Praying For Your Husband’s Spiritual Growth
Have you ever sat in church alone, wishing your husband’s faith was stronger, and his heart more aligned with God?
Maybe he doesn’t open his Bible, doesn’t bow his head in prayer, and the Fruit of the Spirit seems absent from his life.
It’s a painful reality, and yet, within this struggle lies an incredible opportunity—one that begins with prayer.
The first step in praying for your husband’s spiritual growth is recognizing that it’s not about changing him to fit your image of what a “godly man” should be.
I fell into this trap when my husband and I first married. One day God reminded me that it is His plan for my husband that is most important.
Sometimes, we may be tempted to focus on changing our husbands according to our desires, rather than praying for God’s will to be done in their lives.
Praying for your husband’s spiritual growth is about inviting God to work in his life in a way that only He can.
You’re not just praying for a better husband—you’re praying for a man who loves God with all his heart, soul, and mind.
Why Your Prayers Matter More Than You Think
Prayer is more than words whispered in the night – it’s a powerful tool that can transform lives and marriages.
This process requires patience, persistence, and unwavering faith. Your prayers have the potential to spark profound change, not just in your husband’s life, but in your marriage and family as well.
How do you pray for a man who doesn’t seem to care about the things of God?
How do you intercede for his spiritual growth when he doesn’t even realize he needs it?
This isn’t just about hoping for a better marriage—it’s about pleading for a transformation that only God can bring.
So, let’s look at ways you can stand in the gap, praying for your husband’s heart to be softened, his spirit renewed, and his faith ignited.
Building a Firm Foundation in Christian Marriage
Praying for your husband’s spiritual growth is one of the most significant acts of love you can offer.
It’s a way of inviting God into your marriage, asking Him to strengthen the man you love, and guiding him closer to the heart of Christ.
In a Christian marriage, your husband is often seen as the spiritual leader. When his faith is strong, it echoes through every part of your home. But if he’s struggling or uncertain, the entire foundation can feel shaky.
- Ephesians 5:25-33: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. … In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.”
- 1 Peter 3:7: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
Your prayers are spiritual support, helping to strengthen his faith and keep your family anchored in God’s truth.
By praying for his spiritual growth, you’re reinforcing the very structure of your marriage.
How to Pray for Your Husband’s Spiritual Growth
In The Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian emphasizes the importance of praying for your husband’s spiritual growth, offering powerful prayers that align with God’s will.
By integrating such focused prayers into your daily life, you can invite God’s transformative power into your husband’s heart and your marriage.
As you pray, ask God to give your husband a hunger for His Word, a desire to lead your family spiritually, and the strength to resist the temptations that pull him away from faith.
Pray for him to experience a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit, one that will ignite a passion for God that transforms not only his life but your marriage as well.
Praying with Purpose
When you pray, don’t just present a list of desires and hope something sticks. Be intentional.
Identify the specific areas where your husband needs God’s intervention—whether it’s dealing with doubts, resisting temptation, or finding peace amidst stress.
Purposeful prayer targets these areas with precision, grounded in Biblical truths and promises.
Writing Down Your Prayers
Consider writing your prayers down. There’s something powerful about seeing your hopes for your husband spelled out in black and white.
These written prayers can serve as a daily reminder of the battles you’re fighting on his behalf and keep you focused and persistent in your intercession.
Posting them where you can see them daily, like in a prayer journal or even in your closet, can help you remain consistent and intentional.
Praying for Emotional and Mental Strength
Spiritual growth isn’t just about reading the Bible more or attending church regularly.
It’s deeply connected to your husband’s emotional and mental well-being. If he’s carrying heavy burdens—like anxiety, past hurts, or overwhelming stress—these can become barriers to his spiritual life.
Pray for God to bring healing, peace, and clarity to these areas so his mind can focus on spiritual growth.
- Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Shifting Perspectives
Ask God to help your husband see challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. This simple shift in mindset can transform how he approaches difficulties and lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs.
It can also help him balance work and spiritual life more effectively, ensuring that his responsibilities do not overwhelm his spiritual journey.
Praying for His Purpose and Calling
Every man has a unique purpose within God’s kingdom, a calling that gives his life direction and meaning. Pray that your husband discovers, or rediscovers this purpose.
Whether it’s in his career, ministry, or personal passions, ask God to make this calling clear and to give him the courage to pursue it with his whole heart.
Understanding and embracing his Biblical role can help him align his goals with God’s will, leading to a fulfilling life rooted in service to God and others.
- Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Aligning with God’s Will
Pray that your husband’s ambitions and goals align with God’s will. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success or personal satisfaction, but true fulfillment comes from living out the purpose God has set before him.
Pray for God to guide his steps and align his desires with His kingdom work, so your husband can experience the joy and peace that comes from fulfilling his divine calling.
Encouraging Spiritual Growth Through Service
One of the most tangible ways your husband can grow spiritually is through serving others.
When he steps out to serve, whether in the church, community or through a ministry, he not only helps those in need but also deepens his own faith by putting Christ’s love into action.
Pray for opportunities for him to serve, and encourage him to seek out places where he can use his God-given gifts and talents.
- Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
- 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Serving Together as a Couple
There’s something uniquely powerful about serving together as a couple. It strengthens your bond, aligns your hearts toward a common goal, and encourages spiritual growth in both of you.
Pray for opportunities to serve side by side, whether it’s through volunteering at church, participating in a mission trip, or helping those in your community.
These shared experiences can deepen your connection and help both of you grow closer to God.
Incorporating Worship and Praise
Worship is more than just singing songs on a Sunday morning; it’s a lifestyle, a way of connecting with God that goes beyond words.
Pray for your husband to find his own personal expressions of worship, whether through music, art or simply moments of awe in God’s creation.
Worship has a way of softening the heart and opening it to deeper spiritual truths.
- Psalm 100:4: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
- Colossians 3:16-17: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
A Spirit of Gratitude
Pray that your husband cultivates a heart of gratitude. This attitude of thankfulness can transform how he views his life, turning everyday moments into opportunities for worship and drawing him closer to God in the process.
Gratitude can also help him overcome spiritual stagnation, a common issue where faith feels dry or routine.
Praying for Healing and Deliverance
Sometimes, the path to spiritual growth is blocked by deep-seated wounds or recurring struggles. These are the areas where your prayers can have the most profound impact.
Pray for God’s healing in your husband’s life, asking Him to break the chains of past hurts, habitual sins, or persistent fears. Healing and deliverance are often necessary steps before true spiritual growth can take root.
- Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
- James 5:15: “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
Breaking the Chains
If your husband is struggling with something that feels insurmountable, like an addiction or a deep-seated fear, pray for God’s power to break these chains.
Your prayers can help set him free, allowing him to move forward in his spiritual journey unhindered by these burdens.
This freedom will also enable him to fulfill his role as the spiritual leader in your home.
Encouraging Creative Expressions of Faith
Spiritual growth doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Encourage your husband to explore creative ways to connect with God.
Whether through journaling, creating art, or spending time in nature, these unique expressions of faith can deepen his spiritual life in ways that resonate deeply with who he is.
- Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
- Exodus 35:35: “He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”
Supporting His Spiritual Growth
Not every man connects with God in the same way. Pray for your husband to discover and embrace the spiritual practices that feel most authentic to him.
Maybe that’s a Bible study or something more unconventional, like hiking or painting, find a way to support him as he finds what helps him connect with God.
Passing Faith to Future Generations
Your husband’s spiritual growth isn’t just about his personal journey; it’s also about the legacy he leaves for your children and grandchildren.
Pray that his faith becomes a model for your family, inspiring your children to follow Christ.
Encourage him to be intentional about sharing his faith with your children, whether through family devotions, prayer times, or simply living out his faith daily.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
- 2 Timothy 1:5: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
Leaving a Spiritual Legacy
A spiritually strong husband can have a profound impact on future generations. Pray that God will use your husband’s growth to leave a lasting legacy of faith that will inspire your family for years to come.
By focusing on his spiritual development, you’re helping to lay a foundation that will support your children and grandchildren as they grow in their own faith.
Other Scriptures to Pray Over Your Husband
There’s power in praying Scripture over your husband. When you speak God’s Word into his life, you’re aligning your prayers with God’s promises. Here are a few key verses to start with:
- Ephesians 5:25-28: Pray for your husband to love you with the sacrificial love Christ has for the church.
- Joshua 1:9: Ask God to fill him with strength and courage, knowing that God is with him in every battle.
- Proverbs 3:5-6: Pray for him to trust in the Lord with all his heart, leaning not on his own understanding but acknowledging God in all his ways.
- Matthew 22:37-38: “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Conclusion
Your prayers are a powerful force.
By praying with intention, focusing on specific areas of need, and trusting God to work in your husband’s life, you’re not just supporting him—you’re partnering with God in his spiritual growth.
Remember, your prayers can make a difference, not just in your husband’s life, but in your entire family and beyond. Keep praying, keep trusting, and watch as God moves in ways you never imagined.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should I pray for my husband’s spiritual growth?
Pray as often as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. Some days may call for a quick, heartfelt prayer, while others might lead you to spend more time in intercession. Consistency is key—regular prayer creates a steady flow of spiritual support.
2. What if my husband isn’t interested in spiritual growth?
If your husband isn’t currently seeking spiritual growth, your prayers are even more crucial. Ask God to soften his heart and draw him closer to Himself. Trust that God can work in his life in ways you may not see right away.
3. Can I pray with my husband about his spiritual growth?
Yes, praying together can be a powerful experience. If your husband is open to it, invite him to pray with you. If he’s not ready for that, continue to pray on your own, and ask God to create opportunities for shared prayer in the future.
4. How can I encourage my husband without being pushy?
Be supportive and loving, offering gentle encouragement rather than pressure. Share resources or ideas when the time feels right, and trust that God is working in your husband’s heart. Your example of faith can be a powerful witness.
