40 Powerful Scriptures to Pray for your Marriage (with Free Printables)

Marriage is a wonderful blessing, and a firm foundation for establishing healthy families and communities–which is why praying for your marriage is so important. If you are in need of powerful Scriptures to pray for your marriage, check out the prayers and Bible verses in this post.

Why Should I Pray for my Marriage?

One of the best ways to keep the embers of love glowing brightly in our marriages is to use Scripture to pray for our marriages fervently and frequently.

Just as an untended campfire grows cold without careful attention, our marriages can grow stale and fruitless without strategic and intentional prayer. The enemy of our souls is cunning, intentional, and strategic in his attacks–so why wouldn’t we be equally as intentional with the weapon of God’s Word?

It can be easy to become discouraged in our marriages when we don’t see immediate changes. Sometimes we lose hope, and wonder why we should pray when nothing seems to change. But I encourage you today to stand firm and don’t lose hope. 

Our marriages are worth fighting for–and our greatest weapon of warfare is on our knees in prayer.

40 Powerful Scriptures to Pray for your Marriage

Here are 40 Scriptures we can use to pray for marriage on a continual basis to keep our relationships strong and secure in Christ.

Scriptures and Prayers on Biblical Marriage

Marriage that is done God’s way looks very different from family relationships in the world. Many people in our modern society would scoff at the way Christian marriages are described in Scripture, but we know that the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight (1 Corinthians 3:19). 

A healthy, biblical marriage according to God’s Word powerfully reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for his people. Biblical marriage is not self-serving, but seeks ways to serve one another out of love and reverence to God. Here are some examples of Scriptures on how husbands and wives can reflect God’s love through biblical marriage.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:24

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. Ephesians 5:25-27

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Colossians 3:18-19

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2

Prayers for a Healthy, Biblical Marriage:

Lord, I pray that our marriage will bring your glory and honor. Help our marriage to reflect the type of marriage you have laid out in Scripture. May my husband strive to love me just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for his people (Ephesians 5:25-27). 

Help me to honor and yield to my husband with grace, and help us to maintain a healthy, godly, marriage filled with mutual honor, respect, and love for one another. Amen.

Scriptures and Prayers about Intimacy in Marriage 

Sexual intimacy is a sacred space in marriage. It is a couple’s deepest expression of love and devotion to one another. Satan knows the power of sexual intimacy in marriage–which is why there are so many corrupted distortions of sex around today to sabotage this area in our marriages.

This is why we ought to pray fervently for our sexual intimacy, and strategically seek ways to bring glory to God in this area. I have found the book Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus to be very helpful for wives.

Also, any resources by Juli Slattery are excellent. She has a podcast for Christian women that addresses many areas of sexual intimacy called Java with Juli.

A Prayer for Intimacy in Marriage: Lord, I ask that you will help me and my spouse to love one another intimately as you have beautifully ordained in marriage. May our marriage bed be kept pure as we delight in one another through sexual  intimacy. Amen.   

Here are some Scriptures on intimacy that you can use to pray for your marriage.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. Song of Songs 1:2

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

Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. Song of Songs 4:3

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice! Song of Songs 4:10

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

Scriptures on Love to Pray for your Marriage 

We all can become better “students” of our spouses by learning how to best meet their needs. We can do this more effectively by speaking the love languages that are most meaningful to them.

Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages has helped millions of married couples discover their love languages. Why not commit to loving your spouse better by praying for creative ways to love them better? Dr. Chapman also has a great podcast called Building Relationships with helpful tips and advice on how to love your spouse with grace.

A Prayer Showing Love in your Marriage: Lord, show us how we can communicate better and love one another according to our different love languages. Teach us how to share our needs with each other, that we may be devoted to one another in love, and honor each other selflessly and sacrificially. Amen.

Check out these Scriptures on love that you can use to pray for your marriage with fervor and passion.

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

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. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:3-5

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

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Scriptures on Forgiveness to Pray for your Marriage 

Strong marriage relationships certainly need to extend ample amounts of forgiveness on a regular basis. Since no one is perfect, we as humans make mistakes, misunderstand one another, and unintentionally wound each other. Even the book of James expressed the fact that “we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). This means that we will have many opportunities to forgive one another in marriage.

Here are some Scriptures on forgiveness that you can incorporate into your prayers for your marriage.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13

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 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

A Prayer for Forgiveness in Marriage

Lord, help me to forgive my spouse during times of misunderstanding or disagreement. Help us to resolve our conflicts and differences with grace and patience, and give us the humility to forgive when we have wronged each other. Thank you for being the ultimate example of how to forgive others by sacrificing your life to forgive our sins. Amen. 

Scriptures on Encouragement to Pray for your Marriage 

It is easy to forget that the simple gesture of encouraging your spouse can radically transform a marriage. We are sometimes more mindful of encouraging friends and coworkers that we are of encouraging our spouses. 

Offering a word of encouragement, sharing a compliment, sending a thoughtful text, or just letting your spouse know that you are praying for them is a great way to share encouragement. May these Scriptures on encouragement give you inspiration to encourage your spouse today!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-5

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

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

A Prayer of Encouragement for my Spouse:

Lord, help me to encourage my spouse today. Whether it is by sharing a kind word, expressing my appreciation through a note or a text, help me to remember that small gestures make a BIG difference. Help me to build up my spouse and give you honor and glory through my actions. Amen.

Scriptures to Pray for a Broken Marriage 

We have all had dark moments in marriage where the pain and heartbreak seemed too much to bear. If you are in a difficult season in your marriage, may these Scriptures encourage you to persevere through the storms of life. With God, all things are possible, and he can bring your marriage through the turbulent waters of difficulty and place you on a firm rock to stand on.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16

A Prayer for Restoring a Broken Marriage:

Lord, I pray that you will bring restoration and healing to my marriage. We have experienced much difficulty and pain, but I know that with you, all things are possible. Help me to not lose hope, but give me the strength to persevere through this difficult time. 

Hold me in your arms, and remind me that you are for us, and not against us. Help me to put on the full armor of God, and to stand firm on the truth of your Word regarding my marriage. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scriptures on Finances to Pray for your Marriage 

Finances are very important in marriage, and oftentimes can cause dissension, disagreement, and strife. Each spouse comes into marriage with their own views on how to spend and manage money, usually based on what they experienced in their own families growing up.

Here are some Scriptures on finances to use to pray for your marriage in this area.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it… Psalm 24:1

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously… Psalm 37:21

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely;  their children will be a blessing. Psalm 37:25-26

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

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

Prayers for Finances in Marriage:

Lord, I pray for our finances. Please give us wisdom to manage our finances with prudence and godly stewardship. Help us to communicate effectively on how to manage the resources you have given us for your honor and glory. Amen.

Scriptures on Communication to Pray for your Marriage

Most marriage counselors agree that good communication in marriage is absolutely crucial. This is an area we can continually take to the Lord and ask to grow in wisdom. The book Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs is an excellent book to help Christian couples communicate their emotional needs.

Take a look at these Scriptures to pray for your marriage as you communicate each day with effectiveness and love. 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge… 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

A Prayer for Communication: Lord, I ask that you will help me and my husband to communicate in our marriage in a way that brings honor and glory to you.

I pray that we will not allow any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building each other up according to our needs, that we may greatly benefit from one another’s words. Amen.

Scriptures to Pray for your Family Relationships in Marriage

When we marry our spouses, we often don’t realize that we become lifetime members of their extended families. One way we can keep our marriages strong is to not only pray for our nuclear family members, but for those in our spouse’s extended family.

Pray regularly for unity, and for healing from past wounds. Check out this post on how to pray against generational sins within your family.

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend wrote an excellent book on establishing healthy boundaries in our families and in other important relationships.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

A Prayer for Unity in your Family: Lord, your Word says that it is good and pleasant when we live together in unity. Unite us together as husband and wife through your perfect unity. Teach us how to love and honor one another, and to become one. Amen.

Scriptures to Pray for your Family Priorities

When we seek the Lord for his direction and guidance in our marriages, we can trust that he will work in our lives in powerful ways.

A Prayer for Godly Priorities: Lord, I ask that you will align our priorities according to your will for our marriage. Help us to seek first your kingdom and righteousness. In our actions and words, may you take first priority in our lives above all other things. Help us to trust that as we seek you first, you will provide all that we need according to your Word. Amen.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Scriptures to Pray for Faith in your Marriage

Hold unswervingly to your faith, and trust that through the storms of your marriage. God will never let you go. He promises to never leave us stranded in our marriages, and he is always there to answer in our times of need.  God is faithful, and his promises are “yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

A Prayer for Unswerving Faith in Marriage: Lord, at times life can be difficult and filled with pain and trials. Help our marriage to withstand the storms of life, and let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess in you. You promised to be with us, and you are faithful. May our faith in you be the anchor of our souls, firm and secure in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Free Scripture Reading Plan to Pray for your Marriage

You can find strength and encouragement in your marriage by praying these forty powerful Scriptures over your marriage. These Bible verses are based on the six areas mentioned in this post to pray for your marriage. Start praying for your marriage with power today!

Just click HERE or on the button below to download the marriage Scripture Reading Plan!

You can also download a free Marriage Prayer Journal by clicking here!

In Conclusion

I pray that these scriptures to pray for your marriage will strengthen your soul as you find hope, peace, and perseverance each day. No matter what difficulties you may face, each marriage is worth fighting for on our knees. Blessings to you as you pray fervently for your marriage!

Looking for ways to deepen your prayer life? Sign up to join the BOLD Prayers of Jesus Challenge today! In this FREE five-day e-mail challenge you will receive a prayer guide, prayer pages, Scripture cards, prayer prompts, a Bible journaling page, and more!