Marriage is one of God’s most sacred covenants—a divine union built on love, trust, and faithfulness. Yet even the strongest marriages can face storms of misunderstanding, hurt, or distance. Struggles between spouses can leave hearts heavy and spirits weary, but God’s design for marriage includes grace, forgiveness, and renewal. Through prayer, couples can invite the Holy Spirit to restore unity, soften hearts, and rebuild the foundation of love that first brought them together.
When a marriage feels like it’s falling apart, prayer becomes the bridge back to God’s design. It reminds couples that they are not enemies, but partners walking through life’s trials hand in hand. In every broken moment, God offers healing, patience, and divine wisdom. This prayer guide is for couples who are struggling—those who long to rediscover peace, joy, and connection in their marriage. As you meditate on these verses, may the Lord renew your love and strengthen your bond through His everlasting grace.
23 Prayer For Married Couples Struggling
1. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (ESV)
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”
Marriage is a divine partnership meant for support and mutual strength. When one partner falters, the other offers encouragement and love. God’s intention is that both lift each other up, especially in seasons of hardship.
Lord, help this couple remember the beauty of their union and the purpose of their partnership. When they stumble, let them lift one another in compassion and patience. Strengthen their love so it reflects Your faithful and enduring nature. Amen.
2. Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Forgiveness is the heartbeat of every thriving marriage. God calls couples to release resentment just as Christ forgives us daily. Holding onto bitterness only deepens the wounds that love is meant to heal.
Father, soften their hearts toward one another and fill them with a spirit of forgiveness. Help them see their spouse through eyes of grace rather than judgment. Teach them to love as Christ loves—patiently, completely, and without condition. Amen.
3. Ephesians 4:2–3 (ESV)
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A struggling marriage can often be healed through humility and gentleness. These qualities allow couples to listen deeply and respond with kindness instead of anger. When both spouses pursue peace, God’s Spirit restores unity.
Lord, grant this couple a spirit of humility and grace. Remove pride and stubbornness from their hearts and replace it with understanding. Let Your peace fill their home and guide them back to harmony. Amen.
4. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (KJV)
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”
True love requires endurance, kindness, and humility. It withstands hardship, forgives mistakes, and perseveres through the tests of time. God’s definition of love invites couples to love selflessly and sacrificially.
Father, teach this couple to love one another in the way You designed. Let their actions and words reflect patience, kindness, and humility. Help them to rebuild their relationship upon the foundation of Your eternal love. Amen.
5. Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
When couples face confusion or conflict, trusting God’s wisdom brings clarity. Human understanding often leads to pride or fear, but God’s direction restores peace. Surrendering to Him allows divine healing to enter the relationship.
Lord, lead this couple in Your truth and light. When they cannot see a way forward, help them trust in Your perfect plan. Align their hearts with Your will so their marriage may thrive once again. Amen.
6. James 1:19–20 (KJV)
“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Communication is vital to healing a struggling marriage. Listening before speaking builds understanding, while anger only deepens division. Through patience and self-control, couples can learn to speak life instead of pain.
Lord, grant them gentle tongues and listening hearts. Teach them to communicate with kindness and compassion. Let every word they share build peace rather than conflict and draw them closer in unity. Amen.
7. Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Selfishness can quietly erode love, while humility restores it. God calls each partner to serve the other selflessly, finding joy in sacrifice rather than personal gain. This mindset strengthens the covenant bond.
Father, help this couple to put one another’s needs before their own. Remove pride and replace it with humility and compassion. Let their acts of love rebuild what has been broken and bring joy to their union. Amen.
8. Matthew 19:6 (KJV)
“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Marriage is a sacred covenant sealed by God’s authority. Even when trials arise, this verse reminds couples that their union is divinely established. No conflict or circumstance can undo what God has joined.
Lord, remind this couple of the sacred bond You’ve created. Let no external force or internal struggle tear them apart. Strengthen their oneness and renew their hearts to love as You intended. Amen.
9. Romans 12:10 (ESV)
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Mutual respect is vital to a healthy marriage. When both partners seek to honor each other, love grows deeper and stronger. Small gestures of kindness and appreciation can mend even old wounds.
Heavenly Father, teach this couple to honor one another daily. Let love and respect guide their actions and soften their hearts. Help them to rediscover the joy and affection that first united them. Amen.
10. 1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Love has the power to forgive and restore. Even when mistakes cause pain, love invites healing through compassion and grace. A marriage built on fervent love can overcome any trial.
Lord, fill this couple with passionate and forgiving love. Let their hearts overflow with grace that heals every hurt. Through Your Spirit, renew their bond and make their love a living testimony of Your mercy. Amen.
11. Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Marriages face seasons of weariness when effort feels unreciprocated or hope begins to fade. But God promises that perseverance in love will bear fruit in His perfect time. Patience and consistency in doing good create lasting transformation.
Lord, when this couple feels tired of trying, renew their strength. Remind them that every act of kindness and forgiveness matters. Help them hold onto faith that their love will be restored in Your timing. Amen.
12. Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
This verse reveals the depth of a husband’s calling—to love with sacrifice, patience, and devotion. Christ’s example sets the standard for a love that endures through trials. A selfless love can heal even the deepest wounds.
Heavenly Father, teach husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church—with strength, compassion, and humility. Let that love be a healing balm to the heart of their marriage. Bless their union with unity and divine tenderness. Amen.
13. Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Constantly bringing up past mistakes can reopen old wounds and prevent healing. True love covers offenses through forgiveness and grace. God calls couples to move forward, not live in regret.
Lord, help this couple let go of past hurts. Heal their hearts from resentment and teach them to forgive freely. Let their love grow stronger as they choose peace over conflict. Amen.
14. Romans 15:5–6 (KJV)
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.”
Harmony in marriage comes when both partners reflect Christ’s patience and comfort. Unity is not always about agreement, but about walking together in mutual respect and shared purpose. With God’s help, peace can be restored.
Father, fill this couple with patience and understanding. Let their hearts align with Yours so they can walk together in unity. Bring consolation to their spirits and help them rediscover joy in one another. Amen.
15. Psalm 85:10 (ESV)
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
A thriving marriage is built on steadfast love and faithfulness. When love is rooted in righteousness, it leads to peace and restoration. This verse reminds us that God’s harmony can dwell within any relationship devoted to Him.
Lord, let steadfast love and faithfulness define this couple’s relationship. Replace chaos with peace and uncertainty with assurance. May their hearts reflect Your holy love and remain united under Your guidance. Amen.
16. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?”
God delights in making things new, even in marriages that feel broken beyond repair. His creative power can restore love, trust, and joy where there was once despair. Renewal is possible through faith and surrender.
Lord, breathe new life into this marriage. Restore what has been lost and make their love flourish once more. Help them believe that You can bring beauty from ashes and hope from brokenness. Amen.
17. Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”
Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts spouses can give each other. When couples uplift one another in love, their bond strengthens and faith deepens. Marriage becomes a place where both partners grow closer to God and to each other.
Father, help this couple encourage one another daily. Let their words bring life, their actions inspire hope, and their faith unite them in purpose. Renew their hearts with joy and mutual devotion. Amen.
18. Psalm 127:1 (KJV)
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”
A marriage cannot thrive apart from God’s presence. Without His foundation, even the strongest love can crumble under pressure. But when He builds the home, every storm can be weathered.
Lord, be the cornerstone of this marriage. Build it with Your wisdom, patience, and truth. Strengthen its walls with faith and fill it with Your peace. Amen.
19. Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Peace doesn’t come naturally—it’s cultivated through intentional effort and grace. In a struggling marriage, becoming a peacemaker means choosing reconciliation over pride and gentleness over anger. Those who pursue peace reflect the heart of God.
Lord, make both partners peacemakers in their marriage. Help them speak words that heal rather than hurt and act with love that restores rather than divides. Let Your peace reign in their home and hearts. Amen.
20. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (KJV)
“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men.”
Love is not static—it grows and matures through God’s Spirit. When couples pray for their love to increase, God multiplies it beyond measure. His divine love transforms human weakness into strength.
Father, let Your love overflow in this marriage. Increase their affection, deepen their understanding, and renew their commitment. Help them to love one another as You love them—fully and without fear. Amen.
21. Micah 6:8 (ESV)
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Healthy relationships thrive on fairness, kindness, and humility. When both partners live by these principles, peace replaces pride, and love finds fertile ground to grow. God’s design for marriage begins with humility before Him.
Lord, teach this couple to walk humbly together and act with compassion. Let their relationship be rooted in fairness, forgiveness, and grace. Help them love each other as You have loved them. Amen.
22. Psalm 37:5 (KJV)
“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
Every lasting marriage depends on trust—trust in each other and in God. When couples commit their relationship to the Lord, He brings healing, reconciliation, and renewed strength in due time.
Father, we commit this marriage into Your loving hands. Restore what is broken and bless what is whole. Let Your divine will bring peace, purpose, and enduring love into their union. Amen.
23. John 15:12 (ESV)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
The essence of every marriage lies in Christ’s command to love sacrificially. His love knows no limits, no conditions, and no end. When couples follow His example, they rediscover the beauty of unconditional devotion.
Lord Jesus, help this couple to love one another as You have loved us. Let Your Spirit guide their hearts toward patience, forgiveness, and deep affection. May their marriage shine as a testimony of Your eternal love. Amen.
Conclusion
Marriage was never meant to be free from struggle—it was designed to reflect God’s love through perseverance, forgiveness, and grace. When couples turn to prayer in their darkest moments, they invite the light of God into their relationship. His Word reminds them that no hurt is beyond healing and no distance too wide for His love to bridge.
May every couple facing hardship find renewed hope through faith and prayer. Let their hearts remember the covenant they made before God and rediscover joy in one another’s arms. In the strength of Christ, may every struggling marriage rise again, healed, restored, and anchored in divine love. Amen.