Marriage Challenges

GRACIOUS GOD, I’m feeling sad for a friend who’s struggling in a difficult marriage. Even the best of marriages include challenging times, Lord. You’ve helped many of us move through troubles of various sorts, and over time, to emerge and experience pleasant days we wouldn’t previously have imagined. With your help, nothing is impossible.

And yet my friend’s situation is more serious than a minor disagreement. Father, in the days ahead, please encourage and strengthen her. Through your Word, through counselors, and through family and friends, please help her to know when it’s wise to wait, and when it’s important to act.

May she grow in learning to speak the truth in love, and in practicing the wise words of Romans 12:9: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (NIV). It’s challenging to know exactly what that looks like—practically speaking—from one minute to the next. But your Holy Spirit is a wonderful Counselor! Please be that for my friend in her situation, Lord. May she be heartened by the specific insights you provide. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.