Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27
Dear Jesus, I cannot think of a context more specifically designed for proving the limits of man and the power of the gospel than marriage. How naïve most of us were when we spoke the words, “for better or worse… for richer or poorer… in sickness and in health, till death do we part.” Today, we bring before you a wide range of needs and crises brewing in the marriages of people we love. For your name sake… for the glory of your name, bring the power of your resurrection to bear.
For our friends who are experiencing a measure of the “for worse” part of their vows. A violation of trust is no small thing, Jesus. The ability to entrust one’s heart and body to another requires great vulnerability, and assumes honesty and faithfulness. When trust has been severely broken—when actual affairs, physical or emotional, break the covenant bond between spouses, who but you Jesus can bring healing and restoration? Things impossible with man are possible with you, Jesus. We pray for the resurrection of marriages which have suffered, what seems to be, irreversible damage. Show us that affairs are not just grounds for divorce, but also opportunities for the God who raises the dead.
For our friends who are experiencing “the poorer” challenge—financial stress, debt… the inability to pay for life. More so than sex, finances stress and break marriages, Jesus. That’s what we are told. So we pray for our friends who are facing or who have experienced things like foreclosures and bankruptcy… unemployment and unexpected financial pressures. Show us how to love well our friends well in these situations. What does bearing one another’s burdens look like when we have a chance to show sacrificial friendship? Bring good counsel, give jobs, but also make us generous.
For our friends who are experiencing various expressions and degrees “sickness” in their marriages. Little did many of us expect to be married to a spouse with a physical, emotional or mental disease. Hard providences happen, but so does sufficient grace. Jesus, we pray for an outpouring of your Spirit. We pray for strength and resources for those facing short term and long term chronic care. Show us, the Body of Christ, how to come along side of those couples that are walking through the costly place of accident and illness.
Lastly, Jesus, we pray for the refreshment of dull, boring gospel-less marriages—for the couples who are disillusioned and disappointed with their spouse, but also no longer know how to find joy and satisfaction in you. Restore the joy of your salvation to the hearts of your people. Bring renewal by the gospel. No human being—no spouse on the face of the earth can possibly be to us what you can be, Jesus. So very Amen, we pray, in your beautiful and sufficient name.
