How To Fight Spiritual Warfare In Marriage

The ability to start a family is one of the benefits of marriage. Children are a tremendous blessing and an integral part of God's plan. They do, however, create obstacles to a marriage that should also be addressed via prayer.

While there are several things to pray for in this area, there are a few major areas on which you may wish to concentrate your prayers.

Pray for unity as you rear your children and for them to grow up in a godly manner with you.

Pray for your children's salvation and that you develop a love for Jesus in their hearts.

Lord, children have been such a blessing to our marriage, and we want to thank you for that. Assist us in becoming excellent parents and being modest enough to ask for help when we need it.

As our Heavenly Father, help us to raise our children in a way that honors and glorifies you.

We pray that you would give them your Holy Spirit and that they will devote their life to following you on a regular basis. We pray for your blessing on their salvation and for them to learn to turn to you in all circumstances.

What does God say about fighting for your marriage?

Constant Strife – (Ephesians 5:33) Don't give up if your marriage is riven by strife. “Don't give up if your marriage is full with strife.” This verse tells a husband that he should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and that his wife should respect him. Don't give up if your marriage is riven by strife.

How do I let God heal my marriage?

Begin to pray for your spouse every day. Expect a miracle in your marriage if you put your faith in God. According to Psalm 77:14, “You are the God who works wonders.” God clearly wants individuals to stay married, according to the Bible. We must anticipate God to intervene supernaturally in our circumstances. Fear and unbelief paralyze us, leading us to assume that our issues are too great for God to handle. We must believe that God is still capable of moving mountains.

Stormie Omartian offers praying this prayer for your marriage in her book The Power of a Praying Wife:

“Lord, I pray for an end to this fight and for the strife's hold on us to be broken. Remove the pain and the armor we've built up to protect ourselves. Help us to get out of the abyss of unforgiveness. Allow Your words to express Your love, peace, and reconciliation through us. Tear down this barrier between us and show us how to cross it. Allow us to break free from our paralysis and enter the healing and wholeness You have planned for us.”

God clearly wants individuals to stay married, according to the Bible. When our pledges are put to the test by disease, poverty, or difficult times, God hears us. The Psalms remind us that God understands our predicament and will help us in our darkest moments. In my marriage, the most difficult periods have also been the times when I've seen God's blessings in the most beautiful ways. According to Isaiah 64:4-5, “Except for you, no one has seen a God who works on behalf of people who wait for him. You come to the aid of people who are eager to do the right thing.”

When I pray for my husband, my marriage is undoubtedly better. With this motivation, I'm more aware of the importance of praying for everything. Simple blessings, God's grace, and serenity in our home are prayed for. Prayers for difficult requests, such as figuring out how to communicate with Sue in a way she understands. And prayers I don't want to pray, such as for me to recognize my sin and for God to transform me into the husband Sue requires. In the battle to keep your marriage together, prayer is your most potent weapon. Prayer is a potent instrument that can aid in the restoration of your marriage.

According to James 5:16, “A righteous person's earnest prayer has enormous power and produces marvelous results.” Do you wish to have a lot of influence over your partner's heart and mind? If that's the case, please pray for your partner. Continue to pray for God to work in and through your partner, to soften the hardness in his or her heart, and to shatter Satan's blinding power in his or her life.

Do you want to see great things happen in your marriage? If this is the case, please pray for your marriage. When Jesus healed a man who had been possessed by a demon, He revealed how He frees people from Satan's power: “How can one enter a strong man's house and loot his belongings unless the strong man is first bound? Then he'll pillage his own home” (Matthew 12:29).

If you want to save your mate or your marriage from the reign of darkness, you must fight this battle in prayer all the time. Jesus has given you control over all of the enemy's supernatural power. “I grant you authority to stomp on serpents and scorpions, as well as all the enemy's strength, and nothing shall harm you in any way” (Luke 10:19). Your authority is founded on the strong name of Jesus, not on your own strength or talent.

In prayer, lift up your marriage to God and ask him to heal it, bring reconciliation, and restore your love. Pray fervently “Pray without ceasing” is a phrase that means “pray without halting (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Never surrender! Don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. Remember that God operates on his own timetable, not ours. Simply do your part and let God handle the rest.

Remember to pray for yourself, so you may find the strength and courage you need to continue on the path you've chosen. David's advice is critical to your long-term success: “Wait on the LORD; be brave, and He will strengthen your heart; wait on the LORD, I say” (Palms. 27:14).

How do you pray for a troubled marriage?

Please, God, become closer to me. Fill me with the Spirit of God. Remove the resentment and hurt I feel against my spouse from my heart. Surround me with peace, strength, and understanding.

What is considered spiritual warfare?

Spiritual warfare is the Christian concept of combating supernatural evil powers at work. It is founded on the biblical belief in evil spirits, often known as demons, who are thought to meddle in human affairs in a variety of ways. Although neo-charismatic churches emphasize spiritual warfare, other Christian denominations and groups have adopted behaviors based on spiritual warfare notions, with Christian demonology frequently playing a crucial role in these practices and beliefs.

Prayer is one of the most prevalent forms of “spiritual warfare” used by these Christians. Exorcism, the laying on of hands, fasting with prayer, praise and worship, and anointing with oil are examples of other practices.

Should I fight for my marriage or let go?

‘Fight, fight how?' you might be wondering. My marriage is falling apart, and my partner refuses to be with me; what do you mean, fight? Why? “What is it for?” I can't say that I blame you for thinking that way. We've worked with thousands of couples, and in the vast majority of them, at least one spouse wonders, “Why should I stay hurting when I might just stop and maybe find a way to healing?” It is certainly your right to do so if you so choose. As someone who has lived through it, I understand the desire to reclaim some sense of control over your life and the desire to find a route to inner peace.

But are you truly resigning, giving up? Or are you someone who, when faced with dangers to your love and your life with the person you love, goes deep inside and discovers strength you didn't know you had? Are you tougher and more powerful than others realize? A person who loves so much that you won't let your family die without a struggle, that you're determined to seek hope as long as hope may be found, even if you're hurting and feeling hopeless. If that's you, the warrior who refuses to give up, whose love is so strong that you won't let it be taken from you, know that there is hope, true hope, no matter how bleak things appear.

Yes, even if your partner tells you there's no hope and that if you loved them, you'd let them go, or if your partner is so cruel to you that you're left wondering who this person is and what happened to the person you love. Now, this may seem absurd, but now is not the time to listen to your spouse's advise. A person who wants out may have powerful emotions, say and do hurtful things, but this does not guarantee they will remain in this state indefinitely. There is a way to save the person you love and recover the marriage if they are still in there somewhere.

Now, I understand that many people will tell you that your partner will never change, that you should give up and get rid of this guy who is causing you so much pain, that you are worth more than this, and that you don't deserve this. In that regard, I totally concur. You deserve better than this, and you don't deserve to be in this much misery. But keep in mind that most people who advise you to give up to terminate a marriage do so because they care about you and don't want to see you suffer. They're furious with your pal for inflicting misery on you.

They aren't evil people; they genuinely care about you. However, their advise can be disastrous because it is focused on alleviating your pain right now, rather than on what the future may hold. Or maybe some people are urging you to end it because they've experienced their own pain and are now projecting their feelings onto your situation, wanting you to hurt the person who is hurting you so that they can feel a sense of satisfaction because they still want to hurt the person who hurt them.

No, I'm not going to assault them. I'm saying that if you're a warrior, if you're not a quitter, don't let them influence you from doing what's essential to you, no matter how much they love you, no matter how firmly they press their counsel on you, no matter how much they encourage you to end your marriage. If you believe that fighting for your marriage is the correct thing to do, even if you're scared that it won't work out in the long run, then be true to yourself, true to who you are, and fight.

If you do end up fighting, be cautious about who you seek counsel from. I mean, there are a lot of people out there, even people you don't know, who want to give you advise on how to restore your marriage. However, the vast majority of them have no idea, and their incorrect advice, no matter how well-intentioned, may end up destroying rather than saving your marriage.

In our experience with hundreds of people, we've observed that your marriage counselor can sometimes tell you to give up. While your therapist may be correct, please know that in our experience with troubled marriages, we've seen hundreds of couples work things out after they quit visiting the therapist who recommended divorce. Isn't that a pain in the neck? People close to you are advising you to end your marriage and move on. Other people, even strangers, telling you exactly what you should do to rescue your marriage, yet offering you advice that would be like walking off a cliff if you followed it.

Can God restore my marriage?

Meghan Villatoro discussed how her husband's return to share his faith with her has helped her heal. As she witnessed God's transformation of his heart, she was able to trust again.

“And let us not, as some people do, forsake our gatherings together, but rather encourage one another…” NLT: Hebrews 10:25.

Our hearts transform when we share our faith with one another via worship, prayer, and Bible study. Our perspectives shift. We are more considerate of one another. Things that are holy and noble become our goals.

How do I reconcile my marriage?

Consider what's going on in your marriage and how you might be contributing to the issues. Make a list of your relationship's problems and potential solutions. Put yourself in your spouse's shoes and consider the impact of your actions. Make it clear to your partner that you are devoted to improving your relationship. Distinguish your rage from the problems and approach your partner calmly. Make it clear to your spouse that you don't want to blame him or her for the troubles in your marriage; you simply want to reconcile.

Talk with Your Spouse

Begin the process of reconciliation by informing your spouse that you want to improve your relationship. Recognize the issues in your marriage and express your desire to improve things. Admit your personal hurt and anger, and encourage your partner to express his or her feelings as well. Tell your partner why you're upset or wounded, and listen to his or her feelings sympathetically.

Avoid Defensiveness

Don't be defensive about your sentiments; instead, be open and honest with your partner. The partnership is worth the discomfort of discussing negative emotions and thoughts. Expect your partner to be a skeptic. During your discussions, be open, forgiving, caring, and vulnerable.

Apologize for Past Mistakes

You should apologize for any hurt you may have caused after you've spoken your feelings. Apologizing confirms your spouse's hurt and anger, allowing them to move forward toward reconciliation. Tell your spouse that you're sorry and that you won't do it again. It's a significant step toward reconciliation if your spouse accepts your apology and forgives you.

Focus on The Future

It's time to think about the future now that you've talked about what's wrong with your relationship and aired your feelings. If one of you isn't ready to forgive, let the other know by saying, “I'm still processing this hurt, and it'll take some time.” Please bear with me.” It takes time to reach a genuine agreement. Accept the fact that the past is no longer relevant. Let us know what you think a better relationship would look like. Make a list of realistic activities you and your spouse may take to rebuild your marriage, such as conversing every day, going on a monthly dinner date, and other basic steps to a stronger relationship.

Rebuild Trust

In any marriage, trust is crucial, and once it's lost, it's difficult to re-establish. It will assist if you can talk about your feelings for each other openly and honestly. Consistency, patience, and kindness will go a long way toward reestablishing trust. Make sure you follow through on your promises. If you tell your partner that you want to spend more time with him or her, follow through. Keep your promises, and apologize as soon as possible if you have wounded someone else. If your partner causes you pain, tell them straight away so you don't build up resentment.

Maintain Boundaries

Boundaries are not meant to keep people or emotions out. Boundaries, on the other hand, are a way of demonstrating self-respect. If anything makes you uncomfortable, make it clear to others that they should not cross that boundary. Why should you allow another individual to breach your limits if you don't want to violate theirs? Setting limits will make you feel safer and more at ease in your own skin. As a result, others will respect you more.

How do I restore love in my marriage?

“I thought we were doing okay, I honestly did,” Jason says when Kendra breaks the bombshell. Even though we don't have much sex these days, it appears to be a phase we're going through. By the time I get into bed at night, I'm out of energy.”

Kendra and Jason were reportedly passionate in the early years of their marriage. However, their sex life has diminished in recent years, and they rarely spend time together without their children. Jason typically pushes away from Kendra when she desires physical connection.

A pursuer-distancer cycle that develops over time, according to specialists, is the most typical reason couples lose their desire for each other and stop being physically intimate. Dr. Sue Johnson refers to the demand-withdraw pattern as the “Protest Polka,” one of three “Demon Dialogues.” When one partner becomes critical and confrontational, the other gets defensive and withdrawn, she explains.

According to Dr. John Gottman's research, couples that get locked in this pattern in the first few years of marriage have a greater than 80% probability of divorcing within the first four to five years.

Foster Emotional Intimacy

Emotional intimacy and closeness are the foundations of a good sexual relationship. To put it another way, if you want to improve your physical relationship, you must first strengthen your emotional relationship. Concentrate on addressing your partner's demands while also articulating your own in a caring and polite manner.

Dr. Gottman emphasizes in The Science of Trust that couples who want to rekindle their passion and love must turn to each other. Even when you disagree, practicing emotional attunement can help you stay connected. Instead of being defensive, this means leaning toward one another and demonstrating empathy. Instead than talking about what they don't need, both partners should talk about their sentiments in terms of positive needs.

Expressing a positive need, according to Dr. Gottman, is a formula for success for both the listener and the speaker since it delivers concerns and requests without judgment or blame. “This necessitates a conceptual change from what is wrong with one's spouse to what one's partner can do that would work,” explains Dr. Gottman. “Here's how I feel, and here's what I need from you,” the speaker is truly saying.

Rekindle Sexual Chemistry

Due to the euphoria of falling in love, many couples rarely come up for air throughout the early stages of marriage. Regrettably, this delightful mood does not persist indefinitely. Scientists have discovered that the bonding hormone oxytocin, which is released during the early stages of infatuation, leads partners to feel happy and turned on by physical touch. It actually functions like a narcotic, providing us with immediate gratification and tying us to our partner.

Holding hands, hugging, and gently touching your lover are all wonderful ways to express your love for them. Sexual contact that is focused on pleasure is put in motion by physical affection. If you want to improve your marriage, Dr. Micheal Stysma, a sex therapist and educator, suggests setting a goal of doubling the amount of time you kiss, hug, and utilize sensual touch.

It's difficult to maintain sexual interest over time. Kendra and Jason, for example, lack passion because they are unwilling to relinquish power and display weakness. As a result, they avoid sex and only touch each other on rare occasions. “Most sexual difficulties come from an interpersonal battle in the marriage,” says sex therapist Laurie Watson.

1. Alter your sex-initiation pattern.

Perhaps you're denying your partner or coming on a little too aggressively. Stop blaming each other and criticizing each other. To stop the power conflict, mix things up. Distancers, for example, may wish to practice initiating sex more frequently, while pursuers try to find subtle ways to tell their partner “you're sexy” while avoiding criticism and demands for proximity.

2. Increase the number of times you hold hands

Holding hands, embracing, and caressing can produce oxytocin, which causes a relaxing sense, according to author Dr. Kory Floyd. It's also been discovered that it's released during sexual orgasm. Physical affection also decreases stress hormones, reducing cortisol levels in the body on a daily basis.

3. Allow for an increase in tension.

When we wait for a reward for a long period before receiving it, our brains experience more pleasure. So, during foreplay, take your time, exchange fantasies, switch venues, and make sex more romantic.

4. Keep sexual intimacy and routine separate.

Plan time for intimacy and avoid discussing relationship issues or domestic duties in the bedroom. When we're distracted or anxious, our sexual arousal levels drop.

5. Schedule time for you and your partner to spend together.

Experiment with a range of activities that will give you both pleasure and satisfaction. To ignite sexual desire and intimacy, have fun courting and practicing flirting. “Everything positive you do in your relationship is foreplay,” says Dr. Gottman.

6. Pay special attention to touching with affection.

Make an offer to rub your partner's back or shoulders. Even if you are not a touchy-feely person, affectionate touch can be a powerful method to demonstrate and rekindle desire.

7. Make an effort to be more emotionally vulnerable during sex.

Share your deepest fantasies, desires, and hopes with your spouse. Consider individual or couple counseling if you are afraid of emotional intimacy.

8. Keep an open mind when it comes to sexual intimacy.

Experiment with fresh ways to make each other happy. Consider sex as an opportunity to learn more about your spouse over time.

9. Experiment with different types of sex.

Have sex that is delicate, tender, intimate, and incredibly erotic. As your sexual needs alter, break up the routine and try new activities.

Make sex a priority in your life.

Set the tone for intimacy before your passion is suffocated by TV or work. A small supper, combined with your favorite music and a glass of wine, can help you get ready for some good sex.

The good news is that allowing your lover to have an effect on you can rekindle the passion you previously had. In fact, according to Dr. Gottman, friendship is the glue that keeps a marriage together:

“The couples who make it are the ones who know each other thoroughly and are well-versed in each other's likes, dislikes, personality idiosyncrasies, hopes, and dreams.”

Increased physical affection and emotional attunement can help you maintain a strong, meaningful link, even if you aren't a touchy-feely type.

In the inaugural Gottman Relationship Coach program, you'll learn how to make your relationship work.

What are the signs that your marriage is falling apart?

While many marriages endure a lifetime, others begin to crumble within a few years, and over half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. As time passes, the peculiarities, mannerisms, and habits that people find appealing about one another at the outset of a life journey may start to feel like a burden.

Early warning symptoms of a deteriorating marriage are listed below. If you see any of these indicators of divorce, you should take action and try to settle them before the divorce becomes unavoidable.

You Both Used to Talk a Lot, but Now You Hardly Do

A healthy relationship is built on the foundation of communication. Either partner in a strong marriage will want to talk to the other about their everyday life, ambitions, recollections, and so on. The necessity for partners to confer, argue, and listen to each other's opinions is the foundation of a healthy relationship.

If you can't recall the last time you felt like talking to your spouse, it may be time to work together to change this behavior in order to salvage your marriage.

Contempt Is Slowly Taking the Place of Mutual Respect

Do you roll your eyes, smirk, or make sarcastic remarks while your partner speaks? People in a good relationship cherish each other's perspectives and thoughts, and they don't mind patiently and understandingly listening to the other's point of view. This is especially true when they disagree.

Your partner deserves your attention, time, understanding, and respect, no matter how unpleasant their argument is. If you and your partner are growing increasingly intolerant of each other's sentiments or thoughts, your marriage is likely to be in peril.

You Are Both Becoming Rigid in Your Arguments

Do you feel compelled to defend your point of view in every disagreement with your spouse? Do your arguments devolve into a never-ending narrative of angry exchanges in which neither of you concedes, but instead defends your position?

In an argument, taking a defensive and rigid posture indicates that you do not wish to engage in a fair conversation with your partner. If you find yourself explaining your actions or behavior in every disagreement, the foundation of your marriage may be under stress, which, if not addressed, might lead to a failing marriage and eventual divorce.

Intimacy Is Rapidly Fading

Intimacy is essential to a married couple's close relationship. Closeness encompasses more than just sexual intimacy; it also include romantic relationships, handholding, and cuddling.

You may be in the midst of a failing marriage if you can't recall the last time you snuggled up to your mate or had a date night. An intimate tie provides a new level of intimacy and affection to a marital relationship, and its absence could be detrimental in the long run.

Every Little Effort for the Spouse Feels Like too Much Effort

It could be a sign of problems if even the smallest gesture for your spouse feels like a great strain.

You are motivated to care for each other in a healthy marriage. Caring for a sick spouse or preparing a lavish breakfast spread are examples of activities that are motivated by care for each other's happiness and well-being.

You Start Shutting Off or Disconnecting Emotionally

Another indicator of a failing marriage is a lack of empathy. A marriage consists of two persons, each of whom plays an equal role in the progression of the relationship. But what happens if you don't empathize with your partner any longer? You may begin to feel as if your spouse's troubles are not yours, and you may want to distance yourself from him or her.

You don't want to get engaged or express your viewpoint when your spouse tries to connect with you or share some concerns with you. This frequently occurs when you both believe you don't regard each other's opinions enough.

Two Negatives Don't Make a Positive

Respectful and joyful interactions between married couples are common. There will be disagreements, but the pair will not belittle or scorn each other.

If, on the other hand, your fights with your spouse feel more like quarrels than the expression of strong beliefs, your marriage may be on the verge of falling apart.

A quarrel does not necessarily indicate that your marriage is in trouble, but repeated negative and unpleasant fights could indicate that you are losing basic affection and regard for each other.

Your Spouse's Absence Makes You Happier

Most happily married men and women look forward to their spouse's return from work and value their time together. Two partners can have different hobbies and social circles, but at the end of the day, they want to spend meaningful time with each other.

When your partner is away or not around you, though, you may feel relieved or less anxious, which could indicate that your marriage is ended, or at the very least, that your relationship is starting to fizzle out.

You Both Don't Look Forward to a Brighter Future

Do you find yourself reminiscing about old activities that you and your partner participated in together, but no fresh memories of joyful moments and togetherness? A married pair frequently makes plans for their future together, looking forward to mutual improvement and a wealthy and happy life. However, you may be getting the impression that your marriage's greatest days are behind you or are swiftly receding. This could be an indication of a faltering relationship.

When Two Worlds Collide

Do you keep secrets from your partner? Are you wary of your partner or hesitant to inform him or her about your personal life? The cornerstone to building a strong marriage bond is honesty, and secrets can be disastrous to any relationship.

There are a variety of reasons for preferring to keep things to yourself, but regardless of the reason, a couple who would rather hide their sentiments and acts than communicate them may be approaching the end of their marital existence.

Marriage isn't always created in heaven. It could be time to examine your connection with your partner more closely. Pay attention to the early warning signals of a failing marriage and take concrete actions to rekindle the romance and warmth in your relationship.

How do I pray to stop divorce?

1st “Father, I hope that You will free my husband/wife and me from our self-centeredness. Please give me and my husband/wife a servant's heart” (Ephesians 2:3; 2 Timothy 3:2; Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:5-11).

2. Inventive+ phrasing “Father, I pray that You would bind Satan's work in this marriage in the name of Jesus. Nothing would make him happier than to see our marriage fall apart. I beg You to put an end to His work in our life and to put an end to his attacks on our marriage” (John 8:44; Genesis 3:11-13).

3. If you're looking for a “I beseech you, Father, that we will tell the truth in love to one another. Encourage us to share our feelings openly and honestly without being arrogant or bitter. Allow us to work through our differences through love and honesty” (Ephesians 4:25; 1 John 4:7, 11).

a “I beg You, Father, to bring us into a closer connection with You. Make us yearn for You like a deer yearns for water. Give us a yearning in our hearts for You. Create a spirit of prayer in us, especially for one another” (Psalm 42:1-2, 63:1; John 17:3; Colossians 4:2).

Divorce may be a terrible and challenging event, particularly for couples who started their marriage with the intention of being together forever. You may believe that the threat of divorce implies that marriage is limited, but this is not the case. You may build the tie between spouses and work toward restoring your relationship by working together with the support of prayer.