Too often we just want to take the fast-lane and start to pray for our wives. Let God the Holy Spirit first deal with you and your own heart before you pray for your wife.
1. Be a godly man. How can you expect your wife to change, to become more godly, if you yourself do not live a godly life? What does a godly husband look like? Titus 1:6-9 – “Above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination… He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Work through this first – you will pray with much more humility.
2. Pray God’s will and desires for your wife. When you pray for your wife, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is the Father’s will and desires for your wife – not your will and desires for her. In the end, it is about God, and your wife who needs to walk in His perfect will – in the fullness and freedom of what God desires for her. That is what will make her complete, bring healing and joy in her life. Pray for God’s grace and mercy to manifest in your life. Pray God’s blessing daily over your wife.
3. The devil is an accuser. You must intercede – stand before God and pray his will and blessing over her. Do not pray with bitterness or unforgiveness and an attitude of fault-finding or dissatisfaction in your heart. Do not pray with anger in your heart. If your wife doesn’t know about your bitterness and negative emotions, deal with it before God alone. If she knows about your negative feelings, go to her and ask forgiveness. Deal with your own emotions first, before you try to “change” your wife.
