughts, feelings, and emotional needs.

Take a look at these Scriptures to help you grow in communication within your marriage.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ Matthew 18:15-18

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 

bible verses for marriage problems

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 1 Peter 3:10

Bible verses for marriage problems 2

Bible Verses for Household Responsibilities/Home Management

Believe it or not, many marital problems can stem from a lack of communication and understanding regarding household responsibilities. Many married couples have unspoken expectations about who is responsible for certain responsibilities around the house.

If those expectations are not properly addressed and discussed, conflict can certainly arise. Be sure to discuss home management matters with your spouse so that your home can function smoothly and provide a haven of peace and tranquility for your family.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1

Bible Verses for Navigating Differences in Parenting

Marriage difficulties can also arise from differences in parenting styles. Since we all come from different homes and family backgrounds, husbands and wives do not always agree on how to handle specific situations regarding their children.

Feel free to use these Scriptures as you pray with your spouse on how to raise your children in the wise instruction of the Lord.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Proverbs 29:17

The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. Proverbs 23:24

 “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Bible Verses that Address Marriage Problems: Addiction

Addiction of any form (pornography or substance abuse) is an unrelenting bondage that shatters families and leaves individuals heartbroken and destitute. If this is an area of struggle for you or your spouse, please seek help from a local counselor in your area.

There are many resources available to help in this area, and you are never alone.

May these Scriptures below offer you strength and encouragement as you and your spouse weather the storms of life and find hope and victory in Jesus. 

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:3

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2

Powerful Scriptures on Unconditional Love

As we use these Bible verses for marriage problems to gain hope and encouragement in our marriage, we can conclude this post by reflecting on the many “one another” Scriptures that not only apply to marriage, but are Scriptures that encourage us to love all people with grace and peace.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is 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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Free Printable Bible Verses to Pray for your Marriage

Feel free to download a list of the Bible verses mentioned in this post so that you can pray for your marriage with peace and strength!

In Conclusion

I hope that these Bible verses will help you pray for your marriage and give you encouragement and strength to continue to love your spouse through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Marriage is a beautiful picture of God’s love for his people, and I pray that these verses will give you strength and perseverance to love your spouse in the same way that Christ loves us!

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