Over a year ago my husband (Gary) and I began a commitment to pray together each day and I wrote about it and challenged my blog readers. You can read about it here. Since that time, my husband and I have made praying together a habit. Sure, we miss a day or two now and then, but for the most part, it’s a part of our regular routine.

Gary and I can both testify that when we miss a day, our relationship almost always suffers.

The other day, fellow-blogger, Joe Pote commented on my last post, 7 Ways to Develop Empathy and Gain Insight into Your Mate, that another “way” is to pray for our spouses. And he’s so right. I have to confess that although I do pray for my husband and our marriage, I don’t pray enough for him.

This conviction makes me want to draw upon the accountability and support of my readers. Would you join me in praying for our spouses for the next 30 days? And not just praying that God would “bless” them or “protect” them—praying safe, generic prayers, but instead praying prayers with “a little kick!”

Recently I read through the book of Ephesians and was reminded of a powerful prayer that Paul prayed for that church. Maybe we could use his example as our template because I believe God does something miraculous when we speak God’s Word in prayer.

So, write out this prayer on an index card and insert your spouse’s name where you find the blanks. Then keep the prayer card in your Bible or near wherever you plan to pray –

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen _________ with power through his Spirit in _______’s inner being, so that Christ may dwell in ________’s heart through faith. And I pray that _________, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that _______ may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

Now, here’s how I’m going to do this:
Each day I will record in my prayer journal what I see happening in my husband’s life, in my life and in my relationship with him. I want to be sensitive and aware of the work I believe God can and will do in him, me and in us as I lift Gary up. Then at the end of 30 days, I will report to you what I’ve experienced. And maybe some of you who plan to join me, can let me know what you’ve experienced too!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)