A prayer for marriage & family

Almighty God, who sets the solitary in families, we worship and glorify You for Your infinite wisdom in establishing marriage as a tangible expression of the mystery of Christ and His church (Psalm 68:6; Ephesians 5:32). We praise You? Father, Son, and Holy Spirit –

or this earthly reflection of the true covenant love, fellowship, and unity known in Heaven and illustrated between a husband and a wife. We thank you, Father, for the “fruit of the womb,” the heritage of children as a reward, and for the joyful duty of raising them in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3; Ephesians 6:4).

Father, we humbly ask that You remove from our families every root of bitterness, worldliness, and pride of life (Hebrews 12:15). Remind wives to be submissive to their own husbands as to the Lord, and husbands to love their own wives as Christ loved the church, and children to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-25; 6:1). Give us such a deep sense of love and indebtedness to our Savior that no temptations might overtake us.

O Lord of Hosts, who builds the house and guards the city, we ask you to defend our homes and families against the evil one (Psalm 127:1). Cause us as parents to walk circumspectly in our homes, redeeming the time in these evil days (Ephesians 5:15).

We also ask for Your mercy and healing upon the many families torn by divorce or separation. Give grace, wisdom, and endurance to every single parent to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, and sustain them with the blessings of heaven when all human comfort fails (Matthew 6:33). We pray prodigal children would be enticed by the gospel and drawn by gentle cords of love into fellowship with You and Your church (Hosea 11:4).

Hear us, O God, as we offer this imperfect prayer with humble hearts through the merits of our Great Redeemer and Mediator, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.